If you’ve chosen to stay traditional with a white wedding dress, choosing your bridesmaid dresses is a chance for you to get creative by adding different colours, prints and textures. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind: they should complement not only the bridal look, the bridesmaids themselves, but also fit with your chosen wedding venue. The last thing you want is for your maids to be shivering for your beautiful wedding photos in a chilly countryside setting, or breaking a sweat in a satin navy dress on the beach.
So, whether you’ve chosen to marry in winter in a Victorian castle, or opted for a small affair in a marquee on a summer’s day, choosing the right bridesmaid dresses for the occasion is key.
Whether you want to splurge or save on your bridesmaid dresses, take a look through our edit of dresses for every type of venue.
A beach wedding
For a seaside wedding, keep your bridesmaids cool in strappy dresses made from light-weight fabrics such as chiffon and delicate tulle. A beach wedding is also the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to your day too.
ASOS DESIGN Pleated Maxi Dress In Rose Floral Print, £48, Asos
Asymmetric draped gown, £119, Mango
Embellished tulle gown, £275, Needle & Thread
A country estate wedding
Keep your countryside wedding relaxed yet polished with maxi or skater dresses in soft floral or embroidered prints.
Floral maxi bardot dress, £49, Topshop
Rainbow Embellished Tulle Gown, £325, Needle & Thread
Lucia Strapless jacquard dropped hem dress, £499, Ted Baker
A church wedding
More conservative gowns that cover the shoulders and legs keep things elegant and sophisticated for a religious wedding ceremony.
Multiway strap maxi dress, £69, Marks & Spencer
Isla Dress, £225, Maids To Measure
Salma dress, £225, Ghost
A castle wedding
Bold colours, glamorous prints and luxurious fabrics will harmonise perfectly to the graceful and elegant setting of an old English castle wedding venue.
Florence dress, £150, Rewritten
Freya ruffle dress, £149, Monsoon
Sienna bias-cut satin crepe gown, £625, Matches Fashion
A barn wedding
Bohemian wedding themes typical of this type of venue call for softer hues and more relaxed, free-flowing styles.
Belted midi dress, £69, & Other Stories
Bow gown, £90, Mango
Helena dress, £169, Monsoon
A city wedding
Contemporary styles suit a city venue down to a ‘T’. Mix things up with brighter colours and fashion forward cuts.
TFNC bridesmaid dress with high low hem, £48, Asos
Androme dress, £195, Needle and Thread
Riviera ruffle dress, £897, Temperley London
A marquee wedding
Festival-inspired dresses blend the lines between a sophisticated celebration and a spirited party vibe.
Floral print long dress, £90, Mango
Ruffled heart dress, Kelsey Rose
Beatrice strappy maxi dress, £348, Free People