Maid Of Honor: Dresses And Duties Explained

There are several ways to distinguish the maid of honor from the bridesmaids, from putting her in a different dress to giving her a special gift. One way to make the maid of honor stand out is to choose a unique dress for her. This could be the same style in a different color, the same color in a different style, or a completely different but complementary gown. Another option is to let the maid of honor wear a pattern, such as a floral print, while the bridesmaids wear solid colors. A more subtle approach is to have a different neckline or sleeve style for the maid of honor.

Same style, different colour

There are a few ways to differentiate the maid of honour from the bridesmaids, and one of the most popular methods is to have the maid of honour wear a different dress. One way to do this is to keep the same style of dress but change the colour.

This approach is a simple way to coordinate the wedding party, especially if the maid of honour looks good in the same style as the bridesmaids. It is best to use soft pastels with other soft pastels, bright light colours with other bright light colours, and deep colours with other deep colours. For example, a bridal party in French blue with the maid of honour in a soft sky hue, or the party in lavender and the maid of honour in a deeper eggplant shade. It is also possible to coordinate a dark and light shade of the same colour, such as periwinkle blue and deep violet-blue.

One potential downside to this approach is that the bridal shop may not be able to order the desired style in time. However, it may be possible to get the dress more quickly from another shop or buy another store's sample.

Another option is to allow the maid of honour to choose a dress with the same silhouette but in a different colour. This will make her feel special and allow her to pick a dress that flatters her.

If you want to make the maid of honour stand out even more, you can add accessories such as a bejewelled belt or a hair accessory.

Same colour, different style

Traditionally, the maid of honour and the bridesmaids would all wear the same dress. However, nowadays, it has become more common for the maid of honour to wear a different dress from the rest of the bridesmaids.

If you want the maid of honour to stand out, but still want all the bridesmaids to be dressed in the same colour, you can make the maid of honour's dress a different style. This could be a different neckline or sleeve type, or a completely different cut. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing long-sleeved dresses, the maid of honour could wear a strapless dress. You could also opt for a different print for the maid of honour, such as a floral print, while the bridesmaids wear a single colour that is featured in the print.

Another way to distinguish the maid of honour is to keep the dress style the same, but choose a different fabric. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing matte "crepe" fabric, the maid of honour could wear taffeta.

You can also add accessories to the maid of honour's outfit to make them stand out. A bejewelled belt or hair accessory, or a unique bracelet, could be all it takes to set them apart.

If you want to keep the dresses and accessories the same, you could always ask your florist to make the maid of honour's bouquet slightly different. It could be bigger, or include an extra flower or colour.

Different, but compatible gown

There are many ways to make the maid of honour stand out from the bridesmaids, and one of the most popular ways is to put her in a different dress. There are three ways to do this: the maid of honour can wear the same style in a different colour, the same colour in a different style, or a completely different, but compatible gown.

The first option is for the maid of honour to wear the same dress style as the bridesmaids, but in a different colour. This is a simple way to coordinate the wedding party, especially if the colour chosen complements the bridesmaids' colours. For example, soft pastels go with other soft pastels, bright light colours complement each other, and deep colours pair well with other deep colours. However, this option may not always be feasible as bridal shops may not be able to order the desired style in time, or have the colour in stock.

The second option is for the maid of honour to wear the same colour as the bridesmaids, but in a different style. This approach allows for more flexibility in terms of availability, as the dress can be purchased from a different maker or off the rack at a department store. To ensure the wedding party still looks coordinated, the maid of honour's dress should be similar in style to the bridesmaids' dresses. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing long, slim dresses, the maid of honour could wear a long and slim dress, or an A-line style to cover larger hips. The fabric should also be considered—if the bridesmaids' dresses are made from a matte "crepe" fabric, the maid of honour's dress should include the same fabric and avoid shiny fabrics like taffeta. If the bridesmaids' dresses are sleeveless, the maid of honour's dress can have very plain sleeves or be sleeveless as well. One potential challenge with this option is trying to match the colour exactly, as some colours may be unique to certain manufacturers.

The third option is to have a coordinating style and colour for the maid of honour's dress. This approach requires some skill in choosing a dress that fits with the wedding colour scheme but is clearly not an attempt to match the bridesmaids' dresses. For example, if the colour scheme is peach and green, and the bridesmaids are wearing pale peach, the maid of honour could choose a green or dark peach dress. Floral choices can also be used to pull the different colours together. This option frees the wedding party from the constraints of matching and ordering dresses from the same maker, and allows the maid of honour to buy her dress off the rack if time is short.

Ultimately, the decision on how to dress the maid of honour should consider the time and budget available, the desired level of coordination with the bridesmaids' dresses, and the overall wedding colour scheme and theme.

Different accessories

Accessories are a great way to differentiate the maid of honor from the bridesmaids. Here are some accessory ideas to make the maid of honor stand out:

Jewellery

A statement necklace, a glitzy hair accessory, or a sparkly bracelet can be a subtle yet effective way to distinguish the maid of honor. For instance, a bejewelled belt or a pearl hair accessory will gracefully accentuate the maid of honor's outfit.

Bouquet

A unique bouquet for the maid of honor is a simple yet impactful way to set her apart. The bouquet could be slightly larger, include an extra flower that's in the bride's bouquet, or feature an additional colour. This is a great option if the bridal party is wearing mismatched dresses or if you want to maintain uniformity in the dress style and colour.

Hairstyle

A different hairstyle for the maid of honor can be a subtle way to distinguish her from the bridesmaids, especially if they are all wearing matching dresses. If the bridesmaids are wearing updos, the maid of honor could wear her hair down, to the side, or half up and half down.

Fabric and Patterns

Using a different fabric or pattern for the maid of honor's dress can make her stand out. For instance, if the bridesmaids are wearing chiffon gowns, the maid of honor could wear sequins, lace, or satin. Alternatively, if the bridesmaids' dresses are solid colours, the maid of honor could wear a floral print or a subtle pattern.

Neckline and Straps

Choosing a different neckline or strap style for the maid of honor can be a simple way to set her apart. For example, while the bridesmaids wear cap sleeves, the maid of honor could rock a strapless neckline or a one-shoulder design.

Different bouquet

There are several ways to distinguish the maid of honor from the bridesmaids through their choice of bouquet. One option is to make the maid of honor's bouquet slightly different from the rest. For example, it could be slightly larger, include an additional flower that's in the bride's bouquet, or have an extra colour to set it apart. This approach works well if the bridal party is already mismatched in their gown choices.

Another option is to have the maid of honor's bouquet complement the bridal bouquet while still standing out. The maid of honor's bouquet could include some of the same flowers as the bridal bouquet but in a smaller arrangement, or it could feature specialty blooms that are saved for the bridal bouquet. This way, the two bouquets complement each other without competing, ensuring that the bridal bouquet, as the most photographed floral arrangement, still stands out.

The bouquet can also be coordinated to match the maid of honor's dress, especially if it is a different colour or design from the rest of the bridal party. For example, if the maid of honor is wearing a floral-printed outfit, the bouquet could feature blooms that are pulled from the pattern.

Ultimately, the choice of bouquet is an opportunity to bring in a broader range of colours and create an impact. Whether you choose to match the bouquets to the dresses or not, the flowers carried by the bridal party are important as they will be heavily photographed.

Frequently asked questions