20 Must-Have Bridal Shower Dresses to Shop Now (2024)

FAQs

What color should a bride wear to her bridal shower? ›

"Typically, the first formal pre-wedding event is your bridal shower, and this is a great party to own the tradition of the bride in white," Fritz says.

“Nothing too risqué, nothing to overshadow the bride in any way, and nothing too formal,” says Abbasi. “Go with fun, comfortable, and whatever makes you feel your best self.” Simply put, no white ensembles, no outfits with extravagant silhouettes, like ball gowns, and no skin-barring getups.

Two dresses for the wedding are already standard for most brides – one for the registry office and one for the church or free wedding ceremony. The possibilities are endless and there are no limits to individuality. For every budget there are many alternatives now.

Bridal shower guest attire can include short, midi and maxi dresses, or jumpsuits and dressy separates, including tops and blouses, trousers, jeans and skirts.

Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.

Don't wear white. This wedding guest rule of etiquette applies to bridal showers as well. Since the bride-to-be often wears white to her shower, you don't want to seem like you're competing for her spotlight. Don't wear black.

In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.

Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.

When deciding whether your mother-of-the-bride dress should be long or short, it's important to consider the wedding venue and formality. A formal setting calls for a more upscale ensemble (like something floor-length), while a shorter, more casual wedding outfit is appropriate for laid-back celebrations.

Does the mother of the bride wear a long or short dress? ›

A: The Mother of the Bride needs to coordinate with the Mother of the Groom and decide whether they will be wearing long or short dresses, but both are acceptable.

The most common sizes sampled are bridal sizes 10 or 12, with outliers on either end. These samples sizes can be tried on by most, but rarely do they fit perfectly.

When in doubt, wear a dress. It's the ultimate in femininity and the most popular way to dress for a bridal shower. Classic styles like the wraps sheaths, shifts, or fit and flare dresses are ideal because they're on the conservative side.

If the event is more casual, Singla said guests "could pair a blouse and trousers, a flowy dress, or a jumpsuit." Whatever you decide to wear, aim for something photo-friendly. According to Young, this is especially key if you're family or close friends with the future bride and groom.

Gifts given at traditional bridal showers should have a focus on what the bride likes, wants, or needs. Common gift ideas include vases, cookware, champagne glasses, sleepwear, fine linens, picture frames, and home decor items. Any items specified on a bridal shower registry fall under this category.

You'll want to take some time to create invitations that accurately reflect the tone and theme of the shower. If you're not sure where to start, we have a few suggestions! – Choose a color scheme that matches the bride's wedding colors.

White is the colour of innocence and purity. An age old choice for the more traditional brides including royalty and remains the colour of choice for many cultural or religious reasons too. Ivory is a modern classic that signifies the values of white with a more up to date meaning of love and commitment.

For example, you could serve up her favorite foods and signature drink, decorate in (or wear) her favorite color or reference a film or book she loves in the theme and décor. It's a fun way to make the bride feel extra special on her big day. Add personal details. The guests should feel special too.

While it's customary for brides to wear white during their pre-wedding events, you don't have to stick to this traditional hue for your bachelorette party if your aesthetics tend to be more vibrant. "I personally think: It's your bachelorette wear whatever makes you feel AMAZING!