There is a reason why kings and queens over the ages have enveloped themselves in rich, dark reds and majestic purples - it is a color combo that just oozes opulence, warmth and a celebration of life.

And these colors are just perfect for fall or winter if you don't want to go down the russet, orange and earth shades route. 

Image left Elizabeth Cake Emporium, After Six Bridesmaids Style 6697

Just look at the sheer exuberance captured in these ideas. You can also mix purples and red up with gold. 

Dress one maid in a dark purple, the other in a striking flame red. (Or mix up the two shades with Dessy's clever collection of separates.) 

Left to right: Social Bridesmaids Style 8186, Social Bridesmaids Style 8159

Have trails of purple orchids and red roses festooning the lengths of your tables. Tie your chairs with alternating chiffons in flame and aubergine colors. 

If you want to get this theme right, you have to work it to the full - it's not a choice if you're the shy, retiring sort. 

From left: Social Bridesmaids Style 8182, Dessy Collection Maternity Bridesmaid Dress M432

Browse through the different shades of Pantone purples and reds on offer. (The joy of using a Pantone color is that you can share it with your caterer, your florist, your stationer and know that you're matching everything up just the way you want it. 

Other ideas for using purple and red

• Let your bridesmaids wear purple shoes with red dresses (or the other way around if you prefer)
• Carry a bunch of red roses and choose purple blooms for your maids
• Wrap your red roses in purple ribbon
• Let your bridegroom and his party get in on the act with purple cravats and vests (or may be red, or maybe mix up both colors, alternating between the groomsmen)
• Drive off in a red car?
• Talk to your florist about dark purple and red flower choices
• Have dark purple petals interspersed with red for your wedding confetti
• Maybe have rose and violet chocolate creams on your wedding tables  

Just some of the red and purple shades you can choose for bridesmaid dresses from Dessy

Main picture image credits: 

Tothebrideandgroomupdate.blogspot.com, linentablecloth.com, dkdesignshawaii.blogspot.co.uk

Blue is an ideal color to choose for your wedding day for all sorts of reasons.

• You'll find plenty of flowers in blue
• It works through spring, summer and winter
• There are so many shades of blue that you're sure to find one that suits your taste - and your bridesmaids.

How To Choose The Right Shade

Unless your bridesmaids are all identical, which is unlikely, then they're going to have different skin tones and different complexions. A color that looks fantastic on one girl could drain the look of another.

So you need to rethink choosing one color and have different hues of the same shade, so that you can mix and match to suit each girl. Somebody who's fair skinned and blonde might look wonderful in a pale ice blue. And a girl with brown eyes and darker coloring would suit something brighter.

To help you choose, you can use our Pantone color tools with different color swatches. Hold them up to each girl and see which shades bring out the best in them. All our bridesmaid dresses come in a variety of different Pantone colors so you're bound to find one that's right.

From left: After Six Bridesmaid style 1505, Alfred Sung Style D745

What About Bridesmaid Dress Designs?

Don't feel either that you have to put your girls in the same style frocks. Look at the photographs above and think about who would suit a halter neck, who'd look good in something strapless and who would look best in sleeves. Dessy has plenty of designs to browse through. If your girls are curvaceous, Dessy styles are all available in plus sizes and if you've young, pre-teen bridesmaids who are too old to be flowergirls but won't fit an adult style, then check out our Junior Bridesmaid dresses.

From left: Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1001, After Six Bridesmaids Style 6784

Think About The Seasons

If you're marrying in winter, then rich deep blues and cool ice blues would look wonderful. In spring you could match the colors of spring flowers like hyacinths. For summer, both pastels and brights would work. Maybe pastels for a rural wedding and country style flowers?

A Final Trick

For your wedding bouquet, you could choose the blue shades that your bridesmaids are wearing. And then get the counter-contrast by having all-white bouquets made for your maids, to tie in with your wedding dress.

Now that would be stylish.

Will you be putting your girls in blue? Or have you another color in mind?

All bridesmaid dresses shown by Dessy 

A few readers have asked us about gold bridesmaid dresses and we're happy to oblige.

Gold is a fabulous wedding choice. It has a mood of celebration about it and wedding rings are traditionally gold of course! 

It also works well as a neutral, which could be a surprise to you. You can match gold with many other shades - pinks, purples, blues, greens...

From left: After Six Bridesmaids Style 6784, Bella Bridesmaids style BB107

As for textures, you might want to work the metallic trend and have gold sequinned bridesmaid dresses, like those shown above (which also come in a subtle rose gold).  Or maybe gold gowns in a silky satin.

From left: Dessy Bridesmaid Dress 3002, JJenny Yoo Bridesmaid Style JY537

To keep the gold low key, look at our shimmering golden dresses.

From left: After Six Bridesmaids Style 6781, After Six Bridesmaid Dress 6761

Thinking about colors

If you're planning a wedding and trying to make sure that every aspect of it is color-coordinated, rest assured in knowing that you're not the first bride to take on a task like this.

From left: Flower Girl Dress FL4053, Studio Design Collection Style 4534

Here are some tips if you're still unsure about colors. Getting your colors right will make your wedding 'sing' beautifully - but if they're wrong, the whole look have a jarring note.

1. Think about the venue. If your venue has a certain color of walls or carpet that stand out, you should consider this before picking a color scheme that will clash with the actual venue.
2. Know exactly what kind of colors you're working with. Saying 'green' just isn't going to cut it. There are way too many shades of each color green. Make sure you know specifically what colors you're working with so that you don't end up purchasing things that are in the wrong hue.
3. Think about where you'll be using the color. It's quite popular to use color in the invitations, wedding cake, flowers, and favors. Of course you can think outside the box with this, but plan on using your colors here first and foremost.

Make sure you pick colors you love! Have fun!

Whilst we love the idea of DIY weddings, we always urge caution because if you're not careful, you can end up taking on too much and getting really stressed out. 

However, having a DIY cupcake bar would be just perfect, particularly if you're having an informal, buffet style event. 

At a DIY cupcake bar, you create a table (with a sign on top like this one maybe, to instruct your guests) decorate it prettily and pile high with 'nude' cupcakes - maybe just plain, vanilla, chocolate.  You can also have vegan and vegetarian cupcakes so all your guests are catered for - and maybe a gluten free version. (You'll find a recipe for gluten-free cupcakes here). 

Then have plenty of frostings and decorations to hand. Your guests can wander over and decide on the flavors and decor they want (there's probably going to be a bit of competitive decorating going on at some point too). 

Planning ahead

This is a great idea because you can do so much of the planning before your big day. Make the cupcakes in advance and put them in the freezer. Whip up your toppings and keep them in the fridge. We've found some delicious frosting recipes here - including cookie dough, vanilla bean, dulce de leche ... 

You can ask your caterer to lay out the cupcake table - just make sure it's obvious how you want it to look and where everything should go. 

Don't forget to have plenty of spoons in different sizes handy. 

Here's an easy and reliable plain and basic cupcake recipe from Martha Stewart with clear instructions. 

Other ideas for frostings and toppings 

• Fresh raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries ...
• Pomegranate seeds
• Different flavour frostings - blueberries, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, fudge ...
• Put sauces in pouring bottles and make handmade labels so everyone knows what they are

Decorating your table

Put plates at different heights for visual interest

A tablecloth can create a mood very simply. Opt for gingham or something floral if you're having a country style wedding or a classic block color if you want a more contemporary feel. 

Things are probably going to get a little messy! So make sure there are plenty of serviettes around. 

Don't forget to put flowers on the decorating table - small posies would probably work best rather than large arrangements.

Finally - if you've got young children at your wedding, then you need to make sure that they are supervised before being let loose on a cupcake decorating table. It could be great fun ... but get very sticky! 

Image credits: A Beautiful Mess 

Wedding trends are something that we here at Dessy keep a key eye on and one that looks as though it's going to be big in 2018 and 2019 is a white wedding with black accents. 

It's a stylish way of adding a classic individuality to your big day. 

How to get white with black accents right 

• Think about how you're going to dress your bridesmaids. You can go for separates - a white top with a slinky black metallic skirt. Or classic stripes. Or a white bridesmaid dress with a black belt or shoulder detail
• Opt for classic wedding invitations. White card with black calligraphy. What could be easier? 
• On your tables, go for white chairs with black cushions. Or if you're having a DIY wedding, you could have a black table runner with white flower arrangements
• White anenomes are the perfect flower for this wedding theme. Why? Because they naturally come with black centers. Easy! 
• Tie a white wedding bouquet with a striped black ribbon
• Use black charger plates underneath white plates on your table settings
• Metallic accents - like silver or gold - also go well with this wedding theme
• Don't forget your wedding tables. A white wedding cake will never go out of style - but have it decorated with a black or black and white striped ribbon. Have a cascade of black flowers falling down the tiers. On the table itself, make a nod to the metallic trend going on and get your caterer to cover it with a black sequinned tablecloth. 

Florals and polka dots are other ways of embracing this theme if you don't want to go for block black colors. From left: Alfred Sung Style D755FP, Alfred Sung Style D699CP

Add a bit of glamor. Sequins and metallics are having a real moment right now and this dress by Dessy on the left hits all the right notes. From left: After Six Bridesmaids Style 6784,  Studio Design Collection 4512 Full Length Halter Top Bridesmaid Dress

Think about separates. From left: After Six Bridesmaid style S1509, Alfred Sung Style D699, 

Main image credits clockwise from top left: Rachelle's Beautiful Bespoke CakesRachelle's Beautiful Bespoke Cakes, Dessy Alfred Sung Style D707P, Rachelle's Beautiful Bespoke Cakes, Wedding Chicks, Pinterest,  Wedding Chicks, Pinterest. 

Just sometimes, you're in need of a little more coverage shall we say? 

• Maybe it's more appropriate at your wedding ceremony that shoulders and maybe arms are covered.
• Maybe the weather's a little on the chilly side and you want your bridesmaids to be a little warmer.
• Maybe some of your bridesmaids aren't too happy about showing off their upper arms.

Whatever the reason, you might be looking for bridesmaids' dresses that have sleeves.

 Which are just what Dessy has designed for you. 

Take a look through our selection and you'll find beautiful frocks with long lace sleeves that work seamlessly with a beautiful bodice. 

• Or a long flowing sleeve that's slashed in the middle. 
• Maybe you fancy floaty chiffon sleeves, which flatter the upper arm. 
• Or maybe you're looking for a simple cap sleeve.
• Or a draped sleeve that works with a high neckline. 

Well, Dessy has it all covered. And in some beautiful fabrics too - from filmy chiffons and elegant laces, through to soft jersey.

Maybe not all your bridesmaids want to wear a sleeve. In that case, creating a look that works throughout is no problem, as many of our gowns complement one another perfectly, as you can see from the designs above. And with many of our dresses available in the same shade, color matching isn't going to be an issue. We also have some beautiful wraps which work well as a cover up. 

Which color for you?

As for the different hues on offer - you can browse through gentle pastels, romantic pinks and baby blues. Or look to enhance your neutral palette. 

On the other hand, if you're looking for some dazzling colors which offer vibrancy, then you'll find our sleeved bridesmaid gowns in hot pinks, flame reds and rich purples. 

So many pretty colors

That's because we know that every bride has a different vision of her own wedding day - and so we offer a real rainbow of colors to help you make your visual dream match up. 

Discover all these styles shown and all the bridesmaids dresses with sleeves from Dessy here. 

I keep a strong eye out for wedding trends and one that's going to be big is the color lavender. 

Lavender looks set to take over from millennial pink in 2018 and beyond. Why this shade? 

• It's a soft pastel that also has depth
• It's also a flavor - think lavender flavored macarons, cakes, desserts ...you can even get lavender flavored teas
• It's a fragrance
• It's a flower (almost a herb actually) that looks wonderful interspersed into wedding bouquets (and smells romantic too). 
• It's such a versatile shade - you can use it as a base color and then introduce deeper mauves, purples and lilacs as visual focal points (see the paper lanterns in the image above). 
• Lavender is very romantic ... without being sickly sweet
• It's a classic
• Decorate your wedding with lavender wreaths and pots of lavender and let the scent waft through to give your venue a soft, summer fragrance
• You can use lavender to create an essential oil which can be used for massage to soothe headaches and promote sleep and relaxation. Maybe an idea for a wedding favor?  

When it comes to looking out for lavender bridesmaid dresses, then you'll love the choice available at Dessy (in different fabrics from lace to a filmy chiffon). The shade you probably want to opt for is 'Passion' although you could mix it up with the 'Lavender Garden' print dresses. 

Here's a selection to get you thinking - sleeveless, sleeved, flowergirl or a grown-up number for a teen bridesmaid.  

From left to right: After Six Bridesmaid Style 6794 Lavender Garden, After Six Bridesmaids Style 6781 Passion

From left to right: After Six Bridesmaid Style 6794 Passion, After Six Bridesmaids Style 6781 Lavender Garden

From left to right: Dessy Collection Junior Bridesmaid Dress JR543, Flower Girl Dress FL4053 Lavender Garden

From left to right: After Six Bridesmaid Style 6777 in Passion and Lavender Garden

Main image credits clockwise from top left: Boho Weddings, Premiere Party Rents, Pinterest, Flowergirl dress by Dessy, Clipzine, Junior bridesmaid dress by Dessy, Rosalind Miller Cakes, Floral bridesmaid dress by Dessy.

1. Every girl gets to wear a style that flatters her figure. Love your shoulders? Show them off. Self-conscious about your waistline? Adjust the draping. 
2. The Twist Dress comes in a variety of gorgeous fabrics and lengths.You can choose jersey, a chiffon overlay, long, cocktail length, add a bandeau ...that's why they're convertible.
3. Trousers at a wedding. Why not? The Twist Wrap Shimmer Jumpsuit drapes so elegantly ... 
4. Want to look demure at the afternoon wedding but smokin' hot at the evening party? Adjust your dress accordingly.
5. With 32 different Pantone colors from which to choose, you can mix and match to your heart's desire. Every girl gets to choose a color that suits their complexion.
6. It's easy to create an ombre effect all the shades on offer - platinum, heather and tahiti shades would look just fine. 
7. Metallics? Yep, you got them. There's a Soho Metallic Twist dress, a shimmering jersey dress and of course the Metallic Jumpsuit. 
8. So the wedding is on a tropical island and you forgot to pack an iron? The Twist Dress is a perfect travelling companion and just shakes out, fresh and ready to go, with no wrinkles from long haul flying. 
9. This really is a bridesmaid dress that will be worn over and over again. Rather than a curiosity that hangs at the back of the closet, taking up space for no particular reason.  
10. Create color combinations by working a bandeau in one shade with a twist dress in another. Maybe monochrome. Maybe shades of pink? 
11. The Twist Wrap Dress is a modern day classic so it's not going to look hilariously dated in photographs. The look is all in the cut and the drape, not in fussy details that are going to scream "that was 2018" or whenever. 
12. If you've added a few pounds or lost a few in the run up to the wedding, then a Twist Dress won't mind too much. It's forgiving that way. 
13. A Twist Dress is a great option to wear during pregnancy. Wrap your bump in whatever way makes you feel comfortable. 
14. Nobody feels like an identikit bridesmaid. Unless of course you girls all decide to wrap your dresses in the same way. Your call.
15. We've yet to see a photograph of a bridesmaid looking unhappy in a Dessy Twist convertible dress. 

You're an elegant, sophisticated lady and it's your daughter's big day. (And you're wondering how did she grow up so fast?)

Which is just wonderful. Except you're thinking. WHAT ON EARTH AM I GOING TO WEAR?

Well, don't panic. There are some wonderful mother of the bride role models out there who in our opinion got the big day absolutely right and dressed the part to perfection.

 

A post shared by Metro Society (@metrosocietyph) on May 20, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

We salute you Carole Middleton!

Carole Middleton (mother of Duchess Kate and sister Pippa Middleton). Okay, so she may have a larger bank balance than the average mother of the bride but that doesn't necessarily give someone taste and style (although in her case she has both in spades and in fact, as a role model for how the older woman looks, we don't think she puts a foot wrong really).

 

A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Feb 3, 2016 at 2:15am PST

Carole got a number of things right on her daughters' wedding days, namely:

• She avoided layers of shiny silk
• She didn't have a complicated hair-do
• She didn't go overboard on the make-up (bright red lipstick etc.)
• She looked comfortable and true to herself. Sure, she's in great shape but she will have enhanced her good points and disguised the bad.
• She gets tailoring. Her outfits fitted her beautifully. Her jackets fitted her like a glove, the skirts were just the right length and fit - not too loose, not too tight.
• She forgot about on trend fashion. Carole went for classic styling, so these wedding pictures aren't going to date any time soon.
• She embraced pastels. She wore pale blue for one wedding and pale pink for another. Both shades flattered her skin tone completely.

 

A post shared by Kelly Lynch (@hrh_klynch) on Jul 20, 2016 at 8:29pm PDT

Rules for the mother of the bride

• Don't wear white or cream (yes we know, it's obvious, but you'd be surprised ...)
• Don't wear a plunging neckline at an afternoon wedding (change into evening dress for an evening party)
• Don't allow yourself to be pigeon holed into a 'mother of the bride' outfit. Have a look at movie stars of a similar age and see what they're wearing. Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep tend to get it right.
• If you think you look better in trousers, then wear them. Just make sure they're tailored and worn with a well cut jacket.
• Don't wear an over-large hat - people will want to see your face in the pictures.
• If you're buying off-the-peg, then consider having your outfit altered. A good dressmaker or seamstress will alter a standard fit to fit you perfectly and it's well worth spending the money on a few alterations.
• If you're not happy to show your upper arms, then consider a dress with lace sleeves - which will flatter and disguise. Bracelet length sleeves are usually the most flattering.

Department stores are good places to shop because they have a vast and varied selection. However, a boutique might be more personal and have limited designs (so you don't run the risk of someone else wearing the same outfit!)

Alternatively, you might like to check out the new Jenny Packham range of dresses at Dessy, which feature lace and are super elegant.

 

A post shared by margô 🍸 (@oldwitxh) on Jan 27, 2018 at 5:22am PST

Are you more of a soft baby blue or a rose quartz? Or is a pale green more your shade? 

Look at the images here and see which colors just jump out at you.  (If none of them strike a note, then you're maybe better off with bold shades or maybe monochrome? 

Alluring pastel wedding colors

Combining pastel shades with chic vintage designs creates a picture perfect wedding day. A pastel theme is actually extremely versatile - you can use just one shade - or combine it with one or more pastels. Above we've mixed After Six Bridesmaid Style 1505 with Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1007 (which comes in plenty of other different colors too. 

Mixing pastels and prints

We're all about mixing up different looks for your maids - which is why we have created a whole selection of print bridesmaid frocks in different pastel shades. 

From left:  Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1005, Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1003.

If you're having a romantic, dreamy rustic wedding, then you're going to nail that wedding look completely. Offer your girl a print gown with a pink, green or blue base. Intermix with block pastel colors. 

Dessy has recently introduced a range of bridesmaid dresses by Jenny Packham and they are just so, so elegant ... your maids are going to love them. 

From left:  Dessy Collection Style 3012, Jenny Packham Bridesmaid Style JP1006.

Complement your pale blue bridesmaid gowns with this delicate Country Rose wedding cake by Sweetness, detailed with vintage pink roses and a subtle polka dot pattern. Investigate having pretty rose, bone china tea cups for serving afternoon tea, like those shown here. 

• When looking at a combination of colors, why not have your bridesmaids in the same dress, but each in a different pastel shade? Each bridesmaid could carry the same bouquet of flowers, with a flower in each bouquet corresponding to the shade of the bridesmaid's dress. 
• The ladies could also wear stunning corsage bracelets in pastels. Your bridesmaids could wear them in place of a bouquet, the mother of the bride could replace a fascinator or hat with one, or you could give them out as wedding favors to all your female guests.
• When it comes to decorating your venue for the reception, the possibilities are endless. Think about having a pastel-themed dessert table, a sweet delight ... 

Image credits clockwise from top: Jenny Packham bridesmaid dress by Dessy, Rock My Wedding, Pinterest, Bridesmaid dress by Dessy, Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, Pinterest, Shropshire Petals, Bridesmaid dress by Dessy, Rock My Wedding, One Thousand Words