Bridesmaid Dresses Everyone Will Love

As a bride-to-be, choosing dresses for your bridesmaids is probably one of the hardest things about planning your wedding. Whether you are planning for one bridesmaid or ten, these women provide a very special supporting presence on your day of days, and you want them to feel comfortable and happy. It might take a bit of work, but finding bridesmaid dresses that everyone loves is possible. Read on for some handy tips.

A delicate task

Bridesmaids are generally chosen from among your close friends and relatives. Only after the bridesmaids have delightedly said: “Yes!” does the spectre of very different sizes, shapes, skin tones, likes and dislikes appear on the horizon. That’s when many brides start to realise that finding bridesmaid dresses is not as simple as deciding on a dress that you like, and multiplying it across your wedding party!

Colour harmony

It’s generally a good idea to choose the colour of the bridesmaid dresses before you start thinking about styles. Take into account the colouring of your bridesmaids, the colours in your floral arrangements and other decorations, and the colour of your wedding gown.

If, happily, all your bridesmaids have the same complexions, you can choose something that is flattering to each of them, and that appeals to you as well. Pastels generally suit the fair skinned, while deeper, richer shades usually look lovely on those with darker complexions.

It’s probably much more likely though that your bridesmaids will each be different, and, in this case, there’s no rule saying that they have to all wear the same colour.

For example, you might choose two or more harmonising shades that pick up colours in your bouquet. Or, you might go for a graduated shading effect in the same colour.

If you choose graduating shades, the first bridesmaids to head down the aisle can wear darker shades of the same colour, with progressively lighter shades being worn until it is your turn. This caters for a variety of skin tones, and has the pretty effect of funnelling all eyes towards your white dress as you walk down the aisle. Your bridal gown is, after all, the star of the show.

Step out in style

With the colour sorted, it’s time to tackle likely variations in the height and size of your bridesmaids.

Your initial thought might be to have matching dresses, and that works well when your bridesmaids are similar in body shape and not too dissimilar in height.

However, that’s not always the case, so here are a few style hints:

• A-line dresses are shaped like a capital ‘A’ and look good on most body shapes.
• Empire-line dresses have high waists above a straight fall of full-length skirt, and generally suit tall women best.
• Fitted dresses that outline every curve do not flatter those who are carrying a bit extra, or the extremely slim.
• V necklines are a great look on many shapes. They can help to minimise larger busts, and elongate shorter necks.

When a single style just won’t work

One solution for photographic (and actual!) harmony is to have the dresses made in a single colour, but use a variety of styles. You might simply specify that dresses have to be a certain length, or have sleeves, and leave the rest up to individual choice. That way each woman gets to wear a dress that really suits her.

Ready to go shopping?

What did we do before the internet? It saves so much time and energy in repetitive phone calls, and does away with the need to trail round every single dress outlet in the area in the hope of finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses.

Instead, when you are ready to shop, let Hunter Bride take the strain. Our directory showcases shops, and dressmakers who specialise in creating bridesmaid dresses. You’ll soon find that one more item has been successfully checked off your wedding planning list!