Mix and match bridesmaid dresses are gorgeous, stylish and modern.
A trend that started among celebrity brides, now, affordable dress brands and dedicated mix and match collections have made it accessible to brides on any budget, without the help of a professional stylist.
Not only can you add a little more style, colour and depth to your wedding palette, but choosing contrasting bridesmaid dresses is also a great way to cater for the different shapes, styles and colouring of your wedding party.
Dresses via Etsy, Photo by Catherine Guidry via Style Me Pretty
But mix and match bridesmaid dresses are not always an easy thing to pull off.
Not only do you have to come up with a selection of colours, tones, and fabrics, but once you introduce choices to your bridesmaids, it can sometimes lead to more complications and complaints.
But for something as prized as a wedding photo of you and your ladies all looking, and feeling, your gorgeous, individual selves, the extra effort is most definitely worth it.
Dresses via The White Dress, Photo by Ryan Ray via Grey Likes Weddings
Make the task of mixing and matching your bridesmaid dresses that bit easier, with our handy tips.
Tips For Choosing Mix and Match Dresses For Your Bridesmaids
– No one hue. Unless you opt for something like white, gold or black, don't ask all your girls to pick up a dress in a single designated colour. Chances are if you ask for five green dresses, one will stand out as the wrong hue. Many brands offer lots of styles in the same tone, so opt for one of them, and let your girls make their choice.
– Don't delegate it all. You might be tempted to give your girls a free reign, but your bridesmaids will appreciate some direction. Make a Pinterest board of colours and textures you like, or show them the rest of your wedding inspiration, so they have an idea of the look and feel you're going for. “A black dress” can be anything from an office staple to a gothic gown, so pointers are always helpful.
Dresses by Badgley Mischka, Photo by Marissa Moss via Style Me Pretty
– Hook them up. Mix and match can be really handy if you're not all available for a group shopping trip. Say you have six bridesmaids spread across the country so you've asked your girls to get dresses in either blush, mauve or taupe. So far, so easy! Just be sure to put them in touch with one another, to make sure your hues are even spread across the bunch.
– Sparkle or lace. Don't be afraid to introduce patterns, sequins, ruffle or lace for a really fashion forward take on the trend.
– A shade away. If you're going for an ombre look, or choosing colours from a similar spectrum, try to ensure the dresses are a full shade apart, as dresses that are almost the same colour but not quite, might look odd in the pictures.
Photo by Jose Villa, Dresses by PPS Couture via Bridal Musings
– Select some swatches. Make things easy for yourself and opt to get your dresses from a readily mix and matchable collection (like Dessy, Donna Morgan, Amsale, Twobirds, or Jenny Yoo). They might already have examples of dresses that go well together, but order swatches if you're unsure.
– Toss out the rule book. There are so many articles on rules for constructing a palette of mix and match dresses, like sticking to a maximum of three colours, avoiding more than two differences in a dress, and keeping the same hemlines. But the truth is, there are no rules.
Dresses by White Chicks Bridal, Photo by Kiss & Smile via Bridal Musings
Just look at the dresses below for inspiration, and you'll see that clashing colours, wild patterns, and different textures can look great together, if your girls have the confidence to pull them off.
1. Mixed Metallics
Dresses, Custom and Rent The Runway, Photo by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty
2. Shades of Grey
Photo by Alison Conklin Photography via Junebug Weddings
3. Complimentary Contrasts
Dresses L-R, BCBG, Elizabeth & James, and Amsale, Photo by Joseba Sandoval via Style Me Pretty
4. Minted Ombre
Photo by Jen Huang via Style Me Pretty
5. Mixed Berries
Photo by The Great Romance Photo via Style Me Pretty
6. Rose, Gold & Glitter
Dresses by Twobirds and BHLDN, Photo by Jordan Maunder Photography via The Lovely Find
7. Pops of Colour
Dresses by Evening Dresses Now, Photo by Jason Mark Harris via Love My Dress
8. Dusty Hues
Dresses via Bella Bridesmaids, Photo by Carrie Coleman Photography via 100 Layer Cake
9. Bright Maids
Photo by Kerry Ann Duffy Photography via Bridal Musings
10. Sugar & Spice
Photo by Julie Cate via Style Me Pretty
11. Pretty Retro
Photo by Jenny Sun Photography via Style Me Pretty
12. Navy Nauticals
Photo by Emily Wren Photography via Style Me Pretty
13. Mushroom & Sparkle
Dresses by Adrianna Papell, Photo by Ashley Seawell Photography via Style Me Pretty
14. Beige & Black
Photo by Landon Jacob Productions via Style Me Pretty
15. Personalised Necklines
Dresses by Jenny Yoo and Lela Rose, Photo by Carlie Statsky via Style Me Pretty
16. Blush With Black
Photo by Jenny Haas Photography via Style Me Pretty
17. Eclectic Patterns
Photo via Three Bird Nest via The Wedding Chicks
18. Blushing Bridesmaids
Photo by Laura Gordon Photography via Style Me Pretty
19. Baby Shades
Dresses, White Runway and Vintage, Photo by Byron Loves Fawn via Magnolia Rouge
20. Independent Women
Photo by Dan O’Day via Hello May
21. Golden Girls
Dresses, J Crew, Photo by Jack & Hannah Film & Photography via Bridal Musings
22. Lilac Line-up
Dresses by Amsale, Photo by Virgil Bunao via The Wedding Chicks
23. Black Beauties
Photo by Lauren & Abby Photography via 100 Layer Cake
24. Tonal Spectrum
Dresses by Dessy, Photo by Eric Kelley via Magnolia Rouge
25. Vintage Chic
Dresses and Photo via Soho Mode (see more here)
26. Touch of Sparkle
Dresses Erin Fetherston, Adrianna Papell, and BHLDN, Photo by Jessica Lorren Organic Photography via 100 Layer Cake
27. Two Tones
Dresses via J.Crew, Photo by Amanda Suanne Photography via Bridal Musings
28. Personalised Prints
Dresses via Ted Baker, Photo by Jose Villa via Magnolia Rouge
29. Gatsby Gowns
Dress by Virgos Lounge, Photo by We Are The Lous
30. Red Velvet
Dresses, Custom, Photo by Troy Grover Photographers via Green Wedding Shoes
31. Lacy Bohemians
Dresses via BHLDN, Photo by The Nichols via Green Wedding Shoes
32. Two of a Kind
Dresses by Patricia Santos, Photo by Nicolai Melicor via Bride and Breakfast
33. Individual Embroidery
Photo by Jamie Street, Rad + In Love Photography via A Practical Wedding
34. One Colour Wonders
Dresses, Custom, by Emilia Wickstead, Photo by Dasha Caffrey Photography via Bridal Musings
34. All White
Photo by Steve Steinhardt via Elizabeth Anne Designs
So many gorgeous combination ideas, right? Which one is your favourite? I love the lacy and patterned dresses, they're so unique. (I've just spotted these cute retro floral dresses on Etsy!)
If you have any tips for mix and match bridesmaid dresses, don't forget to leave them in the comments below.
Get more Bridesmaid Style Inspiration + visit our Bridesmaid board on Pinterest.
