Many of us have had our Bridesmaids in mind just as long as we’ve been fantasizing about our wedding dress. This is one the biggest decisions you’ll make when it comes to your big day, and once you’ve decided, the next thing on your mind is what they’ll be wearing. Just as the Groomsmen will need to be complimenting the overall palette of the wedding, so will your Bridesmaids. When planning the wardrobe for your wedding party, keep these tips in mind.

First, it is a myth (that is all too often practiced) that all of your Maids must wear identical dresses. Modern Brides consider that each of their Bridesmaids are an individual, with different body types, complexions, and preferences. It is tradition that the Bridesmaids purchase their own dresses, which is all the more reason to be sure they are buying something they want, and could possibly wear again later. A great way to pick a dress that suits both your wedding theme, and your Maid’s tastes, is to give them a color and basic guidelines, and let them choose. Working together with a seamstress can help you collaborate and find a nice balance between diverse dresses, and complimentary looks for your big day. Even if you use the same fabric for each dress, letting your ladies choose the length, neckline, and cut can open up a variety of possibilities. Many Brides today choose one color, and let the dresses vary in shade, which livens up your wedding party.

Next, consider the price. As mentioned before, the ladies will often purchase their own bridesmaid dresses, so keep it within everyone’s budget. Asking them to pay hundreds for a dress that they may only be able to wear once is impractical. Equip them with some guidelines, and have them pick out their own dress, so they can spend their money on something flattering they might even be able to wear again. Finding a shop that specializes in dresses can help you better accommodate to a specific price range, and give them options to choose from.

Lastly, when it comes to shoes and jewelry, you can integrate your Maid’s own style, as well as your wedding vision. For example, get similar shoes for every Maid, and let them choose the jewelry, or visa versa. If you shop with an online store, you can find all of these items in one place, and even get some inspiration. For example, you can get dresses for your Maids, jewelry, shoes and even your wedding dress from Very.co.uk.