fashion

You’ve all seen the gorgeous effect of mismatched bridesmaids dresses on Pinterest and other sources of wedding inspiration, but not every bride feels confident that she can pull off the look for her own celebration. What if it looks terrible in photos? Is it worth the risk just to do something a bit different?

The look is great for many reasons: It’s more visually interesting than having a bridal party wearing dresses that are the same style, color and length, and it allows each girl to choose what looks best on her (translation: she’ll likely wear it again). Here Andrea Anastasiou, stylist and owner of bridal boutiques White, Toronto and White, Montreal offers her expert tips for achieving the mismatched bridesmaid look.

1. Choose a color palette. Whether you opt for dramatic jewel tones or muted pastels, it’s important that you choose a range from within the same color family. You might do a range of one color (for example pinks or greys), or choose dress that go from light to dark (from vanilla to latte, perhaps) or stick with all pastels. Just be sure to choose colors you’re drawn to. “If you don’t surround yourself with jewel tones, don’t do that on your wedding day. If you’re more classic and prefer softer colors, trust your instincts,” Anastasiou advises.

2. Keep it simple. “It can be a hard look to pull together if you’re not visually inclined,” says Anastasiou. But she continues by saying that designers like Amsale, Ivy & Aster and Lela Rose by the Dessy Group are offering collections with social-inspired dresses in a variation of prints and colors that make it easier for brides to vary the look of their wedding party. Plus, there are countless examples of mismatched bridal parties on Pinterest, so pin your favorites to keep as a reference for when you go shopping.

3. Trust your stylist. If you love the idea of varied bridesmaids dresses but aren’t sure how to achieve it, Anastasiou suggests that you look to the pros to help get you started. Stylists at bridal boutiques have the knowledge to help you achieve the look you want. Just make sure you have a good idea of what you want before your consultation so that you can give helpful direction (that’s where your pins will come in handy) and be open to stylist’s ideas — they’re the experts after all!