How To Do Right By Your Bridesmaids

Low-key ways to dress your honeys.

“Maybe I’m overthinking this?” My friend Nicole said to me after her millionth deep creep for bridesmaid dresses.

Her dress was ticked off easy as pie but it was styling the girl crew that was keeping her up at night. In our circle, when one of us gets married, we all (vicariously) get married. So what to send your honeys down the aisle in is not a decision to take lightly.

Gone are the cupcake disasters that were known as bridesmaid dresses (tactless strategic choice so not to upshot the bride). Sure you may be tying the knot with the love of your life but what about your single girlfriends who could strike gold at your reception with that charming guest (To note: true story. Did happen.)

This is the age of female empowerment and we want our leading ladies to look saucy AF when sauntering. But also at an accessible price.

After witnessing too many barfy options, searching through hundreds of shades of champagne and blatantly denying multiple recommendations, my friend finally found the perfect off-rack bridesmaid choice from The Iconic. Hansen & Gretel’s Edie silk wrap dress. Ultimate perfection for flattering all kinds of woman.

From this experience we’d love to share a few lived and learned pointers on how to keep chill when beautifying your favourite women for your most romantic day yet.

Diversity

Let your pals personalise to their shape. Take model Hanne Gaby Odiele’s big day in Upstate New York. She dressed her entourage in silky lavender slips, with the bust style and hem length all uniquely tailored to flatter each bridesmaid. This could be made simple by selecting a few dress styles in same colour and fabric then letting your bridesmaids choose which suits their personality best.

via Instagram @eleanorpendleton

Au natural

You want your honeys to shine as the best version of themselves not swamped down in a cake of makeup that feels very unfamiliar. A picture can say a million words. Visuals are key when briefing your makeup artist because let’s be frank, when you say you want ‘no-makeup makeup’ somehow it always still turns out as thick as a tv presenter. Better to start with less and add some. Be stern.

Barely there

The most subtle of details are usually what make an outfit. Matching minimalist jewellery like drop pearls or dainty charms will complete the collective look in upclose insta pics. Nicole gifted a gold pair of sea shell earrings to her ladies the night before the wedding as a special thank you.

Sweet momentos

This may go unseen during the nuptials but girl gang leisure wear is everything on wedding eve. Matching is a must. Personalised is going above and beyond. Silk button-up PJs take us back to girly slumber parties or exotic kimonos will get everyone feeling lush and great to wear during hair and makeup for easy wardrobe change.

Caroline Brasch’s wedding entrance via Pinterest

Break the rules

Who said bridesmaids had to wear the same colour / dress / shoes / hair? No one. We love Dutch stylista Caroline Brasch’s original wedding entrance. She and her ultra-cool collective arrived via a canal boat sporting all different looks but somehow all the same vibe. Some wore hair up, some wore hair down, some wore yellow, some wore white (scandalous) and some wore sneakers! All holding one single large sunflower. Pure bridal bliss.