Every bride-to-be dreams of the day they get to go shopping with their bride tribe to sip on Champagne and pick the dresses your I Do crew will wear on your big day. But as fun as popping corks and celebrating your impending nuptials with the girls sounds, the reality can be slightly different because shopping for your bridesmaids dresses can be surprisingly stressful.
There's the stress of bringing to life your wedding vision while taking into consideration your tribe's different personal tastes, body shapes, complexions and budgets. There's the stress of trying to keep everyone buzzing with excitement. And there's now the stress of the shopping experience, which isn't the same as it once was.
But as daunting as all this is, choosing your bridesmaids dresses doesn't have to be a migraine-maker. Cue a bit of online retail therapy. And to make it even easier for you to browse the internet looking for the perfect gowns, we've rounded up our favourite online shops for you to start your search.
Now pour yourself something nice, grab the ice and start sharing your faves with your maids:
Based in Chelsea, this gorgeous store merges online shopping with bespoke dresses, where you can request fabric samples in advance to any stitching being done so you have a total understanding of what you're getting for your gals. As for the designs, think spring time. Think fluid, unfussy and flowy dresses in lovely pastel colours, with prices ranging from £125 to £210.
This is the place for those brides and their tribes that love being unpredictable; girl gangs that want to walk down the aisle and stop time as people pull out their cameras, That's what Coast does with it's incredible details, turning what would be ordinary gowns into total showstoppers -- interesting, creative and wow. Whether you're having a traditional black tie wedding or one with festival vibes, you'll find the perfect dresses here. Prices start from just £59 too.
Too many brides-to-be turn their noses up at the idea of dressing their tribe in high street gowns, but Mango is full of pinch-yourself finds. And their range of options is incredible, especially if you're into bright block colours. From dresses to tuxedoes, you're about to stumble across a world of elegant evening wear you would have otherwise missed out on -- and you can save big too with dresses coming in well under £100.
More and more brides want to dress their BFFs in traditional dresses with modern twists, and that's exactly what Needle & Thread does better than everyone. They specialise in 1920s inspired gowns designed to standout with beautiful beading and embellishments that will shimmer from start to last dance. They're like pieces of art, which is what makes them worth paying the slightly higher price, with gowns starting at £195 and going past £400.
We love nothing more than couples that choose to celebrate in a sustainable way, something Reformation champions, sourcing their fabric sustainably and designing their dresses to make every woman feel confident no matter their body type. And because the design team here are absolute legends, they think ahead to make sure their gowns will be partied in after your big day too. Prices start at £225.
Ghost dresses are unlike any other in that you'll know one the moment you see one -- they're long, slinky, silky, elegant and almost-always rocking an understated hue, which is what makes them so chic. That said, this brand has been getting a little bolder lately, playing around with low-cut backs and new necklines. basically, if your vision involves sleek shaped gowns, you're going to find something for everyone here, and prices range from £145 to £265.
Yup. You read that right. ASOS. This one-stop-shop for girls that want to feel glam has taken the world of bridesmaid dresses by storm, curating gorgeous gowns for maids of every style, size and inclination. But what we love most about their ASOS Edition dresses is the way they look so much more expensive than they really are. And let's not forget, you'll be able to shop your favourite brands here too, from the likes of Maya and Missguided to ‘exclusive’ designs from more high-end names, such as Ghost and TFNC. As for the price range, you'll find something wow no matter your budget.
Some brides want a traditional wedding, others go to Net-A-Porter. That's not to say they don't do classic dresses like the best of them because they do. But they unusual gowns and designer drops better than anywhere else, which means you can promise your tribe they'll look both chic and unique. It's also the best place to go if your squad members all have different styles and a desperate desire to wear their gowns again and again and again. And like with some of the other stores above, you can find so much at almost every budget. Almost.
For over 25 years, the design heroes at Chi Chi London have been making thrifty but nifty bridesmaids dresses for the I Do Crew that wants to a lot more wow for a lot less kerching. Spoiler alert: your minds will be blown. And best of all, their range of options isn't limited either. There's dresses of every colour, cut and style you can possibly imagine, meaning your dreams of dressing your girls in ‘mix and match’ dresses is about to come true. And wait for it, prices start from just £20.
Parisians are known for their stylish clothing and show-stopping occasionwear, and Vanessa Cocchiaro is no different. Their line of dresses may not be the biggest, but what they do, they do exceptionally well taking a couture-like approach to their dresses. Think stunning details, luxurious fabrics and impeccably cut gowns that know how to celebrate a variety of body shapes. Of course, they may not be the most budget-friendly dresses on our list, but you can be sure you'll receive a unique number that will last a lifetime, and you can't put a price on that. Prices starting from £180.