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Ever since we’ve decided to go the mismatched, non-bridal-boutique bridesmaids’ dress route, I’ve been thinking more and more about “tying” the looks together with a coloured sash.
Photo by Hilton Pittman Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs / Dresses by J.Crew
I had only seen sashes on black dresses so far, and as I mentioned earlier, my friends and family have just done this look…so I’m not too hot on it. I was mulling over what colour dress and sash we could combine with our limited red/white/black palette, when I saw something I simply loved:
Image via Weddings Unveiled / Photo by A. Bryan Photo
White bridesmaids’ dresses? What on earth??
I had never thought of that, but I immediately thought it was so cool! (This was PRE royal wedding, mind y’all!) I’m in love with this look.
So I started searching for other white bridesmaids’ dresses and found it’s not that strange for someone other than the bride to wear white to the wedding. Look at these beauties!
Image via The Knot / wittliz’s profile
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, anyone?
Photos by Amanda Suanne Photography
Photo by Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Photography / Via The Knot
Photo by Kelly Brown Weddings via The Last Detail
Photo by Linda Chaja Photography
Photography by Agaton Strom via Oncewed
Photo by Jasmine Star Photography
After scouring the web for as many inspiration photos as I could, I decided I had two criteria to make these dresses work.
1. Knee-length dresses - Makes a clear differentiation in pictures about who the bride and bridesmaids are because in a few of those photos…it is a little hard to tell. But honestly, I think everyone there will know who the bride is at our wedding. I’m really not worried about it. 
2. Coloured sashes - Red sashes, to be more exact! The red will really pop against the white while acting as the link between the BM ensembles.
Sister Funnel Cake is pushing hard for a black dress, probably because they are easy to find, but she’s on board with what we decide in the end. When I told MOH about the white dress/red sash combo, her first reaction was “huh?” but then, as she thought about it, she loved how unique it is and thinks the bouquet colour coordination will be really cute. She said she already has a sexy pair of red heels, too!
I excitedly asked BM SIL about the idea, and she said the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea and that black dresses are seeming more and more boring. (Maybe because Mama Funnel Cake wants black as well?)
Apparently Sister Funnel Cake and Mama Funnel Cake were in disbelief that I would ask my BMs to wear white. Like it’s a sin for someone besides the bride to show up in white?
Personally, I’m really amused at the thought of Mama Funnel Cake thinking this idea is unbelievable, and it makes me want to distance our wedding from black dresses even more! I’m not one to think wearing white to a wedding is horribly inappropriate or rude. Maybe wearing your own old wedding dress to a wedding is rude…but a simple white dress? What’s the problem there? I’m intrigued that so many girls are passionately offended by this.
White bridesmaids’ dresses will be light, bright, airy, and SO clean and pure looking! And with red sashes around their waists…those girls will be sporting some Swiss colours. But shhh, don’t tell Mr. FC I’m trying to sneak more Swiss culture into the wedding. 
Do you think the bride should be the only one wearing white on the wedding day?
I think this look will rock. I don’t think any one will mistake the bridesmaids for the bride.
I LOVE this look!
Meh, it’s your wedding, I say you can request EVERYONE wear white if that’s what you want! There are bound to be people who scoff at this, but then there are bound to be people who scoff at something or another at any event. Unless everyone invited is open-minded and awesome!
I do like the criteria you lined out, especially since it was hard for me to tell who was what in a few of the photos. I think the length and sashes (as long as you won’t have a red sash) will definitely help. In addition to red sashes and red heels, you could have them wear other red accessories (jewelry, hair accessories, etc) too!
Also, I love the ones with coral/salmon sashes!
I personally don’t want anyone else wearing white but I agree if they are knee length and have a sash they could be very cute! I went to a friend’s wedding and her mom wore a long, white dress…that I would not be happy with.
Oh, good, I was so happy you mentioned your girls wearing knee-length dresses because, as you said, in some of those photos I was like “Um, who is the bride? Is she even in the picture?” (Scratching head) But I definitely like the look of all white with a pop of color with a sash. Love it.
And this summer fashion is all about the “little white dress” so should be easy ti find too!
I’m doing black cocktail dresses for my girls, and it’s a b***h to find right now!
I think I read somewhere that Bridesmaids not wearing white is a fairly modern notion. Back in the day, the whole bridal party wore white to confuse any spirits that were intended to harm the bride on her wedding day. Also, I think that it’s still pretty common practice in Europe. Long story short - if you want it, do it! Summer’s a great time to nag cute white dresses, too!
@Miss Bacon: I remember learning about that, too! I think that was even the origin/reason for having bridesmaids to begin with.
Love the white/red combo!! And I totally agree about the knee length part making them stand out from you. 
Oh my goodness! Thanks to you I’ve just emailed this idea to my MOH…I hope she doesn’t think I’m crazy. We’ve had trouble finding her a dress in the fabric, color & style I hoped she would wear. This could be a solution :o)
I LOVE THIS. Especially bc of your color scheme and your Swiss inspiration, it’s perfect!
Nope, since the “white gown” came from Queen Victoria only a couple hundred years ago, I’d say “not a big deal”.
But then, I’m not one for “tradition”, either, lol.
I love this idea, sashes and ribbons for the bridesmaids of course, I want to be the all white bride 
I love the how the coral pops on the white BM dresses in your inspiration picture, and I think it will look even better with the red! And it brings in more Swiss! It’s perfect, love it FC!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I think it will look AMAZING to do white with red sashes! I actually really wanted to put my girls in white (bonus! most of them already have adorable white cocktail dresses, so I wouldn’t feel guilty about making them buy something they’ll likely never wear again), but, unusually for him, my fiance was strongly opposed to my idea!! He’s really dedicated to the idea that I”m the only one in white - I tease him it’s so he won’t get confused about who he’s marrying since he won’t be able to see clearly over all his tears of emotion. NOT! not a cryer, that one. Ah well. But if you can get your HTB to go for it, DO IT!
my parents’ wedding was a “snowball wedding” and the bridesmaids as well as the groom and groomsmen were all in white!
Love it with your criteria. Can’t wait to see pictures.
@Miss Bunting: Yeaah, def a fan of short BM dresses anyway. Most the ones I’ve had to buy/wear for weddings were long and you just don’t wear them again. I feel like short BM dresses are so much more useable!
@Miss Smashville: Cool! Yeah, white has the ease of colour matching and re-usability like black, only it is brighter and cheerier.
@Mrs. Trail Mix: Hehe, yeah I kept wondering if we should add more colours in but was feeling meh about yellow and orange. I just love the simplicity of the colour palette.
@ThePinkPeony: Haha, luckily Mr. FC is very much “Eh, do what you want” with the dress selection. Not his bag, but I share all the ideas with him anyway. That’s sweet your FI wants to make you more special by being the only one in white!
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Mrs. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, Ohio Age and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application Engineer Engagement Date: May 30, 2010 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatory About Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
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