When Who What Wear spoke with brides-to-be and bridal stylist Anny Choi, the message was clear that bridesmaids’ dressing isn’t as cookie-cutter as it once was. Gone are the days of coordinated dresses that were the running joke of wedding-related films like My Best Friend’s Wedding or 27 Dresses. (We’ll never let the montage of Katherine Heigl trying out every ridiculous themed dress disappear from our memory.) For the modern bride, assessing the bridesmaids’ outfits for perfect coordination isn’t a priority, instead, it’s letting them have a sense of individuality. “Most brides I work with these days care less about making sure their bridal party is in perfectly matching outfits, but rather want the guidance of finding something that they love, want to wear again, and is within their budgets,” shares Choi.
While matching dresses were once the preferred choice to ensure “aesthetic photos,” picking out unique options and letting each bridesmaid’s personality shine through is now the way to go for a more fashion-forward wedding. But don’t fret, the non-traditional route can still ensure a cohesive photo. When styling her clients, Choi always keeps in mind the bride’s final look and overall feel of the wedding. “If the bride is opting for more of a minimal look, their bridal party most likely won’t end up in a maximalist ruffle outfit. That being said, I always like to keep in mind the overall look of the wedding itself, the venue as well as the season when styling the bridal party.”
If you’re a bride-to-be in the planning process and are not sure where to start, we’ve put together a short list of trends Choi suggests for future brides. Ahead, get a closer look at the bridesmaid trends to know in 2024.
