20 Wedding Party Attire Ideas to Help Style Your Best Friends (2024)

  • Bridesmaid Dresses

We've rounded up some of our favorite looks from real weddings.

By

Hillary Hoffower

20 Wedding Party Attire Ideas to Help Style Your Best Friends (1)

Hillary Hoffower

Hillary Hoffower is a writer with more than six years of experience covering the wedding industry. Her work has also appeared on Bridal Guide and WeddingWire.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on 05/08/23 10:00AM

20 Wedding Party Attire Ideas to Help Style Your Best Friends (2)

Gone are the days when bridesmaids walked down the aisle in matching dresses, while groomsmen escorted guests wearing traditional black tuxes. Today, wedding party attire is often chosen as a reflection of a couple's style and personality, with some couples also allowing their closest friends to select their own looks.

More specifically, bridesmaid dresses that mix and match have become a popular trend within many modern-day nuptials, in addition to groomsmen in lightly hued, summer-appropriate suits. And for those searching for a few visual examples of unique and trendy wedding party styles, we thought it might be helpful to round up some of our favorite real weddings that featured amazing wedding day fashions.

From designated color palettes (think ombré or jewel tones) to variations of a central theme (a roaring 1920s bash, anyone?), our real brides and grooms know how to pull together their inner squad to create the ultimate inspiration for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Ahead, here are our favorite wedding party looks for a little inspiration on how to style your own crew.

How to Style a Mixed-Gender Wedding Party to Create a Cohesive Look

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Free Reign

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Your bridesmaids are a big part of your life because of the individual light they each bring to the table. So, let them reflect their personalities by giving them the complete freedom to wear whatever their hearts desire.

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Be Bold

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This bride totally nailed her modern Montenegro wedding aesthetic when she asked her ladies to sport orange-hued halterneck gowns. The vibrant, punchy color brings so much personality to the trendy dress silhouette.

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Something Blue

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Can't find the perfect something blue to fulfill the tradition on your big day? Outfit your best friends as your lucky charms instead. We absolutely adore the navy blue color scheme for this black-tie, South Carolina wedding.

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Embrace the Drama

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We know that black is not the first color to come to mind for wedding attire, but we would urge you to reconsider. The look radiates timeless sophistication, as exemplified by the above bridal party. Bonus: An LBD is absolutely something your girls can wear again.

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Full Glitz

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You can never go wrong with a little bit of shimmer. Prime example: The warmth of these glimmering bridesmaid dresses allows each lovely lady to shine, while still maintaining her own individual sparkle in different shades and silhouettes.

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Shades of Blush

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Shades of blush tones are the ultimate combination for a soft, romantic aesthetic. The mixtures of various textures, styles, and finishes add a poetic touch to this camp-inspired wedding.

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Metallic Silver

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The silver metallic hue of these dresses evokes a sumptuous opulence with a modern-day approach. What's more, we love the variety of silhouettes juxtaposed with the uniform floral bouquet arrangement.

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Mix and Match

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Prints aren't for everyone, but that doesn't mean you have to completely nix the idea for your own bridal party. This blend of various designed dresses creates a charmingly whimsical yet modern effect.

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Shed the Ties

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If your wedding has a relaxed feel, consider letting the groomsmen go sans tie for an unquestionably cool aesthetic. They'll also appreciate the relaxed fit once they're on the dance floor busting a move.

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Personality Is Key

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Mix and match patterned ties to bring out each groomsmen's personality in an otherwise cohesive look. You can also draw inspiration from the above crew and have your best men sport different suits to truly break with tradition.

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Cozy Up

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Winter brides, rejoice! We've got the perfect accessory to keep your girls looking divine while keeping them warm. These furry stoles are the perfect piece to pull together a cold-weather ensemble.

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Classic but Modern

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You can never go wrong with a classically modern vibe for your wedding party. The monochromatic look of these groomsmen suits is sharp and classy, not to mention an oh-so-elegant complement to the bridesmaids' jewel-toned dresses.

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Get Creative

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Interested in having the most unique wedding party? Get creative and let your closest friend wear looks of varying complementary shades.

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Nautical-Inspired

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A coastal celebration basically begs for a nautical theme. These groomsmen nailed the contemporary preppy look with individual ensembles that play off the wedding's main backdrop—the ocean.

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Complement the Venue

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Lean into the color scheme of your locale and ask your bridesmaids to wear an ensemble that complements the wedding day scene. As seen by the bridal party above, each member donned a look that perfectly brought out the lush green hues of the venue.

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Pretty Pastels

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This bridal party certainly did not shy away from a pastel color palette, and rightfully so! From light sages and pinks to nude suits, all of the tones remained complementary and cohesive in the best way possible.

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Matching Hues

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These bridesmaids may not be fashioned in the same dress silhouette, but they are sporting similar colors that adhere to this bride's terracotta-hued weddingin California.

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Blend In

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If your wedding is taking place at an outdoor venue that features palm trees and a desert landscape, why not outfit your best men to blend in with the environment? These dapper groomsmen wore suits in shades of charcoal that appear almost olive green in color, a perfect choice for a moody celebration.

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Ethereal Lace

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Break from tradition and have your girls wear white lace for a dreamy look. Equal parts ethereal and classic, this is a timeless look you'll remember for years to come.

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Blended Prints

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How lovely is this bridal party squad in their mixed array of printed dresses? They remind us of the popular prairie trend, showcasing styles that are sweet yet entirely refreshing.

How to Let Your Wedding Party Express Their Own Personal Style

20 Wedding Party Attire Ideas to Help Style Your Best Friends (2024)

FAQs

What is appropriate to wear to a friends wedding? ›

1) Do Consider the Wedding Dress Code

Black Tie: floor length gowns, black ties, tuxedos. Formal: floor length gowns, tuxedos optional, black suits acceptable. Semi-Formal: below the knee dresses, dress shirts, slacks. Casual: sundresses, collared shirts, khakis.

How to tell wedding guests what to wear? ›

You're welcome to simply list the type of dress code on your invitation.
  1. White Tie. White Tie Celebration: Please join us in your most royal formalwear.
  2. Black Tie. A Formal Affair: Our venue requires Black Tie attire.
  3. Black Tie Optional. ...
  4. Creative Black Tie. ...
  5. co*cktail. ...
  6. Semi Formal. ...
  7. Festive Attire. ...
  8. Garden Party.

How to pick a bridal party attire? ›

Despite the fact that each person is unique in their own right—with their own style preferences and body types—traditional wedding etiquette has long dictated that the bridal party should wear matching attire: Bridesmaids typically don the very same dress—the same color, fabric, style, you name it—while groomsmen ...

What is dressy casual dress code? ›

A dressy casual dress code is a versatile balance between formal and casual. This is the ideal choice for networking (or socializing) after work, fundraisers, or dinner at a nice restaurant.

What are the different attires for weddings? ›

co*cktail attire is a smidge more formal than semiformal attire, and is often for weddings held later in the day, while semiformal is usually for afternoon weddings. Avoid a tuxedo and go for a well-tailored suit with a solid shirt—tie optional but encouraged. Take cues from the wedding's location.

Who pays for wedding party attire? ›

One thing bridesmaids and bridesmen usually pay for are their outfits—including dresses, tuxedos, suits, and shoes. "I would say it's most typical that the bridesmaids are asked to purchase their own dresses for the wedding; instruction on style, fit, and color is presented by the bride ahead of time," says Ritchie.

How to line up mismatched bridesmaids? ›

WEDDING BLOG
  1. Use One Color in Varying Tones. Tone refers to the tint (lightness) and shade (darkness) of a color. ...
  2. Use Different Colors in the Same Tone for Mismatched Bridesmaids. ...
  3. Use the Same Color in Different Styles. ...
  4. Use One Print or Texture in a Similar Color with Various Styles. ...
  5. Consider the Focal Point.
Mar 8, 2020

How can I look smart at my wedding party? ›

Choose your clothes.

Any dress you choose should not be too revealing. Pick light, pretty colors but don't wear white, being mistaken for the bride is awkward. Light blue, beige, peach, sunset orange, and lavender are good colors. Wear a tuxedo or a suit, depending on how formal the wedding is.

How to announce dress code for party? ›

Put It on the Invitation

The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.

How to word dress code on wedding invite? ›

Traditional wedding attire wording:

Black tie (tuxedos and formal gowns) Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses) Semi-formal (suit and tie and co*cktail dresses) co*cktail attire (suits and party dresses)

What is a good dress code for a party? ›

Smart or Business Casual

Khakis or slacks, a sport jacket/blazer, sweater, shirt and tie or open-collar shirt are all just fine. A collared golf shirt and jacket/blazer is ok depending on the location of the event. Ladies have choices including an afternoon dress, pants outfit, slacks/skirt and a sweater or nice shirt.

What color suits for wedding party? ›

Navy, black, and charcoal grey fall into the “safe” category – all ideal for an evening wedding or one that has anything from a formal to an informal dress code. The only time these colors look out of place is when worn to an event where lighter colors are expected.

How to look good as a bridesmaid? ›

The Best Beauty Tips for Wedding Guests, According to a Seven-Time Bridesmaid
  1. Bring blush with you. ...
  2. Highlight everywhere. ...
  3. Outsmart chipped polish. ...
  4. Take a cleanser for your jewels. ...
  5. Pack a few unsexy things, too. ...
  6. Get rid of bags, stat. ...
  7. Pre-Photoshop yourself. ...
  8. Get unreal volume.
Sep 25, 2019

What does a 50 year old wear to a wedding? ›

A sundress or a dress that you would wear to church would be fine. However, if the wedding is in a fancy hotel or at a swanky country club, a formal or semi-formal dress code would be the safest bet. Look at the invitation to see if a dress code is listed.

What is the dress code for a 5pm wedding? ›

If a wedding is taking place at 4 or 5 p.m., you should wear something that easily transitions from day to night. A dark suit and tie are appropriate for men, while a co*cktail dress or a long skirt and top combination would work perfectly for women.

Can you wear black to a friends wedding? ›

However, in today's modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it's even encouraged. “Black is often considered the most formal, polished, and flattering color,” explains wedding expert Ashley Smith.

What color should I wear to my friends wedding? ›

To bring a bolder statement, go for brighter colors like magenta and coral. If you're attending a wedding in the evening, there are certain colors that can help you look your best and make an impression. If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate.

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