The current trend in bridesmaids dresses is to mix and match various aspects of their outfits to create more visual interest. You can be more adventurous than go with the popular (read as safe!) option of mixing hues of a single shade, while keeping hemlines constant. Find the latest trends with these tips that we bring you, and try the ones that appeal to you. So, read on!
Contrasting colors that compliment each other
While choosing a single color palette for all your bridesmaids dresses is interesting, you can also opt to have them in complimentary shades. Take a look at the color wheel and choose sets of colors that fall opposite to each other, to find the shades that are complimentary. You can throw in a few doses of neutrals like grey or navy if you want to balance out the look. This however is purely optional.
Glitter and gems
via Best for Bride
Add more glitz and glamour to your wedding by dressing up your bridesmaids in dresses that are embellished with glitter and sparkles. Stick to a single palette of colors or a similar pattern, so the look is cohesive. Since the dresses will itself be elaborate and striking, make sure that the accessories are simple.
Patterns and prints
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Forget the plain bridesmaids dresses and opt for ones with brilliant patterns and prints instead. To unify the look, consider picking dresses with similar patterns or hemlines from the same collection. Or keep the prints similar, and vary the colors. You can either go with elaborate prints, or simple geometric, polka dots and chevron. This is perfect for an outdoor garden or beach wedding. Printed dresses have a casual and cheery vibe, that will uplift the mood at your wedding and make everything more pleasant. The other great factor about this choice is that your bridesmaids will be able to use the dresses again. Other prints that are trending this year include animal prints and graphic 3D prints.
Brilliant in black
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Now, here is an unusual but interesting color for your bridesmaids. Black is a shade that adds sophistication to any palette. So, you can employ it to your advantage, especially if you have a colorful wedding theme going. Consider having your bridesmaids in different designs in black. This is one color that suits almost any skin tone, and a black dress can definitely be worn more than once. If you are worried about whether the pictures will be boring without any color, consider adding brilliant pops of color through accessories like shoes, waistbands or headpieces.
Color block dresses
via Best for Bride
The latest trend on the fashion runways, use color blocking in your wedding for a spectacular effect. You can either set the stage by having all your bridesmaids in just two colors, or mix and match various colors for each outfit to create a stunning palette.
At Best for Bride, we have bridesmaids dress collections that fall into all these categories. Whether you want a traditional selection, or a bold and trendy one, this is the place to look at. Visit us today and find the perfect attire for your favorite girlfriends.
The Mix ‘n’ Match bridesmaid dresses trend is catching on, and with good reason. Having all your bridesmaids dressed in the same attire from head to toe is boring, and the uniform does little justice to helping your girls shine in their entirely similar outfits. Today’s brides are intelligent, smart women who want to make sure their best friends and sisters look splendid on their big day. Appreciating their individuality by choosing different dresses for each of them goes a long way in reinforcing this idea. Plus, bridesmaids are your favorite girlfriends, and you want them to be satisfied and comfortable in what they wear.
There is however a catch to employing the mix ‘n’ match trend. It is not something that will just fall into place. You, as the bride, have to play a big role in building a cohesive look for your bridesmaids, as only then will your bridal party acquire the intended effect when they all come together. Fortunately, you do not have to seek the services of a personal stylist to get this right. An idea of what combinations work can help you get through, and here are some sure hits.
1.Same color but different styles
One place where many brides go wrong is in choosing a particular color and giving bridesmaids free reign to pick a dress that they like as long as it falls into this color spectrum. Well, it may work for certain colors like black, gray or gold, but not any other. Unless your bridesmaids go shopping together and you or someone else oversees what they choose, you will not know if the shades they pick will work together. This is a recipe for disaster.
Let me make things a little clearer. There are a thousand different shades of green, some with hints of blue in them, others with hints of yellow. If your six bridesmaids each picked out their own version of green, it is likely that at least one of them will look drastically different from the rest.
Instead, give your girls free reign over the style of dress they choose, as long as they stick with dresses from a single designer collection. This is because most designers offer the same colors, in different styles. For example, these different pink dresses from the Dessy Collection would work like a charm, don’t you think?
2.Pretty in prints and patterns
In a welcome deviation to the single solid color for bridesmaids dresses, you can render a personal touch to each outfit with interesting prints and patterns. Not only does this add oodles of style, it is fashionable and your girls will get better use out of these dresses than just at your wedding. One unique idea I found on the Every last detail blog is to limit your bridesmaids to a single shade, but pick a patterned dress for your maid of honor. How interesting is that? Check out their blog page at the link above for more details and pictures related to this idea.
You could also mix patterned dresses and dresses in the same solid base color for a different effect. Above is a stunning dress from the Dessy Bridesmaids collection with a speckled pattern. Imagine how beautiful it would look when mixed with a dress in solid grey or navy to get a beautiful effect. For example, the dress featured below could be a befitting combination for this rococo speckled gray dress.
The soft texture and speckles of prints on the rococo lace dress complement the beautiful gray chiffon dress with the ruched bodice. Although both dresses possess individual style, you can still create a cohesive look with both of them.
3.Mix and match textures to impress
Yet another great way to mix and match bridesmaids dresses, but in a safe way is to mix textures in exactly the same color. Take a look at this image of buoyant beautiful bridesmaids in lavender. Notice how each of the dresses are entirely different from the other, but the breezy fabrics used in different ways in each of these dresses render a cohesive look to all the women. The main attractive factor about this style of mixing and matching dresses, is that you can find dresses that suit the personalities of all your bridesmaids. This allows you to not just find stylish dresses for each of them, you can also make sure that all their looks come together.
When opting for this method, remember that you will have to invest more time and effort, as slight differences in color or entirely different fabrics can change the overall look. To make sure you nail it, you will have to see all the dresses together, and have a dress rehearsal to make sure that they go together as intended.
4.Dusty and pastel palettes
Give each of your bridesmaids her unique look by choosing soft pastels or dusty barely there colors that do not compete with each other. Although we initially discussed that different hues in a single color are not a great idea, pastels are an exception to this rule, as all the colors are muted, and create a beautiful palette with a subtle hint of refreshing color.
Image Credit: outreachr.com, via Flickr [ CC BY 2.0]
A pastel palette is perfect for your bridesmaids dresses, if you are a bride who wants color at her wedding, but not ones with overpowering intensity. Pastels are pleasant, but soft, and so they are bound to mix together well. Imagine your beautiful bridesmaids in a rainbow of pastels similar to what you see in the image here. Need I say more about how stunning the effect will be? Dusty colors look sophisticated, and they add grace and elegance to the stride of your bridesmaids. Since most dusty colors are almost neutral in appearance, you needn’t worry about whether they will blend together. This is in fact one of the easiest ways to coordinate your bridesmaids outfits. Experiment with different necklines, patterns and styles by keeping the fabric uniform, and you simply cannot go wrong.
5.Varied necklines and unified hemlines A simple but effective way to employ the mix and match trend, without experimenting too much, is to simply choose different dresses in the same color, and vary necklines. There are two advantages to following this idea
You allow your bridesmaids to pick a neckline that they are most comfortable in
The color and length are unifying factors, and you needn’t worry about whether the bridal party look will come together.
Let’s face it, not all your bridesmaids may feel comfortable showing off their shoulders and decolletage in a dress with a sweetheart neckline. A few of them, on the other hand, may appreciate the chance to showcase their slender neck and toned arms in a strapless gown. By varying the neckline and sleeves, you make sure each girl has a dress with a unique style quotient, and this makes it easier for them to find a dress that suits them. You will also have to put in lesser effort to find your bridesmaids dresses. All you have to do is choose a color that works, and then explore the various options in sleeves and necklines and find those that will work for each of the bridesmaids. It is easy to find bridesmaids dresses in different patterns but the exact color, when you choose from a single collection. Here’s a wedding picture, where they’ve got it right. Don’t you see how it is cohesive, yet individual?
Before you go start, we thought of running you through the common mistakes you should try to avoid.
#Forgetting about texture
We cannot stress enough on the impact that is created by varying textures. The same color can look entirely different when it is applied using two different types of fabric. So, pay close attention to texture when you choose the dresses. This is especially important if your bridesmaids go shopping individually, as you may end up with entirely random looks when they come together, if the textures are distinct. The best way around this is for you to specify the fabric.
# Not paying attention to the mood of the event
I’ve said it a hundred times before, and will reiterate that everything boils down to cohesion. Not only should the bridesmaids dresses go together, but they should also coordinate well with the venue and the ambiance. Before you finalize your bridesmaids dresses, make sure that they are suitable for the style of wedding you have planned. Dresses that are appropriate for a formal indoor wedding can be totally inappropriate for an outdoor beach wedding. The fix is to first determine the venue and understand the mood of the event; then choose bridesmaids dresses that will complement the theme and style of the wedding.
# Choosing bridesmaids dresses in the main theme colors, however bright or bold they may be
Many brides believe that their bridesmaids should be dressed in the central color theme, even if it doesn’t complement their skin tone. Do you agree? If you do, it is likely that your bridesmaids will not be smiling with satisfaction at your wedding. After all, they too want to look great on your big day. Wearing a color that isn’t flattering but does the opposite will ruin their chances of looking good in your wedding pictures.
Fortunately, there is an easy fix to ensure everyone is happy. All you have to do is dress your bridesmaids in a neutral color that complements your wedding palette. Check out this article on universal bridesmaids dress colors for some valuable tips. Bring in the central color used in your wedding theme through your accessories. There are many smart ways to incorporate this. You can opt for colorful bouquets, attractive accessories like shoes or belts, or a beautiful necklace. Now, do you think your bridesmaids will be a lot happier with the colors you’ve chosen for your wedding.
#Varying more than two features
While mixing and matching is fun, you should limit the extent to which you use it. Stick with just one or two factors. If you vary several features all at once, it will not only look disjointed, but the entire intent of using it is defeated. The last thing you want is to put in all that effort in planning your bridal party look to the last detail, and leave your guests to believe that you just went with what was available. Remember that it is difficult to satisfy everyone of your bridesmaids. So, draw the plug on what has to be uniform. Keep the fabric and color uniform, and allow them to choose their favorite neckline or sleeve length. Or keep the neckline and hemline uniform, and vary the pattern and color. By doing this, you can ensure that the overall look isn’t chaotic.
This covers all you need to know, so your bridesmaids are happy in different dresses that tie to the central theme, yet different in their own respect. Will you be going with this trend for your wedding? If so, what will your choices be based on? Do let us know through your comments.
Finding bridesmaids dresses of any type, size, pattern or color is now easy with our collection at Best for Bride. Make your choice from leading designer collections including the Dessy Bridesmaids collection, Mori Lee, Angeline Faccenda, After Six and more. Whether you would like to stick with a single designer collection, or check out your options from different designer collections, we have all the options you want in-store, along with some fabulous offers to help you save money.
Visit our online bridesmaids dress gallery to browse through all our collections and choose the ones that you like best. Remember that every pattern you see online is available in a range of colors, so customization has never been more easy. With every dress featured here available in all sizes, you needn’t look anywhere else to find all you need for your entire bridal party.
There are so many details, both big and small, to get right at your wedding. One of them is your bridesmaids’ bouquets. The flowers and the designs that you choose, will have an impact on how well they look on the day. Although they may not hold on to the bouquet for the entire day, it will still be prominent during some very important moments. So, you have to get it right.
Here are some ideas for you to start with.
Match it to your bouquet
Your own wedding bouquet should be the starting point for your bridesmaids bouquets. Bouquets that are miniature versions of your own would complete the effect seamlessly. Consider choosing the same or similar flowers as you have used in your own bouquet, for a cohesive effect. One thing to remember is that if your bouquet matches the colors of the bridesmaids dresses, it would be a good idea to choose flowers that are slightly darker or lighter in color for their bouquets. Else, it could get lost in the background of their dress.
Complement their dress color
Choosing a bridal bouquet is easy, as there are hardly any combinations that could go wrong with a white wedding dress. This is however, not the case with your bridesmaids dresses. Not all colors blend well. So, when you choose your wedding color palette, make sure that you have enough flower choices that will go well with your choice of bridesmaid dress colors. Lighter and shades from the same color family, complementary shades on the color spectrum and neutrals can be explored to find a good combination.
The size should go well with their dress design
If your bridesmaids wear elaborate gowns or dresses with intricate detailing, keep the floral accessories simple. For dresses with details at the bust or waist, choose a bouquet style that doesn’t hide it. Also consider the differences in height and build of your bridesmaids when choosing bouquets. After all, it is very unlikely that a bouquet which is perfect for a plus-size woman will have the same effect on a petite woman.
Make it interesting by varying the colors and designs
There was this rainbow wedding featured on the Rock ‘n’ Roll bride, where the bridesmaids wore dresses in different colors and held bouquets that matched their dress color. The effect was spectacular. We can see that the most brilliant and memorable choices are when you think outside the box. Give a unique touch to each of your bridesmaids bouquets by customizing each one. Vary either the colors, or designs and you will have stunning results.
Trust your florist
You may soon feel you’ve had enough when you have to select so many flowers, bouquet designs and floral centerpieces. Trust your florist with the finer details. She is an expert who knows her job and when allowed to use her creativity, it is likely that she will give you some surprising choices that you would never have thought of yourself. Tell her what you would like and give her the freedom to design it. Not only will this reduce your stress, she may also appreciate the opportunity to show her best.
For more valuable bridal tips and wedding planning advice, visit us at Best for Bride.
Your bridesmaids have an important role to play in your wedding. When they look good, the entire wedding feels good. So, you have to make sure that you pay close attention to how they will be dressed.
In most cases bridesmaids pay from their pockets for their dresses. The least the bride can do for these women who agree to happily shoulder their responsibilities is to buy them their accessories. Don’t you agree?
These simple styling tips will help you choose the right accessories for your bridesmaid’s dresses.
#Tip 1
Shop for accessories only after choosing the dresses
While there are accessories that go well with almost any dress, they aren’t necessarily the best choice. So, wait till you buy the bridesmaids dresses, to go shopping for their accessories. This way, you will avoid wasting time and can make a better selection.
#Tip 2
Simple dresses go with bold accessories and vice-versa
This is a very simple rule that many women fail to follow. Be it for a wedding or a cocktail party, the dress or accessories are not the main focus, but the woman wearing it. Balancing the dress with supporting accessories for an uncluttered and elegant look. Keep the accessories minimum for an embellished dress (like a sequined or patterned one or one in a bold colour). If the dress is relatively simple or in neutral shades with little to no accents, dress it up with attractive accessories.
#Tip 3
Let the neckline decide whether a necklace is necessary
Necklaces are accessories that can make or break a look. Not all dresses need necklaces to look great. For example, wearing a necklace with a halter dress would be too much. On the other hand, a sweetheart or bateau neckline would be emphasized with a pretty necklace.
#Tip 4
Don’t be scared to experiment with color
There is more than one way to add color to your bridesmaid’s outfits. While the obvious choice is a colourful dress, you should remember that not all colours look good on all women. You want your best friends to love their look, don’t you? If you prefer neutrals and toned-down colors for their dresses, add pops of color with bright and bold accessories. This may be with shoes, waistbands or jewelry. The effect is enhanced when colours are paired with the neutral background of their dresses.
#Tip 5
Mix and match accessories to suit each bridesmaid’s taste, but keep the look cohesive
Your bridesmaids have different personalities. Respect their individuality and let their looks reflect who they are. The accessories you choose for each woman should suit her taste and match her style. This way, you can make them all happy. The only thing to remember when choosing the accessories is to keep one-factor uniform throughout. This could either be the color, the design or the impact it creates.
Now that you know what to look out for when choosing bridesmaids accessories, how about finding the perfect dresses for your pretty friends? Visit our online store at Best for Bride for designer collections of the best bridesmaids gowns in all styles and price ranges.
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