How to Choose the Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses

Key takeaways:

• Decide your budget and timeline first, then choose colours/styles (it prevents awkward conversations later).
• Coordinate with your dress by matching the overall vibe (modern, classic, boho) rather than trying to “match” exactly.
• Mix-and-match looks best when you keep one thing consistent (colour OR fabric) and vary the other (necklines, sleeves, silhouettes).
• Satin brings evening glamour; chiffon feels lighter and suits warm weather venues.
• Plan around lead times: allow 14 weeks for made-to-order dresses, plus alterations.

Before you shop

So you’ve found the perfect wedding dress, now it's time to choose the second most important dresses of the day. Getting your bridesmaid dresses right (while keeping everyone happy) can feel like a challenge. Before you head out on your shopping trip, here's everything to consider to make the process simple and stress-free.

What to Consider When Choosing Bridesmaid dresses

• The style of your wedding dress
• Your overall wedding aesthetic (modern, minimal, vintage, boho, classic)
• Your colour palette
• The venue setting
• The season and weather
• Your maids' body shapes
• Their personal style preferences
• Your budget and timeline

Coordinating with your wedding dress

Match the dress aesthetic

Of course, the most important dress of the day is yours. So, your maids’ dresses need to coordinate beautifully with this. Start by thinking about the aesthetic of your wedding dress. Is it minimal, classic, vintage or something different? Whatever the general feeling, your maid’s dresses need to channel the same vibe, whether that’s sleek modern lines or floaty bohemian lace. Also, what accessories are you wearing? For example, if you’re wearing a glitzy belt, then reflect your look with bridesmaid’s belts in colours that match their dresses. 

Colours and themes

Seasonal colour ideas

Your maids’ dress are likely to be the first pop of colour your guests see and will set the tone for the rest of the day. So, make sure the colour works well with the rest of your decor. If you’re not sure where to start, a colour choice based on the time of year - such as rusty reds for autumn or pretty pastels for summer, is a great way to narrow it down. Check out our seasonal colour ideas blog for help on choosing the right shade.

Read more: How to choose seasonal bridesmaid dresses: Colour ideas for every season

Choosing flattering styles

Popular bridesmaid dress styles

Bridesmaid dresses do, literally, come in all shapes, sizes and colours. That said, the most popular choice is often elegant and full length, in light chiffon or rich satin. Necklines also range from classic spaghetti straps to contemporary asymmetric styles, pretty angel sleeves or softly draped versions. Alternatively, a selection of cute tea dresses looks great at a vintage celebration, while chic black mini dresses are a fabulous choice for city centre, black tie event.

Bridesmaid dress styles to help everyone feel confident

Next on the list is finding dresses that will make every maid feel comfortable and suit their figure. The days where every maid was expected to wear exactly the same dress in the same colour are long gone. And most bridesmaid collections (including ours) have complementary dresses in various designs, that offer different levels of coverage, fit and support. Talk to your maids about the styles they like to wear and find out how they feel about…

• A fitted silhouette vs a floaty shape
• Sleeves vs sleeveless
• Spaghetti straps vs wider straps 
• Neckline choices, such as low, halterneck or asymmetric 

Plus size and maternity-frendly options

At wed2b our dresses come in sizes 4–22 across our range, with multiple styles designed to offer different levels of coverage and support. Also, if one of your maids is pregnant or is likely to have just given birth, factor this into your decision too. Empire line dresses are great for pregnant bridesmaids or buy a longer version of a dress so it will fit over a bump. Chat to your maid and find out what she would prefer to wear. Our instore experts can also give you a list of local alterations specialists who can make any changes required.

Budget and timeline

Who pays and how to set expectations

Who pays varies by couple and by family traditions. Some couples cover the dresses, others ask bridesmaids to contribute, and many split costs. So, be clear about your budget from the start and whether you would like a financial contribution from your bridal party. Your maids will have lots of ideas about what they could wear, so being very open about how much you have to spend on the whole look, including shoes and accessories, is essential.

Ordering and alterations timeline

Also, make sure you start looking with plenty of time to spare. At wed2b our bridesmaid dresses are made to order in just 14 weeks, so allow enough time with a bit extra for choosing accessories or making alterations.

Bridesmaid dress trends for 2026

Then, once you’ve considered all of the above, it’s time to have some fun finding dresses that capture the vision of your day. These are the colours and styles that we predict will be gracing aisles all over the UK next year…

Classic floor-length gowns

Sophisticated, floor-length styles are always our first pick for bridesmaid dresses that stand out from the styles your besties might wear at other events. Full-length skirts have an extra touch of elegance that’s hard to beat and will ensure your girls’ outfits also have a different feel from your guests’ fashion choices, too. 

Modern mix and match

Mix ’n’ match is also a trend that’s set to last. It looks great and, depending on your choice of colour and styles, can create a crisp, contemporary look or a lovely relaxed boho feel. It’s also super practical, meaning you can choose different styles and colours to suit your maids’ figures and skin tones. Not great at choosing colours? Don’t worry. Our experts can help and all our dresses come in complementary shades that are designed to work together. You can also mix ’n’ match fabrics too, contrasting floaty chiffon with luxurious satin.

Trending colours for 2026

• Butter yellow - Add a touch of sunshine to your day with dresses in soft butter yellow, the fashion-savvy way to do a pretty pastel.
• Dusty blue - Perfect for everything from your floral arrangements to your stationery, dusty blue is a stylish alternative to blush pink for classic or vintage themes.

• Chocolate - Rich and luxurious, this is the cool girl’s alternative to black. Perfect for autumn or winter, pair it with deep reds, warm oranges, plum purples and splashes of gold.
• Deep burgundy - A great choice for winter, a deep burgundy or wine colour is a chic, on-trend nod to the season’s classic reds.
• Neutrals - Alternatively, don’t go for a ‘colour’ at all and keep it beautifully neutral in black and champagne. Style it with classic white flowers and understated accessories for a contemporary feel.

wed2b Infinite bridesmaid dress collection

And, of course, your first stop should be wed2b’s Infinite Collection, which ticks all the boxes when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. With 10 flattering styles in a choice of lightweight chiffon or luxe satin there’s something to suit every figure and style preference. What’s more, we‘ve done all the hard work on colours for you. There are 23 different shades, so there’s guaranteed to be one to match your theme. Plus, they’re all designed to work beautifully together. So, curating the perfect selection of mix and match colours will be easy peasy. Simply drop into your nearest store today to find out more and see our range of accessories, too. Your maids will thank you, we promise!

FAQs: Bridesmaid dresses

How far in advance should you buy bridesmaid dresses?

Ideally, start once you’ve chosen your colours and styles. At wed2b, bridesmaid dresses are made to order and are ready to collect in around 14 weeks, so build in extra time for delivery/collection, fittings and any alterations.

If you’re ordering the same colour across multiple styles, made-to-order dresses are also a great option because they’ll be cut from the same dye lot for a more consistent match.

Can my maids wear different bridesmaid dress styles?

Absolutely. Mix-and-match is a popular choice because it helps each bridesmaid feel confident in a shape that suits her. Keeping one element consistent (like colour or fabric) helps the look feel cohesive.

Who pays for bridesmaid dresses?

It depends on your budget and what’s traditional in your circle. Some couples pay for the dresses, others ask bridesmaids to contribute, and many do a split (for example, the couple covers the dress while bridesmaids buy shoes).

What bridesmaid dress colours are most popular?

Blush and dusky pink are enduring favourites, while sage green and navy have been especially popular in recent years. Seasonal shades like burgundy, rust and champagne also work beautifully depending on your venue and time of year.

Click here to check out all our affordable bridesmaid dresses, then try on your favourites at your nearest wed2b store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.