The Bride’s Heart

It was always assumed you would be the maid of honor and now the big day is upon you.

Your best friend or sister is getting married, and while all eyes are on her in the beginning, there will be a brief 2-5 minute period when all eyes are on you as you give the maid of honor speech.

Don’t worry, it won’t be like speech class when you worried over every word. Instead, it will be a snap, just telling people about the special relationship you have with this friend and how much you love her and her new husband.
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Back when the tradition of bridesmaids wearing matching gowns first became popular in the mid 1800s, the dresses they wore would coincide in formality with the time of day the wedding took place. But today, the formal bridesmaid dress is acceptable for just about any type of wedding, including late-morning, afternoon, or evening nuptials.

Much like this change in wedding etiquette, the dress for bridesmaid has also, thankfully, drastically changed over the last 150 years or so and have evolved from unflattering styles, colors, and fabrics to dresses that can actually be worn again to another formal event.

Popular Colors and Fabrics for Formal Bridesmaid Dresses

While at one time, black was one color never to be worn to a wedding, and especially not by members of the bridal party, fortunately that’s now no longer true with this color opening up a great deal of flattering choices to choose from. Black can also be accented by literally any other color in the spectrum, including ultra formal accents in gold or silver, or even offset by the palest of cream colors and ivory.

Other dark shades such as hunter green, burgundy, brown, deep reds, plum and blues are all perfect for the formal bridesmaid dress, and the darkest of colors will always flatter any type of figure. However, you aren’t necessarily limited by these particular colors, just be sure those you do pick are in the styles of dresses that match the formality of the day.

Some of the fabrics used to make the most beautiful and formal of bridesmaid’s dresses include satin or sateen, silk, which will always be in style, and organza, a blend that’s comprised of silk fibers along with nylon and polyester to create this sheer, elegant fabric. For a vintage but formal look, choose fabrics like velvet, crushed velvet, or velour.

Formal Bridesmaid Dress Styles

Today, classic, understated, and elegant are three words that instantly come to mind when it comes to the formal bridesmaid gown, as long gone are the layers of taffeta and ruffles that once struck fear in the hearts of bridesmaids everywhere. Formal dresses are usually floor-length and will rarely fall above the knee. A simple gown with spaghetti straps would work well, and if any of the maids are concerned with showing too much of their shoulders or arms, scarves or wraps in matching or complementary colors are the answer for this and any style of dress that’s without sleeves.

Accessories, such as embellishments on the dress in sparkling faux crystals, the shoes, or glamorous headpieces and matching jewelry can all add to the formality of a gown as well.

According to proper etiquette, the bride decides upon the colors and the fabrics she wants while the bridesmaids can then have the liberty of choosing the specific style of formal bridesmaid dress they like the most, or the one that looks best for their figure. This not only gives the members of the bridal party the freedom to pick an outfit they’ll be happy to be seen in, and hopefully, be able to wear once again, which is especially important with the high prices of most everything today.

Being asked by the bride-to-be to stand along side her at the wedding is quite a special honor. Choosing the bridesmaid hairstyles is at least as important as finding the right dresses and shoes, the coordinating accessories, jewelry, and makeup.

elegant bridesmaid updo

Bridesmaid Hairstyles for Short Hair

As you would imagine, the shorter the hair, the easier and quicker it is to style. Even though hair is short, many different styles are still possible, such as curling, straightening, changing the part, or how the bangs are parted, or even put in updos for hair that’s at least three inches or so. Also, add small, matching accessories, but be sure not to have too many so that they take away from the actual hairstyle itself.

Bridesmaid Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair

two bridesmaids

Much like longer hair, medium length hair can be styled in a variety of ways. Using a large barreled curling iron or medium to large hot rollers, curl the hair to get big, tumbling curls that look soft and natural. The hair can also be pulled up toward the back of the head, while loose ringlets that are also curled can be used to daintily frame the face.

Bridesmaid Hairstyles for Long Hair

Curly hair never goes out of style, and with longer hair, the options for creating interesting hairdos are endless. Curly hair can also be left to cascade down over the shoulders, pulled into an updo, or gathered at the nape of the neck.

bridesmaid updo hairstyle

For long, straight hair, consider a chignon or French knot complemented by sparkling hair clips, barrettes, flowers, or matching headpieces for all the bridesmaids. Using a flat iron or straightening iron on hair that’s already straight will just make it look extra shiny and smooth, and also help to keep any unruly strands under control.

natural curly hair updo

All types of bridesmaid hairstyles should be finished with a hairspray that provides plenty of control, but one that isn’t heavy or tacky, weighing down the hair, and ultimately, ruining the style.

bridesmaid with long hair

5 Helpful Hints to Remember

1. If you’re the bride, although you should give direction and offer suggestions as to what you would like in regards to your bridesmaid’s hairstyles, just remember that after all, it is their hair and your maids should at least have a say about how they would like to have it styled.
2. If you’re a bridesmaid, do try to be objective about the styles the bride has suggested. Remember, it is her big day, and after that, you’re free to style your hair any way you wish! Of course, you should still make your opinion known, but be willing to compromise if need be.
3. If every bridesmaid has a different length or type of hair, the styles don’t necessarily have to be exactly the same, as long as they’re all tied in together with coordinating accessories. Even something as simple as the same colored ribbon or flower, or solitary barrette is enough to cause an air of continuity.
4. Less is always more. See that the headpieces or hair accessories do not overshadow the actual hairstyles. Besides, the more barrettes, bobby pins, and hair clips that are used, the better the chances are that at least a few of the women are going to have trouble keeping everything in place.
5. Because there are so many spectacular types of hairdos to choose from, you’ll want to make sure none of them outshine the bride on her special day. Bridesmaid hairstyles should indeed be elegant, but always complementary to the bride’s.

curly wedding hairstyle

photo credit: Gare and Kitty