Has coronavirus pushed your summer big day back to autumn or winter? Your bridesmaids will thank you for thinking of how they’ll navigate the chillier temperatures, so here’s some cute cover-ups and bouquets to take their dress into a new season
Scenario one: into the sunset
Then: When your day was meant to be a balmy celebration at the end of July, a satin slip dress (such as this slinky option from Rewritten, above) made perfect sense. The theme was set to be fiery, sunset tones, but now the only fire you’re looking at is the one guests will be toasting marshmallows around. What to do?
Now: Have them shrug on a cosy cable knit like this one from Knitss (or you could have a talented family member knit something similar). The contrast between the fluid satin and chunky wool is very unexpected (no boxy boleros here). Just add an autumnal-hued bouquet to finish – we adore The Flower Company‘s sunflower effort, below.
Scenario two: green scene
Then: You’d decided on a 2020 favourite – forest green – to stand out from the pastel crowd, so your wedding colour palette does transition nicely into winter, but the dress is strappy with a big slit up the leg (Watters’ Meredith, below, springs to mind). Not exactly December-friendly. What’s the strategy?
Now: Ask your ‘maids to slip into some sheer tights and kit them out with a little cropped cardi. & Other Stories has a gorgeous range of knitwear that’s a bit of an untapped resource for bridesmaids: this minimal, ribbed design echoes the clean lines of the gown beautifully. You can then play up the festive vibes with rich cream, red and green florals, à la Fleuressence, below.
Scenario three: separates all the way
Then: To be honest, separates are always a good idea for bridesmaids. Post-wedding, they could pair their Halfpenny London Ingle skirts, below, with a band tee and they’d prove themselves to be a solid future investment. And isn’t that shade of blush/borderline periwinkle a dream for spring?
Now: Now the day has been moved to January, it just calls for a cover-up. Helen Moore is the authority on all things faux fur and this classic shoulder wrap, below, is exactly what the crew needs to keep them toasty. Tease out the purple tinge in the separates with a fresh, foliage-filled lilac bouquet from Days of Dahlia.
Scenario four: pale and interesting
Then: Much to your surprise, you ended up falling for a pale pink ballgown, so ditched tradition altogether and picked up Maids to Measure‘s relaxed Beaufort dress in Ivory for the ladies, below. It felt like an inverse of the norm, and ideal for your June nuptials.
Now: Stave off goosebumps and stay true to your two-tone palette by treating the team to Liberty in Love‘s sumptuous stole, above. It pulls your colours together, as would this blousy bouquet from Lavender & Rose, below.
Scenario four: red wine all the way
Then: Morilee‘s decadent style 21663, below, stole your heart, with its sultry, off-the-shoulder neckline and deep burgundy shade, but you were worried it wasn’t ‘summery’ enough for your outdoor ceremony and were toying with the idea of introducing bright, bold blooms to make it so.
Now: They say everything happens for a reason and, in this case, you’re inclined to agree. Your ‘maids will now look totally at home inside your opulent exclusive use venue. Still, for photos on the lawn, make sure they’re wrapped up – this David’s Bridal faux fur stole above, will do the trick. And, if neutral buds are more your bag, turn your gaze to Fleur & Blume‘s arrangement, below, with its subtle burgundy sprigs.
