La Joya Dulce: Colorado Ranch Wedding Venue

View Original

How to Style Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses for your Rocky Mountain Wedding

Coordinating Styles and Color for a Cohesive Look

Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben Photography

Mismatched bridesmaids dresses have become more and more popular for so many great reasons. You have chosen your closest friends to stand up for you on your big day; we know you will be looking and feeling your best, and we know you want your ladies to feel the same! Giving the option to choose the dress that makes each of your bff's shine ensures they will feel their best too! Here are a few guidelines for styling mismatched bridesmaids dresses to help make sure that you can incorporate those different styles while still maintaining that cohesive look.

Define your Vision

Photo Credit: Callie Riesling

Think about the overall feel of your wedding day. What elements are you including to compliment the beautiful Colorado Mountain backdrop you have chosen? Take into account the time of year and theme.

Choose a Common Thread

  • Color palette: Stick to shades within a single family (e.g., pastels, jewel tones).

  • Fabric: Opt for similar textures like silk, chiffon, or velvet. The same color looks sooooo different depending on the fabric.

  • Style: Want different patterns and styles all around? Pick a unifying element such as necklines, sleeve length, or dress length.

Inspiration Boards

  • Use tools like Pinterest or mood boards to visualize how the dresses will look together.

  • Include examples of successful mismatched styles.

Communicate with Your Bridesmaids

Photo Credit: Bultedaob Photography

We all wish that our best friends lived next door, but for most of us those closest to us are not as close as we wish. So make sure to communicate the best you can. If your schedules wont allow for a girls weekend of dress shopping, embrace our era of technology and video chat your shopping trips! Email your mood boards and send off your fabric samples in a fun gift box with some chocolates or the accessories you have chosen.

Set Guidelines

  • Provide clear instructions on color, style, and fabric expectations.

  • Share swatches, photos, or links to recommended retailers. Some of our couples favorite sources for amazing bridesmaids dresses are Azazie, Birdy Grey, and Lulu’s.

Encourage Collaboration

  • Host a shopping day or a virtual call to select dresses together. If you are also looking for your own dress? Consider these amazing, local to Denver, wedding dress shops.

  • Foster input while ensuring the final look aligns with your vision.

Balancing Individuality with Cohesion

Photo Credit: Kate Ivy Photography

The beauty of your bridesmaids lies in the experiences and memories that brought you together. My guess is each of your bridesmaids has a different style and appearance. Giving the freedom to express that individuality and highlight their favorite features will make sure that those special ladies look and feel their best for your wedding day!

Incorporate Accessories

  • Use matching accessories (e.g., jewelry, shoes, bouquets) to unify the look.

  • Consider coordinated hairstyles or makeup styles.

  • Don’t forget footwear can be a unifying aspect as well!

Harmonize Colors

  • Select dresses that range in gradient shades of the same hue or complementary colors.

  • Discuss how to balance bold patterns with solid designs for consistency.

Test the Look

Photo Credit: Tippy Jordan

Group Fitting

  • Schedule a fitting where all the dresses can be seen together. Distance issues are easily overcome by photos.

  • Make adjustments if any piece stands out too much or clashes.

Photograph the Dresses

  • Test how they appear in natural and artificial light.

  • Ensure the colors and styles work cohesively in photos.

Some final thoughts:

Photo Credit: Epic Photography and Videography

The people you choose to stand by your side as you say “I DO” are your best friends and its important that they look and feel their best as they bear witness to your new beginning! No matter if its Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter, mismatching bridesmaids dresses give your gals the ability to find their perfect bridesmaids dress within your set guidelines, that will enhance the feel of your wedding theme.

about la joya dulce

At la joya dulce, we are proud in being an independently owned and operated, local wedding venue. When you choose la joya dulce in Steamboat Springs, you're not just booking a venue—you're working directly with the owners, who are dedicated to making your day perfect. You are not just a transaction to us - you become a member of our ranch family. We’re committed to creating memories and intentional moments for you and your family. We believe in supporting our community, which is why we collaborate with other independently-owned venues and businesses.

We also believe in being the “real deal.” Our photos that are shared by our wonderful photographers are the real deal - there is no AI involved in their creation. Come take a look for yourself - the reality is often better than the photos!

Photo Credit: Jenny Smiley

We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.

Sunny Side Farm, The Bella Sera, Bell Tower Falls, The Ironwood Barn at Von Erich Ranch, Lake Front Acres, and Harris Glen.