Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1001 in Midnight Blue

Of course you want your maids to look wonderful as they walk behind you up the aisle. 

But when you think about it, how they look from behind is important too. (And it's how one Pippa Middleton almost stole the show at her sister's wedding.)

All eyes are going to be on your bridesmaids as they hold your train and accompany you, and people are going to be judging and thinking about what your girls are wearing. 

So you really owe it to them to make sure that they look pretty from all angles. 

Making the back special 

Take a look at these dresses, which all share something in common. They look as good from the front as from the back. We've used lace, ties, ribbon, pleats, folds ... 

Left: Dessy Collection Style 3014 Midnight Blue  Right: Dessy Collection Style 3014 shown in Platinum

Let's start with lace. This is a supremely elegant style that is 'covered up', yet superbly glamorous. Lace details are very on trend and your girls would love the form fitting cut of this design. Choose from a light, muted shade or something darker and more dramatic. Ideal for a winter wedding, don't you agree? 

Left: Alfred Sung Style D751 in Silverstone Right: Alfred Sung Style D751 in Aubergine

Here's another form-fitting dress, with quite a different look. It's probably more suitable for a spring or summer wedding but either way would translate well from afternoon through to evening. In a rich, luxurious fabric with a sheen, the criss cross back is eye-catching - as is the off the shoulder neckline. 

Left:  After Six Bridesmaids Style 6779. Right: Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid Style JY540. Both in Suede Rose. 

Ruffles are coming back into weddings big time. You're going to see them on chairs, on table displays and on bridemaids dresses, as here. If a ruffle isn't your thing, then maybe a simple tie back and a higher neckline would suit. Love this colour too. It's Mist. 

Left: Bella Bridesmaids style BB111. Right: Dessy Collection Style 3022

We think the style on the left is just shouting out to be worn at a beach wedding. It's simple and unfussy. On the right there's another idea for working with ruffles. The front of the dress is relatively unadorned, whilst it's all happening in the prettiest way possible at the back. 

Well, it's about time. Why should your maids all wear matchy matchy? The picture above shows just how cool mixing it up can be (here with sequins and chiffons).

• One style is unlikely to flatter all
• One color can look a little 'samey'
• Why not blend colors a little?

Brides are going for similar NOT identical

These days brides are starting to veer a bit away from the traditional one-for-all mentality when it comes to their bridesmaids. Instead they are opting instead for similar, but not identical styles.

This trend is catching fire. Why's that? 

• Bridesmaids get to have some freedom in their dress choice (who knew?).
• Everyone ends up looking like themselves and feeling (and photographing) their best!

Elegant summer blue! Style 2970 and 2989 in mist. 
Picture by @lindsay_hackney

By default, girls are going to choose something that's flattering and that they feel confident wearing.

A bridal party with a view. Doesn't get much better than that! Everyone is in our Alfred Sung collection in Pearl Pink

Going rogue is not an option

Giving your best gals some freedom of choice doesn't mean that you let them go rogue though. It's important to set up some pretty strict stipulations to keep everything look organised and elegant. We've outlined the rules that will ensure everyone is happy and that your bridal party looks chic and sophisticated.

1. COLOR - Choose one or two Pantone shade(s) for your ladies. If you have just a few bridesmaids (like four or less) you could get a little risky and let them choose within a color family (like deep blue). A color story is a MUST, so this point is non-negotiable. We recommend following the outlined color rule and combining it with one or two of the tips below:

2. FABRIC - Whether it's lace or lurex (just kidding!) give your girls a fabric that they must stick to. Chiffon and silk crepe are both awesome!

3. LENGTH - Just below the knee, tea length or gown length are all great options. Something we love is having your maid of honor wear a gown while all other bridesmaids go for a shorter length.

4. NECKLINE - This is less popular, but it's still a noteworthy idea. Keep it sweetheart, one-shoulder or a classic scoop and then let them run a little wild with the length and fabric!

Running to the reception in Hunter Green

Fun fact

All images used in this post are from real Dessy weddings featured on our Facebook page! And just how fabulous do these real life girls look! 

Classic, elegant, flattering for all skin tones and never dates - look at the burgundy bridesmaid dresses shown above at real weddings by Dessy and we think you'll agree. 

Burgundy (or maybe think of it as claret, merlot or deep red) is a shade that looks good on blondes, brunettes, girls with fair skin and freckles and girls with darker skins. 

Match it with lighter pinks in your bouquets and greens and you've got a really beautiful wedding theme going on. (Take a look at our Burgundy wedding theme ideas here for inspiration). 

Your little flowergirls are going to feel very grown up wearing this shade and if you don't want a block color, then match a Dessy flowergirl dress in white or cream with a burgundy sash. Very sophisticated for a little lady. 

As for your bridesmaids - the hardest part is going to be choosing which style. We're loving the mismatched bridesmaid dresses this bride chose. (Bet her friends loved having individual styles too). 

Sequins are really on trend just now and if you're having an evening wedding and want your bridesmaids in something a little slinky, then these burgundy sequin bridesmaid gowns would look completely fabulous. Choose either strapless, spaghetti strapped or maybe opt for burgundy sequin bridesmaid separates? 

And if one of your friends has announced her pregnancy you'll find burgundy maternity bridesmaid dresses here. They're so flattering and pretty for ladies in waiting!

Sometimes it's hard to decide whether your girls should wear long or short bridesmaid dresses. It really depends on your style of wedding day. If you're getting married earlier in the day and it's hot, then a short dress could be perfect. Short cocktail-style bridesmaid dresses also look sassy at evening weddings if you're having a buffet style event rather than a formal sit down dinner. The best thing to do is look at plenty of different styles and ask your girls what they think. 

We're big fans of dressing your bridesmaids in individual styles because every girl has a different shape and different styles will flatter (and disguise). So some of your girls might be happier wearing a burgundy bridesmaid dress with sleeves whilst others are happy in strapless or spaghetti straps. 

 All burgundy bridesmaid dresses featured here by Dessy - discover the full range here. 

We girls come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us are tall and some are small. Some are curvy and some skinny. And many of us are between.

So when you're choosing your maids you're almost certainly going to find that different girls suit different dresses. Which we understand completely at Dessy.

That's why we've designed a range of gowns to suit every girl (and even bridesmaid dresses for pregnant ladies).

Above I've picked one of the Dessy colors - blush - and picked out four completely different dresses to show you what I mean.

For girls with curves

All of our bridesmaid dresses are available in sizes 00-30W, plus extra length for those of you who are 5'7" and taller. 

So you can browse through all our styles and know that whatever size or height you are, you're going to be able to find your dream bridesmaid dress. 

Above we have style 6706 from the Dessy Collection.

This style suits curvy girls beautifully, making the most of their figures so they look and feel fantastic. We've shown it in blush but remember with all our styles available, you can choose from an almost limitless selection of fabrics and colors. 

And your flowergirls

Being a flowergirl is an exciting moment in a little girl's life and having a pretty new dress to wear is all part of it. Our flower girl dresses range from traditional to a little more contemporary - you could even have a white or cream frock and add a colored sash if you like. We've created a range so the little ones fit in perfectly with the big girls ... and feel like a princess.

Shown above is Dessy Flowergirl style 4021 in blush.

That in-between age

Some girls are too old to be dressed as flowergirls, but too young to fit adult bridesmaid dresses - so that's why we designed our Junior Bridesmaid range. There's nothing childish about the styles or over sophisticated - we've created a flattering and pretty range so that the pre-teens feel grown up and confident.

Junior Bridesmaid dress style JR545 is shown above. How pretty is this ...

Finally, your bridesmaid friends

You want your besties to feel amazing in their bridesmaid dresses - not as though they are swamped in ruffles and frills. So our bridesmaid dresses are elegant and classic, whether you go for cocktail or full length. And we can safely say that many Dessy bridesmaids wear their dresses over and over again at posh events - they're too pretty to be left in the closet.

Above is Jenny Packham Style JP1007.

We also have some fabulous maternity bridesmaid dresses for your friends who are on the way to becoming moms. 

Have a look around our website and you'll be dazzled by the colors and choices. And check out the accessories too. You could share images with your friends on Pinterest and set up your own moodboard for your wedding. Enjoy.

As part of your wedding planning, I think you really should take time out to watch that classic old movie 'My Fair Lady' with Audrey Hepburn. It's beautifully photographed (by Cecil Beaton), romantic and funny and the most beautiful scene shows the ever-elegant Miss Hepburn dressed in black and white at Ascot.

Her outfit is the most perfect blend of sophistication and beauty and when it was last sold, in 2011, it set the new owner back $3.7 million dollars - thank goodness they threw in the hat too!

Black and white dresses are so chic

If you like the idea of dressing your bridesmaids in black and white you'll discover some fabulous two tone bridesmaid dresses at Dessy. Here are a few ideas ... 

This first one is Social Bridesmaid 8162 , a full-length, strapless dress (although spaghetti straps are optional) with a pretty marquis lace bodice and a sweetheart neckline. The scallop-edge detail at the empire waist sets off the trumpet skirt wonderfully creating a stylish hourglass shape that is SO elegant. But the dress doesn't stop there! There is a fabulous cutout detail at the back too.

Dessy Collection 2956 shown above is a striking two tone gown which you could have predominantly in black (left) or white (right). Or perhaps you'd have your bridesmaids in a combo of them both! The full-length, strapless lux chiffon dress has a sweetheart neckline and draped bodice and skirt, providing a very relaxed, easy style to wear.

For a similarly bold but totally different look, check out the sateen twill Alfred Sung D724P with its slightly shirred black and white chevron skirt (below left). Again, this full length strapless dress has optional spaghetti straps included.


I think that possibly my favourite of all has got to be the dress on the right above, Dessy Collection 8163. This full-length, nu-georgette dress has a graceful halter neckline with a framed trim at the bodice and inset waistband. And the back view? Just check this out!

How beautiful is this bow at the neck closure and gorgeous pleated detail on the back skirt?

This is one very dramatic dress that a confident bridesmaid would love to wear. 

There's no doubt about it, these two tone bridesmaid dresses from Dessy are giving Cecil Beaton's original a run for his money! I wonder which one Audrey would have chosen?

You can't have a wedding day without flowers. And florals are having a real moment right now. 

And there are some really, really pretty bridesmaids dresses around in florals for you to be thinking about. 

You can go for a bold splash floral or something a little more subtle in a faded chintz. 

Mix block shades with florals

The key is not to overdo it. In fact, some of your maids may rather not wear a floral inspired gown. In which case, dress them in a block color that complements the floral fabrics (as we've shown here). On the floral gowns you can pick out greens, blues, purples, yellows or even whites or ivory for your other maid's dress. 

Mix it up a little bit as well with different necklines. However, we suggest that you keep the base fabric similar - so the weights are the same. Also the style of gown. Florals tend to suit something more flowing than fitted, so choose block colors that echo the design.

The strapless Dessy gown on the left also comes with detachable spaghetti straps, whereas the gown on the right has a flattering off the shoulder ruffled neckline, that will be perfect for girls with smaller busts. 

Here we show you how to work color play. The chiffon gown on the left in a soft green works beautifully with the subtle florals on the right. We've chosen green but you could match with deep pinks, greens or even a gentle apricot shade. 

For a rather more dramatic effect, mix up a dark blue gown with big splashy florals. Or you could use charcoal shades here to match the flowers.

Blues are a perennial wedding favourite. This color combo would suit a romantic wedding perfectly. The dress on the left is so pretty, we're sure it won't be left languishing in the cupboard after the bridesmaid has done her duty. The windsor blue gown on the right has flattering pleating and sets off the floral fabric to perfection. 

As for accessories, if you're dressing your bridesmaids in floral gowns, then don't overdo the flower motifs on shoes, earrings, bags. Best to keep things plain and simple. However, for your maids in block colours, you can include the floral theme, maybe with some floral necklaces, drop earrings and a corsage? 

Have fun planning your floral wedding theme. 

All bridesmaid dresses featured here by Dessy. 

(All bridesmaid dresses shown above by Dessy)

Green is the color of growth, balance, harmony, health and nurture. 

All words that have a wonderful association with relationships and, of course, weddings. 

In fact some may even go as far as to say that the color green creates equilibrium between the head and the heart. No surprise then that it is seen to be an emotionally positive color, enabling us to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally." Hmm,' I hear you ponder, 'perhaps I should give it a go for my wedding!"

Real life wedding days in dark green 

In which case Dessy offers you some beautiful dark green bridesmaid dresses to choose, which look wonderful at weddings, as you can see from the real life wedding days shown above. 

There are some great choices going on here. We love the way some of the brides have chosen different styles of Dessy bridesmaid frocks for their maids but in the same color. Different necklines held together by a common shade. 

Colors to take a look at include; Hunter, Hampton and Emerald. You can see the full range of dark green bridesmaid dresses here. Getting some different color swatches in different fabrics might be an idea too. 

If you're having a winter wedding, then dark green can work particularly well. Contrast it against rich dark reds and berry shades. Make sure that your bridesmaids are wrapped against the cold in shrugs and pashminas. 

In spring and summer, dark greens work beautifully against spring flowers such as daffodils and narcissi. And in summer, dark green and white are a dazzling combination. 

Just remember to take note of the season in which you're marrying when choosing your bridesmaid's dresses. In summer, lighter fabrics will work best, such as chiffons. In winter you can choose heavier satins. 

A perfect tool for choosing both your fabrics and colors is with our fabric swatch selector, which allows you to buy swatches in your chosen shade (so dark green for example) so you can make an informed decision. 

One of the ways we like to help brides-to-be is by suggesting different color combos for their bridesmaid dresses. In fact, ways of working color through all the aspects of a wedding party.

And today, because spring is most definitely on its way (and about time too) we're going to feature a periwinkle blue and pink color theme. 

It's a really romantic color mix. Delicate, classic, dreamy and really, really lovely. 

Mix the two together and your maids can choose the shade that suits them best. 

Talk to your florist about flower options. We're thinking pink peonies, blush pink roses, forget-me-nots, cornflowers, delphiniums. Don't feel you have to have exact color matches, it looks much better to mix it up a bit. 

(Bridesmaid dresses by Dessy)

Same applies with your bridesmaid frocks. Windsor blue, periwinkle and blush are some color options from Dessy, but all these shades can be mixed and matched together and will blend beautifully. (Think a sort of ombre effect). 

If you'd like some help choosing your colors and working out which combo you like best, then check Dessy's Pantone color tools, which give you the right shades so you can communicate them to your florist, bridal designer, venue, cake decorator - and whoever needs to know.

Bridesmaid dresses by Dessy 

Tie your wedding bouquet (and maybe the bridesmaid bouquets) with red and pink ribbons, in a soft gauze.

We love floaty chiffons and lighter fabrics with these colors, especially if you're having a rustic style wedding day and getting married in the afternoon. 

As the bride, you could give a nod to the theme with your bouquet of course - but also maybe with some delicate blush pink wedding shoes or blue, peeking out shyly from the hem of your wedding gown. 

Flower crowns are definitely having a moment right now, so consider them for your maids, or even yourself, if it's a boho sort of an event. They look super cute on flowergirls of course. 

As for your groom, take a look at the light, tan colored suits which would work so well with pale pinks and blues for bow ties, vests and maybe socks! 

Main images at top from: Wedding Chicks  

Mix florals with block shades. JY Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid style JY534 left, Alfred Sung Style D745 purple right.

Are you getting married on a hot tropical beach somewhere? Or surrounded by the beautiful colors of the desert? Somewhere that it's likely to be humid and warm? 

Most, if not all, summer brides want the sun to shine brightly on their wedding days - the wedding photographs look wonderful, gardens look fabulous, everybody is relaxed and you can continue the party outside into late in the summer night.

But what if you're marrying in a really hot destination?  How will your bridesmaids cope? How can you ensure that they feel comfortable in the dresses they're wearing when the temperature gauge is up in the nineties?

To help you along, we've picked out some Dessy bridesmaid dresses that would work well in a tropical setting. Remember to think about your colors too. If you're marrying in dazzling sunlight then bright colors usually work best - think hot pinks, purples, emerald greens and oranges. Jewel colors will look incredible. 

Forget long sleeves - go for strapless, sleeveless or halter necklines. And nothing that's too closely fitted.

Follow our tips and you can be happy that you've dressed your girls so they stay cool and comfortable. 

If you want your maids to wear long dresses then a split is a great option as it will let the skirt flow in the breeze. Above we have Alfred Sung Style D745 on the left, Studio Design Collection Style 4523 on the right. Both styles come in a dazzling array of different shades. 

The two dresses above would look amazing on a white sandy beach. 

Left: After Six Bridesmaid style 1505, After Six Bridesmaid style 6782

There are many different strapless and sleeveless necklines to choose from, so your maids will find something flattering for them which they love. 

It's also in this setting that the Dessy Twist Wrap Dress comes into its own - particularly in its latest incarnation with a chiffon overskirt. Your girls can drape it as they feel comfortable and it packs in a suitcase beautifully. It's also the sort of frock they'll want to wear over and over again after your wedding day.

On your big day you want to have happy, smiling bridesmaids in your photographs. Fabulous pictures that show your squad looking and feeling great.

One way of making sure your girls feel that way is by making sure that they're wearing the right dresses. For them (as well as you). So here's how to get it right.

Think about your own wedding dress

Your bridesmaid dresses need to work with your wedding gown. So if you're wearing a boho kind of a dress, don't dress the girls up in formal structured dresses in fabrics like satin. Let it flow. Think about it. Will the looks you have in mind for your bridesmaids work with your wedding dress or do you need to consider making some alternations to your ideas?

What about the weather?

When are you getting married? You won't want to dress your girls in flowing chiffon in the depths of a snowy winter. Or heavier satins for a beach wedding. Think carefully about the style and materials and the time of year (you can order fabric swatches from Dessy while you make your mind up).

Do you really want your girls to all wear the same?

No two girls are exactly the same shape and size and each one will have features they are happy to show off and others they'd prefer to disguise. So you really don't need to dress your girls all the same.

Of course you can have the same color and the same length of dress, but mix it up a bit with different necklines and possibly waistlines. Your squad will thank you for it.

Allow time to get your bridesmaid dresses

If you're ordering from Dessy, we recommend that you order your dresses so that you receive them at least two weeks before your wedding day.

We have a big selection of in-stock bridesmaid dresses that are shipped 1-3 business days from the date of the order, whilst our special order dresses ship around 9-10 weeks from the time you place your order.

Wear shoes of the right height when trying on dresses

When your girls are trying out different dresses, make sure they are wearing shoes. If they're wearing heels on your big day, they'll make a difference to how the dress hangs (and the length of course). So take along heels of a similar height. Same thing if they're wearing flats - you need to see how the dresses look with flats - girls can change their minds you know!

Think about colors

There are some colors which make a girl look fantastic and others that make her look washed out. Ask your girls which colors they feel particularly suit them and which don't. Of course, at the end of the day it's up to you but you might like to moderate your ideas a little (you could have an ombre effect or dress girls in two different shades, which looks very chic).

All images taken from Dessy Facebook page.