How to choose bridesmaid dresses that shine – and complement the bride
Ladies in waiting understand that the bride has the final say in terms of what they must wear, but they will also want to look and feel great themselves while helping to bring out the drama of the bride’s outfit
Once the bride has found her dream gown, comes the search for dresses for the bridesmaids. For the bride, it’s a quest to find the perfect set to complement the overall style of her wedding; for her ladies in waiting, it can be a fine line between supporting the bride’s wishes and a desire to look and feel great.
Stepping into the bridal party can mean navigating all kinds of unchartered wedding prep territory and the colour, style and fabric of a frock can potentially raise some touchy issues.
Joan Au-yeung, co-partner at wedding planner White Bridal, says the role of bridesmaid should be accepted with a willingness to give and take, bearing in mind the bride has the final say in what her girls wear.
Brides-to-be generally want their bridal party to coordinate with the style of their wedding, as well as for some cohesion between bridesmaids’ outfits. One common and relatively straightforward way to bring these together without being identical is to find unifying elements, such as two or three tones of the same shade in matching fabric, bearing in mind the season.
The drape and lightness of chiffon makes it a popular choice for rustic bohemian-style weddings and a good choice for warmer months while thicker, structured fabrics like satin and taffeta are ideal for modern, clean silhouettes and the cooler months, for example.
Brides who want a particular vibe such as chic, bohemian or modern can shortlist a few different styles and look for similar dresses with slightly different features along the neckline or sleeves to create subtle differences between
each bridesmaid.
Keep an open mind and be understanding while trying to work with the vision that the bride is trying to create, and try to support your friend who is getting married
Once these parameters are set it is generally a good idea to let the bridesmaids choose the dress they feel most comfortable in. “Selecting a style and fit of an outfit that flatters and works well with your bridesmaids’ body type is important,” Au-yeung says. “Each person’s body shape and size is likely to differ and bridesmaids are normally concerned about whether the fit of their outfits will suit them.”
Bridal outlet Rania Hatoum includes a collection of bridesmaid dresses in neutral shades such as blush, nude and champagne that complement a bride’s gown, largely in variations of the wrap style dress.