Should Bridesmaids Wear the Same Dress?

Bridesmaids should absolutely wear the same dress if that’s what the bride wants! If a bride has always dreamed of having her favorite people gathered around her in matching bridesmaid dresses, then that’s the dream she’ll share with her bridal party. Since there are no hard bridesmaid dress rules that make that a requirement though, wedding parties have the option of exploring the latest trend: mismatched bridesmaid dresses. Are you feeling that classic same bridesmaid dress vibe? Or are you looking to mix and match for your wedding? It’s totally fine if you’re still on the fence, so let’s start by looking at some perks to each of these bridesmaid dress options to find the one that’s right for you!

Perks to Wearing the Same Bridesmaid Dress

Can bridesmaids wear the same dress (as in, same color and style)? Absolutely! When it comes to matching bridesmaid dresses, here are a few of the benefits to this classic bridal party option:

• Perfect Coordination: With all of your bridal party in the same matching bridesmaid dresses, there’s no doubt or question as to whether or not everything will go together. From pairing up bouquets to coordinating groomsmen attire, everything is easier to coordinate when there’s just one color and style at play.
• Classic Photo Ops: The balance and symmetry involved with matching bridesmaid dresses is a feast for the eyes. There are so many timeless wedding party photos that come out picture perfect when your posse is all wearing the same bridesmaid dress.
• Dye Lot Success: By now you’ve probably heard about how the same bridesmaid dress can vary subtly in color if each dress was made at a different time than others of the same color. In order to achieve the perfect matching bridesmaid dresses, all of them need to be ordered at the same time so they can be made from the same dye lot–—and this is significantly more successful when everyone is wearing the same bridesmaid dress style.
• Size Coordination: It’s much easier to determine right at a glance which sizes are available when you are shopping for the same bridesmaid dress style for every bridesmaid. This can become especially tricky if you are looking for both misses and plus sizes in the same style, so knowing right from the start if a style has the range of sizes your bridal party needs can be a huge timesave! Did you know that Avery Austin features bridesmaid dress sizes from 2 to 30 and at varying lengths (petite, standard, and tall)? See just how easy it is to find sizes for your whole bridal party when you shop Avery Austin’s bridesmaid dress collection.

Perks to Wearing Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Considering having your bridesmaids choose their own dress style or color? Here are a few benefits to jumping on the mismatched bridesmaid dress trend:

• Flattering for All: When each bridesmaid can choose a style that suits them, then each person is guaranteed a comfortable and flattering bridesmaid dress. Just think how much happier the whole bridal party will be when they can wear mismatched bridesmaid dresses that look and feel just right for each of them.
• Variety is the Spice of Life: Mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses in new ways is an easy way to spice up your wedding photos. Just imagine the variation in colors or styles that can blend together in a unique way for a one-of-a-kind experience on your big day.
• Creative Coordination: There’s an extra fun challenge involved with coordinating your wedding party’s look when you add in the variables of different colors or styles. Put your fashion smarts or artist’s eyes to the test and rise to the challenge of pulling together a cohesive look with mismatched bridesmaid dresses! (Admit it…some of us LIVE for this kind of experience!)

Tips on How to Coordinate Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

If you’re looking to dive into the mismatched bridesmaid dress trend but you’re not sure how to go about it, Avery Austin’s got some tips to help you get started. Here are some things to keep in mind when mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses:

• Keep the number of variations small. Maybe choose two wedding colors that your bridesmaids can work with, or provide a chosen color but allow your bridesmaids to select their preferred style. By keeping things on the simpler side, it will be easier for you to tie everything together on the big day!
• Try to choose at least one common element. Maybe the matching bridesmaid dress element is the color while the mixed part is all the gown features. Another way to approach it is to allow some color variation while having all of your bridesmaids choose the same silhouette, neckline, or fabric. You could even make a special accessory (headpiece, gloves, belt, clutch, etc.) be that one element that ties everything together.
• Keep the mismatched bridesmaid dresses as formal or casual as the rest of the wedding elements. It could be pretty jarring to see one bridesmaid in a very casual day style while the rest of the wedding party decks themselves out in fancy evening formal attire. Be clear from the start about the dress code for your wedding so that bridesmaids can match that tone.
• Coordinate with the bride’s gown. The ideal wedding party outfits will keep the bride front and center and complement her overall wedding day vibe. While bridesmaid dresses do not have to match a wedding dress by any means, the gowns should support the bride’s look and not outshine her on her special day.
• Plan something special for the maid of honor. Since the maid of honor and bridesmaids don’t have to wear the same dress, you can plan to give your maid of honor the chance to stand out. This might mean that your wedding party all wear the same bridesmaid dress except for the maid of honor, who chooses a coordinating color or style, or it could mean that she has a special dress feature or accessory that’s different from what the other bridesmaids have.
• Explore a variety of fabrics. While colors and style features are the most common way to go about mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses, fabrics are a fun way to go about changing things up! Imagine mixing chiffon and satin bridesmaid dresses for a combination of soft, ethereal styles with lustrous, elegant styles. The possibilities are seemingly endless!

To Match, or Not to Match, That is the Question…

Now that you know it’s okay to ask your bridesmaids to all wear the same dress or to mix and match their dresses, the real question is whether you want your bridesmaids to match or not. Ultimately, the decision all comes down to your dream for your big day, as there’s not one right way to go about choosing bridesmaid dresses. Whether you want to get your bridal party’s feedback or come to your own decision, take the time to think through what’s most important to you regarding the overall wedding party look at your ceremony, in photos, and at the reception. For example, if you’re envisioning all of your bridal party in coordinating hues of pink on your wedding day, then explore all of the complementary pink bridesmaid dresses. If you think that the universally flattering a-line bridesmaid dresses are the best way to coordinate matching gowns, then check out the many possibilities and decide if you want the same style or if you want to mix up necklines, sleeves, or fabrics. In the end, whether you choose to match or not match, Avery Austin bridesmaid dresses offer a variety of designs that are easy to coordinate thanks to all of the available sizes, complementary colors, stylish features, and fabrics. Let us help you make your bridal day dreams come true by dressing up your favorite people too!