An All-White Bridal Party: Wedding Dresses For Your Bridesmaids?

An All-White Bridal Party: Wedding Dresses For Your Bridesmaids?

When people talk about a white wedding, they’re usually referring to the bride. But these days they could be just as easily discussing the bridal party. Today’s bride is eschewing the tradition that only the bride wears white wedding dresses on her wedding day, and she’s letting her ’maids put on the light hue as well.
What was once considered gauche became a bridal trend when the world saw Kate Middleton’s maid of honor, her sister Phillipa “Pippa” Middleton, and her “bridesmaids” in white for her wedding to Prince William in April.
Pippa Middleton and the bridesmaids all looked regal in white for the royal wedding.


Another British Kate, supermodel Kate Moss, had an all-white bridal party as well when she wed musician Jamie Hince last July. Don’t her girls look like they just walked out of a romantic fairytale?
Kate Moss’s wedding was part fairytale, part rock ‘n’ roll.


Some might argue that an all-white wedding party has always been something of a tradition for the Brits since many British brides have had their bridesmaids dress all in white. Princess Diana had an all-white bridal party back in the 80s after all.
Princess Diana’s bridal party all wore white. (Photo by Patrick Lichfield)


And while those people may be right, all-white bridal parties are new(er) on this side of the pond and a couple of recent high profile American weddings have helped solidify the trend.
A month after the royal wedding, former beauty queen Candice Crawford (sister of Gossip Girl‘s Chace Crawford) wed Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. All 15 (!!) of Candice’s bridesmaids donned white Badgley Mischka dresses.
Candice Crawford and her 15 bridesmaids all wore white Badgley Mischka.
(Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka)


Kim Kardashian picked up on the trend a few months later when she wed basketball player Kris Humphries in August. She had her bridesmaids wear white Vera Wang wedding dresses.
Kardashian’s bridesmaids dressed in long Vera Wang gowns.
(Photo via E!Online )


Except for the fact that there were five women all wearing the same dress, any one of them could have been the bride of a less extravagant wedding. In fact, Kim’s bridesmaids’ dresses look like a toned-down version of her sister Khloe’s wedding dress. At least Khloe knew that she would look good wearing her bridesmaid’s dress.
Khloe Kardashian could have almost reused her wedding gown. (Photo via US Magazine)


So it would appear that this has indeed become a trend. And while you might argue about whether it’s borrowed from the Brits or completely new, what was once the biggest fashion faux pas (wearing white to someone else’s wedding) is now one of today’s hottest bridal trends…at least if you’re a bridesmaid.
It’s not for everyone, but if you like the idea of an all-white bridal party, there are many ways to pull it off and stay true to your wedding style. The one thing you might want to avoid, is bridesmaid dresses that look too much like your dress. While your closest friends and family should know which woman in white is the bride, you don’t really want to leave anyone guessing.
Can you tell which woman is the bride? (Photo by Jenna Walker Photographers)


Well, maybe there are two things. Don’t err on the other end of the spectrum either. You don’t want your girls wearing dresses that are so different in style that your guests won’t be able to tell the bride from her ’maids…especially if you have a large bridal party.
No really, which one is the bride? (Photo by A Bryan Photo)


Make sure that your dress stands out from the others whether in style (strapless while your bridesmaids’ dresses have straps) or shade (you’re in off-white while your ’maids are in cream). When it’s done right, the effect can be extremely elegant.
The bride is obviously the one in the strapless gown. (Photo by David Wittig Photography)


Your bridesmaids can all wear the same dress…
The bridesmaids’ dresses coordinate with the flower girls and junior bridesmaids. (Photo from The White List )


Or they can wear mismatched dresses, which is great for them because they can buy a cute dress that they’d like to wear again. Just be sure that your dress will stand out in the crowd. An easy way to do this without being too restrictive is to have the bridesmaids’ dresses be short if you’re wearing long, or vice versa.
These bridesmaids are all wearing different styles, but the bride would
definitely stand out. (Photo by Lauren and Abby Ross Weddings)


All white can be completely classic…
These girls look elegant and complement the bride’s style. (Photo by Max Wanger)


Or more edgy. It all depends on your personal style.
This chic bridal party mixes casual and elegant.  (Photo by Jackie Wonders)


Like the idea of an all-white wedding, but not to keen on all white? Add a pop of color to your bridesmaids’ dresses.
The pop of coral on each bridesmaid’s dress is a nice touch. (Photo by Amanda Suanne Photography)


Still too much white? Stay true to the trend by dressing your bridesmaids in dresses that are primarily white, but incorporate another color as well. For example, dresses with a white skirt and colored top.
These black and white dresses are a nice mix of the old and new.
(Photo by NK Photography)


Or, if you’d prefer, pick bridesmaids dresses in a pale color that’s close to white, but not actually white.
This bride chose beige for her ’maids. (Photo by Mary Jane Photography)


These bridesmaids are wearing dresses that work within the trend, but also completely show the bride’s personality.
The bride on the left opted for modern stripes, while the bride on the right
went for a more antique look. (Photo by Brooke Images and Sugar Love Weddings)


If you want to have an all-white bridal party, but really want to stand out from your bridesmaids, consider wearing the color yourself.
This bride wore dark purple while her maids wore white
(or perhaps it’s pale pink). (Photo by Simply Bloom Photography)


And if you want to stick to tradition and be the only one wearing white, consider all black for your bridal party. It’s also elegant and looks great in photos.
Whether you love an all-white bridal party or hate it, this is one trend that will probably be around for awhile.