Make Your Maid of Honor Stand Out In a Different Dress or With Accessories.

Your maid of honor is your number one. She has put in the pre-wedding time and effort to prove it to you. Of course, you want everyone to know that that person is playing an extra-special role on your wedding day. While putting your maid of honor in a different dress from the rest of your bridal party is a quick and easy way to set them apart, that might not fly with your wedding-day aesthetic.

When it comes to dressing your maid of honor, there are a number of options. Things that range from soft and subtle to totally eye-catching. There’s definitely a choice that will work great for you and your bestie. Including putting your maid of honor in a different dress. Here are our expert tips for making your maid (or matron) of honor stand out from the rest of your bridal party.

Keep the change super subtle…

You want all of your bridesmaids to be matchy-matchy. But you still want to distinguish your maid of honor. The difference can be simple. When you’re picking your bridesmaids’ outfits, opt for a line that offers multiple options. Different straps or necklines in the same colors and fabrics, for example. This will allow your maid of honor to rock a strapless neckline. Everyone else can have cap sleeves, or they can go for a one-shoulder design instead of a sweetheart neckline. These adjustments can also be made when having their dress tailored. Just make sure to order a little extra fabric if you’re planning to add on to the existing design. It’s putting your maid of honor in a different dress while still keeping the aesthetic the same.

If your Maid of Honor isn’t a woman…

It is possible your maid of honor may not be a woman or subscribe to a binary gender at all. You can still easily include them in your special day and make them shine in affirming ways. This means working with them to find attire that aligns with their gender expression. Something that also works with the theme of your wedding. You want everyone to feel fulfilled. Communication and empathy are the key to bringing all joyous events to life. There are simply so many exciting fashion choices that can be made.

Focus on accessories…

Another great way to make your maid of honor stand out is with their accessories. Dress all your bridal party members in the same gown. Then gift your maid of honor with a bejeweled belt or gorgeous hair accessory. We love these mid-century inspired rhinestone starbursts that will catch the light and set her apart. A little bit of bling goes a long way. Unless the gown you choose can stand up to some major accessorizing, keep the piece you choose on the simple side.

A unique bouquet…

If you want all the dresses and accessories to stay the same you can. Be clear who your maid of honor is when she walks down the aisle. Ask your florist to make one bouquet slightly different from the rest. It could be slightly larger. Include an additional flower that’s in your bouquet but not in any of the others. Have an extra color to set it apart or even be a smaller version of your bouquet. This is a great option if you’ve chosen to have a mismatched bridal party, too. If everyone is already in a gown of their choosing, a different cluster of blooms will show the maid of honor has been chosen for a special role.

Choose a different dress color or design…

Make your maid of honor’s look pop a little more. Opt for attire that is a shade lighter or darker than the rest of your bridal party’s clothing. Think a bridal party in blush with your maid of honor in a different dress. Something with a vibrant fuchsia hue. Or having the bridal party in deep eggplant and the maid of honor in a soft lavender. The colors you choose should all still fit seamlessly into your palette. Make it clear that your maid of honor is your right-hand, however.

Want them to really look the part? Dress your maid of honor in printed attire while everyone else wears a solid design. We love the way a floral-printed maid of honor dress looks against the single-tone bridal party attire. Match with a color that’s pulled from the pattern. Or go for a more modern look with stripes or geometric patterns. Give her a style all her own.

Photos by Ivory Door Studio and Divine Images