Bridesmaid Fashion: Dare to be Different (PHOTOS)

Because it's really not cool to make your friends wear big bows.
|
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

The chance that your bridesmaids will all love one dress is pretty slim. You have body types, heights, styles, and overall comfort levels to consider (and you should definitely consider them).

The obvious idea to combat disagreements is to allow the ladies that will stand next to you to choose their own dresses. Of course, if having each girl in a completely different dress is not quite your style, there are a couple of guidelines you may want to follow. One helpful hint is to have your wedding colors or hues in mind and limit the dress options to those matching that vision. Another idea is to pick out a fabric (or two or three) from which to choose. You can also focus on a selection of dresses in different styles and lengths from a specific store or brand that you agree upon as a group. By daring to be completely or slightly different, your 'maids can rock their personal styles and definitely wear their dresses again.

We've rounded up our 10 favorite real weddings with different bridesmaids' dresses in in the slideshow below. Finish the looks off with these jewelry and shoe options.

Bridesmaid Fashion: Dare to be Different
Pink Ruffles(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Let’s start things off with this flirty ruffled gown. Each bridesmaid is wearing the same dress, but we like how the bride chose to mix things up with different hues. More ways to incorporate ruffles in your weddingPhoto by: Feather and Stone on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly
Nifty in Navy(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Though they're different styles, the length and color tie these dresses together for a cohesive look.Photo by: Jill Thomas on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
Add a Cardigan(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
The teal color of these dresses caught our eye right away. Each dress is a slightly different style, but the girls look great all together because each is wearing a cardigan too. More teal wedding inspirationPhoto by: Jose Villa on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly
Emerald Green(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
You can’t go wrong with this season’s hottest color: emerald green!More from Pantone's color of the year for 2013Photo by: Katie Stoops on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly
Glam in Grey(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Ruffles, flowers, sparkles, lace – just a couple of the accents we love about these short dresses. Everything ties together perfectly though with the length and grey color. Browse Lover.ly's favorite short bridesmaids' dressesPhoto on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly
Pink Patterns(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Each bridesmaid chose her own pattern for her dress, but the pink hues and sleeves keep things consistent. And we just love this fun photo! More ways to mix and match bridesmaids' dressesPhoto by: Jill Thomas Photography on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
Pretty in Plum(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
This is just one example of dresses with varying lengths and fabrics done really right. We love that these ladies pulled everything together by staying with the same plum hue and wearing the same shoes. Purple wedding ideas and inspirationPhoto by: Elizabeth Messina on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly
Colors and Baubles(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
One way to pick up several of your wedding colors is to have a couple of bridesmaids wearing each solid color in her dress, like this real wedding. We also love how some of these girls accessorized with bold beaded necklaces. Photo by: White Rabbit Studios on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly
Rustic Bash(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Daring to be completely different paid off for this rustic farm wedding party. The solid color dresses pick up the same colors in the floral frocks.Browse more rustic wedding ideasPhoto by: Cat Thrasher Photography on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
Classic Choice(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
We couldn't not include black and white because a simple LBD is always a classic option!More black and white wedding ideasPhoto by: Erin J. Saldana on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

Want more awesome wedding advice? Download the Loverly perfect planner app to chat with a Loverly Wedding Concierge.

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE