Guide to Choosing the Perfect Bridesmaid Dress

Quietly nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond, Cameron House offers a stunning wedding venue where the highlands meet the lowlands. With picturesque loch views, rolling hills of green as your resplendent backdrop and all the allure of the Scottish countryside on our doorstep, there is no more memorable place to say “I do”. Sharing those all-important words with your partner as you embark on your next beautiful chapter together should be encompassed by a perfect day. Our neutral venues, boasting natural light and delightful views across Loch Lomond give you the freedom to tailor your dream wedding to your tastes. 

Choosing your themes, colour palettes and more can be an exciting part of the wedding planning process, and your wedding party should slot right into your vision for your dream day. With that, your bridesmaid dresses should complement your vision but choosing the right ones for you can be tricky. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide on choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress for your loved ones. Read on for tips and tricks to seamlessly blend your wedding colour palette and style, making it a day you can cherish forever. 

Choosing the Right Dress for Your Bridesmaids

Picking out the perfect bridesmaid dress can be a challenge when planning a wedding (read our Bridesmaid Dress Ordering Timeline for a stress free experience). Whether it’s style, length or colour you will have to consider the complexion, body type and sometimes even the personality of those you choose to stand by your side while you say your vows. 

Fabrics Fit For the Season

When choosing your bridesmaid’s dresses, there is a lot to consider before making your decision. Among these are the fabrics and silhouettes of your dress. Consider when your wedding is taking place for an idea of what sort of fabrics you should consider. In general to ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible, go for lighter materials in the warmer months and heavier fabrics in the cold months. As part of your day, there may be a period when your wedding party will be outdoors for your wedding photos, so keep this in mind. No one wants smudged mascara or red noses in their photos! 

Spring and Summer Wedding Bridesmaids Dress Fabrics

Here are some examples of light dress fabrics perfect for bridesmaid dresses at a summer wedding or a location like Cameron House:

Chiffon: This is a classic and popular choice for bridesmaid dresses. It’s lightweight, airy, and flows beautifully, creating a romantic and soft look. Chiffon also comes in a wide range of colours and can be easily layered for a more dramatic effect.

Silk Georgette: Similar to chiffon, georgette is a lightweight and sheer fabric with a slightly crepe-like texture. It drapes beautifully and adds a touch of sophistication to a bridesmaid dress.

Chiffon Satin: This fabric combines the luxurious look of satin with the lightweight feel of chiffon. It has a soft sheen and drapes beautifully, making it a great choice for a more formal bridesmaid dress.

Tulle: This sheer fabric can be used to create a soft and romantic look. It’s often used in overlays for skirts or bodices, adding volume and a touch of whimsy.

Cotton Voile: A lightweight and breathable option perfect for a summer wedding. Cotton voile has a slightly textured look and comes in a variety of solid colours and prints.

Silk Shantung: This fabric has a slightly heavier weight than chiffon but is still lightweight enough for a summer wedding. It has a beautiful sheen and adds a touch of luxury to a bridesmaid dress.

Linen Blend: A great eco-friendly option that’s perfect for a more casual wedding. Linen blends are lightweight, breathable, and come in a variety of soft, natural colours.

Autumn and Winter Wedding Bridesmaids Dress Fabrics

Here are some examples of heavier dress fabrics perfect for bridesmaid dresses in a winter or autumn wedding setting for a Scottish countryside wedding:

Velvet: This luxurious fabric adds a touch of elegance and warmth to a bridesmaid dress. Velvet comes in a variety of rich colours and drapes beautifully, creating a sophisticated and timeless look.

Satin: A classic choice for colder-weather weddings. Satin offers a beautiful sheen and adds structure to a bridesmaid dress. It’s available in a wide range of colours and can be dressed up or down depending on the desired formality.

Mikado Silk: Similar to satin, mikado is a heavier-weight silk with a crisp, matte finish. It holds its shape well and creates a clean, modern look for bridesmaids’ dresses.

Duchess Satin: The heaviest type of satin, duchess satin offers a luxurious feel and a structured silhouette. It’s a great choice for a formal winter wedding at Cameron House.

Taffeta: This crisp fabric has a slight sheen and holds its shape well. It’s often used to create full skirts and adds a touch of drama to a bridesmaid dress.

Wool Crepe: A warm and elegant option for a fall wedding. Wool crepe drapes beautifully and comes in a variety of rich colours and textures.

Wool Blends: These fabrics combine the warmth of wool with the drape and breathability of other fibres like silk or polyester. They offer a comfortable and stylish option for bridesmaids in cooler weather.

Silhouettes To Fit Your Vision

Once you have a fabric in mind that suits the season of your wedding, it’s time to think about the kind of silhouette you would like. There are many to choose from and each one will bring a different style and mood to your day, so it’s important to get it right. When picking out a silhouette, you may also have to consider the body type of your bridesmaids, but more on that later!

Here are some popular silhouettes for bridesmaids’ dresses that flatter various body types:

A-Line: This universally flattering silhouette features a fitted bodice that cinches at the waist and then flares out to create a soft A-shape skirt. It complements all body types and can be dressed up or down depending on the fabric and embellishments.

Empire Waist: This style features a high waistline that sits just below the bust, creating a flowing and elongating silhouette. It’s a great option for brides who want to camouflage their midsection or for bridesmaids with shorter torsos. Think Regency style! 

Sheath: This elegant silhouette features a straight, fitted cut that skims the body’s curves. It’s a sophisticated choice for bridesmaids who are comfortable with a more form-fitting dress.

Mermaid/Trumpet: This silhouette hugs the curves through the hips and then flares out dramatically below the knee. It’s a glamorous and eye-catching option for bridesmaids with hourglass figures.

Column: Similar to the sheath, the column silhouette is a straight and narrow cut that falls from the shoulders to the hem without much definition at the waist. It’s a modern and minimalist option for bridesmaids who prefer a clean and simple look.

Tea-Length: These dresses fall to the mid-calf, offering a more casual yet still elegant option for bridesmaids. They’re a good choice for a daytime wedding or a wedding with an outdoor ceremony.

Convertible: This is a versatile option featuring detachable straps or skirts, allowing bridesmaids to adjust the formality of the dress. It’s a great choice for weddings with different ceremony and reception settings or bridesmaids with different tastes. 

Colour Palettes, Themes and Your Venue 

As mentioned above, your colour palette, or theme, can be the most exciting part of planning your dream day. Making Pinterest boards and pinning flower arrangements you like or table settings that catch your eye is a fantastic way to begin the planning process. From flowers, table cloths, pocket squares and more, your wedding colour palette should be cohesive throughout your day. Choosing the right colour for your bridesmaid dresses is a huge part of this – after all, those colours will be a part of your married life forever. 

When selecting a colour, there are many factors to consider, such as skin tone, season, overall theme and your venue colour palette. At Cameron House, our wedding venues are very neutral with white and champagne fabrics designed to accommodate any colour palette or style. 

Here are some key things to consider when choosing a colour palette for your bridesmaids’ dresses:

Wedding Theme and Setting: The overall theme and setting of your wedding at Cameron House Resort should be a major influence.

Formal weddings: Opt for classic and elegant colour palettes like jewel tones (emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red) or muted tones (silver, champagne, rose gold).

Beach weddings: Consider light and airy colours that complement the natural surroundings (seafoam green, coral, lavender).

Rustic weddings: Earthy tones (terracotta, sage green, mustard yellow) can create a warm and inviting atmosphere that blends with Cameron House Resort’s historic charm.

Season: Let the season inspire your colour choices.

Spring: Soft pastels (light pink, lavender, mint green) evoke feelings of renewal and freshness.

Summer: Playful and vibrant colours (coral, turquoise, sunshine yellow) reflect the warmth and energy of the season.

Autumn: Rich jewel tones (burgundy, emerald green, plum) or warm browns and golds capture the essence of fall.

Winter: Cooler tones (silver, navy blue, icy blue) create a sophisticated and elegant feel for a winter wedding.

Bridesmaids’ Skin Tones: It’s important to choose a colour palette that flatters a variety of skin tones.

Cool Skin Tones: Look for colours with blue or pink undertones (blush pink, lavender, dusty blue).

Warm Skin Tones: Colors with yellow or golden undertones (coral, mustard yellow, terracotta) tend to be more complementary.

Neutral Skin Tones: Most colours will work well, so you have more flexibility.

Consider mismatched bridesmaid dresses: This is a trendy option, but ensure the chosen colours complement each other and stay within the same colour family or have similar saturation levels. You might even find the same dress but in different styles such as short-sleeved, halter or strapless to complement your bridesmaids’ style and shape. 

Your Wedding Dress Color: While the bridesmaids’ dresses shouldn’t clash with yours, they also don’t need to exactly match. Aim for complementary colours that won’t overpower your gown.

Cameron House Resort’s Ambiance: The resort’s historic architecture and waterfront location can influence your palette. Consider colours that enhance the natural beauty or historical elegance of the venue. 

Remember, the key is to find a colour palette that you love and that creates a cohesive and beautiful look for your wedding day at Cameron House. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your choices!

Budget and Comfort

Budgeting for your wedding can be a stressful task but factoring in your bridesmaid dresses should be considered in your budget. How much you spend is completely up to you and will depend on how many people you have in your wedding party and the type of fabric you choose. Some couples may wish for their bridesmaids to contribute to the cost of their dress. In situations like this, you should be open-minded and considerate of everyone’s own budget, unless you plan to pay for the dress yourself. Ensure you ask questions about financial limitations and set a clear budget that is achievable for all involved.

Consider finding pre-loved dresses from sites like Depop or Vinted for those looking to stick to a budget. These types of dresses are often only worn once, so you may find a bargain that will make budgeting that little bit easier. Keep in mind that on top of the dresses, your bridesmaids may also have to buy shoes, and accessories and pay for hair and make-up for your wedding day so these should be considered when choosing a dress for your party. 

Also, consider convertible dresses. These clever dresses can be transformed with detachable straps or skirts offer more versatility for bridesmaids who might want to wear the dress again for another occasion. This will also help with keeping everyone comfortable and feeling beautiful and confident in their dresses. Detachable skirts, for instance, would be ideal for dancing into the wee hours! 

Remember, the most important thing is for your bridesmaids to feel comfortable and beautiful. By being upfront about budget and exploring creative options, you can find stunning dresses that fit everyone’s needs.

Weddings at Cameron House 

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about selecting your bridesmaid’s dresses to ensure your perfect day goes off without a hitch! At Cameron House, our dedicated and expert team of wedding coordinators are on hand to help with any questions, planning pain points or any issues that may arise throughout your planning or on the day. From sun up to sun down, we’ll be on hand to ensure your day is perfect, allowing you to relax, have fun and make memories you can cherish forever with Loch Lomond at your back. 

Explore our diverse, neutral and stunning wedding venues for any size of the wedding on our website and get in touch with us for information on pricing, layout and more.