Bridal Party Wedding Attire
If you’ve already picked your wedding date, venue, and color palette, congratulations! You’ve made it through some of the biggest decisions. But now comes one that’s just as fun (and sometimes a little tricky): choosing your bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s suits.
This part of wedding planning is where style meets personality. You want everyone to look good, feel good, and fit the overall vibe of your day, but balancing all that can feel like a lot. Don’t worry, we’ve seen it all here at Hidden Springs Venue, and we’ve gathered a few tips to help you find that perfect mix of timeless, flattering, and true-to-you.
1. Start with Your Venue and Season
Before you even start browsing dress swatches or suit fabrics, look to your venue and the time of year. They’ll guide your entire look and help narrow down your choices.
For example:
If you’re having an outdoor Tennessee wedding in spring or summer, lighter fabrics like chiffon and linen will feel breezy and comfortable.
For fall or winter weddings (especially in a barn wedding venue), richer tones and textures, like velvet bridesmaid dresses or wool suits, fit beautifully with the cozy, romantic atmosphere.
Think about your ceremony and photo backdrop. At Hidden Springs Venue, our couples often choose warm, earthy tones like terracotta, sage, or champagne that complement the natural landscape.
Your venue sets the mood, and your bridal party’s attire should enhance it, not compete with it.
2. Pick a Color Palette That Works with Your Whole Vision
Color can be the hardest part of this process, but it’s also the most fun. Instead of locking into one exact color, think in shades or tones that work together.
For example:
Mix-and-match neutrals: Blush, tan, cream, and taupe — great for outdoor or barn weddings.
Earthy elegance: Olive, rust, gold, and burnt orange — perfect for fall Tennessee weddings.
Classic contrast: Black suits and champagne dresses always photograph beautifully and feel timeless.
Soft romantic: Mauve, dusty blue, or sage for a spring or garden wedding.
Pro tip: Choose your main color, then find a few complementary tones for variety. When everyone stands together, the look feels intentional but still dynamic.
At Hidden Springs, we’ve seen wedding parties wear soft pastels that pop against our rustic wood barn, and deep jewel tones that glow under our string lights, both work beautifully depending on your theme.
3. Consider Comfort and Confidence
It’s easy to get caught up in the photos, but at the end of the day, you want your bridal party to feel confident and comfortable. The happier they feel, the better your energy (and your pictures!) will be.
Here’s how to make that happen:
Ask for input. Give your bridesmaids and groomsmen a chance to share preferences or concerns before you finalize choices.
Offer options. If possible, let bridesmaids pick from a few dress styles in the same color. Similarly, groomsmen can choose different tie patterns or suit cuts that fit them best.
Keep weather in mind. No one wants to melt in a full suit at a July ceremony or freeze in a sleeveless dress in December.
At our Chattanooga wedding venue, we always recommend breathable fabrics for outdoor summer weddings and layering options (like shawls or suit jackets) for fall and winter. The more comfortable everyone is, the more they can relax and celebrate with you.
4. Coordinate: Don’t Match Too Much
Gone are the days when every bridesmaid wore the same exact dress and every groomsman had identical suits. The modern trend is coordinated, not cloned and we love it.
Let bridesmaids wear dresses in the same color family but different styles. It flatters different body types and adds visual interest.
Mix textures like chiffon, satin, and velvet for depth.
For groomsmen, try the same suit color but slightly different ties, pocket squares, or boutonnieres.
One of our favorite weddings at Hidden Springs featured bridesmaids in varying shades of green, from sage to emerald, while the groomsmen wore tan suits with green ties. The photos were stunning, and the look felt cohesive without being overly “matchy.”
5. Think About Your Wedding Theme
Your wedding style should influence what your bridal party wears. Think about the atmosphere you’re trying to create:
Rustic or barn wedding: Earth tones, suspenders, and soft fabrics work beautifully.
Elegant and classic: Black tuxes and satin dresses never go out of style.
Boho or whimsical: Flowy silhouettes, floral prints, and natural tones fit the vibe perfectly.
Modern and sleek: Neutral colors and clean lines think black, champagne, or muted blue.
Our Tennessee wedding location is naturally versatile you can dress it up for a formal event or keep things relaxed and earthy. Either way, your bridal party’s outfits should enhance your theme, not fight against it.
6. Don’t Forget the Details
The small touches pull the whole look together and they’re often what make your photos look polished.
For bridesmaids:
Coordinating jewelry or hair accessories (but not necessarily identical).
Matching bouquets that complement your main flowers without overpowering them.
For groomsmen:
Matching boutonnieres, ties, or bowties.
Pocket squares or tie bars for a little extra style.
And don’t overlook the shoes, especially for outdoor weddings. Heels might not mix well with grassy fields, so consider wedges or flats. For groomsmen, brown leather shoes usually pair beautifully with both navy and gray suits for a more natural Tennessee look.
7. Try Everything On Together
Before you order or rent everything, see if you can gather your bridal party to try on outfits together or at least look at the fabrics side-by-side.
Sometimes colors that look great online clash in person, or fabrics reflect light differently. Seeing everything together (even virtually) helps you spot those little mismatches before the big day.
At Hidden Springs Venue, our couples often use their final walkthrough day as a chance to bring swatches or samples to the venue. Holding them up against the wood tones, lighting, and natural backdrop can help you visualize how everything will photograph.
8. Keep It Simple and True to You
The most beautiful bridal parties we see aren’t necessarily the most coordinated they’re the ones that look like you.
If you love bright colors, lean into them. If you prefer neutrals, embrace that classic look. Don’t stress about following every trend just choose what feels right for your style, your story, and your venue.
Remember: your bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to support you. The colors, fabrics, and styles are just the finishing touches on what really matters your relationships and the memories you’re creating together.
Choosing bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s suits can feel like one more big decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Start with your venue, season, and theme, and everything else will naturally fall into place.
At Hidden Springs Venue, we’ve seen every combination under the sun from elegant black-tie weddings to relaxed outdoor celebrations and the common thread is always this: when everyone feels comfortable and confident, the whole day shines.
So whether you’re dreaming of soft pastels, rich fall tones, or something completely unique, trust your gut and choose what feels right for your story. The people standing by your side are there because they love you — and whatever they’re wearing, that love is what will make your photos (and your memories) absolutely perfect.
If you’re still searching for the right Tennessee wedding venue for your big day, come visit us at HiddenSpringsVenue Our spaces are designed to complement any color palette or wedding style — and we’d love to help bring your vision to life, from the first fitting to the final dance.
