The days of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses are long gone! With today’s weddings embracing individuality and creativity, mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses has become a new favorite.
With the freedom to choose from a variety of colors and styles, each bridesmaid can find the perfect dress for them, elevating their look without disrupting the overall harmony. Want a unified look that still captures the essence? Mixing and matching is the smartest way.
In this guide, we’ll unlock all the secrets of mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses: from practical tips and inspiring styling ideas to real-life examples, making it easy to create a stylish and unique bridesmaid team.
Essential Tips for Mixing and Matching Bridesmaid Dresses
1. Talk to Your Bridesmaids
Communication is crucial when creating mismatched bridesmaid looks. Each bridesmaid has their own body type, style preferences, and comfort level. You can fill a vision board with your approved dress options, and your bridesmaids can simply choose the ones they like. This approach will not only create a more harmonious bridal party, but also prevent anyone from feeling uncomfortable in a dress that doesn’t suit them.
2. Order Fabric Swatches
Before committing to a specific color palette, order fabric swatches. Different materials—such as chiffon, satin, velvet, or lace—can make the same color appear very different under various lighting conditions. Having swatches in hand allows you to test how the shades work together, ensuring your bridal party will look cohesive both in person and in photos.
3. Choose Unifying Details
Even if your bridesmaids are wearing completely different dresses, you can still tie the looks together by incorporating one unifying element. This could be a neckline, fabric type, hem length, or accessory. For example, allowing everyone to choose their own dress but sticking with floor-length gowns creates cohesion. Similarly, choosing matching bouquets or jewelry can also provide a polished, consistent touch.
4. Stick to One Designer or Brand
If you want a safe middle ground between variety and cohesion, consider shopping from one brand. Many bridal retailers, such as Azazie, offer collections specifically designed to be mixed and matched. This ensures that fabrics and colors are consistent, while still giving your bridesmaids plenty of style options.
5 Stylish Ways to Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses
Same Color, Different Styles
One of the easiest approaches is to keep all dresses in the same color but allow bridesmaids to choose their own silhouettes. This way, everyone has the freedom to select a dress that flatters their figure while maintaining a clean, cohesive color scheme.
Different Colors Altogether
If you’re going for a bold look, opt for completely different colors for each bridesmaid. To pull this off, select hues that complement each other and fit within your overall wedding color palette. Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby look especially stunning together.
Mixing Solids and Patterns
Pairing solid-colored dresses with patterned options can bring personality and flair to your bridal party. Floral patterns, in particular, are a popular choice, especially for spring and summer weddings. To keep the look harmonious, ensure that the patterned dresses include at least one shade from the solid dresses.
Mixing Textures and Embellishments
Varying fabrics and finishes add visual interest. For instance, combining sequins with satin or chiffon with velvet gives your bridal party a stylish, high-fashion edge. Textures are especially effective for evening weddings or glamorous black-tie celebrations.
Similar Prints with a Shared Palette
If you love prints but want to keep the look coordinated, choose different patterns that share the same color palette. This creates visual variety without looking disorganized. For example, pairing soft floral prints with polka dots in complementary shades can look playful yet polished.
Examples of Non-Matching Bridesmaid Dresses
Green Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses
Shades of dusty sage, emerald, and forest green blend beautifully for outdoor and rustic weddings. This palette works especially well in garden or woodland venues, where the natural scenery complements the dresses.
Agave A-Line One Shoulder Stretch Satin Dress
Blue Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses
From light sky blue to deep navy, blue is one of the most versatile choices for mismatched bridal parties. It suits almost any season and provides a timeless elegance, whether paired with silver accessories for winter or with pastels for spring.
Dark Navy Mermaid Stretch Satin Dress
Pink Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses
Blush, rose, fuchsia, and dusty pink create a feminine and romantic palette. This option is particularly popular for spring and summer weddings, where floral arrangements can echo the same tones.
Cedar Rose A-Line Off the Shoulder Chiffon Convertible Dress
Champagne Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses
Mixing champagne, nude, and gold tones results in a sophisticated, glamorous look. This is a perfect choice for evening weddings or formal venues such as ballrooms and historic estates.
Champagne Sheath Off the Shoulder Stretch Satin Dress
Multi-Colored Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses
For brides who want to make a bold statement, a fully multi-colored bridal party is a show-stopping option. By selecting shades that complement your wedding theme—such as jewel tones for fall or bright pastels for summer—you’ll create an unforgettable look.
Conclusion
Mix and match bridesmaid dresses offer the perfect balance between individuality and coordination. By consulting with your bridesmaids, testing fabric swatches, deciding on unifying details, and shopping smartly, you can achieve a stylish and cohesive look without forcing everyone into the same dress.
Whether you prefer subtle variations in color and style or bold contrasts with multiple textures and hues, mismatched bridesmaid dresses allow your bridal party to shine in their own way while still enhancing your wedding aesthetic.
Read more:
How to Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses for a Stylish Wedding Party
