Jenna Bush's wedding will bloom with Lela Rose dresses

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She's a Texan, she's a friend of the Bush family, she has designed daywear and gowns for the Bush twins in the past. So it was only natural that designer Lela Rose would get the nod to design the bridesmaid and maid-of-honor dresses for Jenna Bush's wedding in Texas May 10.

Working with Jenna, Rose came up with striking choices: The 14 attendants' dresses come in seven styles and seven colors — greens, blues, yellows and lavenders based on Texas wildflowers — in crinkle-silk chiffon backed with a cotton voile.

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"They have an ethereal quality, but they're not so drape-y — there's some structure," says Rose, who will be among the 200 guests attending the outdoor, Texas-nature-themed wedding at the Bushes' ranch in Crawford.

"It will be beautiful. The fields will be filled with wildflowers in full bloom."

The dress styles vary from sleeveless to boat neck to halter-style, but all are above-the-knee, she says. "With a group that big, it should not be limited to one style."

Twin Barbara Bush, who has been interning with Rose in New York, will be wearing a long, shimmery dress with a low back and dyed "moonlight" blue to match her "brilliant blue" eyes, Rose says.

Rose, who designed the twins' 2001 inauguration daywear and Jenna's 2005 inauguration gown, launched her wedding collection in 2006. Here are some things she has noticed in bridesmaid dresses:

Trends

•Fashion: "Brides are more interested in being fashion-forward. Ten years ago, girls said they want all their bridesmaids to wear black, so pick a black dress. Now they want to do their own special color, and it's not as repetitive."

•Color: "They're staying away from peaches and teals and sea-foam green and picking more designer-esque colors, such as hues of navy, turquoise, mulberry."

•Straps: "One way to be more fashion-forward is to stay away from strapless — not everyone can wear it. There's not one strapless dress in the (Bush dresses)."

•Fabric: "There's been an upgrade in fabrics. I'm seeing more patterns, and they're not always just a solid color. We pick a fabric that has texture, and a pattern due to the texture."

•Pockets: "All (the Bush dresses) have them. It's another way of having a casual, sportswear feel but still geared to a fancier setting. And it's a place to put your lip gloss or rest your hands."

•Wearability: "There's a much higher likelihood that they could be worn again. Most times it's not. These (Bush dresses) are designer-caliber — there's no rustling when you walk."

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Enlarge	Lela Rose via AP

Made for maids: Lela Rose, below, designed 14 dresses in seven styles and colors for Jenna Bush's bridal party. Not one is strapless, and they all have pockets.

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