Traditionally speaking, being a bridesmaid is about following orders. Wear this, stand here, clap during this moment – there’s not a lot of freedom and you’re beholden to the bride’s wishes on her special day. However, in recent years as millennials are marrying off and imparting their own unique style on wedding proceedings, it’s no surprise that the stifling rules of the past regarding bridesmaid style choices have largely fallen away and brides are encouraging their wedding parties to be as creative as possible!
If you’re attending a wedding in the future as a bridesmaid and you’ve been given carte blanche to work around a central theme or design something from the ground up, there’s no shortage of trendy, chic styles that will help you showcase your fashion sense without stealing the bride’s thunder. Here are a few ways to buck convention and break some common bridesmaid style rules in a good way!
- Mismatched Dresses
Allowing your bridesmaids to strut their stuff in the gown of their choosing is a wonderful way to avoid some of the most common bridal party drama, but be sure to lay down a few style cues. First, suggest a length for everyone to wear to give your party a streamlined look, vary up to two features such as the neckline/fabric/color and be sure to work closely with your bridesmaids to find the perfect balance. Mismatched dresses can look disjointed in a hurry, so encourage your bridesmaids to keep open minds to find the perfect, cohesive look.
- Hairstyle Freedom
Instead of forcing your bridesmaids to wear their hair up on your special day, give them some more freedom to wear more casual, free-flowing hairstyles that are less formal. Letting their hair down will allow your bridesmaids to experiment with hairpieces, flower crowns and other accessories that can give their outfits a pop of color or can blend in perfectly with your chosen theme.
- Skip the heels
Your bridesmaids are going to be on their feet for a majority of the afternoon, so why not let them pick out shoes that they can be comfortable in throughout your wedding day? Decorative flats, low heels other comfy footwear choices will help prevent those painful blisters that can arise from being on your feet for hours in heels, which will ensure that your bridesmaids will be out on the dance floor with you rather than resting their feet!
- Statement Jewelry
Last but not least, if you are going to opt for a similar dress style or color, loosen up your wardrobe restrictions to allow the bridesmaids to choose one statement piece to adorn their ensembles. Allow your bridesmaids to pick one piece of jewelry, be it earrings, necklaces or bracelets, to be the colorful focal point of their outfits. This is an easy way to appeal to all of your bridesmaids’ fashion sensibilities!
