(Above) Romantic, floral-print bridesmaid dresses are a lovely complement to this bride’s pale-peach gown—a quiet statement that makes a big impact. Bride Amanda Widenski and her bridesmaids scoured boutiques and online shops to find the perfect design to fit the elegant yet relaxed theme of her August 2016 wedding at Over the Vines in Edgerton. Dresses by MuMu.
Dresses from Rent the Runway / Photography: Aliza Rae Photography
If you’ve been a bridesmaid, you’ve probably heard it before: “You can totally wear the dress again!” Yeah, right. Bride Emily Patch had a better idea: Her bridesmaids rented their blush gowns for her September 2016 wedding at Hubbard Park Lodge in Shorewood. That way, they could wear smashing designer dresses—without all the expense and commitment.
Dresses by Badgley Mischka / Photography: Jessica Bedore Photography
Gold is a big wedding décor trend, so why not in bridesmaid dresses? Your gals will shimmer in gowns like these numbers inspired by old Hollywood. Carmen Fiordellisi wanted the gold theme to “pop” in her December 2016 wedding at Olde 41 in Green Bay, so she chose these sequined floor-length dresses. Looks like she got her wish, to stunning effect.
Dresses by Adrianna Papell, Donna Morgan, Elizabeth and James, Jenny Yoo, Vera Wang / Photography: Anna Page Photography
When each bridesmaid personally selects her own gown, her personality is sure to shine. “All of my bridesmaids have such a great and unique sense of style,” says bride Casey Herring, who incorporated this eclectic trend into her September 2016 wedding at the Pritzlaff Building in Milwaukee. “It was really fun to see that in their choices.”
Dresses from various designers / Photography: Dani Stephenson Photograpy
Mixing and matching dresses helps cater to each bridesmaid, while keeping the bride’s distinct vision and palette in mind. Jordan Gale, who wed in September 2016 at the Lageret in Stoughton, says she prioritized her bridesmaids’ personal tastes over a perfectly matched look, and the result was effortlessly harmonious. “They each got to pick a dress that they felt comfortable and confident in.”
Dresses by Alice + Olivia / Photography: Anna Page Photography
Lace is a timeless element in any wedding, but black lace adds an unexpected flair. Madeline Siegelman, who tied the knot in September 2016 at Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, let her bridesmaids chose their own dark-hued gowns—and the elegant lace frocks were a lucky find. “The bridesmaid dress stars were aligned that day in Saks!” says Siegelman.
Dresses from family, Goodwill and Shopbop / Photography: Jessica Stoe Photogrpahy
Shades of pale are perfect not only for the bride, but for the bridal party as well. “I had this kind of modern pre-Raphaelite vision,” says bride Caroline Onzik, who wed in August 2016 at Three Brothers Farm in Oconomowoc. These free-spirited gowns reflected her “wild bohemian” vision. “I liked the casualness of mismatched dresses combined with the goddess feel of a white color palette.”
