Seven ways to choose bridesmaid dresses that complement the bride
Top tips for choosing your bridesmaid dresses.
You’ve found your dream wedding dress and you couldn’t be happier, but now comes the hard part; finding bridesmaid dresses for your besties that complement your look (and you thought picking out your wedding gown was tough!).
Of course, you want your bridesmaids to look as gorgeous as possible and for them to feel amazing. You are after all conscious that their bridesmaid dresses will be in all of the wedding photography and are a huge part of the theme and style for the day. You want their attire to coordinate with your wedding gown, but you also want to choose a style that they will love and that they are comfortable wearing.
1. CONSIDER THE STYLE OF YOUR WEDDING DRESS
I advise all of my brides that if you want to find bridesmaid dresses that will complement your wedding gown, you are going to have to take the style of your gown into consideration. What type of wedding dress are you wearing? Is it modern? Is it A-line and embellished with beading and embroidery, is it lace, is it satin? You may decide you want to complement your wedding dress without exactly matching it. But you are also worried that if the two styles match too closely, you won’t stand out.
2. IF YOUR WEDDING DRESS IS MODERN…
Look for bridesmaid dresses that have a classic silhouette in classic fabrics. Avoid lace and chiffon, as these fabrics don’t really work with a modern look. To make your girls stand out without taking the attention off of you, you might want to consider pairing bridesmaid dresses that have a slightly retro style with your modern gown. Doing so will help to keep things balanced, yet allow you to stand out, and your girls, too.
3. IF YOUR WEDDING DRESS IS EMBELLISHED…
The key to choosing bridesmaid dresses that complement an embellished wedding dress is to mimic the embellishments without completely copying it. For example, if your dress is embellished with beads and embroidery, you might want to opt for bridesmaid dresses that are embellished with pleats or layers of fabric. This will give the bridesmaid dresses an interesting look that mimics your style without completely copying it.
Another thing to keep in mind when trying to pair bridesmaid dresses with an embellished bridal gown: Avoid harsh colours and/or cuts. Dresses that have a bold colour and dramatic cuts will take the attention off of the details on your wedding gown.
4. AVOID COPYING THE MEMORABLE DETAILS
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid choosing bridesmaid dresses that mimic the most memorable details of your modern wedding gown. For example, if your dress is off the shoulder, don’t pick dresses for the bridesmaids that also feature interesting details in the shoulder area, such as a single strap or capped sleeves. Instead, opt for a strapless style so, as it won’t take the attention off of the most eye-catching detail on your dress.
5. CONSIDER THE NECKLINE
There is a general rule of thumb when shopping for bridesmaid dresses: Never choose a dress that has the same neckline as the bridal gown. Just like choosing a dress that completely mimics the embellishments on your dress, a dress that has the same neckline as your will take the attention away from you.
If your wedding dress features a sweetheart neckline, choose a plainer, less dramatic neckline for your girls; a straight neckline, for example. If your wedding dress has sleeves, choose a sleeveless style for you bridesmaids.
6. CHOOSE FABRICS THAT COMPLEMENT YOUR WEDDING DRESS
Don’t try to get all matchy-matchy with the fabric. Choosing a bridesmaid style that features the same fabric as your bridal gown will make you all look as if you have been cut from the same mould. Instead, choose fabrics for the bridesmaid dresses that complement your bridal gown. For instance, if your bridal gown is chiffon, avoid chiffon bridesmaid dresses and instead opt for satin or silk. Likewise, if your bridal gown is satin, you may want to choose a lace or chiffon fabric for you girls.
7. CLASHING IS GOOD!
Many brides love the consistency of colours and styles but don’t forget that these days anything goes! If you are going for a more relaxed affair and your bridesmaids are all various shapes, styles and sizes you may want their individual personalities to stand out. Why not let them choose their own gowns but tailor the palette or have a mixture of shades? Remember your bridesmaids are an extension of you so embrace this.
I hope this helps ladies! Finding the best bridesmaid dresses in Cornwall can be an overwhelming task, however enjoy the process with your girls! For more inspiration on bridesmaid dresses head to my collection of Maids for the day! and book your appointment.
