Rhiannon Hendricks
Coordinating bridesmaid dresses is an important part of wedding planning. While some brides opt for matching dresses, modern brides are increasingly choosing mismatched dresses, allowing their bridal party to showcase their unique style and personality. To achieve a cohesive look, brides can choose a colour family, such as pastel pinks, purples and blues, or different shades of the same colour. Alternatively, brides can select a print, such as florals or animal prints, or mix and match textures like velvet, lace, satin, sequins and ruffles. For brides who want to stand out, choosing bridesmaid dresses that complement the wedding dress is key. For example, a lace wedding dress could be paired with bridesmaid separates with lace tops, or a light blue wedding dress could be paired with dresses in varying shades of blue for an ombre effect. Ultimately, the decision-making process should involve the bridal party to ensure they feel comfortable and confident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding venue | Choose bridesmaid dresses that suit the venue. For example, a barn wedding calls for a casual dress with a little flow. |
| Wedding dress style | Consider the style of your wedding dress. For instance, if your dress is vintage-inspired, your bridesmaids could wear flowy fabrics and ruffled sleeves. |
| Wedding dress fabric | Choose bridesmaid dresses with contrasting or matching fabric. For example, if your dress is satin, pick bridesmaid dresses with lace for a pop of texture. |
| Wedding colour palette | Select bridesmaid dresses that complement your wedding colour palette. For a spring wedding, pastel pinks, purples, and blues are a great choice. |
| Prints and textures | Try prints or textures for a unique look. Floral prints are a popular choice, but bolder options like animal print can also work. |
| Matching vs. mismatched | Decide whether you want matching or mismatched bridesmaid dresses. Mismatched dresses allow your bridal party to showcase their unique style and can promote inclusivity. |
| Consistent elements | If you choose mismatched dresses, determine at least one consistent element, such as colour or style, to maintain cohesiveness. |
| Convertible gowns | Consider convertible gowns, which can be worn in various ways, allowing each bridesmaid to feel confident and comfortable. |
| Budget | Keep your bridal party's budget in mind. Giving them options to choose from can provide flexibility and allow them to decide how much they want to spend. |
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What You'll Learn
Consider the wedding venue and your own outfit
When it comes to coordinating bridesmaid dresses, it's essential to consider the wedding venue and the bride's outfit. Here are some tips to help you achieve a cohesive and stylish look for your special day:
Firstly, think about the venue's style and formality. A barn wedding calls for a more casual, flowy dress, while a cathedral wedding can accommodate extravagant gowns with floor-length trains. Modern venues may suit dresses with sleek lines and fun architectural elements. The venue's terrain is also a practical consideration; a sweeping ball gown may not be ideal for a beach or garden setting. Opt for lighter fabrics and avoid long trains that could get caught in the terrain.
The bride's dress should complement the venue as well. For instance, a vintage-style wedding dress with intricate lace details can enhance the charm of a historic venue or a garden setting. If you're going for a bold and trendy look, your bridesmaids can also rock mismatched dresses with different textures or even fashionable jumpsuits.
The level of formality of the bride's outfit is another key factor. If the bride is wearing a ball gown, boho-style bridesmaid dresses may seem out of place. Instead, opt for full-length dresses with luxurious details to match the elegance of the bride's gown.
Fabric choice is another way to coordinate the bridesmaid dresses with the bride's outfit. If the wedding dress is satin, consider bridesmaid dresses with lace elements for a textural contrast, or stick with all satin for a unified look. For a whimsical and romantic wedding dress, flowy fabrics and ruffled sleeves for the bridesmaids can create a dreamy aesthetic.
Finally, don't forget about your wedding colour palette. You can choose bridesmaid dresses in different shades of the same colour or mix and match various hues within your chosen palette. If you're feeling bold, you can even explore prints and patterns that complement the overall theme and venue.
Remember, it's your special day, so feel free to break the rules and choose what makes you happiest.
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Choose a colour scheme or theme
Choosing a colour scheme or theme is an important step in deciding what your bridesmaids will wear. This will help create a cohesive look for your bridal party and ensure that your wedding party photos look beautiful.
First, consider your wedding venue and your own outfit. If you're having a barn wedding and wearing a casual dress, for example, you might want your bridesmaids to wear something similarly casual and flowy. If you're wearing a sleek, modern dress, you could opt for bridesmaid dresses with fun architectural elements.
Next, think about the colours and textures that will complement your wedding dress. If you're wearing lace, your bridesmaids could wear dresses with a lace element, or a different texture like satin or velvet for a pop of contrast. If your wedding dress is coloured, you could have your bridesmaids wear different shades of the same colour for a show-stopping ombre effect.
You could also opt for a seasonal colour scheme. For a spring wedding, pastel pinks, purples, and blues would be a lovely choice. For a fall wedding, consider autumnal colours like oranges, deep reds, and greens.
If you want your bridesmaids to wear prints, florals are a popular choice, but you could also try something bolder like animal print. Just be careful not to mix too many bold prints, as this can be a bit overwhelming.
Finally, decide whether you want your bridesmaids to wear the same colour or different colours. The same colour but different styles is a popular choice, as it allows each bridesmaid to showcase her unique style while maintaining a cohesive look. Different shades of the same colour can also add interesting variety to your wedding photos.
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Decide on a print or texture
Prints and textures can add a unique aspect to your wedding. If you're wearing a lace wedding dress, for instance, consider dressing your bridesmaids in outfits with lace tops, creating a complementary look without being too matchy-matchy. If you're wearing a wedding dress with a whimsical and romantic style, consider flowy fabrics and ruffled sleeves for your bridesmaids. For a bold and trendy wedding, you could opt for mismatched bridesmaid dresses with different textures or fashionable jumpsuits.
If you're wearing a satin wedding dress, you could choose bridesmaid dresses with a lace element for a pop of texture to contrast with the sheen of satin, or stick with all satin for a unified look. For an ethereal boho wedding dress, be adventurous with your bridesmaids' choices—seek out a pattern, bold colours, flowy fabrics, and ruffle details. If you're wearing a non-white wedding dress, pastel pinks, purples, and blues would be a great choice for a spring wedding.
If you're wearing a black wedding dress, which is the epitome of chic, your bridesmaids could add texture and depth with a black velvet belt or a delicate lace overlay. For a champagne-coloured wedding dress, consider a delicate ivory lace overlay to create a look of timeless grace. Burgundy bridesmaid dresses are ideal for evening or fall weddings, and you can add texture by choosing a fabric with a slight sheen like satin or silk.
Floral prints are a popular choice for bridesmaid dresses, but if you're feeling adventurous, a touch of animal print could work well. Just remember to stick to one print but vary the colours to avoid a jarring effect. You could also mix and match textures such as velvet, lace, satin, sequins, and ruffles.
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Opt for different shades of the same colour
Opting for different shades of the same colour is a great way to coordinate bridesmaid dresses, especially if you're working with a larger bridal party. This approach allows you to create a unique ombré effect while still maintaining a cohesive and harmonious look.
To achieve this, start by selecting a colour that ties in with your wedding colour palette. Once you've decided on the colour, explore similar dress options in lighter or darker shades. For example, you could choose sunset-inspired shades or cool tones for your bridesmaids to wear. This method ensures that your bridal party's attire complements the other elements of your wedding, such as the floral arrangements or table settings.
When working with different shades, it's important to maintain balance. For instance, if most of your bridesmaids opt for long gowns, ensure there's at least one other person in a shorter dress to create visual interest and avoid awkwardness in photos. You can also play around with different necklines, silhouettes, and fabrics to add variety while keeping the same colour.
If you're feeling adventurous, consider incorporating various textures into the mix. Sequins, lace, ruffles, and embroidery can elevate the overall aesthetic and make each bridesmaid feel confident and comfortable.
To make the process smoother, consider working with a retailer that specialises in bridesmaid ensembles. They often offer various dress styles in the same fabric or different shades of popular wedding colour palettes. Additionally, they may provide one-on-one stylist services to help you and your bridesmaids create a cohesive and personalised look.
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Choose a convertible gown
One of the simplest ways to achieve a mismatched bridal party look is to opt for convertible gowns. Convertible gowns can be worn in a variety of different ways, allowing each bridesmaid to wear their dress in a silhouette that makes them feel the most confident. With so many different ways to style convertible dresses, your bridesmaids can even switch up their look between the ceremony and reception.
Convertible gowns are a great option if you want to cater to each of your bridesmaids' personal styles and preferences. They can be a good way to ensure your bridal party understands the vision of the wedding, the venue, and the dress code, while still allowing them to choose what they feel most comfortable in.
When choosing convertible gowns, it is important to determine at least one consistent element to create cohesiveness. For example, you may give your bridesmaids the freedom to choose the style and cut they want, but request that the colour matches a specific swatch. Alternatively, you may ask that they each pick out a thematic outfit, like a floral or boho bridesmaid dress, to keep with your wedding vision.
If you are unsure about whether to go for convertible gowns, consider getting your bridesmaids' opinions on the matter. It may be helpful to hear their thoughts on what would make them feel the most comfortable and confident.
To help you decide, you can create a vision board filled with inspiration and dress options to give your bridesmaids a better idea of the overall vibe and feel you are aiming for. You can also order fabric swatches to see how various colours, patterns and textures look next to each other.
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Frequently asked questions
First, consider the style and venue of your wedding. If you're wearing a casual dress for a barn wedding, opt for bridesmaid dresses with a casual, flowy style. For a modern wedding, choose dresses with sleek lines or fun architectural details. If your wedding dress is vintage-inspired, avoid trendy, modern silhouettes for your bridesmaids.
Having bridesmaids wear different styles is a great way to let their personalities shine through. To keep the look cohesive, choose one element that's the same for all—for example, the same colour but different dress styles.
Consider the colour of your wedding dress. If you're wearing light blue, your bridesmaids could wear varying shades of blue for an ombre effect. You could also tie the bridesmaid dress colours to your wedding colour palette. For a spring wedding, pastel pinks, purples and blues are a great option.
Prints can add a unique aspect to your wedding. Stick to one print, but feel free to use different colours. Avoid mixing bold prints as this can be hard on the eyes.
Involve your bridesmaids in the decision-making process. Give them options to choose from within your preferred style, colour, or print. This will allow them to express their personal style and stay within your budget.
