22nd March 2023
Your wedding day will likely be your most photographed day of your life. It’s often the images from your big day that are shared on every anniversary, mother’s day, father’s day, birthdays, and the all important #ThrowbackThursdays – are we still doing those?
Due to this, most couples want to make their images as aesthetic as possible; we like the theory that a fashion union symbolises a happy union. Now, we’re definitely not referring to 100% matching outfits, we mean the classy and subtle way to look coordinated and stylish.
When it comes to effortless co-ordination, it can be things like the accent colours, co-ordinated silhouettes, and even complementary textures which make you look the part.
In this blogpost, we spoke to Sunnie Delilah from Delilah’s Dressing Room on her top tips when clients ask her for advice on coordinating.
Matching colours is definitely the most common way to coordinate your outfits. Often, couples choose to work with the same few accessory and clothing designers to ensure that the shade range matches well. By going to too many different places for coordinated outfits, you risk a variation in shade charts. Some brides actually prefer the ‘almost same, but different’ look – so this is just something to be aware of.
By no means do the couple and both parties need to coordinate the exact colour, down the the hex code. Instead, you want to sit with your partner and narrow down a shade range and colour palette for everyone to work off of.
This will often consist of the following: 1x base colour, 1x lighter shade in the base colour, 1x darker shade in the base colour, 1x complementary neutral, 1x contrast colour.
This will set the tone, and gives your wedding parties enough flexibility if you choose to coordinate by colour.
As an example, Simran & Avjeet chose to co-ordinate their wedding parties by colour, and they looked incredible.
For the couple who is more maximalist and likes something unique – this is definitely the most perfect way for you to co-ordinate!
To add some more intrigue with your outfits, you can coordinate them by matching patterns; guaranteed to truly make a statement. You can choose a pattern that complements your wedding theme or use a pattern that has special significance to you as a couple.
In her recent wedding, Alanna Panday & Ivor chose to match their tropical theme pattern motif of cranes & forest trees in their own outfits, and with their parents.
For your wedding, if you’re having a beach wedding, you can wear outfits with a tropical print. The bride can wear an intricate lehenga with a customised subtle palm leaf print, while the groom can wear a pocket square with a complementary Hawaiian print. The bridesmaids and groomsmen can wear pocket squares or bow ties with similar patterns in contrasting shade ranges.
The most subtle & re-wearable (aka more sustainable!) way to coordinate your bridal party is definitely with matching accessories. This is a subtle way to coordinate, where the little details have a big impact on your guests and in the final pictures.
It’s arguably also one of the more cost-effective and logistically easier ways to co-ordinate everyone. Everyone in your wedding party has the freedom to pick the base outfit ie. groomsmen suit or kurta of their choice, something which they will happily re-wear, with a little accessory touch to make them look united.
Often overlooked, couples don’t realise the impact of coordinating textures on their wedding day. It’s the littlest of details which make the difference ie. how a colour appears on different fabrics or how different materials might photograph as different shades under harsh lighting.
It can be something as simple as co-ordinating satin accessories across all of your wedding party, or even a slight element of lace throughout.
The perfect way to get all of your wedding guests involved! If you have a specific wedding decor theme, you can have a certain dress code (the more generic, the better!) of either a certain overarching theme.
It of course means ensuring your outfit matches the theme to perfection, knowing that each of your guests will be wearing an outfit or accessories to match. It’s a sweet way to get the guests involved and excited, and definitely makes for some picture perfect moments.
Additionally, try to match the theme to your specific venue or location. For example, if you are having a destination wedding in Tenerife, you can have a tropical oasis themed mehndi. You can also use natural elements, such as branches or flowers, to decorate your ceremony and reception space.
When choosing to coordinate, or not to coordinate, it ultimately comes down to personal choice & preference. We’ve heard a few stories of times where coordinating hasn’t quite gone as planned, so here’s a few to be mindful of.
Don’t go overboard! Too much of anything isn’t usually great. You want to really focus on complementary colours & patterns, and the less is more approach. By coordinating every single outfit down to the shoes, you might risk everyone looking too forced and unnatural.
Consider everyones style. Often, everyone in your wedding party will have a different style. Remember that your wedding party will be wearing these outfits for hours, so it’s essential to select pieces that are comfortable to move and dance in. Also, consider the body types and personal styles of each individual to ensure everyone feels confident and beautiful.
Be mindful of costs! If you have demands on how you want your wedding parties to coordinate, be mindful of adding large expenses onto them. They may not say anything, but it’s always something to be considerate of.
Lastly, avoid leaving outfit coordination to the last minute. Start planning and communicating with your wedding party well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress or complications. With a little bit of planning and consideration, you can ensure your wedding party looks and feels amazing on your special day.
When it comes to coordinating pieces, Delilah’s Dressing Room has been making bespoke orders for over 8 years now. As well as their readymade pieces, they also curate bespoke orders to suit your exact vision. Whether you are looking for something utterly fancy, or extremely simple & elegant, they can do it all.
They specialise in, but are not limited to: Ramaals, Bow Ties, Ties, Pocket Squares, Braces, Floral Lapel Pins and Hair Accessories.
Enquire for your bespoke accessories here.
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