Harper Blog

Styling Your Bridesmaids

Everything from dress styles, to necklines, materials and more...

​Regardless of how many bridesmaids you choose to have, you’ll need to ensure that they are all perfectly comfortable in the dress or outfit you choose for them. Some brides like to take their bridesmaids shopping so that choosing the perfect dress is a group decision. But, as the bride, if you want to make that decision alone, that’s fine too!

Styling your bridal party can sometimes seem like a stressful task – especially if your bridesmaids have completely different styles. The best thing to do is to get some ideas from them about what they would like to wear, and what they definitely wouldn’t wear. Then, when you start your outfit shopping, you’ll be able to find a happy medium with a style that suits everyone. Ultimately it is the bride’s decision, but your bridal party should be supportive of your choices.

Outfit choice

More and more couples are steering away from the ‘traditional’ wedding attire and opting for something more outside the box. The classic floor length dresses and 4 piece black suits are no longer the norm. A popular option when choosing bridesmaids dresses is to choose a colour they have to stick to, but let your bridal party each pick their own style of dress. This way, everyone wins! Here are a few outfit options for your bridal party:

  • Floor length flowing dress
  • Mini length ball gown
  • Midi split dress
  • Stylish tailored suit

10 popular necklines

This is where your bridesmaids opinion could differ. Everyone has a different body shape and will naturally gravitate to one style more than others as that is what they feel suits them best. This is important to remember when choosing your bridesmaids dresses – it’s important that everyone feels comfortable and beautiful in what they’re wearing. So, here’s a few different neckline options that you could try out for your dresses:

  • Halterneck
  • Sweetheart neckline
  • Asymmetrical neckline
  • Strapless
  • Off the shoulder
  • V-neck
  • Spaghetti strap
  • Square neckline
  • Bardot
  • Illusion neckline
  • Scoopneck

You’ve then got to think about the length of the dress. Some brides opt for floor-length, maxi dresses, others for dresses on or above the knee. You may consider tea-length dresses or a midi-dress, depending on the season.

If you’ve booked a winter wedding, your bridesmaids may favour long-sleeved dresses. Or, if you’re set on sleeveless, a shrug or shawl may be the perfect accessory.

Material

As your church wedding or civil celebration is a formal occasion, it would be nice for your bridesmaids to wear an outfit with a luxurious feel. Here are a few materials to consider:

  • Silk
  • Taffeta
  • Lace
  • Tulle
  • Chiffon
  • Satin
  • Organza

You’ll also need to think about colour. If you’re having a colour scheme for your wedding, then the choice for your bridesmaids may be obvious. Consider having your bridesmaids wear different colours, or, different tones of the same shade to create an ombre look.

5 top tips: finding bridesmaids dresses

  • It is probably best not to shop for bridesmaids’ dresses at the last minute, especially if you have a lot of them to please. Adjustments may need to be made along the way so it’s best to get this checked off the list sooner rather than later.
  • Think about accessories when you’re buying their dresses. Will they need matching shoes, headwear, and/or jewellery?
  • Be in the right frame of mind when you shop and don’t make a decision in a hurry, or because of price. You want to make sure you get it right.
  • Set a budget and make it clear if you are paying, or if you’d like the bridesmaids to pay for their own dress. This could avoid an awkward situation further down the line.
  • If you’re ordering dresses that need to be altered, ensure that your bridesmaids will all be available for fittings in the future.

Everything from dress styles, to necklines, materials and more...

​Regardless of how many bridesmaids you choose to have, you’ll need to ensure that they are all perfectly comfortable in the dress or outfit you choose for them. Some brides like to take their bridesmaids shopping so that choosing the perfect dress is a group decision. But, as the bride, if you want to make that decision alone, that’s fine too!

Styling your bridal party can sometimes seem like a stressful task – especially if your bridesmaids have completely different styles. The best thing to do is to get some ideas from them about what they would like to wear, and what they definitely wouldn’t wear. Then, when you start your outfit shopping, you’ll be able to find a happy medium with a style that suits everyone. Ultimately it is the bride’s decision, but your bridal party should be supportive of your choices.

Outfit choice

More and more couples are steering away from the ‘traditional’ wedding attire and opting for something more outside the box. The classic floor length dresses and 4 piece black suits are no longer the norm. A popular option when choosing bridesmaids dresses is to choose a colour they have to stick to, but let your bridal party each pick their own style of dress. This way, everyone wins! Here are a few outfit options for your bridal party:

  • Floor length flowing dress
  • Mini length ball gown
  • Midi split dress
  • Stylish tailored suit

10 popular necklines

This is where your bridesmaids opinion could differ. Everyone has a different body shape and will naturally gravitate to one style more than others as that is what they feel suits them best. This is important to remember when choosing your bridesmaids dresses – it’s important that everyone feels comfortable and beautiful in what they’re wearing. So, here’s a few different neckline options that you could try out for your dresses:

  • Halterneck
  • Sweetheart neckline
  • Asymmetrical neckline
  • Strapless
  • Off the shoulder
  • V-neck
  • Spaghetti strap
  • Square neckline
  • Bardot
  • Illusion neckline
  • Scoopneck

You’ve then got to think about the length of the dress. Some brides opt for floor-length, maxi dresses, others for dresses on or above the knee. You may consider tea-length dresses or a midi-dress, depending on the season.

If you’ve booked a winter wedding, your bridesmaids may favour long-sleeved dresses. Or, if you’re set on sleeveless, a shrug or shawl may be the perfect accessory.

Material

As your church wedding or civil celebration is a formal occasion, it would be nice for your bridesmaids to wear an outfit with a luxurious feel. Here are a few materials to consider:

  • Silk
  • Taffeta
  • Lace
  • Tulle
  • Chiffon
  • Satin
  • Organza

You’ll also need to think about colour. If you’re having a colour scheme for your wedding, then the choice for your bridesmaids may be obvious. Consider having your bridesmaids wear different colours, or, different tones of the same shade to create an ombre look.

5 top tips: finding bridesmaids dresses

  • It is probably best not to shop for bridesmaids’ dresses at the last minute, especially if you have a lot of them to please. Adjustments may need to be made along the way so it’s best to get this checked off the list sooner rather than later.
  • Think about accessories when you’re buying their dresses. Will they need matching shoes, headwear, and/or jewellery?
  • Be in the right frame of mind when you shop and don’t make a decision in a hurry, or because of price. You want to make sure you get it right.
  • Set a budget and make it clear if you are paying, or if you’d like the bridesmaids to pay for their own dress. This could avoid an awkward situation further down the line.
  • If you’re ordering dresses that need to be altered, ensure that your bridesmaids will all be available for fittings in the future.

The Harper Team

Book a Visit Brochure Request