Bridesmaids' Color Coordination: What Should They Wear?

Bridesmaids' dresses are an important part of the wedding ceremony. While it was once traditional for all bridesmaids to wear the same dress, it has become increasingly popular for bridesmaids to wear mismatched dresses, either in different styles or colours. When choosing the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses, it is important to consider the season, the venue, the skin tones of the bridesmaids, and the overall theme and colour palette of the wedding. While some colours, such as salmon, gold lamé, and silver, are considered outdated or unflattering, others, such as green, blue, purple, and pink, are popular choices. Ultimately, the most important thing is for the bridesmaids to feel happy and confident in their dresses.

Choosing bridesmaid dresses by season

When choosing bridesmaid dresses, it's important to consider the season and time of year. Here are some tips for selecting bridesmaid dresses that will complement the season of your wedding:

Spring and Summer

Spring and summer weddings call for lighter and more breathable fabrics such as chiffon. Pastel colours are often a popular choice for this time of year, with pale neutrals, blush pinks, and shades of green being on-trend and flattering options. If you're looking for something a little bolder, bright purple is a fun choice for a summer wedding.

For a beach wedding, it's essential to choose dresses that are comfortable and airy. Lightweight and flowy dresses, such as those made from chiffon or tulle, will help your bridesmaids stay cool and look effortless. One-shoulder A-line midi dresses or halter styles with open backs and crisscrossing straps are perfect for a beach setting.

Autumn

Autumn is the perfect time to experiment with richer colours and unique textures. A dusty rose or burgundy can be a stunning choice for autumn bridesmaid dresses. If you're looking for something a little different, consider a mix of different dress styles and colours in varying tones and hues of your chosen colour palette. This will create a cohesive and stylish look for your bridal party.

Winter

For a winter wedding, opt for darker colours and heavier fabrics such as faille, velvet, and crepe back satin. Deep emerald green, navy, and Bordeaux are elegant choices for winter bridesmaid dresses. If you want to add a touch of sparkle to your winter wonderland wedding, consider dresses with sequins or beading.

Remember, it's important to choose dresses that complement the overall style and theme of your wedding, as well as the venue and the season. Whether you're having a rustic barn wedding or a black-tie ballroom reception, the bridesmaid dresses should match the formality of the occasion.

Matching bridesmaids with groomsmen

Matching your bridesmaids with your groomsmen is a great way to set the tone and personality of your wedding and help reflect your style as a couple. While it is unrealistic to match your bridal party completely, there are ways to coordinate the two sides for a cohesive and complementary look. Here are some tips for matching your bridesmaids with your groomsmen:

Determine Your Wedding Color Palette:

The first step to coordinating your bridal party is to pick out your wedding colors and overall theme. Your wedding colors will be used throughout your big day, so it's essential to spend time on this decision. You're not limited to two or three colors; you can have primary wedding colors and secondary "accent" colors, giving you endless possibilities. We recommend choosing 3-5 colors for your wedding palette, ensuring colors that both you and your partner will love.

Pick Your Primary Wedding Colors:

Once you've identified your wedding palette colors, it's time to solidify 1-2 primary colors. These colors will be seen predominantly throughout your ceremony space and will help determine the attire for your bridal party. Consider what your primary color would look like as a suit or a bridesmaid dress to ensure you love it. One of the most common ways to coordinate is to use your primary color for the bridesmaid dresses and the groomsmen's accessories, such as ties, pocket squares, and socks.

Decide on Your Bridesmaids' Dress Colors:

Use your chosen primary colors to determine what your bridesmaids will wear. Many couples choose to have their bridal party wear their favorite wedding color. Remember that the color your bridesmaids wear will be featured in all your wedding photos! For a more dynamic look, consider using some secondary colors in your bridesmaid dress lineup. You can opt for the same color bridesmaid dresses or go for the mismatched look, a unique way to make your bridesmaids feel extra special.

Choose What Color Your Groomsmen Will Wear:

When choosing your groomsmen's outfits, keep it simple. Stick to neutral colors like grey or black suits and add pops of color with their accessories. This will make your wedding party look cohesive and coordinated rather than overly matched.

Match Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:

To create a cohesive look, choose one element that will remain the same between the two sides of the wedding party. It can be as simple as selecting a matching color, color pattern, or print. For example, you might choose to have the bridesmaids' dress color match the groomsmen's ties. Ordering samples of your selected elements for both your bridesmaids and groomsmen will help you visualize how the colors complement each other and ensure a coordinated bridal party.

Colours that photograph well

When choosing colours for bridesmaid dresses, it's important to consider the seasonality and location of the wedding. Bright tropical hues work well in summer, pastels in spring, warmer tones in autumn, and rich jewel tones in winter. For a beach wedding, a shade that will stand out against the white sand, like fuchsia or orange, is a good choice. Neutral colours may be more suitable for a wedding in a forest, and for an upscale hotel wedding, classic black dresses are always an option.

But what colours photograph well? Neutrals like grey, beige, ivory, black, and taupe are timeless and won't distract viewers from the subjects of the photos. They also won't reflect on the wearer's face and affect skin tone. Toned-down colours, like lavender instead of bright purple, blush instead of magenta, sage instead of emerald, and maroon instead of scarlet, are also good choices.

If you want to include brighter colours, pops of colour can be added with accessories like jewellery, cardigans, skirts, or heels. A neutral dress with a colourful design is another option.

For a diverse group of bridesmaids, jewel-tone shades of green, black, navy, true red, and teal are colours that will suit everyone. Blush is another universally flattering colour and a safe choice. A middle-of-the-road purple, like plum, eggplant, or violet, combines warm and cool tones and will also suit most people.

Different colours, same palette

If you want your bridesmaids to wear different colours, it's a good idea to keep them in the same colour palette. This will make it clear they are all bridesmaids and help to create a cohesive look.

For example, you could choose purple as your main colour and then select different shades of purple for each bridesmaid. Alternatively, you could opt for a mix-and-match pastel palette, with colours such as peach, purple, blue and mauve.

If you're having a beach wedding, seafoam-inspired greens and blues are a great choice. Or, for a garden wedding, you could have your bridesmaids wear floral-print dresses in colours like mint, sage and cerulean.

Another option is to choose one designer and have each bridesmaid pick a different colour and style from their collection. This ensures the dresses are similar while still allowing your bridesmaids to express their personalities.

Dress length

When deciding on the length of the bridesmaid dresses, it's important to consider the time of year and the overall look and feel you want for your wedding. For example, long dresses can be a great choice for a festive Christmas wedding, while short dresses can be more appropriate for a warm summer day.

It's also crucial to think about the mobility of the dresses. Bridesmaids will need to be able to move around easily to help the bride with her train, veil, and any other details throughout the day. Choosing a dress that is comfortable and practical will ensure your bridesmaids can perform their duties effectively.

Another factor to consider is the weather. If you're having a winter wedding, you may want to provide your bridesmaids with stylish boleros, cropped jackets, or wraps to keep them warm, especially if you plan to take outdoor photographs.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a dress length that makes your bridesmaids feel happy and confident. They will be playing an important role on your special day, so it's essential that they feel comfortable and confident in their outfits.

In terms of current trends, mismatched bridesmaid dresses are becoming increasingly popular. This can mean having the same dress style in different colours, the same colour in different styles, or a mix of both. This trend allows you to highlight the individuality of each bridesmaid and ensure they feel great in their chosen dress. However, it's important to strike a balance to ensure your bridal party still looks cohesive.

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