The first thing you think about when your friend asks you to be a bridesmaid is, what horrible dress is she going to make me wear? Thank you very much to the '80s for that. These days, as our weddings become more about what we want we're not picking second cousins and old aunts to be in our bridal party simply to make up numbers. We're picking the girls (and boys) that matter most to us and thus, making them endure a day in a horrid frock isn't really a friend thing to do.
I've seen some beautiful matching dresses but not as many as I have ugly ones. Not every woman is the same. You know that if you and your best friend went in and tried on the same dress, that it will look better on one of you and not so great on the other. That's because we're different shapes, sizes and colours. No brainer really. So why the hell are you making your bridesmaids wear the same dress?!
Alright so now that you've had that little "Ah-ha" moment where you have hopefully realised you don't need to force an ugly frock upon your best friends for 8 hours (well a life time really because your Wedding photos will be around forever). Let's take a little look into the alternatives for Bridesmaids dresses.
Some things to think about...
Vendors will ask you questions about feel, style, shades, colour palette (and variations) and it helps if you know what they're talking about. So under each of the photos below I have put a few key words to help you get acquainted with the language of design and style.
When you visit your dress maker, your florist or your decorator you should take with you a colour/ideas chart which should include a colour palette, themes, ideas. All the things you like should generally flow together and will have a common theme (a common denominator). Use the key words with these photos to help make your chart. It's also really practical to have, when you go to your florist and she's talking about purple hues she could be thinking about lavender. If you go to your dress maker and say to her "purple hues" she could think magenta. If you have the chart, they'll all be on the same page and your wedding will feel more coordinated and everything will tie in.
Alright, so I'm not too keen on bridesmaids in white. I'm not even sure I can tell you which one of these ladies is the bride, if she is even in the picture. Mighty confusing really. But I thought I would include this picture just to show you how many different styles of dresses there are and how they all look amazing together because they're all white.
(crisp, white, clean, bold)
Key note in this photo, the dresses match the colours in the roof (background). Not sure if this was on purpose, but if you're getting married in a specific location, maybe take inspiration from your location for what colours to choose.
(metallic, warm, muted, soft, brown, olive)
I adore this. Each woman looks magnificent in her own right. And as a whole, they look gorgeous. The neutral tones, golds, mauve, browns and beiges look amazing. The dresses are all different styles and colours but they feel like a whole. Love this.
(warm, textured, muted, soft, delicate, brown, beige)
Aside from the fact the photographer hasn't recognised that she is so small and should be standing a few feet in front her bridesmaids (in order to not look so tiny), the dresses look really nice for the colour theme.
(pale pink, light peach, soft, delicate)
I'm going to assume that the other two bridesmaids were in different dresses but in the same colour palette. Love the fishtail dress and the bronze/gold tones in this. Also note the contrast in texture from the brides bouquet (soft) to the bridesmaids (harsh, crisp).
(metallic, warm, gold, texture, pattern)
You could easily pick up 3 dresses like this in any boutique. All in the same colour palette but each dress looks amazing on each of the bridesmaids, and it shows in their faces, they're comfortable, fun and flirty. If boutique is a little beyond your budget, hunt around only, there are hundreds of American dress sites. You'll have to measure the girls sizes and work out their American equivalent, but it's a good way to save a few pennies.
(cool, pastel, soft, chiffon)
Shoes! You can't wear a dress without shoes (unless your going for the beach wedding of course!). The bride has Aqua shoes and each of her bridesmaids shoes are different too, they're dresses are different but, by having matching bouquets, it ties them together. Clever girl! Love. If your girls only have to buy a new pair of shoes to match their dress, they'll be more than obliging to buy a new pair! Who wouldn't want to buy a new pair of shoes...
(pastel, strapless, flowing, cool)
1950s vintage wedding frocks in pastels, looking gorgeous. Interesting to see the bridesmaids bouquets are much bigger than the brides, I think it helps to tie the girls in together. Very sweet.
(pastel, vintage, ruffles, feminine)
Again, these muted mauves, beiges with lace and creams and pearls. Love! Effortlessly gorgeous and they all look beautiful in their own right, without out shining the bride. Taking your girls shopping with you to the boutiques is a good idea, hectic, but a good idea. They can each try on the dresses in their colour palettes and you'll be able to tell what dress looks best on who. Depending on how great the dress is that you want them to wear, they may offer to pay for part of it (or all) because they'll actually want to wear it again.
(ornate, warm, mauve, soft)
Shoes! Couldn't resist throwing this one in. Black dresses with red shoes. Amazing. Simple but really gorgeous.
I love the textures in all of these dresses. The patterns are beautiful and chic with a vintage feel. Very pretty.
(delicate, feminine, flowing, beige, mauve, brown, lace)
This photo has a really informal feel, so if that's something you want to achieve with your wedding, then having your bridesmaids in uniformed dresses will give a regimented feel.
How pretty is this!
(floral, pastel, cool)
Very vintage with simple bouquets and lace detailing.
Again, 5 completely different dresses but all within the same colour palette.
(warm, orange, peach)
If you're a bit of a rainbow child and up for having 10 + bridesmaids, why not put them all in a different colour and go for the rainbow look! Looks great in photos.
(rainbow, bold, clean)
I love the matching bouquets! And the long black dress on the end. I wonder how they decided who got to wear what colour?
