The grown-up wedding trend your bridesmaids will love

Weddings - and big weddings at that - are back on the agenda this summer. As the average age of a bride in the UK is 35, if she chooses a group of close friends to be her bridesmaids, they’re likely to be of a similar age. Perhaps they share a love of music, fitness or food, but their styles are likely to be as unique as they are. Which is where the concept of ‘harmonising’ bridal attire comes in – a contemporary alternative to the matchy-matchy look. For pre-teen flower girls, identical outfits look charming and picture-perfect, but where adults are concerned, choosing a shared theme across different outfits is a more considered way to honour the various tastes and requirements of grown-up bridesmaids.

‘It’s important for each member of the bridal party to feel confident and comfortable,‘ says Billie Nicholls, Partner & Buying Assistant. That’s why you'll find a plentiful selection of wedding-worthy styles that rise to the occasion from the likes of Ghost, Monsoon and Whistles. The latter has four floor-length dresses in subtly differing styles that use the same fabric and come in various colourways. That's in addition to Maids to Measure, a London-based company specialising in contemporary bridesmaids dresses that offers a selection of differing necklines and cuts.

Fun fact: choosing gowns from the same brand is how Sex And The City’s Carrie Bradshaw styled her glamorous posse when she married Big. Bridesmaids Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte sported wildly contrasting gowns in terms of colour and style, but a shared signature of flamboyant ruffles and floor-sweeping length helped distinguish the trio from the guests. If a touch of sparkle is your thing, then check out Monsoon’s embellished floor-sweeping dresses. Its range is perfectly timed for the wedding season’s longed-for return, with a tight colour palette of complementary blues, greys and lilacs.

Another uniting theme you can call upon is colour. Pick a pale pastel or a hue that complements the wedding’s colour scheme and consider jumpsuits and trouser suits, too. When the bridesmaids are together, the effect will be subtle but impactful, regardless of if they are all from different brands.

 For a small bridal party, it’s also worth considering the same item in different tones. Take the time to consult your bridesmaids on what they’d like to wear, make an occasion out of trying on potential styles and they’ll be counting down the days to walking down the aisle in a dress that makes them both look and feel good.