Bridesmaids wearing different dresses is a growing trend that allows each bridesmaid to showcase her unique style and ensures she's wearing a dress that makes her feel great. While it can be a great way to help your bridesmaids feel comfortable, it can also present a new set of challenges. If not done right, you can end up with a bridal party that looks disjointed and mismatched. So, here are some tips to help you achieve a cohesive and stylish look for your bridesmaids.
What You'll Learn
Same colour, different dress styles
Having bridesmaids wear the same colour but different dress styles is a great way to get a trendy mismatched look while keeping things simple. This option allows your bridesmaids to have a choice in picking a style they like and feel comfortable in, while still being easy to coordinate.
- Choose dresses with the same design elements, such as ruffles, hem length, or draped details.
- Opt for the same dress length for all your bridesmaids. Mixing short and long dresses can look mismatched, whereas picking one length will help your bridesmaids look coordinated and part of the same event.
- Pick a colour that suits all your bridesmaids' skin tones. This will ensure that everyone looks and feels good, and will show in your wedding photos.
- Consult your bridesmaids and ask for their preferences. This will allow them to feel confident in their own look, and you will know their opinions and concerns.
- Consider hemlines carefully. It's a good idea to have a mix of lengths and silhouettes to ensure that your bridal party photos look balanced.
- Don't vary too many features. It's best to switch up one or two things about each dress, such as the neckline or colour, and keep the rest the same.
- Tie the look together with identical accessories, such as matching jewellery, shoes, or hairpieces.
- Flowers can also pull the whole look together. Neutral and simple matching bouquets can help tie in different cuts and colours.
By following these tips, you can achieve a cohesive and stylish look for your bridesmaids, allowing them to showcase their unique styles and personalities.
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Same colour, different necklines
Having your bridesmaids wear the same colour but different necklines is a great way to achieve a trendy mismatched look while keeping things simple. This option is the easiest to coordinate while still allowing your bridesmaids to have a choice in picking a style they like and feel comfortable in.
To ensure your bridal party looks cohesive, it's a good idea to choose dresses with the same fabric and texture. Chiffon is a popular choice for bridesmaids' dresses and can be found at a range of price points. Brands such as Alfred Angelo, David's Bridal, Ann Taylor, J Crew, and Mori Lee offer a variety of budget-friendly options in the same colour and fabric.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option, JCrew and Bill Levkoff have well-made dresses, though they are more expensive. You can also keep an eye out for sales or discounts, which may help bring the cost down.
When choosing different necklines for your bridesmaids, consider each person's preferences and what will flatter their body type. For example, a high neckline might be preferred by a voluptuous friend, while a petite cousin may prefer a strapless look. You can also mix and match sleeve lengths and silhouettes to create a unique look for each bridesmaid.
Remember, the key to pulling off mismatched bridesmaid dresses is to find a balance between individuality and cohesion. By choosing the same colour and fabric but allowing for variations in necklines and silhouettes, you'll achieve a stylish and diverse look for your bridal party.
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Same colour, different textures
Mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses is a great way to let your bridesmaids showcase their individual styles. It's also a wonderful opportunity to incorporate different textures into your bridal party's look. Here are some tips to achieve a cohesive and stylish look for your bridal party, all while keeping the same colour but with different textures:
Choose a Colour
First, select a colour that you love and that complements your wedding colour palette. This colour will be the unifying element for your bridesmaids' outfits.
Pick a Texture
Next, decide on the texture you want to feature. For example, you may opt for lace, sequins, or beaded dresses. This shared texture will create a cool, cohesive look for your bridal party.
Select a Silhouette
Now, it's time to choose a silhouette that will flatter each of your bridesmaids' body types. You can select a variety of silhouettes, such as A-line, strapless, or high-neck styles. This will add interest and variety to the overall look while still maintaining the same colour and texture.
Mix and Match
Feel free to mix and match different sleeve lengths, necklines, and silhouettes within the same colour and texture family. This will create a dynamic and unique look for your bridal party. You can also choose to have the maid of honour stand out by dressing her in a chic combination of the chosen texture and a complementary fabric, such as chiffon.
Accessorise
To tie the look together, consider accessorising your bridesmaids with identical pieces, such as rhinestone belts, hairpieces, statement necklaces, or earrings. These accessories can also be given as bridesmaid gifts, making them even more special.
Play with Shades
While keeping the same colour, you can experiment with different shades to add depth and dimension to the overall look. For example, you can choose darker or lighter variations of your chosen colour to create a gorgeous ombré effect.
Remember, it's essential to create a vision board, consult with professionals, and consider your bridesmaids' comfort and preferences to ensure a stylish and cohesive bridal party that shines on your special day.
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Different shades of the same colour palette
Having your bridesmaids wear different shades of the same colour palette is a great way to mix and match their dresses while keeping a cohesive look. Here are some tips and ideas to achieve this:
Choose a Colour Palette
First, select a colour family that you want to work with. This could be shades of blue, pink, neutrals, jewel tones, or pastels. You can draw inspiration from your wedding colours, the season of your wedding, or the flowers in season. For example, pastel palettes are perfect for spring, while rich jewel tones are ideal for autumn.
Decide on the Level of Mismatch
You can choose to have your bridesmaids wear different shades of the same colour, but vary the dress styles, necklines, textures, and patterns. Alternatively, you can opt for the same dress style but in different shades. This approach is simpler and ensures the dresses complement each other while still allowing your bridesmaids to showcase their unique styles and find a style that flatters their figure.
Provide Direction to Your Bridesmaids
While you want each bridesmaid to feel comfortable and confident, it's essential to provide some guidelines to ensure the dresses come together harmoniously. You can create a mood board or sample photos to show them the types of dresses, colours, and styles you have in mind. You can also suggest they look at dresses from the same designer to ensure colour consistency.
Consider Accessories
Accessories are a great way to create unity within your bridal party. You can have your bridesmaids wear identical accessories, such as a rhinestone belt, hairpiece, statement jewellery, or even stylish jackets or wraps if it's a winter wedding.
Don't Forget the Flowers
Using neutral and simple matching bouquets is an excellent way to tie together different cuts and colours of bridesmaid dresses.
Plan Ahead
Ordering mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses can take some extra planning. It's recommended to give yourself a delivery time of at least one month before the wedding to allow for any necessary alterations.
By following these tips, you can achieve a beautiful and cohesive look for your bridal party, showcasing different shades of the same colour palette.
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Same print, different shapes
If you want your bridesmaids to wear the same print but with different dress shapes, it's important to keep the overall look cohesive. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Choose a Unifying Element
To ensure your bridesmaids' dresses complement each other, select a unifying element other than the print. This could be the fabric, such as silk or chiffon, or a similar neckline, like a v-neck or strapless look. You could also opt for dresses with similar design elements, such as ruffles, hem length, or draped details.
Pick a Colour Scheme
While the dresses will vary in shape, sticking to a colour scheme will help to create a cohesive look. You could choose a single colour, such as blush pink or forest green, or a range of shades within the same colour family, like pastel blues or neutrals.
Provide a Vision Board
It's a good idea to create a digital vision board that can be shared with your bridesmaids. Include dress examples as well as inspiration photos that capture the overall vibe and feel you're aiming for. This will give your bridesmaids a clear idea of what you have in mind and help them choose dresses that fit within your vision.
Order Fabric Swatches
To ensure the dresses come together harmoniously, order fabric swatches in your chosen colour or print. This will allow you to see how the fabric looks and feels, and you can share the swatches with your bridesmaids so they have a physical reference when choosing their dresses.
Consult Your Bridesmaids
While the final decision is yours, consider getting your bridesmaids' input. They can provide valuable feedback on what styles and colours they feel most comfortable and confident in, helping you make informed choices that your bridesmaids will appreciate.
Mix and Match Necklines
If you're opting for different dress shapes, you can play around with necklines to add interest and variety to the overall look. For example, some dresses could feature a high neckline, while others might be strapless or have a v-neck.
By following these tips, you can achieve a beautiful and cohesive look for your bridesmaids, allowing them to showcase their unique styles and feel comfortable and confident on your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own dresses means they can select a style that suits their body shape and budget. It also means less stress for you and more comfort and confidence for them.
There are a few ways to do this. You could choose the same colour but different styles, the same style but different colours, or different styles and colours. You could also choose the same texture, fabric, or designer.
You could make dress shopping a group activity. You could also be specific about any guidelines you have, such as colour, length, material, and style.