Post # 1

Member
1681 posts
Bumble bee
I’m having a pretty formal wedding. Not quite black-tie (our ceremony is at our little white Methodist church in the mountains) but still formal as we’re having an evening reception at a grand, historic inn.
So anyways, I picked a Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid or Best Man dress that I love in navy blue. I’m not a big fan of having clones around me, so I’d like to let my girl’s personalities shine. I’ve googled a bit, but I can’t find many images of mix-matched dresses at formal weddings.
Has anyone done this before?
Here’s the dress I initially picked:

Post # 3

Member
6120 posts
Bee Keeper
My Maid/Matron of Honor actually tried this one on! Anyways, I think if the girls all pick the same fabric and designer then mix-matched can work. I would advise them to try and pick dresses that compliment each other as much as possible while allowing them to show their “personality”. I also think they should be the same color…too many colors can be distracting
Post # 4

Member
3323 posts
Sugar bee
I voted for the navy, but letting them pick different styles. I love the one you picked, but agree that it’s good to let them pick what’s going to work best for their body type. I believe you’ll still have the formal feel if you keep the colors and fabrics the same!
Post # 5

Member
237 posts
Helper bee
We’re having mismatched bridesmaid dresses at our very formal wedding next week! I’ll be sure to share some photos. I just think that it’s silly to make 5 girls wear the same dress when they all have very different body types and personalities. So I picked Bill Levkoff, Navy Blue, European Satin, Long and then they each got to pick their favorite dress. It worked out beautifully.
Post # 6

Member
11752 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@OnceUponATime: I’m having a black tie wedding and mismatched dresses – actually it’s pretty funny, since my MOHs are wearing the dress you posted in navy! My BMs will be in a navy Bill Levkoff chiffon strapless dress that complements that dress. I was initially going to have the strap removed for the BMs, but the seamstress was afraid that taking the flowers off the boob area would leave holes in the dress and I didn’t want to leave them on!
Post # 7

Member
1681 posts
Bumble bee
@IzzyBear: @whitums: Thanks! I’m glad you like the idea I was learning toward 🙂
@m33: Ooh, I definitely want to see them! Don’t forget to show! And congratulations!!! It’s almost your big dayyy!!!
@MrsWBS: Oh no! So what did you decide? Are they wearing the strap? What other dress did your girls pick?
Post # 8

Member
11752 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@OnceUponATime: yes, the MOHs will be in that dress with the strap, the BMs will be in 165. If you want mismatched dresses, I say pick 2-3 chiffon navy BL dresses and let them each pick which one they want to wear. There are a few to choose from that complement each other (and the 1-shoulder) very well.
Post # 9

Member
258 posts
Helper bee
I’m doing Bill Levkoff also in Navy. I’m doing short dresses though and letting them all do whichever they want but in the same material. I think it will look fine in a formal wedding!
Post # 10

Member
1966 posts
Buzzing bee
I haven’t seen it too much at formal weddings but I don’t think it looks bad as long as they all go well together… same color, fabric, length and designer.
Post # 11

Member
1681 posts
Bumble bee
@MrsWBS: I’ll have 4-5 BMs. Do you think we should do 3 dresses or 5?
Post # 12

Member
11752 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@OnceUponATime: Hmm, I think I’d do 3 dresses but 5 could work depending which you choose. I think it gets a bit busy if there are too many options. but that is just me!
Post # 13

Member
610 posts
Busy bee
I’m having a formal wedding and I want allthe girls in totally different dresses (in the same colour family- neutrals)
I think nowadays it’s totally acceptible to mix it up.
I also like the idea of all different dresses in one colour!
Post # 14

Member
10453 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Same fabric and different necklines still looks awesome. It’s cohesive but still let’s them pick the most flattering top. I think 5 dresses works as long as they aren’t wildly different.
Post # 15

Member
1074 posts
Bumble bee
That dress is beautiful! I like the idea of having my bridesmaids wear the same dress because IMO different dresses take away from the bride (sensory overload). I find myself looking at the different bridesmaids dresses during the ceremony and not really paying as much attention to the bride.