Bridesmaids - What is a 'Piddleton'?

Her Royal Hotness - Pippa

"What is 'Piddleton'?" A 'Piddleton' is when the bridesmaid (Pippa) outshines the bride (Kate Middleton). Royal bridesmaid Pippa Middleton, 27, became the centre of post-wedding gossip and has even been dubbed "Her Royal Hotness" by keen fans.

Although not a member of the Royal family, some say Pippa Middleton stole the royal wedding show in her figure hugging dress. The official announcement of Kate Middleton's engagement came on 23 November 2010. After being widely expected, Pippa's appointment as maid of honour was confirmed on 14 February 2011. At the wedding, Pippa's white figure-hugging dress, which like the bride's was created by Sarah Burton, was highly commended in the media.

Not only did she attract attention at the wedding ceremony, but she also attracted world's attention when she stepped out for the royal wedding reception in an emerald evening dress at Buckingham Palace. After doing a great job in a gorgeous ivory bridesmaid gown at royal wedding, Pippa Middleton opted to show off some color by slipping into a sexy, floor length emerald green evening dress by British designer Alice Temperley.

Now that the dust has settled on the Royal wedding, we want to take a closer look at this situation. Your wedding - it's all about you, 'the bride', just as Kate Middleton's was about her. So what about the bridesmaid(s), where do they fit into the equation? Are you at risk of a "Piddleton"? Do you allow your bridesmaids to steal the show, or do you take control and ensure you retain the title?

Recently we were discussing an upcoming wedding, of a Melbourne bride who is planning to marry later this year. Much has gone into the planning, she wants a glamorous wedding and, as is her right, she wants to be the 'star' of her show! She has planned most things with determination and precision as everything has to be just right and interestingly enough she determined at the outset that this extravaganza would be allocated a budget of $50,000.

Now what has got us pondering was her attitude towards what her bridesmaids would wear and how they would present. When it came to her bridesmaids dresses, she chose one of the first dresses she came across, wasn't really fussed and then when asked how she would like her bridesmaids to have their hair done, she basically said 'whatever you feel like'.

What became obvious was her focus was solely on herself. The problem and our question, is 'how important are the bridesmaids' to your overall wedding? Do you worry about how they will present down to the last detail, or do you shrug your shoulders and let them have free reign? Either way, do you risk a 'Piddleton' at your wedding?

Would really like to hear your thoughts. Email your comments through and we will put together a summary of your opinions. Tell us what you think.

Bridesmaid Dresses, Australia, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra