How to Pick Bridesmaid Dresses for Your Ranch Style Wedding

Your bridesmaids don't just need dresses, they need dresses that'll match your theme. Here's how to pick bridesmaid dresses for your ranch style wedding.

Rustic and ranch-style weddings are fast becoming the most popular wedding style out there.

This is hardly surprising. A ranch wedding offers you the opportunity to have your wedding in a beautiful location. And you can put your own special twist on your big day.

Picking bridesmaids' dresses is no exception. 47% of brides still take charge of choosing their bridesmaid outfits. But this can be dangerous territory.

You need to find something that works with the venue and pleases your bridesmaids. After all, no one wants grumpy bridesmaids in the back of their wedding photos!

Fortunately, we're here to help. Read on to find out our best tips on how to pick bridesmaid dresses for your perfect ranch wedding.

How to Pick Bridesmaid Dresses That Match Your Venue

You want your bridesmaids dresses to look right at home in your venue. The best way to do this is to choose tones that work with the colors of the rustic setting.

Dark wood tones work best with warm, earthy colors. Paler shades can also work but they risk looking a little icy against the wood. Soft, bright colors look great on a ranch so it's probably best to put bold reds or bright neons on the shelf.

It's also important to think about how your bridesmaid dresses will look in photos. This can be quite different from how they look in person. It's always worth doing some test shots with them.

You can also check out photos of other weddings at your rustic venue. This will give you a good idea of which color palettes work best there.

What Are You Working With?

No, we're not talking about your bridesmaids! To choose a bridesmaids dress, you need to think practically. This involves taking other fixed aspects of your wedding into account.

Your dress is a big one. You should always choose your dress before shopping for bridesmaid dresses.

Knowing the cut and shade of your dress will help you to pick bridesmaid dresses. You might want the dresses to work alongside your gown. For example, they might have a similar neckline.

But most brides go for something that compliments their dress by contrasting with it. You can only create this contrast once you know what your bridal gown looks like.

The time of year that you're getting married is another important consideration. Rustic weddings are beautiful but they can be cold in the winter. So you might want your bridesmaid dresses to accommodate this.

Think Outside the Box

A rustic wedding offers you the opportunity to have a truly unique day. Your bridesmaid dresses can reflect this.

You might consider going for something more vibrant than traditional wedding pastels. Or you might even consider putting your bridesmaids in a lively print! This can look especially stunning in the summer sun at a ranch wedding.

If prints aren't for you, why not look at color palettes? Having your bridesmaids in dresses that compliment one another looks amazing. And it emphasizes your creative eye!

This also allows the bridesmaids a little more freedom to wear a dress in a shade that they prefer.

And dress tips aren't all about choosing the right color or cut. Think about the best material for your venue.

Outdoor photos look amazing if there's some movement in your bridesmaid dresses. So choose a material that flows over anything too tailored or stiff.

Don't Forget the Footwear!

How to choose bridesmaid dresses doesn't just end with the dresses themselves. Pairing an understated dress with unique footwear can give it a fun twist.

You can also use your footwear to give a nod to your venue of choice. Think about pairing your bridesmaid dresses with boots to truly embrace the ranch!

Shorter boots can look great with long dresses. Or proper gringo boots look amazing with a shorter skirt.

These are also far comfier than heels. So your bridesmaids will thank you when they hit the dancefloor!

Think About the Accessories

These small details really tie together your wedding look, so take the time to think about them.

Depending on your color palette, turquoise jewelry can give a nod to western fashion. It is a bold color, so works well in small accessories rather than as a dress color. And it can add vibrancy to softer tones without overpowering them.

Flower garlands are another lovely way to acknowledge a natural, rustic setting. They also look amazing!

For extra detail, check out the wildflowers in the area of your wedding venue. Adding these to flower garlands will make them look even more at home in your wedding photos.

Open Up the Discussion

Your bridesmaids are the ones who have to wear the dress you choose, so it's important to listen to their opinions.

This can be difficult, especially if you have a big group of bridesmaids. So try to be understanding and fair.

If you're going for a color palette of dresses rather than one look, pick several different styles. That way you can see what people prefer and go from there.

You want everyone to feel confident and happy on the day. Finding something they want to wear can really support this.

Getting your bridesmaids to help you research dresses also cuts down on your workload. And they might come across some amazing ideas that you missed!

The Bottom Line

It's important to know how to pick bridesmaids dresses for your rustic wedding. Picking the wrong ones could throw the look of your day off balance. So do your research.

Don't be afraid to go for something a little different that embraces your venue's look. And use your bridesmaids to find something amazing that they all love.

For more tips on perfecting your rustic wedding, check out our blog. Or get in touch today to book your dream venue.