Wedding bridesmaid dresses should complement with your wedding gown. Start by taking a close look at your gown’s fabric, feel, and formality, and use our pairings to help you determine a shopping strategy.

A ballgown in an airy fabric like tulle requires a bridesmaid dress in a lightweight fabric, like chiffon. And the to-the-floor length and dark hue of this bridesmaid dress hold up to the wedding gown’s air of black-tie formality.

Here, the bridal gown has a sexy, cut-out neckline, but we chose a one-shoulder bridesmaid style, which would offer the ladies a bit more coverage. The two dresses have the flowy fabric and shape in common, and the bridesmaid dress’s tropical turquoise hue fits the bridal gown’s beach-ready vibe perfectly.

We imagine this lace sheath looking gorgeous at a formal garden affair, so we chose a floor-length bridesmaid dress with a floral detail at the waist, and a similar sweetheart neckline. The bright pink hue emphasizes the bridal gown’s feminine and romantic vibe.

If you’re sporting a sexy and dramatic gown, you clearly love the spotlight. So keep your bridesmaids looking smart and put-together in little black bridesmaid dresses—in this context, the contrast will make you stand out even more. What’s in it for the girls? No bridesmaid dress offers more wear-again potential than something cute, short, and black.

A red carpet-worthy satin bridal gown pairs well with a bridesmaid dress made of a lustrous fabric (extra points when it features a similarly draped neckline). Glamorous beading—on the bridal gown’s shoulders, and the bridesmaid dress’s waist—are another unifying element.

If you’re wearing a vintage-inspired dress, keep your bridesmaids looking relatively modern so the whole gang doesn’t look too “period piece.” This bridal gown has a 1950s-style tea-length skirt, while the bridesmaid dress, with its full, flared skirt, is an updated twist on ’50s-era fashion, thanks to that flirty, above-the-knee hemline.

The only time it would be appropriate for bridesmaids to wear strapless red satin mini dresses: If you’re showing off your figure in a supersexy mermaid gown with a come-hither off-the-shoulder neckline. In this example, the ruching on both garments keeps the look cohesive (and flattering).

If your bridal gown features a strong detail, look for bridesmaid dresses that have the same element used in a different way. Here, we’re talking about a modern bow treatment—one at gown’s waist, and another version perched on the bridesmaid dress’s shoulder.