I remember that when I was planning my wedding, choosing bridesmaids dresses was stressful! There are so many different styles, fabrics, and colors, not to mention being thoughtful of your girls’ taste and budget! Long or short, identical or not, and should they help me pick? I’ve picked my favorite three dress trends along with a fourth BONUS tip at the end!

1. Go long + flowy!

Long dresses are making a comeback, and personally, I couldn’t be happier about it! Long dresses look beautiful on everyone and bring an extra feeling of elegance to your bridal party. Flowy fabrics also have a generally flattering silhouette and are light and comfortable to wear. Your friends will thank you if you’re getting married in the warmer months!

2. Same color, different styles.

In the past, tradition dictated that every bridesmaid wore an identical dress. More recently, trends are leaving room for individual taste and preference to shine, while still creating a cohesive color palette. Your maids will love getting to choose their silhouette! You can give them a selection of dresses from the same designer with similar fabrication and length, or use the new “convertible” dresses! These are exploding in popularity, and I had the chance to wear this one at Lauren and Brad’s wedding. I loved it!

3. Color scheme, not a color.

If you want to take it one step further, consider giving your bridesmaids a choice between different hues of the same overall color. For example, if your wedding colors include different shades of pink, dress some of your bridesmaids in blush and others in rose, salmon pink, or maybe even coral. It’s a great way to add visual interest and give your girls dresses they love!

4. (BONUS TIP!) Consider using Rent The Runway! I don’t think I’ve photographed a wedding yet where bridesmaids were decked out in designer gowns from Rent-the-Runway, but I heard that idea somewhere recently and fell in love with it. It’s much cheaper option for your bridesmaids than having them buy a gown that they likely won’t wear again any time soon, and it’s a fun way to bring an extra level of glitz and glam without breaking the bank! They have all sorts of gowns to choose from- long, short, glittery, form-fitting, ball gowns, etc. Just make sure to order far enough in advance that every girl gets her size!

No matter what you choose for your bridesmaids, remember that it’s your wedding day, so the most important opinion is yours! Chances are, you’ll get pulled in multiple directions and its easy to become overwhelmed with all the opinions flying your way. Go with your gut and create something beautiful! You’ll only do this once, so choose something that you’ll love looking back on for years to come.