Wedding Party Attire
Photo Credit: Sarah Jual Photography
In all of my years of experience, planning the wedding party attire tends to be a lot more work than my clients anticipate. With so many colors, patterns, fabrics, styles, and price points to choose from, the process tends to cause some decision fatigue. If you find yourself in this position, follow along and hopefully we can make the process a bit easier!
Gather Inspiration + Ideas
The best thing to do if you are stuck is to find inspiration. Set aside some time to browse current trends and up-coming styles on Pinterest. If you find something you like, be sure to save it to your “Wedding Party Board” to reference when it is time to begin shopping. If you happen to have a wedding planner + designer, I recommend seeking their help by asking them what they suggest to compliment your overall design.
Determine Budget
Photo Credit: Jenny Quicksall
The bridal party is often responsible for purchasing their own attire. Unless you have decided to cover the costs, it is important to be considerate of everyone’s financial obligations. Keep in mind the extra costs that are involved like shoes, undergarments, accessories, and alterations. If you are concerned about people being able to afford what you are envisioning, consider offering budget friendly or flexible design options or even covering part of the costs. Whatever the situation may be, it is good to determine the budget before deciding on your wedding party attire.
Determine Style of Attire
Once you’ve decided on your budget, determine the style of attire you want. Nowadays, the wedding party attire is often chosen as a reflection of the couple's wedding style. So whether you plan to have a casual or formal wedding, be sure that the attire of your party (and guests!) follows suit.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you want the wedding party to have one cohesive look or mismatched outfits. The mismatched bridesmaids dress trend has become popular throughout the years and for good reason. Whether that is mismatched color palettes to floral patterns, this is a great way to showcase your quirky personality as well as those wearing it.
Regardless of what you decide, make sure that their attire does not clash with what you are wearing. If you are unsure, ask for expert advice, whether that be your wedding planner + designer or your wedding dress consultant.
Evaluate Wedding Party
Photo Credit: Chelsea Abril
When you are determining the style, color, and fabric of the outfits, consider everyone’s body shape and skin color. What works for one body doesn’t necessarily work for another. So as much as those silk slip dresses are stunning, it may not work for your wedding party… and that’s okay!! You want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident in their attire because a happy party is a helpful + supportive party.
If you do find yourself struggling to decide on an outfit that compliments everyone’s body and skin tone, don’t be afraid to reach out for their feedback. I recommend sharing your “Wedding Party Board” with your party and reaching out to each person individually. That way people feel comfortable speaking their opinion and not feel obligated to agree with the majority. It may come down to giving your wedding party freedom to choose different but coordinating outfits, like the same color of dress with a different cut that compliments their body.
Determine Color Palette
When planning your wedding party attire, consider the color scheme of your entire wedding from the scenery of the venue to the flowers and linens. Every color, pattern, and texture of your wedding design should be intentional and work well with each other. Same goes for the wedding party attire. The last thing you want is the flowers in your bridesmaid’s bouquet to get lost in her dress or blend in with the guest table linens. This step tends to be the most difficult, so I recommend finding inspiration that matches your wedding color scheme or speaking with a specialist.
Identify Common Threads
Photo Credit: Aria Studios
Once you’ve determined the color palette of your wedding party attire, identify how the two sides (bridesmaids and groomsmen) will look next to each other. Depending on the style of attire, you may want to establish common threads between both parties. Some common threads to combine both sides may be a particular color, pattern, or print. For example, you may want the bridesmaid’s dress color to match the groomsman’s tie. Having matching colors or patterns is not a requirement but is a great way to create one cohesive look.
Create a Schedule
Now that you have decided on your wedding party attire, create a schedule to ensure everyone has their attire in time to make adjustments prior to the wedding. A good rule of thumb is six to eight months. This is ample time for them to find, order, and get alterations done in a timely manner. If you are unsure of a particular timeline, speak with your wedding planner.
We hope this helps you in planning your wedding party attire!!