Bridesmaid dresses- Same color different dresses.

If you go the route of giving them a swatch, I highly recommend you give them the name of one designer to choose from as well. This way although their dresses are different styles, the color is consistent.

I have the same colors and am doing the same thing. My BMs are sending me pictures of what they pick. I'm not really worried about disastrous results--they know what they look good in and honestly I think it looks kind of cool when the dresses aren't all exactly the same color.

My sister did this. We all wore red, but had different styles. It worked well for us and the pictures are fine.

I agree with Kit...I also recommend sticking to one designer if you really want the colors to match. It can be hard to match up colors exactly even with a swatch unless it's literally the exact same color from the same designer.

I'm okay with the colors being SLIGHTLY different. I just don't want to say a "blue" dress because there are literally thousands of shades of blue.

My sister chose the designer (David's Bridal) and we could choose any of the dresses that the color red she wanted came in.

But if you tell them a generic color, they may have difficulty.

If you're okay with slightly different, then this should work out fine! I've seen it done at a wedding before and it came together nicely! My bridesmaids are in 3 different states. I gave them a specific color at David's Bridal and told them to pick any dress in that one color. They all actually picked the exact same dress!

ETA: yup same as E-Tex

I'm having all different dresses, all different colors. The only criteria is it has to be floor length, no patterns and wrinkle free (for pics). I'll post a pic of what I sent them for inspiration

Multiple variations of the same color might not end up looking good. I'm with the other girls. Stick to the same designer

I have BMs all over the place too and I'm using weddingtonway. I could add some dresses I like to their 'show room' and everybody can look at it and chose her favorite dress. We haven't ordered them yet, but I've mainly heard good things about them.

We are doing this as well with Alfred Angelo's viola color. I wanted my girls to have a dress that they are comfortable in for the day and that they may possibly be able to wear again. My only request was that they weren't long dresses to go with our more casual theme. So far so good except for the one sales lady at a store that couldn't wrap her head around that I told them to get whatever they want as far as style goes.

I've seen tons of pictures from actual weddings that have all the girls in completely different dresses and different colors , Materials. They still look amazing and you can still "tell" they're part of the bridal party. Even if you're having a "fancy" wedding you should still respect your bridal party and not choose a dress and color that's over $150 and must be altered ...

Why is it only for "low key" weddings ppl have different dresses. Sorry for the rant. I'm just really sick of brides being obsessed about choosing the perfect bridesmaids dress and then expecting them to have "duties" during the wedding planning processes.

You're just as married with mismatching bridesmaids as you are with matching. You will still have gorgeous photos ! Actually I think if everyone is kept happy your photos will turn out even better !!

I like RingAroundTheRoushes idea of having them send you pictures of their dress just in case. But as long as you don't mind slight variation in color, everything should work out just fine!

@Julie - you're totally right, I would hope that brides wouldn't knowingly do anything that would make their bridesmaids miserable! And I've definitely seen mismatched dresses coming together and looking great! However, I've also seen it looking like a disaster, so I think a slight bit of planning should go into it to keep it at least slightly cohesive.

My bridesmaids' dresses actually are going to be $150, and I found that reasonable considering most I found were $220+. If you're accepting to be a bridesmaid, you should know what goes into it (e.g. buying a dress). Also, at least with me, I don't expect them to have any duties. FH and I are taking care of 100% of the planning.

I think the mismatched dresses can look really nice but I agree same designer and make sure they are the same kind of fabric!! Was in a wedding where the bride gave little direction and it looked horrible! there were 9 of us all in different dresses and 3 types of fabric which caused them to be different shades of "moss". Just a big hot mess.

This is what I plan on doing. I would recommend, as other ladies have, to pick one designer for them to chose from. Or, at least pick a type of fabric. A dress in satin and a dress in chiffon, even in the same color, will look very different and perhaps too mismatched. Good luck!

I did thus since my girls were all scattered as well. I gave them each a color swatch and told them to get a short dress, no satin, no lace. They also texted me a photo of the dress they wanted for a final thumbs up. It worked out beautifully. 3 got dresses from DB, 1 from Alfred Angelo, and 1 from Etsy.

I agree give them some help. I'd hate to be a bridesmad and the bride say here is you color...go. Gah. Give them a designer and/or ask them to send a picture before they buy.

I have also been to a wedding where they were told to buy red & black short. One bought a satin (prom looking) very short strapless with black lace across the front. Another girl got a black & red pokah dot (sundress cotton material) that was to the knee with some sort of tule underneith. then there was the matronly dark red dress with big weird lacey flower pattern. ANd then the maid of honor was probably the worse hers was a long gothic looking black dress with a high slit and red leatherish belt........ the bride was so ashamed she didnt take picture with them

@alyson

Thats an awesome example love the colors! They did a great job! (and you look beautiful)

I know plenty of girls that have done this and it always seems to work out well. Just make sure you give them enough direction so that no one picks a style that you don't like.