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I originally loved the idea of having mismatched but coordinating printed dresses like the ones I saw on an inspirational blog post. But that seemed like it would be really hard. Fortunately, I had another amazing idea.
I thought, wouldn’t it be pretty if I wore ivory and the bridesmaids did too? But flirty, lacy, short, ruffly ivory?
I put together this mock-up of how it would look (although there would only be three bridesmaids, not five):
L-R: Yoana Baraschi, Plenty by Tracy Reese, J. Crew, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Supertrash, Free People
Anyway, I kind of love it. With bright flowers and bright bouquets? Amazing. And then, I showed my idea to some friends and family. And I got shot down. HARD.
They all said the same thing. I won’t stand out as the bride if the bridesmaids wear white or ivory. It’ll look too much like a fashion show and not like bridesmaids.
I don’t care. I like the idea a lot, and I think that if the girls wear the same color shoes and have similar bouquets, they’ll look like a cohesive group.
I found some more photos of bridemaids in white or ivory that I think are just lovely.
I still haven’t decided on bridesmaids dresses for sure. But all ivory is an option, no matter what anyone else says. So there!
Did you have any of your ideas shot down by others? How did it make you feel?
I say go on with your bad self. When I told people I was making the flowers from clay, they thought I was crazy, but everyone loved it.
A friend of ours did this and it was SUPER adorable. She even added a sash to each bridesmaids dress yellow to match their wedding so that they would stand out just a little.
I *Love* this look– I wish I would do it…. but I’m not, instead i’m picking another neutral like Brown or Navy.
I have to agree with your family…it is hard to tell who is the bride. But if you don’t care (and your fiance doesn’t either) you could pull it off.
I really like this look. I really don’t see how there can be so many “rules” to weddings. It is yours and you can do whatever you want. I just saw this on southern weddings blog the other day, and it looked awesome.
http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2010/9/16/real-alabama-wedding-sarah-justin-part-i.html
I love the idea of bmaids in ivory - something i’d thought about myself. It looks so striking and i suspect will be easier to co-ordinate other wedding details around, maybe?
I adore the pic above with the long-dress bmaids and black ribbon… that one’s going in my inspiration folder, thanks!
I suppose it also fulfills the spiritual purpose historically assigned to bridesmaids: to confuse evil spirits and distract them from the bride - and the whole point of that is that bride’s and maids are dressed similarly!
the second to last photo is the only one i’m not too sure about - you can’t even tell which one’s the bride except for her veil! but i do love the idea of ivory/khaki dresses.
I’ve been hurt by being shut down too. It might help to remember that they have your best interests at heart and don’t want you to make a decision you might later regret. Plus they probably don’t want to up-stage you either.
Maybe once you show them these awesome shots and how they can all be in ivory and you will still stand out they will come around? And if they don’t, too bad, it’s your wedding 
I love that - especially your choices of dresses for your mock-up! I like the short length for them and long dress for you look a lot too!
If I remember right, the tradition of having bridesmaids was for them to dress similarly to the bride so that bad spirits would be confused… while that sounds crazy, maybe you could find some details on the origin of the tradition as an answer to those who might not like your idea because it’s too new & original 
That or just carry these amazing pictures around to show any doubters!
Seriously though, it’s your wedding and if you love it, then do it! I probably wouldnt even tell people other than the bridesmaids and those who need to know just because it is hard to imagine without these types of inspiration pics. …And assuming your guests have met you, then they should have no problem picking the bride out of the line-up. lol~
I think the key to making this work is different length dresses and colorful accessories. I could barely figure out who the bride was in the second to last pic.
In the fourth picture I had a hard time determining who the bride was. I do have a suggestion, if you go with this look. Make sure your dress lengths are different; I know you will look fierce because you live in PHILLY!
I think it’s a great idea, I esp. love the first and last pics!
I think your mockup is great as are the inspiration photos. The only one I have a hard time with is the next to the last with the black ribbons. It took me a while to find the bride in that photo. The others were clear as day though and your mockup is gorgeous.
I say do it with two/three ways to ensure you stand out:
1. colored bouquets and maybe colored shoes for them along with white flowers for you.
2. keep their dresses short and yours long.
3. if you’re wearing a veil, that will set you apart too.
It’s not my style to do the white/ivory on bridesmaids, but every time I see pictures like that, I swoon a little.
DO IT! If someone can’t tell who the bride is… then they don’t know the couple very well and they probably shouldn’t be at the wedding!
oh i LOVE the look of bridesmaids in ivory or white!! i agree with fromcharleston that keeping the lengths different and of course the veil will differentiate you from them. also the fabric, if your dress is a taffeta or satin or something have them in chiffon, or vice versa. i think the look is GORGEOUS!!!
I suggested white dresses and got shot down too. I don’t think it matters what color the bridesmaids wear. The bride will always stand out! That picture you posted with the BMs in long white dresses totally proves that!
Bridesmaids are actually supposed to look like the bride. In ancient times, it was believed that the bridesmaids were intended to surround the bride, and act as a decoy to confuse evil spirits, so that the bride could not be cursed. So, in having brides in ivory, you are following the original intent of the use of the brides’ maidens. I LOVE THE IDEA.
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Ms. Sloth, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion Blogger Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design Admin Engagement Date: December 25, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Bartram's Garden About Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
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