If there’s one thing I wish I would have put more research into when planning our own wedding, it would have been bridesmaid dresses. My girls ended up wearing this gown here, which in my humble opinion is a classic and a dress that could be worn again and again. But after seeing my fair share of bridesmaid style over the past few years, it’s safe to say the typical maid look has really evolved. Depending on your big day style, the shapes and sizes of your gorgeous girls, and of course the target price point you’re all willing to spend, there are endless places to scour these days for the perfect dress. So before your feel like you’ll be confined to the aisle of a David’s Bridal looking for a needle in a haystack, check this out. A Coles Notes version on bridesmaid style 101 from Yours Truly. You can all thank me later with a Starbuck’s gift card or something :)

{Sassy} The sassy bridesmaid look is the one that might involve showing a little skin while keeping things modest and fresh. For Meg’s bridesmaids who stood by her side this past September, they were decked out in the most amazing gray dresses. With a figure-hugging fit, and fabric floral detailing across the bust, these gowns perfectly coordinated with not just the bride’s aesthetic preference but the overall wedding look (think downtown city, clean lines and Tiffany-blue-classic). Paired with nude heels the girls were the epitome of sass and class! For gowns like these and other kinds of sassy bridesmaid gowns check out Rickety Rack, ASOS, BCBG and Vera Wang. Photo by Young Hearts Photography and much more on this wedding soon!

{Playful} If you’re the kind of bride who is a bit more laid back and inspired by anything vintage, whimsical and full of color, you might want to consider the route that Jessy took for decking out her girls this past summer. Instead of giving her maids a set dress style to purchase, she gave them a color and free range to find a playful and comfortable gown that each girl liked best. Each girl shared their findings with the bride before purchasing and the result was more than perfect! If you’re a fan of the mismatched, playful gown look check out stores like Anthropologie (Jessy’s fave!), Lulus, Spool No. 72, and Francescas. Photo above by Michael Murphy IV, and more from this wedding over here (including the backs of those adorable gowns).

{Feminine} Confession: a femininely dressed group of bridesmaids is my favorite kind of dressed up group. Duh! Anything sporting ruffles, pastel colors and soft fabrics falls into this category and really seems to be a style I see the most of. For Mary Beth and Tom’s wedding this past August, the bride had her eight bridesmaids wear these gorgeous lavender coloured Amsale gowns. Not only did the color perfectly match the rest of the wedding decor, but the short length of the gowns and halter style played into the wedding day landscape up at Crooked Creek Ranch. For more gowns like these check out Bari Jay, Ivy and Aster, BHLDN and Jenny Yoo. Photograph above by Harrison Studio, with more on this gorgeous wedding over here.

{Chic} If there was a one stop shop that specializes in chic bridesmaid dresses, in my opinion it would have to be J. Crew. From the expansive fabric selection, to the different kinds of shapes to choose from, J. Crew is such a great resource for flattering, affordable and wearable bridesmaid’s gowns. Some other great options for chic choices? Banana Republic, Jim Hjelm, Monique Lhuillier and Dessy. For Ashley’s summer art gallery wedding, she had her girls wear gowns from Alfred Sung with the freedom to pick a neckline that each girl liked best. Seeing each girl feel comfortable and glowing in their chosen style was so refreshing! And you can see even more from this wedding here, with all photographs from my girl, Beth Kaye.

Tell me, what did any of you choose to have your bridesmaids wear? Or what style is your fave from above?

Happy Monday, bloggies! xoxo