Let these fashion-forward bridesmaids inspire your own ladies' big day looks.
The expression "All eyes on the bride" is only partially true. While the big day is all about the woman of the hour, her wedding party—and her bridesmaids especially—are also in the limelight. At the very least, they'll be in your photographer's path. Ultimately, a good number of eyes will be on these special women, which is why helping them choose a look that speaks to their unique personalities and flatters their figures is paramount. In some cases, that means adjusting your vision of a specific silhouette or color palette in order to account for their tastes, preferences, and comfort levels.
Here's the good news. Thanks to all of the incredible bridesmaids' dresses out there, shifting your concept of the ideal ensemble doesn't have to mean making a sacrifice. Take the following best-dressed bridesmaids from real celebrations, for example. You'll discover that the notion of the uniform bridesmaid dress is on the decline—and it's a good thing. No one size or silhouette fits all, which is why so many brides are dressing their 'maids in the same color, but different shapes or styles (think a healthy mix of strapless, halter, or short-sleeved options, all in the same pretty hue!). Other brides are forgoing the matchy-matchy aesthetic altogether by asking their attendants to pick their own looks within a multi-hued color palette (think cream, blush, and white!).
The result? Pretty, cohesive ensembles that embrace each woman's individuality. Here's another bonus: Variations in color, pattern, or style are also guaranteed to translate beautifully in your wedding photos. Visual intrigue is never a bad thing! Don't just take our word for it. Click through to discover all of the ways to dress your bridesmaids, with ideas straight from the most stylish women at the party.
Matching Lace
The laser-cut eyelet of these ice-blue bridesmaids dresses subtly echoed the bride's own latticed gown.
Moody Pastels
These attendants wore soft shades of lilac, dove gray, and neutral blush. The dusty hues contrasted nicely with the bride's dramatic look, which featured intricate beadwork and a pointed crown.
Metallic
This bride didn't need any extra sparkle, but her best friends provided it in the form of sequined gunmetal gowns by Adrianna Papell anyway.
Castle-Ready
Dressed in traditional Indian attire, these bridesmaids' ensembles referenced the couple's ornate venue—an English Castle.
Different Cuts
This bride gave her 'maids the option of choosing a flattering silhouette within the lavender color palette. Some chose strapless iterations, while others opted for versions with sheer bowed straps.
Burgundy Beauties
For a fall wedding, this bridal party opted for a universally-flattering autumnal shade: burgundy. Their petite floral clutches featured dark wine mums, which paired prettily with their Jenny Yoo gowns.
Floral
These Show Me Your Mumu bridesmaids' dresses featured a bold floral print. Bohemian accents, like floral hair clips and a tambourine "bouquet," made the look that much more unique.
Mismatched
This bride asked her group to all choose different gowns in shades of pink, and each woman selected the look that spoke to her unique personality. The maid of honor, seen left, stood out in a creamy number, complete with metallic accents and a statement-making high collar.
Jewel Tones
The Reformation dresses in sapphire, ruby, and emerald helped this bridal party's fall-themed color palette take shape.
Dove
No two of these elegant Azazie gowns shared the same exact neckline (although modified halter styles appeared to be the favorite!). A subtle satin sheen gave the light gray hue a metallic, silvery vibe.
Jersey
These ladies proved that move-with-you jersey is absolutely elevated enough for the bridesmaids' dresses—especially when the fabric appears in a neutral blush shade with modifiable sleeves.
Generations
From maid of honor, to junior bridesmaid, to flower girl, these ladies all stunned in pale pink looks. Best of all, each dress referenced the rest of the group's in color or silhouette.
Lace
Each of these looks might have been unique, but they were united by one common motif: floral lace.
Pretty in Pink
Ruched bodices made these same-shade, different-shape Azazie gowns feel cohesive. Two 'maids made the look their own with the addition of an oversized white rose—the ultimate floral accessory.
White Lace
The drama level of these bridesmaids' all-white high-necked lace numbers (from David's Bridal) perfectly matched that of the bride's voluminous ball gown (which also featured lace accents!).
Light and Bright
These bridesmaids wore splashy magenta, true pink, and royal blue gowns, which added even more brightness to the bride's traditional red garment.
Uniform
At this South Africa wedding, these 'maids stunned in matching white gowns, which featured sweetheart necklines and spaghetti straps.
Soft Palette
It took these stylish bridesmaids a few rounds of shopping before they settled on looks that spoke to both their bride's vision and their respective personalities. The end result—a soft, elegant palette—was well worth the extra work.
All That Glitters
…was 100% gold at this fête. These ladies wore metallic dresses that popped next to red arrangements of roses from Ambience Décor. Drop-earrings polished off the ultra-glam look.
Emerald
These deep green numbers transported us to the Emerald City.