Bridesmaids Dresses - Do Attendants All Have to Wear the Same Dress?

Years ago, bridesmaids had to suffer with unflattering dresses and there wasn't much they could do about it. It was the bride's decision and they could either accept the choice or decline to be a part of the wedding party. Today, choosing the bridesmaids dresses has become a much more democratic endeavor; from style and color selection to whether or not all the girls should wear the same style dress is up for debate. The modern bride can have anything she wants.

Today's selection of bridesmaids dresses has vastly improved. Gone are the days when you wear the dress once and then stick it in the back of the closet. There is so much more to choose from than all the poufy glorified prom dresses of yesteryear. A bridesmaid deserves to look chic and elegant, just like a bride.

There are still a few basic guidelines to adhere to when choosing the perfect bridesmaids dresses. The girls don't necessarily need to wear the same exact style, but the dresses should be similar. Their look should compliment each body type; every bride has a bridal party comprised of all shapes and sizes. Therefore, all her bridesmaids should wear dresses that are suited to their individual figures. There are many choices of dresses in the same style family with modifications to account for different body types. That way, each girl can wear a flattering dress that is not radically different from all the others. The key is to find the one basic dress everyone can agree upon.

As for color, the dresses should all be the same shade, with the possible exception of the maid of honor. Some brides like to differentiate the status of their maid of honor with a dress in a complimentary color, and possibly a different style. Today's bridal fashions allow for a much greater degree of creativity, so quite literally, anything goes. The key is to look great and have fun.

The bride and her attendants should make a group effort to find themselves the dresses they'll look great in and feel comfortable wearing. Cookie-cutter weddings showcasing every bridesmaid squeezed into identical dresses are a thing of the past. Wear what you love, in styles and colors that are flattering for all. It's never been easier to please all your girls and make sure they all look terrific on your special day.