Bridesmaids dress shopping. It can make or break lifelong friendships and there is just SO much choice available, which is a wonderful thing, but it can be pretty overwhelming! Our advice would be not to have a specific style of dress, or even colour, in your mind – know roughly what styles and colours will fit with the rest of your wedding choices and just have fun shopping with your friends. And if you find something while browsing online and fall in love, BUY it – so many of our Brides tell us they randomly found their Bridesmaids dresses this way!
Our high street Bridesmaids dress edit focusses on three key trends which are stylish, simple and universally flattering – maids in pale tones, maids in darker shades and maids in metallics, but if anyone is looking for something a little brighter, just let me know and I’ll try to help – I’ve spent A LOT of time looking at dresses to put this post together 😉
The only worry with putting your girls in high street dresses is that one of your guests will be wearing the same dress (ekkk!) so head over to our lifestyle blog Rock My Style to join the discussion on wedding guest wear etiquette, including whether guests should be allowed to wear white or not…and finally before we crack on with looking at gorgeous dresses, if any of your girls will be pregnant or breastfeeding for your big day, head over to our parenting blog Rock My Family for some great maternity and nursing wedding fashion.
Right, let’s start shopping…
Whites & Pales
Girls in white dresses are most definitely one of my favourite things and clearly this is a look LOVED by you all, if our real weddings are anything to go by. If your friends aren’t keen on wearing white, opt for a blush or very pale pink shade as this tone can be much more flattering. I think my favourite from these is the John Zack white maxi dress with the keyhole front and open back detail, almost good enough for the Bride and yet under £50 – it’s a total bargain. And if anyone puts their girls in the ombre Vila maxi dress, I’d love to see the photos.
Darks
Bridesmaids in LBDs is definitely a trend we can get on board with – chic, minimal and so easy to accessorise, we love darker tones for the wedding party. We love pastels, we really do, but there’s something very striking about putting your girls in rich plum tones, deep navy shades and dazzling emeralds. This black Free People dress with a cut out detail and bardot neckline is just gorgeous and would definitely be worn again, and again and again…
And the fluted sleeves on this blue Warehouse dress are stunning, perfect if any of your Bridesmaids have upper arm issues (don’t we all?!)
Metallics
Such a gorgeous way to add subtle colour and texture to your colour palette and metallics doesn’t have to mean head to toe sequins either, take this tulle skirt from Coast dotted with pretty gems, just pair with a simple cream top and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous Bridesmaids look.
And if you’re a fan of Adrianna Papell dresses, but can’t stretch your budget, I’m in love with the blush Next maxi dress which combines embellishment with chiffon and a gorgeous deep v cut back.
So there we have it – have any of these caught your eye? Is there any particular style you’ve been searching for that I haven’t covered? Do leave a comment below the post and I’ll try my best to help you! And if you want to see any more of the weddings included in our moodboard below, check out the links at the bottom of the post. Happy Shopping!!! x
PIN THE MOODBOARDS
Photography by Sarah-Jane Ethan Photography
- Whites & Pales Chloe & Maxime
- Anwen & Myrddin
- Anna & Mike
- Carrie & Mike
- Emma & Ben
- Tegan & Jordan
- Sam & Rob
- Laura & Will
- Charlotte & David
- Louise & Oli
- Hannah & Keith
- Darks Gillian & Chris
- Helen & Jonny
- Sarah & Paul
- Juliet & James
- Hannah & Dan
- Kat & Andy
- Erica & Louis
- Metallics Danielle & Luke
- Lolly & Ste
- Hanging Dresses
- Randi & Pablo
- Black Tie Wedding
- Mandi & Riley
Author: Fern Godfrey
Hi there,
I’m looking for dresses in pale greens and floral. I’ve had a good look online but i’m finding it really hard to find the right shades of green. Ideally i’m looking for something pale green, not mint or anything too bright. The wedding will be in Italy so am looking for some long summer dresses really. Do you have any recommendations of where to look?
Thanks very much!
Megan
Hi Megan we’re big fans of ASOS for lots of choice, colours and styles, have you had a look there? xxx
Hi Megan,
I think I may have found you THE ONE https://bags-2-bitches.com/products/pale-sage-green-floral-print-maxi-dress
But if not, here are some options –
http://www.oliveclothing.com/p-oliveunique-20160120-050-pink-china-neckline-floral-dress-pink (if they don’t have anything now, keep an eye on their website as they have some gorgeous dresses – I’m a big fan).
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_103030611195_-1#BVRRWidgetID
http://www.roosbeach.co.uk/collections/dresses-skirts/products/marie-sixtine-charlotte-plume-yellow-dress
http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/9500290806
http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/9500140808
Hi Megan
I got mine from Little Mistress in lovely pale sage. They’re still available in different styles I think.
Claire
X
Thank you very much!
I’ve found something lovely thanks to your suggestions.
Yay so pleased xxx
Hi Megan,
I read your comment then spotted these later from ASOS.
Megan,
I have just bought pale green dresses from hobbs. They also have some floral dresses.
Love this post 🙂 .. In the whites and pales photos where are the dresses from on the 2nd and 3rd photo down? X
Ah glad you like it Paige 🙂
The second pic down are dresses from Ted Baker from this wedding http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/anwen-myrddin/
and the third photo down are dresses from Zara from this wedding http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/anna-mike/
xxx
Any ideas for 13 year old bridesmaids? I’ve got the older ones (i.e. my age..not actually old ;)) some lovely blush sparkly full length ones but they’re too grown up for a 13 year old. Conscious that at that age being made to feel younger than you are is pants so I don’t want to put her in a cream flower girl dress either. So I need something that blends in with the other ones, yet is age appropriate. No idea where to look! x
Hi Sian,
Monsoon have a specific range for girls aged 8-13 for this very reason! I think this grey lace one is gorgeous, and has a hint of sparkle too.
There’s also Le Redoute, French brands do lovely occasion wear for children, there are some lovely dresses here
Zara and Topshop are generally good at having pretty dresses that keep teenagers happy too! (This dress frill sundress is really pretty
x
Fern you are so helpful! Thank you so much. x
This has been really helpful, thank you very much for the information. Colours are always so hard to put together.
Thanks admin! lovley article thanks again admin
Hello. Our wedding theme is lavender. Am struggling to find any Boho lavender or lilac coloured dresses anywhere! Any ideas would be appreciated!!
We featured a wedding last week that had gorgeous lilac dresses form Ghost. http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/caitlin-nick/
This Maxi Dress from ASOS is also pretty special.
We will keep searching for you though Jemma xxx
Hi Jemma,
I love this floral embroidered maxi dress from Free People
But it’s VERY boho…x
Fantastic blog post! I was beginning to despair at finding a dress to fit/suit my 4 bridesmaids with sizes ranging from a size 6 to a size 20. I was starting the process of getting bespoke dresses designed and made for a exorbitant cost.
When thankfully ASOS came to the rescue! Not only did they do the most PERFECT dress for what I had in mind for my ladies, but they went down to a size 6 and hadthe same dress in their curve size range for my size 20 bridesmaid meaning It would fit all 4 ladies and still be flattering for each individual shape and size! They all look beautiful and I can’t wait to see them all dressed up on the big day in July!!
Cannot recommend ASOS enough, customer service was fab and felt really personalised!
And for all those not sure of going high street for their bridesmaids, my girls look like they are in very expensive bespoke dresses but for a fraction of the cost, give it a try!
Fab article! I’m the bride looking for bright bridesmaids dresses! Any ideas please?
Hi Vicky,
ASOS is definitely the best place to start 🙂
If you’re after red I love this one from chic belted dress from Boden
Have you thought about putting the ladies in bright skirts with plain tops like this fuchsia pink coated midi skirt (but more dressed up obvs 😉
And finally, check out the ‘new in’ selection at Virgos Lounge – SO many gorgeous colours
Hope that helps x
Hi Fern, Nice post, really loved the ideas given here! would help in my marriage which is up in a couple of months.
Hi Fern,
I’m looking for long dusky pink chiffon dresses with a soft, romantic style suitable for a cathedral. Please can you help?!
Thanks xx
Hi Emilie,
Here are some ideas for you –
http://www.asos.com/chi-chi-petite/chi-chi-london-petite-allover-lace-top-maxi-dress-with-tulle-skirt/
http://www.asos.com/maya-tall/maya-tall-satin-waist-midi-full-tulle-skirt-with-bow-back-detail-co-ord/
http://www.thandth.com/shop/olympia-in-smoked-orchid – could cover up shoulders for ceremony with a lovely cashmere cardigan
https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-occasionwear/71hqm/anouk-lace-dress.htm (not full length but SO lovely)
http://shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/dresses/long/sequin-tulle-dress
Hope that helps!!! xxx