Coordinating Accessories, Hairstyles, and Makeup to Create a Stylish Bridal Party Look

Care to guess the number of tasks involved in wedding planning? The average wedding contains between 55 to 85 items that need to be checked off a list!

If you’re worried decision fatigue may leave you cutting corners (especially when it comes to smaller details like hair, makeup and accessories!) we’ve got your back.

We’re showcasing some of our favorite modern wedding looks, and listing the hairstyles, makeup, and accessories guaranteed to take them to the next level.

Start with the Dress

Here’s a little secret: The best place to get hair and makeup inspo is from the bridesmaid dress itself, and the best place to get a bridesmaid dress is Bella Bridesmaids.

They have a vast collection encompassing almost every look, including designs from some of the top names in the biz. Their dresses come in a wide range of colors to suit a myriad of palettes – including floral prints!

Once you’ve picked the dress, its unique characteristics can help provide the guidance you need to help inform your hair, accessory, and makeup decisions.

For example, a dress with a high neckline looks so slick with hair in an updo. 

A V-neck practically begs for a necklace. 

Dresses with shorter hemlines crave showoff-able shoes.

Turn to the dress: let its characteristics and details inform the styling choices you make.

Choosing Accessories

One bold piece, an eclectic mix of jewelry, or even no jewelry at all – all of that makes a statement. 

Depending on the theme and look you want for your wedding, it’s important you pick the right ones.

If the vibe isn’t super formal, it’s okay to let your bridesmaids mostly match, yet provide some leeway in hairstyle or accessories. You obviously want your guests to be able to point out who the bridesmaids are, but having subtle differences can add some extra visual interest and delight, especially if your décor leans toward the whimsical.

If it’s a formal wedding, you want to do the opposite. You want your bridesmaids to match from top to bottom.

Consider the Décor

What’s your wedding theme? Even if it’s subtle, it’s still there – it’s still a theme.

Turning to the bridal party to embody the spirit of your big day ensures they’ll accentuate the look you chose, and (bonus!) look hot doing it.

By taking a moment to consider the overall aesthetic and choose accessories, hairstyles, and makeup that follow similar principles, your bridesmaids will not only look incredible, they’ll take the wedding theme up a notch.

Put it all Together

When it comes to putting it all together, remember your focus: you’re drawing your inspiration from the vibe, the wedding theme. Whether your bridesmaids look exactly the same or not depends on the style of wedding you’re having.

Here are a few examples of looks, and the themes they work best for:

Matchy-Matchy

Sophisticated and sleek, this look usually involves each of your bridesmaids wearing the exact same thing – including hairstyle, makeup, and accessories – from top down. 

Hair is usually worn up to account for different cuts and lengths, and the uniformity adds to the seamless effect.

To really drive the look home, try choosing makeup with a bold lip or some other eye-catching accessory, such as matching chunky necklaces.

When to choose this look: This ultra-cohesive look works perfectly for minimalist weddings, formal black-tie affairs, and mid-century modern inspired to-dos.

Loose and Flowy

This look embodies romance. Hair is worn down, usually in wavy curls. Flowers are used as accessories; worn as crowns in simple garlands, or tucked into tresses.

The makeup look may incorporate a similar palette, but doesn’t have to be an exact replica on everyone.

Of course, the look is still cohesive – each bridesmaid is wearing the same dress – yet there’s a little more freedom; it’s not quite so uniform.

For those who love to get crafty, getting some DIY jewelry-making kits and letting your bridesmaids make their own jewelry is a fun way of adding that ‘similar but different’ aspect.

When to choose this look: Ideal for enchanted forest-type weddings, boho inspired big days, maximalist and cottagecore English garden-themed weddings.

A Little of Each

Of course, a blend of the two is perfectly acceptable. Everyone could have the same dress, makeup, and accessories, but choose their own hairstyle or shoes.

Subtle differences provide a little breathing room, and looks that are exact replicas of each other lend an air of being extra polished and formal.

Conclusion:

If you use the bridesmaids’ dresses to provide accessory inspiration – mini dresses practically beg for statement heels and V-neck dresses with flutter sleeves need at least some cascading curls — your bridesmaids will look so stylish and well put together, people will assume you’re a fashion expert.