There are so many different options for bridesmaids dresses nowadays. At this point, you can make each member of your wedding party look as unique as they are, or go with a more classic look or silhouette. No choice is wrong—it just depends on what your preference is! Here are some ideas for different styles for your bridesmaids this year.

Same Brand & Color, Different Styles

A very popular choice for bridal parties right now is to have your ladies purchase dresses from the same brand and in the exact same color, but in whatever silhouette or style they feel suits them best. This is a great option because it ensures each woman will feel as comfortable as possible, while still affording you as the bride a fair amount of choice in the matter.

Same Style, Different Colors

A similar—but clearly opposite—choice would be for the bride to choose one style that she likes best, but then have her bridesmaids all wear that dress in different colors. I’ve seen this done a few times before with a rainbow theme, with each bridesmaid representing a different color of the rainbow. This is a super fun option for brides who want their bridal party to look generally uniform, but for each member to have a unique take on the look.

Different Styles and Colors, but One Color Palette

Another option for adding some uniqueness to your bridesmaid dress choices would be to give some freedom in both the style and color of the dresses, but sticking to one single color palette for everyone. This could be one particular color (blue, purple, green, or whatever strikes your fancy) or a more encompassing option such as pastels, brights, or jewel tones. This option is a unique hybrid of the other two options above and can create really gorgeous images while still keeping the individuality of your bridesmaids front and center.

Identical Dresses

It wouldn’t be an article about bridesmaid dresses without mentioning the traditional option of putting all of your bridesmaids in identical dresses. Although the varied look is very in fashion at the moment, it can’t be denied that matching bridesmaid dresses will always be a classic, timeless look. It’s also a great way to have your photos (and the women in them!) feel and look uniform, which makes the selection process for your ladies as easy as ordering their size and getting it tailored—no tricky choices involved!

Completely Different Dresses/Bridesmaids Pick Their Own

The super relaxed bride might even decide to let her bridesmaids just choose their own dresses for the event, with little-to-no parameters involved. This option will truly let your ladies’ personalities shine through in a very real way, and can be a great option if you’re hoping to have a wedding vibe that’s relaxed, genuine, and as unique as can be!

Bridesmaids One Color, Maid of Honor Another

For brides who really want to make sure their maid of honor really shines, having them wear a totally different color from the rest of the bridal party can really achieve that in a super cool way! The color difference can be drastic (like the photo above) or as subtle as putting the maid of honor in a slightly different tone than the other women. This is a nice way to highlight a super important woman in your life and add something special to the aesthetic of your bridal party.

No matter whether you are the bridesmaid or the bride, part of the fun of a wedding day is getting your hair done! Some groups choose a nice blowout salon and others gather curling irons and have an at-home styling party. You and your girls have a great reason to celebrate, and many great hairstyles to choose from. If you are stumped as to which style will look best on you, consider these options for the big day. If you have plans for a bachelorette weekend or night, consider practicing your chosen hairstyle on that night and see how it holds up, since many brides and bridesmaids go with something a little fancier than their typical style for the big day.

Bun: An Oldie but a Goodie

A classic, the bun involves twisting your hair up and securing it with pins and ties. This style is a great way to be beautiful and practical at the same time: buns keep your hair off your neck, are nice and secure while you dance the night away, and look so elegant. Some people braid their ponytail before coiling it up, while others just twist the ponytail on itself, giving a cinnamon roll-like coiffure. This is a nice style for right after a shampoo, since it dries and tends to stay fairly neat in place.

Braid Crown: Look like the Fairy Tale Princess You Are

The braid crown, popularized in fantasy movies and shows, also makes for a great fairytale wedding hairstyle. Another benefit of this hairstyle is that it tends to stand up well over time, so even if you are in an outdoor wedding with a little wind, it’s likely to continue to look regal and ethereal throughout the evening.

French Twist: Audrey Hepburn for a Night

Considered a truly elegant hairstyle, the French Twist was popularized in the 50s, 60s, and 70s and still are great for more formal weddings. A great bridesmaid gift for the day of the wedding is a set of matching barrettes or clips to help their French twists stay perfectly turned in on themselves and matching for photographs.

Half Up, Half Down: An Easy, Practical, Classy Choice

With a small ponytail or bun on the top layer of hair and long, loose hair underneath, the half-up-half-down look takes very little time to do but looks flattering on so many face types. It keeps hair from getting mussed, as is possible when hair it completely down, but also lets your lovely locks cascade over a beautiful dress. You can’t go wrong with this classic and practical look.

Waves: Look like the Girls in Shampoo Commercials

Whether your hair is naturally wavy, you sleep in braids, or you use a curling iron, loose, easy waves make for an incredibly beautiful and sweet wedding look. You’ll want a little hairspray to make sure that all the movement and dancing don’t make them frizzy by the end of the night, but this look is especially astonishing on women with voluminous hair that doesn’t easily take to an updo.

Side Braid: Taming Your Mane and Looking Lovely

Similar to a bun, an updo at the nape of the neck is a fashionable and beautiful choice. Because it smooths out the top of the head, this look de-emphasizes your hair. This is a great look for a bride or bridesmaid who wants to emphasize their beautiful make-up or draw attention to their dress or jewelry by keeping their hairstyle subtle.

Side Braid: Taming Your Mane and Looking Lovely

For an outdoorsy or casual wedding, you cannot go wrong with a side braid. Not only does a side braid keep all your locks bound up and not flying away, it also works for any thickness of hair, be it a nice thin braid or a thick plait. Add a shiny hairtie or a sparkling barrette if you want to use a side braid in a fancier wedding; it dresses up or down perfectly.

Full Curls: Hollywood Starlet with Some Bounce to Her Step

Whether your hair is naturally corkscrewing all the time or you just really love to be able to pull and release a big pretty curl, your special day is the perfect time to fill your head with perfect ringlets. Less casual than a big waves look, the full curls will give you a Hollywood-beauty look that is at once timeless and vintage. Make sure you test this hairstyle ahead of time and figure out how much product you need to keep those curls bouncing throughout the ceremony and reception.

No matter which 'do you choose, you and your bridesmaids will have fun trying them out. Don't stress about getting them perfect: all of these hairstyles can be redone between the ceremony and reception if need be!

The tightly-tied flower choices that dress up a man’s tuxedo or suit are a perfect place to showcase your taste and flair for design. Choosing a great set of boutonnieres for groomsmen, the father of the bride, and the groom can be a great way to unify their look as well as add a touch of color to typical male outfits. At the same time, choosing a boutonniere can be daunting. Do you aim for traditional, with lush rose petals opening up with perhaps a sprig or two of baby's breath? Do you make the edge of the suit jacket a spot for expressing something about the groomsmen and groom's relationships and friendships? It all depends on what you are going for! Check out these options available in 2018, and consider which ones might work best for the men in your wedding.

Roses and Carnations Remain Popular Picks

Prized for their light, lovely scents and their many deep colors, carnations and roses remain the most traditional of boutonniere flowers in 2018. Nothing makes an outfit look quite as stunning as a bright rose set among a little greenery. Carnations, with their papery petals, are often a slightly cheaper version of elegance, though both options are quite affordable in their most typical colors.

A Small Bundle of Wildflowers Works Well for a Rustic Wedding

Daisies, snapdragons, lavender, and thistle all make charming appearances in wildflower-based boutonnieres. A package of these flowers can often be very affordable, so DIYing some boutonnieres with a twine wrap is a great option and easy thing to do. Wildflowers can be paired to twists of local reeds and grasses, or table decorations of gourds and vegetables, for a general rustic theme, especially if your venue is outdoors or at a barn.

Formal Events Require Cream, White, or Red

Throwing a black or white tie event? Aim for a more traditional flower or something that comes in cream, white, or red. Those colors look especially good with all the sumptuous fabrics that tend to come out for a fancy affair. Branching out in the color wheel is an option for less casual levels of weddings, but they generally won't look as good as the classics if everyone is dressed to the nines.

Choose from the Seasonal Availability

Each season offers options that allow your boutonnieres to reflect the local flora and add an homage to what is currently blooming. While spring is fairly easy to choose design ideas for, summer looks great with bright yellows and intense blues, since everyone is already in a "sunshine and blue skies" frame of mind. Autumn boutonnieres can incorporate typical flowers along with the colors of falling leaves: an orange chrysanthemum for example. Finally, winter weddings can benefit from slightly frosted-over faux greenery to indicate snow, or from accents like bundles of cranberries.

Want to Stand Out? Pick a Feather!

A growing trend is that of using a feather as an accent piece of a boutonniere instead of a flower. Not only does this add extra eye-catching appeal to the lapel pin, but it also means the boutonniere won't wither and can be kept as a keepsake. One of the most popular options is the peacock feather, with its rich colors and the characteristic "eye" pattern on it. A slightly fluffier white feather may add the same touch of brightness that a flower typically does, but with a whimsical edge that shows you are taking your wedding seriously but not too seriously.

Herbs, Paper Pinwheels, or Knots? The Sky’s the Limit!

For people who aren't deeply connected to a flower as an accent, the options for a suit jacket accent are unlimited. People who love cooking have used tiny bundles of thyme and rosemary. For a whimsical summer wedding, paper pinwheels that spin in the breeze are an option. Even craft options, like a seashell for a beach wedding, can add a touch of personality to an otherwise typical boutonniere. Pins are available that reflect any possible family history, friendship connection, personal interest, or themed wedding, so look at the options you can find that might replace a boutonniere altogether with something else that adds to your wedding ensemble.

Boutonnieres add class and character to men's outfits that tend to be pretty standard (even in weddings with lots of other personalized touches). The first place to start when you design your boutonniere is the inspiration for other elements of the design in the wedding. Whether you choose a traditional pale rose or an off-the-wall decorative pin for the lapel, you can dress up the look for all the men in the bridal party by adding one of these small but powerful additions.