Bridesmaids wear outfits the bride chooses or approves, in a colour and length that suit the wedding's dress code and sit well beside the bride. That can be identical dresses, one colour in different styles, or a mix of colours from one palette. Order at least four to six months before the wedding, so every dress arrives with time for alterations.
The bride makes the final call. Bella Bridesmaids, a bridesmaid boutique, says most brides decide on the attire, though some set the colour, fabric and length and let each bridesmaid choose her own dress within those limits.
If you are a bridesmaid choosing your own dress, follow the bride's brief on length, fabric and colour, and send her a photo before you buy. If you are the bride, write the brief down and share it in one message, so everyone works from the same instructions.
Joy, the wedding planning app, describes four approaches:
Identical dresses give the most uniform look in photos. Same colour, different styles lets each bridesmaid choose a neckline and cut that suits her, which helps when the group varies in body shape, age or budget. A mismatched palette gives the most freedom, but set the limits clearly, such as three named colours and floor length, or the group photos will look unplanned.
Match the bridal party's formality to the wedding's. For a black-tie or formal evening wedding, choose full-length gowns. For a daytime, garden or beach wedding, midi or knee-length dresses are easier to wear and to walk in on grass or sand.
Keep the bridesmaids slightly less formal than the bride. If the bride is in a structured gown with a train, the bridesmaids can wear a simpler cut in a softer fabric, which keeps the focus on the bride.
Pearce Wedding Photography names chiffon, silk and satin as the popular bridesmaid fabrics, for how they look and how easily they move. Chiffon suits a daytime or warm-weather wedding, and satin or silk suits an evening or formal one.
Start with the season and the wedding's palette. Soft pastels and light fabrics suit a spring or summer wedding, and deeper shades such as emerald, burgundy or navy suit autumn, winter and evening weddings. Check the colour in daylight and under the venue's lighting before you commit, because some shades photograph very differently.
Avoid white, ivory and anything that could be mistaken for the bride's dress, unless the bride asks for it. Think about the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom too, so the family photos do not have three people in the same colour.
Bella Bridesmaids says it is customary for bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses and alterations, and for their whole look, including shoes and jewellery. Many brides give jewellery or accessories as a thank-you gift. For flower girls and junior bridesmaids, the child's parents usually pay.
Talk about budget before you choose anything. Bella Bridesmaids recommends a conversation with each bridesmaid about her price range. If one dress suits everyone except on price, choosing one colour in different styles lets each bridesmaid find something at her own price.
Order early. Azazie, a bridesmaid dress retailer, recommends ordering at least four to six months before the wedding, and six to eight months ahead if the bridal party lives in different cities or the dresses are custom sized. Its rule of thumb is to have every dress in hand at least three months before the wedding.
Allow two to four weeks for alterations, according to Azazie, and book the final fitting for two to four weeks before the day. Bella Bridesmaids adds that matching dresses should all be ordered at the same time, so they come from the same dye lot and the colour matches exactly.
Order samples or try dresses on before you commit, especially if the dresses are made to order.
Agree on shoes early, because they change the length a dress needs to be hemmed to. Choose heels the bridesmaids can stand in through the ceremony and photos, block heels or wedges for grass or sand, and a pair of flats for the reception.
Keep accessories consistent. One style of earring, matching or coordinated bouquets, and a shared approach to hair, whether all up, all down or each bridesmaid's choice, make the group look planned even when the dresses differ. Our guide to wedding hairstyles has ideas for the whole party.
Getting-ready photos are taken before anyone is in their dress. Homebodii, a loungewear label, says the most popular options are matching pyjama sets, coordinated robes or soft loungewear in one tonal colour palette.
Choose something that buttons or wraps at the front, so hair and makeup are not disturbed when the bridesmaids change. Matching sets also make a practical thank-you gift from the bride.
A bridesmaid does not have to wear a dress. A jumpsuit, a matching two-piece set or a tailored suit all work if they follow the same colour and formality as the rest of the party. Two-piece sets are also easy to wear again separately.
If your wedding party includes men standing on the bride's side, a suit in the bridesmaids' colour, or a neutral suit with a tie or pocket square in that colour, ties them into the group. For more on who stands where, see who walks down the aisle, and in what order.
A destination wedding adds travel to the outfit. Choose fabrics that pack well, such as chiffon, jersey or crepe, rather than structured satin that creases in a suitcase. Ask each bridesmaid to carry her dress in her cabin bag, and arrange for a steamer at the venue or hotel.
Check the climate and the setting for the date. A beach ceremony in Fiji calls for light, breathable fabric and flat sandals, while an evening reception in a European city can take a full-length gown. Our guide on how to plan a destination wedding covers the rest of the travel planning.
Choose a dress your bridesmaids can wear again, such as a simple slip or a solid colour without bridal detailing. For ideas, see our guide on what to do with your bridesmaid dress after the wedding.
Written by
Senior SEO Specialist, Wedded Wonderland
Mark Tuason is the Senior SEO Specialist at Wedded Wonderland, where he writes and refreshes the brand's guides to destination weddings and cultural wedding traditions. He starts with the questions couples search for, checks the answers against trusted sources, and shapes each guide to help them plan, compare and book with confidence. Based in the Philippines, he specialises in content strategy and on-page SEO.
Search real weddings, venues and vendors from around the world.
Search Wedded Wonderland
