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A Bold Accessory With a Neutral Dress

Want to win the Most Considerate Bride Award? Dress your bridesmaids in an easy-to-wear neutral. We understand that what reads as “classic” and “understated” in real life can seem too drab if you (and your wedding) have lots of style and personality, so we suggest adding a pop of color in the form of a bright accessory. You can’t go wrong with a statement necklace, but also consider a brooch, vibrant shoes, or a colorful belt (rather than the standard contrasting satin sash). And bully for you if the bridesmaids can wear the accessory again later, but since you’re the one requiring them to have it, do the right thing and foot the bill yourself. You’ll be a shoo-in for that award…

One Style, Different Colors

If you’ve selected a dress style you love, don’t feel limited to choosing just one color. Your bridesmaids can wear the same dress in (preferably two) complementary hues. Then your attendants have very different coloring—for example, one’s brunette with olive skin and another’s blonde with fair skin—this works like a dream. Make sure you see the colors side by side—in person—before finalizing your choices.

One Color Palette, Any Style or Hue

Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own dresses guarantees they’ll feel beautiful and comfortable. You have two options: Ask them to choose dresses in the exact same color, or in varying shades of that color. Set some ground rules, though: Provide them with fabric swatches—or even paint chips from the hardware store—to illustrate the range of colors you want to achieve. For maximum clarity, specify a dress length and fabric type (for example, tea-length, in cotton) to keep the looks consistent.

Patterns or Prints

Patterned dresses—florals, stripes, polka dots, plaids, and the like—bring a lively explosion of color to your photos, and to the wedding as a whole. They also bring a particularly whimsical feel to more casual, laid-back weddings, and tend to photograph extremely well in outdoor settings. Best of all, they’re among the most wear-again-able styles around.