By Rachel Wilkerson, Lover.ly
Having your bridesmaids wear different dresses is becoming more and more common, but actually making the look work can be challenging to anyone who isn't a professional stylist. Here are some tips for pulling it off.
Photo by: Edyta Szyszlo Photography on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly
Figure out which mismatched look matches your wedding's style. There are so many ways to do mismatched dresses, and some will work better for your wedding than others. A variety of dresses in the same shade by the same designer can be great for traditional weddings, while mismatched prints are beautiful (though a bit more complicated!) for boho weddings. Do you like the clean look of the same dress in a variety of colors or the soft, romantic vibe created by different dresses in several shades of a single color?
Photo by: Bella Grace Studios on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly
Choose some unifying element for the dresses. Whether it's the fabric or the silhouette, choosing one or two details that make all of the dresses feel like family will create a cohesive look (and make shopping much easier for your bridesmaids).
Photo by: Harvard Photography on Maharani Weddings via Lover.ly
Assign colors. If you have a large bridal party or your bridesmaids seem stumped, assign specific colors to different bridesmaids to be sure the look will be balanced. Not sure which colors to choose? Hit Home Depot and grab some paint chips so you can place colors and shades next to each other to see how they look together. Then create a bundle with individual dresses in the colors you're learning toward to see how they look together. Once you've chosen a few colors you love, assign different ones to your bridesmaids based on their preferences (and what you think will make them look great!).
Photo by: Kaysha Weiner Photographer via Lover.ly
Start with the maid of honor. A lot of bridesmaids worry that they'll be the one wearing the "wrong" dress, so help reassure them by showing them what the other bridesmaids will be wearing as soon as you have some idea. No one is brave enough to go first? Ask your maid of honor to take the plunge, and offer to give her a few options to choose from if she's really uncertain. As soon as a bridesmaid chooses a dress, share it with the others so they have a better idea of what kind of dress with which they are coordinating.
Photo by: Jill Thomas on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
Be clear in your expectations. While letting bridesmaids choose their own dresses may seem like you're doing them a favor, it can be stressful for those who don't love shopping or are worried you won't like their choices. So set specific guidelines and make it clear you're happy to give feedback.GIVEAWAY ALERT! Enter to win $1000K to outfit yourself and your bridesmaids this week, courtesy of Loverly, Refinery29, and BHLDN.
More from Lover.ly:
Fun shoes for you and your bridesmaids
The prettiest hairstyles for your wedding party
Bridesmaids gifts your girls will love
