(Image credits clockwise from top left: Caitlin B Photography, Pinterest, Dessy Style 4512, Zack Wolf Photography.)

Who doesn't love blue? It's one of the most easy-going colors around, with so many shades with so many names.

We're thinking mist, bluebell, periwinkle, storm, navy, sapphire, hyacinth, cornflower, sky ... So it's perfect for mixing and matching, playing around with an ombre theme, as you see here.

Want blue flowers in your wedding bouquets?

Think of all the shades of blue that take their names from blooms and you'll realise you'll have no trouble sourcing the right shades for you. Think delphinums, forget-me-nots, larkspur, hydrangeas.

We love blues for coastal weddings, particularly in light and airy shades. Wear a light blue in a floaty chiffon on a warm beach and let the breezes waft around you.

Blues are also perfect for a spring wedding and for mid-summer, country-style wedding days.

Blue and metallics

Shimmering golds and silvers are a big wedding trend happening just now. Pair blue bridesmaids frocks with metallic sandals and you'll be right there.

On your tables you can have a shiny sequinned table runner over a blue cloth. Carry the ombre theme through to your wedding chair covers with different shades of blue, rather than just the one.

From left to right: Style 6752 , Junior Bridesmaid JR519, Style 2991

Which blues for your maids?

The best way to decide is to get some colored fabric samples from Dessy and hold them up to each bridesmaid's face.

Traditionally blondes look wonderful in a pale ice blue, whereas those with darker complexions and hair will bring out the richness of a turquoise or cornflower blue.

But then again, you could be surprised.

If you're marrying in winter, you might want to dress your maids in heavier fabrics - keeping gossamer thin materials for warmer days. Add a shrug or a stole to keep the cold out.

Another thing about blue - it works from day to night beautifully, so if you're having an afternoon wedding that moves onto evening, then blue is a great decision.

(All images via Dessy Facebook page)

Today we're going to be talking goddess-style bridesmaid gowns - or to be a little more down to earth, let's call them one-shouldered bridesmaid dresses. Or maybe you'd describe them as asymmetric frocks.

Whatever. One thing is for sure though - they will make your maids look fabulous. Just look at these pictures of real bridesmaids wearing one-shouldered dresses at weddings to see.

1. If your maids have athletic figures and broad shoulders then an asymmetric-styled frock will make them look very feminine
2. Toned arms look fabulous in one-shoulder dresses
3. See how a flattering ruched style would work for your bridesmaids
4. One shoulder styles work well for girls with a larger bust as they offer more support than a strapless gown
5. However they also work for girls with a smaller bust if they're ruched
6. If the bride is going for a strapless gown, then a one-shoulder style creates a themed look (which will look wonderful in the photographs)
7. Large chandelier earrings work beautifully with a one shoulder dress. You don't want to wear a necklace with this style - just put the jewellery focus on ears (and maybe add a bracelet or two)
8. This is a style that won't date in a hurry. It's a classic - dating from Ancient Greece!
9. Styles come in a range of fabrics - from a floaty chiffon through to a rich satin
10. Shoulder details can be simple, or feature diamante for a bit of glitz or delicate fabric flowers

If you're having a cocktail party wedding, check out Dessy's shorter styled one-shoulder frocks

We've shown gowns in blush pink here, but Dessy has over 30 beautiful different styles of one shouldered bridesmaid dress in a rainbow of colors - so you can pick out whichever works for you. Our styles come in floral fabrics and darker shades of course, both of which would work well at future events - whether a garden party or a formal evening dinner and dance.

(All frocks by Dessy. Clockwise from top left: Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid style JY534, Flowergirl dress FL4054, After Six Bridesmaid Dress, Flowergirl dress FL4053, Flowergirl dress 4033, After Six Bridesmaid style T1507, Flowergirl dress FL4055, Jenny Yoo JY533)

Most little girls dream of being asked to be a flowergirl. It's a chance to dress up in a pretty dress, have a special hairstyle and cute shoes too. As well as having the important role of walking behind the bride, looking after her veil, her bouquet and being in charge of scattering confetti.

It's such an exciting moment for little sisters, nieces, cousins, daughters of friends ...

A memorable day in a young girl's life

Having a beautiful new frock to wear is all part of the fun.

Now what if you told your little maids that they would be wearing a smaller version of the older bridesmaids' gowns?

They probably wouldn't believe it.

But because at Dessy we know that brides love to have those extra special touches, we've created designs for flowergirls that echo the adult versions of the dress.

They come in the same colors, similar fabrics - with just a tweak here and there so they suit a little girl.

(Photo credit: @krishantiphoto @curtisphillipa on Instagram)

So your little ones can have mini-me versions of the grown up girls' dresses.

And as for colors, because it's Dessy designing and creating, you're going to find just the shades you're looking for, whatever style you're after.

Browse through our bridesmaid designs and see what you like, and then look at flowergirl options. Our dresses come in a variety of fabrics too - from chiffon through to satin - and many have lace details.

Perfect party wear

All these bridesmaid frocks are so gorgeous, they're going to be worn after the wedding as well - and all the above are perfectly suitable for a smart evening party! Little flowergirls will love to wear them again to parties.

We're particularly proud of our rose gold bridesmaid dresses and flowergirl frocks - which give a bit of shimmer to the day. If you're having an afternoon wedding in a garden then you should investigate our floral bridesmaid frocks too, as shown in the image at the top.

So it's purple for your wedding day? You just love the richness of this shade. You love the way you can move from lilacs and mauves through to a rich imperial purple, something dramatic that will hold its own on a winter wedding day.

It's a shade that lends itself perfectly to having an ombre bridesmaid line up as well. Depending on your girls' complexions you can choose soft pastel purples (we're thinking of sugared almonds here) or deep dark tones.

Hold some fabric samples up against the face to see which color works (you can get the color samples from Dessy right here). It might be surprising to see what works with which maid. Somebody might be convinced they don't suit pastels, only to find out they work beautifully. Another might always have avoided brights, only to realise that they should have been wearing dramatic colors always.

How a real bride did it on her big day

There's no doubt, such an exquisite colour palette is incredibly amorous - and so many violet-coloured flowers have a wonderfully delicate fragrance too. You'll also find a big selection of blooms in shades of purple - just talk to your florist about what's available. Whose heart (and nose!) would not be moved by the posies below, created by the lovely Helen Jane Floristry, with the perfumed muscari, syringa, roses and freesias?

This might be time to revisit the Sophia Coppola film "Marie Antoinette". It's a confection of pastels and purples and could give you some fabulous inspiration.

As for accent details, you'll find that metallics work well with purple. Silver, gold, bronze - maybe do things a little differently and put your maids in silver or gold sandals ...

Takeaways from this post

• Purple is a fabulous accent color to choose for your wedding day for a number of reasons
• You can go for an ombre theme and use every shade of purple from the palest lilac through to a rich deep purple
• You'll find plenty of wedding flowers in purple shades - talk to your florist about choices for the time of year
• Purple shoes peeping out from beneath a traditional cream or white wedding dress look fabulous (but think about metallics too)
• Depending on the shade you choose, purple is just at home at a city wedding in winter, a country garden wedding or a destination wedding on a palm-fringed beach

Well, you never know what's going to happen when you're wedding planning.

And the chances are that somewhere down the line, one of your chosen bridesmaids is going to announce that she has some happy news. That's she's pregnant and so she's going to need a bridesmaid gown that works with her mom-to-be status.

How to do maternity bridesmaid dresses beautifully

Well, we think all moms-to-be deserve to be dressed so they feel and look wonderful and so here's a whole range of dresses that will suit different girls.

And because they're by Dessy they are available in a literal rainbow of colors.

You want a pastel colored wedding and a pastel colored maternity frock? No problem.

Dessy maternity gowns clockwise from top left: After Six Maternity Dress M428, Dessy Collection Maternity Bridesmaid Dress M433, Alfred Sung Maternity Bridesmaid Dress Style M437, Dessy Collection Maternity Bridesmaid Dress M431

Blues, greens, pinks, reds, sapphires, jewel tones ... browse through the shades and you'll wonder how you'll ever choose. Strapless maternity bridesmaid gowns, round neck or a plunging neckline - take your pick. Dessy has an amazing range of maternity bridesmaid dresses.

Maybe get right on trend and have an ombre thing going on? Dress your maids (including the non pregnant ones!) in varying hues of the same shade.

This is where our Twist Wrap Dress will come into its own

If your mom-to-be bridesmaid wants to be sure that her dress will adjust to fit her, then maybe investigate our Twist Wrap Dresses (as shown above here) which can easily adjust to fit a changing size. Your maid will also be able to wrap the dress in a style to suit her (which will give her more confidence).

Staying comfortable

Dessy also does some great bridesmaid flats in matching and contrasting shades, as a pregnant bridesmaid probably won't want to be wearing heels ...

(Image credits: Jenny Haas and Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography for their photos of real weddings, and to Bloomsbury Flowers for the image of the blushing bride and bouquet.)

Always loved pink? It's such a romantic color.

And it's always been a favorite at weddings. So if you've always dreamed of having a wedding in pink, then you do just that.

Here we've used the palest pink for some wedding ideas. Call it blush pink, call it shell pink - it's delicate, dreamy and classic.

The very name blush pink has all the connotations of old-fashioned modesty, purity and romance when just the look from the man of your dreams was enough to send a delicate flush to your maidenly cheeks!

So it is no wonder that pale pink is such an appropriate shade color for a bride to choose for her bridesmaids - or even herself.

How to use pale pink at a wedding

Pink works well with:

• Blooms with darker pinks and greens
• Plenty of cream and ivory shades
• Pearl jewellery
• Spring and winter weddings (the light is right)

(Image credits: Top left Social Bridesmaids Style 8182, right Lela Rose Style LR200 , bottom left Lela Rose Bridesmaid Dress LR178, right After Six Bridesmaid Style 6674

One of the best things about pale pink bridesmaid dresses is that they complement girls of every hair colour, which is another reason why they are a great choice. And what an added coup, to get married when the cherry trees are in blossom - wow, now that is truly neat planning!

Roses are the perfect flower at the best of times, but when you choose a pale pink wedding theme, they come into their own. As you can see from the cascade of roses on the wedding cake above and in the pastel table decoration further down (with thanks to Jenny Haas), you can achieve an effect of sublime beauty using an abundance of pale pink roses of all shades. Use pale pinks for table napkins, tablecloths and candles to prevent the room from looking too stark whilst still retaining an aura of delicacy.

Pale pink bridesmaid gowns are dainty, exquisite and feminine. Add a level of diaphanous beauty by choosing one of these dreams from Dessy.

And don't forget to keep the make-up light and natural with just a touch of lip gloss for a truly romantic look.

(All these photos feature on Dessy Facebook - join us here)

One way a bride can be certain that she found the perfect frocks for her maids is if they love them so much they can't wait to wear them again.

And why shouldn't they?

If a bridesmaid dress flatters the individual, making the best of their figure, complexion - in short having that magic factor that makes a girl feel beautiful - then it's a real shame not to put on a dress again that makes you feel that way.

Nowadays bridesmaids gowns like Dessy's are worlds away from the frumpy, badly fitting wedding attendant outfits of old.

So if you loved your bridesmaid dress, here are a few ideas to turn it into a wardrobe staple that you can count on to make you feel good every time you wear it.

Ring the changes and alter it

If you had a long bridesmaid dress, trim it and make it into a cocktail dress for your next formal event. If it was a strapless dress you can add straps in the fabric that's being cut away, or go online to somewhere like Rouleaux and find some fancy diamante ribbon.

A post shared by V V Rouleaux (@vvrouleaux) on May 5, 2017 at 9:38am PDT

If you want to change the overall look of the dress you could add a sash (if your waist is something you particularly want to show off). Try something with a little sparkle or a classic satin sash. (You might need to practice your bow-tying technique here).

Just some of the decorative sashes offered by Dessy

Accessorise and accessorise

Add a new statement necklace. A pair of slinky shoes. Maybe a shawl or shrug.

Too pretty to be worn just the once. These dresses are VERSATILE! From left, style Jenny You JY533, After Six Bridesmaid Style 6751. Oh and they come in different colors too.

How can you, the bride help?

We've said it before but it's just so important that the bride chooses bridesmaids dresses to suit her girls. Mismatched bridesmaid frocks can work well here, as they allow for different necklines, differing waist detail, different sleeve length and different bodices. No two girls are the same, so why should they really dress the same?

You can mismatch the bridesmaids dresses in style but opt for the same color. Or you could mismatch the frocks and go for a graduation in color. That would be very stylish.

One thing is for certain though. If your maids want to wear their dresses again after the wedding, then they've paid you the biggest compliment going.

If you're not a bride who is in love with the color pink, then choosing wedding accessories in blue could be the answer, particularly the shade that's known as duck egg blue.

Why this particular blue is so versatile

• It's a pastel shade - which means it will melt into the background if you want it to
• It works beautifully at spring, summer and winter weddings
• Combine duck egg blue wedding accessories with gold or silver and you get a very special luxe effect
• Think about bronze, silver or gold shoes for your bridesmaids - or play it down with neutrals
• Duck egg blue looks fabulous on wedding cakes too

For a clever, refined look at a bridesmaid dress, check this frock from Dessy. DC2946 which is actually a soft tulle in celadon over platinum rococo lace dress. Match with our Pearly Aqua Chandelier Earrings.

Romantic blue bridesmaid dress and earrings by Dessy

Why else is blue such a dream wedding theme? Use it to dress the inside of a marquee, for your seating plans, on your tables.

Clematis cakes by Rosalind Miller

Other reasons to choose blue

You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to flowers. Talk to your florist but just as a starter you can opt for; hyacinths, bluebells, delphiniums, clematis, grape hyacinths, ranunculus, lavender, larkspur, anenomes ...

Blue is a classic color for wedding invitations too. Nothing is quite as inviting as a crisp blue envelope coming into the mailbox, complete with beautiful calligraphy.

Invitations by Ananya

This shade of blue works well with lace as well. Consider placing lace over a blue tablecloth. Or dressing your bridesmaids in different shades of blue for an ombre effect.

And of course, you'll be following the old rhyme for what to wear at a wedding for good fortune:

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue ..."

Credits: Wedding Cushion by Cherry Pete from Not On The High Street, bridesmaids with flowers via stylemepretty.com, wedding photo with balloons by Max & Friends via greenweddingshoes.com, buttonhole by Anna del Greco at BridalbyAnna.

(Image credits: Fulham Palace Weddings, Fab Mood Gorgeous Wedding Shoes, Hey Wedding Lady)

It's romantic, dreamy, timeless, classic. Just look at this inspiration you'll see that blush pink and weddings are made to go together.

Back at the reception, I would be tempted to go for vintage-style table decorations like this beautiful one by the appropriately named Blush Rose Events - the colours are as subtle and lovely as the bridesmaids dresses!

And you can tell from this photo taken in the winter snow by Sara Ackermann Photography at Tara Nicole Weddings and Events that you're not confined to the summer months for your blush and rose bridesmaid dresses. Perfect against the snow (but give your girls something to wrap themselves in too). And of course the joy of Twist Dresses like these is that there are endless ways to wear them, making the dresses probably THE most versatile around. Shown here in Blush and Sea Pink.

Blush pink gowns sort all sorts of complexions - both fair and darker. It's not true that pink looks best on blondes. Just look at this photograph of girls in their Dessy blush pink bridesmaid frocks to see the truth of it.

(Image credit: Kristin Byrum Photography)

Ways to use blush pink on your big day

• Delicate pink roses in a bouquet
• Metallics in soft silvers, gold and bronze work well with blush pink
• Scented rose candles at the entrance to the ceremony
• A delicate chiffon or organza stole or wrap for your maids
• The softest pink lip stain
• On your invitations of course - a delicate pink envelope
• A blush-inspired wedding cake
• Or maybe a pink ribbon around a classic white tiered cake
• Pink champagne on arrival at the reception
• Rose lemonade served as a non-alcoholic option
• Pink napkins at place settings
• Delicate pink shoes for the bride peeping from underneath an ivory gown

(Image credit: Wedding cake by GC Couture Cakes , rose chandelier earrings by Dessy).

Are you planning sleeves on your bridesmaid frocks or would you rather your maids go sleeveless? How can you choose? Here's what you need to know.

1. Sleeves are a good choice for some religious ceremonies

The priest marrying you both may have a view of appropriate attire for getting married - and that will include your bridesmaids. So if your girls are covered up - even if it's just the shoulders - you will know that you are following any necessary etiquette. This Alfred Sung style could be just what you're looking for. Or the Lela Rose style LR225 below is a good halfway house - it's formal without being frumpy.

Alfred Sung Style D736

(Credit: The Jon Hartman Photography Company)

2. Your girls will thank you if you're marrying in winter

Set your wedding day during the winter months and it's likely to be chilly outside. Not great for when your maids are hanging about waiting to have their photographs taken - and worse if they are skimpily dressed! Somehow arms are always the part of the body that seems to get cold first. You could choose a gown with sleeves but that might not work so well if you're having an evening party (unless everyone is getting changed for that). Be prepared by letting your girls cosy up in a beautiful Dessy stole.

(Credit: Priscila Valentina)

3. Ditch the sleeves if you're expecting hot, hot weather

Having a beach wedding? Tying the knot outside under a blazing sun with no air-conditioning? Then we'd say forget about sleeves for your girls. They'll get anxious about patches of perspiration and will want to keep their cool with spaghetti straps, strapless frocks or a cap sleeve.

(Credit: On A Whim Photography)

4. Cap sleeves come in all sorts of styles

Depending on the neckline you choose you can have cap sleeves that stand up or ones that are slightly off the shoulder. Maybe this is one you should let your girls choose for yourselves - they'll know what suits them and what makes them feel most comfortable.

5. Stoles and wraps are the perfect accessory

Not only will they provide the perfect cover up, but if you're looking for a gift then a bridesmaid wrap or stole is both perfect and practical. Your maids can wear one again and again. Choose a fabric that works with the dress - chiffon, georgette or a soft wool are all options (depending on the season and location).