Choosing bridesmaid dresses is an important part of wedding planning...after all, your girls will be standing next to you during the ceremony (and in your amazing wedding photos). If you’re ready to choose bridesmaid dresses, we’ve rounded up a few things to keep in mind to help you decide what your girls should wear.
Here’s how to choose bridesmaid dresses for your wedding:
1. Consider Budget
First things first, consider what your bridesmaids’ budgets may be. If they’re all in a similar range, that’s great! However, it’s quite possible that their budgets will vary. Keep in mind all the other costs that will be associated with your wedding and factor those in as you consider the price range for bridesmaid dresses. There are so many beautiful dresses available in a range of prices -- you’re sure to find something that suits your wedding style and your bridesmaids’ budgets!
Tip: If you like the idea of mix and match bridesmaid dresses, this can be a great option for bridesmaids on a budget! You can choose the color and give some guidelines on style, then let your girls find a dress that works for them. Even better? This option means your girls are more likely to wear their dress again in the future!
2. Factor In Wedding Venue and Time of Year
Next, think about where you’re getting married and when. Are you planning a summertime beach wedding? A fall wedding in the mountains? Will your wedding and reception be indoors or outdoors? This will help you determine the right style of bridesmaid dresses for your wedding.
A formal indoor wedding with a black-tie reception will have a different feel than a farm wedding with a barn reception. There are bridesmaid dress styles for both, and everything in between! Considering the overall vibe of your wedding location will help guide you to the perfect bridesmaid dress styles.
Tip: Don’t forget accessories! Accessories can help bridge the gap between your dream style and external factors like temperature. If you’ve fallen in love with a sleeveless dress style for your outdoor fall wedding, consider adding a cute wrap or jacket to the look to help your girls stay warm.
3. Choose Your Colors
If you’ve already decided your wedding’s color scheme, you likely have a good idea of the color (or colors) you’d like your bridesmaids dresses to be. Check out some of the most popular options for bridesmaid dress colors:
Monochrome: If you love the idea of all your bridesmaids in the same color of dress, this is for you! This classic option creates a lovely streamlined look.
Two Tone: Choose two colors from your wedding’s palette and have your girls mix it up! This can be especially fun if you alternate dress colors in the lineup for the ceremony and photos.
Ombre: Choose one color for your bridesmaids’ dresses, and let them choose the shade. This is a great option if your bridesmaids have a range of skin tones -- they’ll be able to choose a shade most flattering to them!
Mix It Up: If you want to give your bridesmaids more choices, let them choose a dress in any color from your wedding palette. Another fun option is letting them use your wedding bouquet as inspiration -- pulling colors from your bouquet to help guide their dress choices can make for some photos that really pop!
4. Find Your Favorite Style
There are so many gorgeous bridesmaid dress styles to choose from! You may have the perfect one in mind already, but if you’re still searching, here are a few style themes to consider:
Identical: Much like choosing one color of dress, choosing one style of bridesmaid dress creates a classic look. If your bridesmaids have a wide range of body types, consider allowing for small alterations (i.e. adding thin straps to a sleeveless gown) to help everyone feel their best in their dress.
Same Length, Different Silhouette: This can be a great middle ground between identical dresses and letting your bridesmaids choose any style. Everyone in the same dress length helps create that streamlined look, and allowing bridesmaids to choose a silhouette most flattering to their figure will help them feel fabulous. Win-win!
Bridesmaid’s Choice: If you want to give your girls the freedom to find a dress they really love, this is a great option! Providing them with a color scheme and details about the venue and season will help them choose a dress that works for your wedding as well as for their body type and budget!
5. Add Shoes and Accessories
Don’t forget the finishing touches! Once you’ve decided on dresses, it’s time for shoes and accessories. These final details will really bring the look together!
Shoes: The type of shoes you decide on may depend on your wedding venue (i.e. strappy stilettos that may be perfect for a hotel ballroom won’t work so well on a beach). You can send your girls approved options for shoes, or give them guidelines for color and/or style and let them choose their own pair.
Accessories: Accessory choices could range from a clutch, to a wrap, to jewelry! You can give your bridesmaids some suggestions on the look you’re hoping for and let them choose. That said, accessories also make great bridesmaids gifts!
We hope these ideas have helped you determine how to choose bridesmaid dresses! If you’re ready to see some bridesmaid dresses in Spokane, book an appointment at Believe Bride today. Bring your girls, pick your colors, and try on dresses in person. And don’t worry -- if some of your bridesmaids live out of town, we’re happy to ship their dresses!
