If you want a bridal party that matches, your dream might be to put everyone in the exact same dress. But you know that’s not the most practical option. Your gals are all unique in every way, including their sense of fashion. On top of having different body types, they probably also have different preferences for the colors that suit them and the designs that they’re drawn to.
As a bride, you might feel torn between enforcing a unified look and catering to the fashion desires of your ladies. We are here to help you handle bridesmaids with different style preferences so you can make everyone happy without sacrificing your aesthetic vision.
Start With a Chat
Before you dive into dress shopping, gather your bridesmaids (virtually or in person) and have a quick conversation about the dresses. This is a time to set your expectations while openly inviting them to share what they’re hoping for.
We suggest you have each of your gals share about the type of gowns that make her feel most comfortable and confident, as well as her budget. If you have easy-going bridesmaids who wear pretty much everything, it might be more helpful to ask if there’s anything that anyone would strongly prefer not to wear.
Ultimately, remember that you get final say. This is your wedding, and your vision. If you have a great bridal crew, they’ll respect that and go out of their way to match your aesthetic. However, taking your friends’ preferences and concerns into mind is the kind thing to do, and everyone is sure to appreciate it.
Choose Unifying Elements (Just One or Two)
If your bridesmaids have very different tastes in fashion, then it can help to give them just one unifying element to adhere to. This gives everyone the stylistic freedom to choose a dress they love that still matches the cohesive look you’re after. Here are some unifying elements to consider:
- Color palette: Select one specific shade or a complementary color family that appears in every dress. This is the easiest way to provide the most fashion freedom.
- Fabric choice: Commit to chiffon, velvet, satin, or another material that works across any style and color of dress your ladies choose to wear.
- Length uniformity: Keep all dresses floor-length, tea-length, or midi. This option could result in the most diverse bridal party aesthetic, but it will remain visually balanced.
Once you establish this anchor point, give your bridesmaids freedom with everything else. This creates cohesion without forcing everyone into identical dresses.
Use Visual Tools For Decision-Making
Visually, the easiest way to guarantee that your bridal party will look cohesive is to impose the same dress on everyone. However, we’ve already established that you’re not doing that. So how can you ensure the aesthetic will look unified if you’re giving your gals more stylistic freedom?
Mock it up! Create a digital mood board with your approved dress options, your color palette, your bouquet style, and other wedding details. This visual reference helps bridesmaids understand how their dress choices can and should fit into your overall aesthetic.
Pinterest is a classic tool for making collage-style mockups. But for something more official, you can use AI to generate an image of your wedding party. Put an image of your venue and your color palette in your prompt, and then ask the software to produce a mockup of your wedding party. Depending on the look you’re after, you can ask it to make all the bridesmaid dresses in the same color but different fabrics, or the same fabric and length but different colors. You can also prompt for suggestions on compatible colors or styles if you’re stuck.
Set Clear Budget Parameters Early
Money conversations can feel awkward, but avoiding them creates bigger problems later. Before you fall in love with $400 dresses, ask your bridesmaids about their budget comfort zone.
You might discover that three bridesmaids feel comfortable spending up to $300, one bridesmaid prefers staying under $200, and another has no budget concerns. Armed with this information, you can make informed decisions that respect everyone’s financial situation.
Keep in mind that being flexible with styling usually solves budget issues. Your most frugal bridesmaid is sure to find a dress in the color, fabric, or length you designate that falls within her budget, even if more expensive options are out there.
Another thing to remember is that some brides who really want a high-end aesthetic choose to cover the cost difference if they select dresses above what their bridesmaids can afford. Conversely, other brides adjust their dress selection to fit the most restrictive budget. Neither approach is wrong—just make the decision fair to everyone involved.
Don’t Micromanage the Shopping Process
Once you establish your unifying elements, let your bridesmaids shop without you looking over their shoulders. You can send links to gowns that fall within the aesthetic you’re after, and you can ask to have them run dresses they like by you before they purchase them.
However, there’s no need to do group shopping trips where you’re the one pulling potential dresses off the rack for everyone. Let your crew find the dresses that suit them without any pressure, and then bring these dresses to you.
And when someone checks a gown with you, try to be as open-minded and approving as possible. If it will look good with your vision—even if you’re not the biggest fan of the buttons or neckline—the kind thing to do is approve it. Trust us; it’s a lot easier for everyone involved, and attendees will not be looking that closely.
Remember Who’s Standing Beside You
At the end of the day, your bridesmaids are the people who’ve supported you through breakups, celebrated your victories, listened to your doubts, and cheered the loudest when you got engaged. These women matter more than perfectly matching dresses.
Shop at Alexandra’s Boutique
If your bridesmaids have different style preferences, Alexandra’s Boutique can help you handle it. Our collection of high-end bridesmaid dresses has something for everyone, including gowns sure to match your vision.
We have hundreds of styles available in chiffon, velvet, lace, satin, and other luxurious fabrics—plus a wide range of silhouettes from A-line and fit-and-flare to floor-length and tea-length. You’ll discover beautiful dresses that fit various body types, budgets, and style preferences while maintaining the elegant, coordinated aesthetic you envision. Your wedding day will be more beautiful because everyone standing beside you feels confident, comfortable, and celebrated in one of our gowns.
