How to pick bridesmaid dress colors without second-guessing
Choosing bridesmaid colors is overwhelming because shades look completely different in person than they do online or in photos, often giving off the wrong vibe entirely. This constant uncertainty stops brides from locking in a choice and leads to months of second-guessing every single fabric swatch.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Ordering sample dresses from different designers to test colors in personDid this help you?
- 2Browsing social media accounts to see how colors look on different bridal partiesDid this help you?
- 3Asking online communities for alternative dress recommendations and real photosDid this help you?
- 4Choosing a single jewel tone and allowing bridesmaids to pick a dress of their choice in that specific color.Did this help you?
- 5asking others to vote on preferred optionsDid this help you?
- 6analyzing body shape and personal preferencesDid this help you?
- 7matching the dress color to the established wedding color scheme or bridesmaid dressesDid this help you?
- 8considering whether the venue is indoor, outdoor, or garden-styleDid this help you?
- 9Creating a board of suggested dress styles to guide themDid this help you?
- 10Curating a specific list of dresses that feature varying sleeve lengths, necklines, and coverage levelsDid this help you?
- 11Using a specific retailer to sort dresses by a pre-approved color swatchDid this help you?
- 12offsetting the darker dresses with a pastel color palletDid this help you?
- 13asking bridesmaids to wear different shades of greenDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I've been searching and found these two dresses that I like but I'm so indecisive though and I am torn between these dresses which one should I choose?”source ↗
“Do you think the dress in the first picture is okay for a Mother of the Bride dress at a spring wedding?”source ↗
“My mom thinks it’s too dark for the spring, so I wanted to ask here, yay or nay?”source ↗
“I’m starting to lean towards black dresses instead, but I’m worried that might be a) too dark for a July wedding or b) too blended in with other wedding guests.”source ↗
“Could you help me decide which dress can better conceal my pregnancy?”source ↗
“I have been struggling and overthinking bridesmaid dress colors for months and right when I’m like this is good, I second guess it.”source ↗
“I ordered a dress in Azazie Sky Blue, but it kinda gave me “It’s a boy!” blue.”source ↗
“I then ordered Birdy Grey Mist Blue and I think I really like it, but slightly worried it won’t look pigmented enough in photos.”source ↗
“Hi! I'm excited to start planning my wedding, and I have just purchased a very beautiful vintage gown. Initially I wanted to give my bridesmaids a color scheme but now I am wondering if that would be too much going on aesthetically. What do you guys think?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3How to coordinate mismatched bridesmaid dresses without looking messy
- 8How to choose a bridal party without hurting feelings
- 17Why can't I stop looking at wedding dresses after buying mine?
- 10Affordable bridesmaid gifts they will actually use
- 9How to choose between two wedding dresses
- 5Can I go back the next day to buy a wedding dress?