Shirley Temple's Bridesmaids
Celebrity weddings are a big deal these days. It was no different back in 1945 when Shirley Temple got married to her first husband, John Agar. The seventeen-year-old child star was the talk of the town when she stepped out in her wedding dress. Her bridesmaids may have also been the subject of a lot of talk, but for all the wrong reasons.
Most 1940s fashion stands the test of time, but these bridesmaid dresses do not. The bows and layers are cute, but it’s not exactly the most flattering silhouette for every body type. We’d maybe give these dresses a “pass” if it weren’t for those hats. Oh well. Not every celebrity wedding is a hit when it comes to fashion. At least everyone looks happy!
Roses Are Red...
Oh boy, this photo is basically a summary of 1980s fashion. It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s full of voluminous lace. This photo is from a 1989 wedding that took place on Valentine’s Day. The bride made everyone lean into the theme with these larger-than-life bridesmaid dresses. We don’t even know where to start with this look.
From the delicate white floral print to the bold red puff sleeves, these dresses are serving some serious 80s fashion. The extreme blush and teased hair are just icing on the wedding cake. We love how the bridesmaid on the far right tried to zhoozh up her look by pushing those balloonish sleeves off her shoulders. Honestly? That wasn’t a bad idea because she looked like the most fashionable one of the bunch.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
If we didn’t know any better, we’d think this photo was for some kind of patriotic celebration. Alas, it’s a wedding snapshot. These bridesmaids all wore matching blue dresses, while their groomsmen dates wore bold red ties. Along with the bride’s signature white dress, this group looks ready and eager to represent the U.S. of A.
The bridesmaid dresses themselves aren’t all that bad, but there are just certain details that make it look all wrong. Like, why are the hemlines of all the dresses at such an awkward length? Why are all the women’s shoes a slightly different color of blue? Plus, we think these blue dresses look way too similar to the bride’s dress. Maybe that’s what she wanted? On another note, we totally love those cute flower girl dresses.
Seeing Double? More Like Quintuple
Forget “Octomom” and “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” The Dionne quintuplets were the original tabloid sensations when they were born back in 1934. They were the first known set of quintuplets to survive infancy, and fans followed their lives as they grew up. Like many younger sisters, the Dionne quintuplets got to be bridesmaids at their older brother’s wedding.
This rare 1947 photo of the sisters shows the five of them lined up in their matching dresses for a photo-op. Are these dresses the most flattering? Not really, but they were only thirteen. It’s safe to assume they probably didn’t have much choice about what kind of dress they could wear to their brother’s wedding. In fact, the Dionne quintuplets were made to wear matching outfits for publicity reasons well into their older teenage years.
Back in the Days of Y2K
Ah, the early 2000s. We remember it well. Although many Y2K styles were cutting-edge at the time, some of us older folk look back at old photos with a “what were we thinking?!” mentality. These light pink bridesmaid dresses are quintessential of the era with their crushed velvet tops and long, wispy skirts.
Honestly? These dresses aren’t that bad! They are very “of the times,” but they’re not ugly. Each woman looks totally comfortable wearing their dress, and that’s what counts. Plus, Y2K fashion has made a comeback. These ladies should dust off their old bridesmaid dresses and wear them as a vintage fashion statement.
Flower Power
Prepare yourself. Nobody, and we truly mean nobody, is prepared for this retro bridesmaid look. This photo is undated, but judging by the explosion of florals and the bell sleeves, we’re guessing it was the 1970s. What a time for fashion, y’all. These girls were forced to wear matching white and yellow bridesmaid dresses, with coordinated “Little House on the Prairie” bonnets to boot.
We can’t imagine that the older girls in this photo were thrilled to match with the younger ones. That’s the ultimate uncool fashion statement, and we feel for them. These dresses are so unique that you know they were handmade by their mom. She probably even repurposed them into sundresses afterward. Who wouldn’t want to wear coordinated dresses with their little sisters all summer long? Yikes.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes
Getting married around the holidays is definitely a choice that some people love. Requiring the bridesmaids to wear holiday-themed dresses? Now that’s a bit too much, even for the more diehard of Christmas fans. These two women were the bridesmaids for their sister, and their dresses looked like they belonged on a holiday card rather than at a wedding ceremony.
To be fair, it was the 70s. Many 70s styles didn’t age well, so we can’t judge them too harshly. We just can’t get over the lace trim along the front. It’s giving gingerbread house vibes, which some people are into, apparently. Since the photo is in black-and-white, we’ll never know what color these dresses were. But we hope they were green or red.
A Pastel Trio
These bridesmaid dresses are so retro that they’re fabulous. Some people might cringe at the late 70s fashion, but we love how these women are totally rocking their wedding looks. These three gowns are different in color but are all the same style, which is actually a pretty genius way to have a cohesive wedding party.
Everything about these outfits is perfectly coordinated, and we’re here for it. From the bouquet ribbons to the hair accessories, everything in their outfits is the same exact color. Plus, those see-through floral capes are to die for. We wouldn’t be surprised if we saw something like this on a modern bride’s Pinterest board. It’s absolutely retro-chic.
A Turn-of-the-Century Wedding Look
Weddings have changed a lot over the decades, but it seems that coordinated bridesmaid dresses have always been a thing. These women were the bridesmaids in a 1919 wedding, and they are serving nautical turn-of-the-century looks like we’ve never seen. The dresses are pretty cute by early 1900s standards. But those hats? That’s another story.
We’re sorry to say, but those hats make these ladies look like they’re about to take flight. “The Flying Nun” didn’t become a popular TV show until the 1960s, so we’re not sure where the inspiration behind these hats came from. Hats were definitely more common back then than they are today, but there’s no way these were considered fashionable at the time. We refuse to believe it.
Matching Áo Dài Outfits
Some people might be caught off guard to see brides or bridesmaids wearing red to a wedding. However, it’s a pretty common color and style in Vietnam. Red and gold are common colors for áo dài, the traditional Vietnamese dress that many brides (and grooms) choose to wear. This group shot of bridesmaids in Ho Chi Minh City shows a radiant group of women wearing áo dài that perfectly combines old and new.
The red-and-gold polka dot fabric might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but these ladies committed to the look. We think they’re pulling it off, which is no easy feat! If you look closely, the traditional Vietnamese bridal hats are all made of the same fabric, too. While we’re not quite sure why these women are sitting in a pharmacy, they all look great.
The Ultimate Ladies Man
The '70s really treated this man well. Here he is on his wedding day, surrounded by ladies who are not his bride-to-be. Weird dynamic? Definitely. Weirder fashion? Absolutely. This whole photo is a time capsule dedicated to everything 1970s. From the shag carpet to those floor-length ruffled dresses, we just can’t get enough.
We’ll let you be the judge about whether this photo aged well or not. It would be a stretch to call those floral bridesmaid dresses “timeless,” but they’re definitely of a time. The hats make these ladies look like they’re on their way to an Easter luncheon instead of a wedding, but hey, it works.
A Golden Wedding
It’s wild to think that the 70s were 50 years ago. The time really flies. Someone posted this photo to commemorate their parent’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. It’s a total blast from the past. Everyone looks very happy in this photo, but we’re going to have to bring the mood down. Those bridesmaid dresses were not it.
The original poster of this photo shared that their mother made all of the bridesmaid dresses herself, which is quite impressive. They look pretty professional, even if the style is unfortunate. There’s even a matching flower girl version of the dress, which is precious and ugly at the same time. We especially love how this bride had all her bridesmaids wear a veil alongside her. She definitely had no qualms about sharing the spotlight.
A Showstopping Bridal Party
If you thought the trend of having a large bridal party was a new thing, think again. This retro bride went all out and had eleven women in her party. Even more impressive, she was able to coordinate matching dresses, veils, and gorgeous bouquets for everyone. The thing is, all of these dresses look like they’re white. Any modern-day wedding guest knows that wearing white to a wedding is a major faux pas.
The bride looks pretty happy, so we’re assuming the white color palette was pre-approved. If these bridesmaid dresses were worn today, they would definitely get figuratively torn apart on the internet. The hat-slash-veil look is a little silly, but it was probably an acceptable style at the time. Something about this photo tells us that this couple spent a lot on their wedding. Those dresses, although no longer considered fashionable, look well-made and expensive.
Toga! Toga! Toga!
Some people love to get creative with their weddings, but this wedding party took their theme to the next level. There’s a whole lot going on in this photo. We’re kind of at a loss where to start. Okay, let’s address the obvious. This couple’s wedding party is wearing knee-length togas like it’s no big deal. The togas are really jarring, especially considering that the bride herself is wearing a cute boho dress that is totally 70s.
Even weirder, the men in this photo are wearing normal, average suits. But wait, there’s more! Who is that person in the middle? Inexplicably, they’re dressed in a disco-themed jumpsuit with a plunging neckline that would make 2000-era Jennifer Lopez jealous. To top off this completely chaotic wedding photo, there’s a pirate ship in the background. We’re getting whiplash just looking at this photo, but at least the toga dresses are eye-catching.
Cottage Core: Wedding Edition
Do brides actually dress their bridesmaids in hideous dresses to make themselves look better? One look at this photo will tell you the answer to that age-old question. You can see the pain and suffering behind the smiles of these three women. Even all these years later, we all know they did not want to be wearing those dresses.
Let’s not beat around the bush. These pastel gingham dresses are hideous. They were ugly back then, and they’re ugly by today’s standards. Only the most royal of cottage core queens could pull this look off. The white bows and lace edging of the dresses make these poor ladies look like Easter bunnies instead of bridesmaids. We can’t help but wonder what the bride’s dress looked like.
Waiting in White
What would you do if you showed up to a wedding and all the bridesmaids were wearing white? Apparently, that’s exactly what happened at this 1960s wedding. They all look pretty happy about it, so this was either a coordinated sabotage attack or a misguided idea by the bride. But let’s get to the real star of the show: those hideous hats.
What in the world were they thinking? Those lace hats look like something between “Mary Poppins” and an 1800s ball outfit. Along with the matching bangs, we’re going to have to give this look an unfortunate zero out of ten. At least the bouquets look bright and vibrant.
The World's Frumpiest Wedding
We have a feeling that these bridesmaid dresses were supposed to be chic and glamorous. Sadly, they had the opposite effect. The cinched waist, flowy sleeves, and weird pink color make each of these ladies look like a lumpy piece of bubblegum instead of a cute bridesmaid. This wedding took place in 1980, so the only excuse we can think of is that it was a weird transition period between 70s and 80s fashion.
Excuses aside, there’s no way to get around how frumpy these dresses make everyone look. The shiny fabric adds an extra layer of tackiness, which is unfortunate. Why, oh why, did they have to add that shiny hairpiece to their outfits? At least the bride’s dress was chic by 80s standards with a lace bustle and sheer neckline.
The Striped Dress Fiasco
While we totally get the look this bride was trying to go for with her bridesmaid dresses, it just doesn’t work. Black and white is usually a chic, elegant color scheme for a wedding. Throw in some red roses, and you’re golden. Right? Not when this is the dress the bridesmaids have to wear. These poor women look more like old-school prisoners or aspiring mimes.
Horizontal stripes are really hard to pull off. These bridesmaids look surprisingly great despite the circumstances. The one silver lining to this black-and-white tragedy is that the dresses were at least tea-length and not floor-length. Can you imagine? They would have been drowning in stripes if that was the case.
When Your Wedding is Inspired by Kirby
One of the most iconic video game characters of all time is Kirby. This pink alien is notorious for his ability to inhale objects and float by expanding his body. This bride was apparently a huge fan of the character and wanted to have a wedding-themed after the lovable character. There are so many things wrong with this picture, from the terribly disappointed faces of the right bridesmaid and the two on the left to their dresses being almost the same color as their faces.
If that’s not bad enough, instead of giving them proper flower bouquets, these bridesmaids were forced to hold a weird droopy and limp bunch of flowers with what could only be described as looking a little 'off-color' ribbons. We’d tell you that this is as bad as it gets, but things are only going to get worse from here. At least we’re past these pink layered muffin bridesmaid dress abominations.
Seeing Red
These bright red bridesmaid dresses are something else. We can’t help but wonder what these women thought when they saw what they would be wearing to their best friend’s wedding. Not to jump to conclusions, but we have a feeling this bride didn’t care that her bridesmaids would look bad in these dresses. Just look at that elaborate veil. That is a woman who loves being the center of attention.
Hey, no judgment here. We get that some brides want all eyes on them during their special day. But this bride really didn’t have to do her friends like this. The added touch of the matching hat really crosses the line.
The Pink Ladies
This shot might be of a quinceañera or a wedding, but the outfits are bad, just the same. The girls in this party look like wannabe members of the Pink Ladies from “Grease,” but with way less style. Most quinceañeras require the party members to dress up in formal gowns and suits, but this one went the casual route.
In all honesty, the colors aren’t that bad. But do you know what is bad? The fact that all of their shirts and skirts are basically see-through. Did no one realize how thin the material was? There needs to be quality control for stuff like this, especially when everyone is required to wear a white skirt. At least one girl on the right had the forethought to wear a black tank top underneath for protection.
A Groovy Wedding Party
This wedding photo was taken in 1974, and you can really tell. Just look at those bridesmaid dresses! They really took the concept of “flower power” to the next level with this coordinated look. This floor-length, boxy dress features bold flowers for miles.
As if that wasn’t enough, each bridesmaid got a matching bolero jacket to wear over their dress. The white ruffles along the edges were probably meant to be cute and feminine, but it just looks busy. All in all, these three women look genuinely happy to be at their friend’s wedding. Maybe they didn’t mind wearing this floral extravaganza.
“It’s Dusty Pink!”
Whatever you do, don’t describe these bridesmaid dresses as “dark pink.” The original poster of this photo shared that her stepmom insisted these absolutely awful dresses were “dusty pink” in color. Don’t you dare forget it. Whatever color they truly are, there’s no denying that they look hideous.
From the shiny lace sleeves to the matching scrunchie, everything about this bridesmaid look screams “early 90s.” You can tell by the mischievous looks in the eyes of these two girls that they know how horrendous these dresses are. They’re just going along with it for the hilarious story afterward. Worth it.
From the Family Archives
It’s always a trip to look at your parent’s old wedding photos. Everyone you know looks so young, and the fashion is almost always questionable. It’s no different with this lovely wedding photo from the early 1970s. Take a gander at those bright red bridesmaid dresses. The empire waist, the matching collar, and those awkward veils are all working together to create quite a unique look.
The two guys posing in front are on their knees from laughing so hard at their dresses. But the guys in this photo are not exempt from fashion faux pas. Their bowties are weirdly oversized. We’re not sure what the idea behind that look was, but there we have it. At least the bride and groom look genuinely happy.
Reflective Vest or Bridesmaid Dress?
We get that the 1930s were almost 100 years ago, but a fashion faux pas is still a fashion faux pas. These bridesmaid dresses are unflattering regardless of the era. The extra-shiny material makes these ladies look like they’re crossing guards wearing reflective vests, not bridesmaids.
To make matters even more dire, their hats have loud, obnoxious feathers that flow from the top of their heads to their shoulders. They were definitely finding random feathers in their hair and clothes for weeks after this wedding. The bullseye bouquets are the best part of this bridesmaid look, and that’s really saying something.
Horror Movie or Joyous Wedding?
If this eerily-posed wedding photo freaks you out, you’re not alone. Everything about this photo is reminiscent of an old horror movie. It’s like their cast members of “Children of the Corn” or something. No one’s smiling, everyone’s hair is perfectly styled, and nobody looks like they want to be at this wedding.
The bridesmaid’s boho dresses and matching sun hats would fit in better at a cult or commune rather than at a wedding. The lace collar and sleeve cuffs are giving major sister-wives vibes, and we don’t like it. To top it all off, the flower girl on the right looks absolutely livid. She knows all of their outfits are awful, but no one’s listening.
Modest Is Hottest
Whether it’s religion, dress code, or personal preference, some women prefer dressing modestly for big events. Whoever picked out these shiny blue bridesmaid dresses definitely went the “modest is hottest” route because these outfits don’t show off anything but their beautiful faces. The color combo of blue, yellow, and white isn’t that bad, but even that can’t salvage these dresses.
The neckline and sleeves make it look like these ladies are wearing cropped bolero jackets over their dresses. But that’s not the case. Those bulky sleeves are part of the dress. There’s no escaping them. Why, oh why, did they have to be long-sleeved?
Winter Wonderland Ice Princesses
Oh boy. Having a winter-themed wedding can be chic and glamorous. It can also be extremely tacky if it isn’t done the right way. Unfortunately, these bridesmaid dresses were a total fail. Those faux fur wraps make these ladies look like they’re getting ready to star in “The Nutcracker” or “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.”
Let’s not forget to mention that the giant white bows tying the fur stoles together look tacky rather than elegant. This whole look is more “Barbie” than “Winter Wonderland.” We get the look that they were going for, but it just doesn’t work.
The Barmaid Bridesmaids
It might be the British comic duo Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French, but that still doesn't excuse them from making these bad decisions. Okay, so perhaps it's in the name of comedy. The cut of the dress looks like it's fit for an old-timey bar in medieval England... or modern-day Germany? They might be empty-handed but it would be great if they just whipped out two large beer steins.
Let that be a message to you then. If you're a bride thinking of giving these dresses to your bridesmaids, be aware that they were worn once as a joke. The pom-pom head crowns just really top it off perfectly. Way to go, girls!
Dandelion Madness
Marty Wilde and Joyce Baker were a pretty big deal back in the 50s and 60s. All eyes were on them when they got married in 1959 in Greenwich, London. All eyes were also on their bridesmaids because they were also famous. Joyce’s friends and co-singers from The Vernons Girls acted as her bridesmaids for the December ceremony.
Their dresses are quintessentially 60s, with flared skirts and cute squared necklines. This look wouldn’t be half-bad if it weren’t for those weird hats. The tulle makes these women look like they’re human-sized dandelions about to take off with the wind. We’re not sure what the thinking behind this look was because those hats don’t look flattering on anybody.
Pretty in Pink
PSA: Satin fabric is really hard to pull off. No matter how hot you are, satin will highlight every wrinkle, bump, and panty line in the wrong lighting and conditions. Apparently, no one got the memo in the 60s because there were satin bridesmaid dresses as far as the eye could see. These bridesmaids look like bright pink candy wrappers out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
The ruffled neckline looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss illustration, and those floofy bows aren’t helping. At least the bridesmaid in the middle had the bright idea to secure it on the back of her head instead of the front. The bridesmaid on the far right didn’t get the memo because she went all in and put that bow smack-dab in the middle of her forehead. Girl.
A Mod Wedding Look
You’d never see a bridesmaid look like this in our modern day and age. Maybe that’s for the best. However, at the time, this look was probably cutting-edge and oh-so-fashionable. These retro dresses are definitely straight out of the 60s. You can tell just by looking at the colors and the funky cape thing attached to the top of each dress.
Pink and red might not be the best color combination out there, but we’ve seen worse. The main fashion mistake with this whole look is the weird headbands. The circle design was probably super-modern back then, but now most of us would agree that they look like cute Teletubbies.
Bridesmaid Muffs: It's a Thing
Forget bridesmaid bouquets. The 1930s were all about bridesmaid muffs. What better way to celebrate the bride and groom than with puffy muffs covered in tulle and fake flowers? It’s definitely a creative look, but we’re not sure we ever want to see it come back. Budgets were pretty tight during the Great Depression in the 30s, so maybe these bridesmaids wanted to save money on flowers.
Their dresses are a sight to behold as well. The scalloped drop waist hemlines and fluffy tulle flowers make these dresses look more dowdy than daring. The droopy hats give the whole look a depressing flair, which is not exactly the look most brides are going for on their wedding day. All modern-day critiques aside, this was probably a pretty fashionable look for the 30s.
An Elaborate Affair
This wedding party may look like they’re from the 80s, but that’s not the case. This photo of a bride with her bridesmaids and flower girls was actually from a very elaborate wedding that took place in 1930s New York City. As you can tell from the way the photo has been colorized, this family was pretty well-off. Even though most of us wouldn’t wear bridesmaid dresses like this anymore, you can tell they spared no expense for those gowns.
Considering other bridesmaid dresses we’ve seen in the past, these aren’t all that bad. Sure, the poofy sleeves and tiered skirts are kind of tacky, but it’s not over the top. The flower girl dresses are cute mini-me versions of the bridesmaid dresses, which we love. Also, peep those ruby and diamond brooches on the neckline of each bridesmaid. Absolutely stunning!
Gayle's Getting Married
Here we go with another unfortunate 1975 wedding. We really do pity a whole generation of folks that had to go through that, not knowing that fashions would vastly improve. They really were victims of an awful time. We don't know what's worse. The frilly V-neck or the stiff high collar with a ribbon.
The whole getup just looks like a fancy nightie. The pendant is cute, we guess. At least they look very happy. When you're celebrating your best friend getting married, the frills and lace tend to fade away. Unfortunately, they didn't quite fade away enough and we can still see them. Oh, well.
When Coordination Goes Too Far
Some brides love to have their bridesmaids match each other to a tee. Oftentimes they’re required to wear the same dress, shoes, and jewelry to create a cohesive look. But having matching hair? That’s taking it a step too far into the uncanny valley. For whatever reason, these bridesmaids all had to wear the same brown wig to their friend’s wedding.
This looks like a weird music video instead of a wedding photoshoot. It’s so obvious that these girls are all wearing wigs. Let’s just say that not everyone is meant to rock bangs. Do you know what would be extra weird? If these bridesmaids had to wear these wigs to match the bride’s hair.
Jane Austen But Make It Neon
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again. Satin is not your friend. This photo of very early 2000s bridesmaids proves our point. The dresses are puff-sleeve, empire waist gowns that would look kind of cute if it weren’t for the extra shiny satin fabric. Despite what some people think, shiny does not equal fancy.
The white lace trim is almost cute, but it looks more “DIY” than anything. These ladies look pretty happy to be posing with each other, so at least they had fun at the wedding. This is just one of those looks that they’ll look back on and think, “Why did we think it was a good idea to wear that?” It happens to the best of us.
A Hippie Wedding Come to Life
It’s rare to see color photos from the 60s, but they do exist. This bride was lucky enough to snap a color photo with her bridesmaids during her wedding. Lucky for us, this color photo gives us a glimpse into the true color choices for these boho bridesmaid dresses. We’re guessing this bride was into free love and hippie culture because these dresses are very boho-chic.
Okay, “chic” is a stretch, but it’s definitely “a look,” if you know what we mean. The white eyelet tops are cute, but the bottoms of the dresses look like handmade aprons instead of skirts. Did everyone start cooking in the kitchen after this photo was taken?
An Off-Key Bridesmaid Look
It’s always exciting when celebrities get married. Who doesn’t love looking at super-expensive dresses and decor, passing judgment from the comfort of our tiny apartments? We sure do. Canto-pop star Gillian Chung Yan-tung and Michael Lai got married in 2018 in an illustrious Los Angeles ceremony. Gillian wore a dress by Kate Middleton’s favorite designer, Jenny Packham.
Her bridesmaids were not so lucky. Her sister and best friends were in her bridal party, but their dresses didn’t outshine the bride’s look. Unfortunately, there’s just too much glitter and too many ruffles going on with these dresses. These ladies are all wearing the same over-the-top dress, so they all look like they’re conjoined at the shoulders. The blush pink color is beautiful, but the silhouette just isn’t working.
A Pastel Rainbow
If you’re currently planning a wedding and want to avoid your bridesmaids looking like Easter eggs, don’t pick pastel colors. Pastels are nice, in theory. But in reality, they usually just make everyone look like the Easter Bunny threw up on them. That’s what happened to these unfortunate souls. The white corset tops and pastel skirts don’t look flattering on any of them.
Maybe the bride and groom had their wedding around Easter and wanted to plan accordingly. If so, these ladies had their Easter Sunday attire all lined up. There’s nothing like repurposing a bad bridesmaid dress into an even worse holiday outfit. At least they had some champagne to keep them company and help them cope.
Skittles, Taste the Rainbow
There are brides out there who love incorporating a ton of color into their big day. This bride and her bridesmaids committed to a bright pastel color palette, and they didn’t look back. All these '60s dresses match, with their signature sheer cape and pleated skirt look. The main thing that stands out about them is their vibrant, mismatched colors.
Every woman in this photo represents a distinct Skittle flavor. Lemon yellow, grape purple, and lime green are our particular favorites. They even went so far as to match the bouquet ribbons and hats to the exact shade of the dresses. If it wasn’t so overwhelming to look at, we’d be impressed.
Grab Your Hardhats, Ladies!
This is a unique wedding if we’ve ever seen one. This bride and groom tied the knot 300 feet underground in a former South Wales coal mine. How romantic. With the unusual ceremony location came unusual attire for everyone involved. First off, the bride broke with tradition and wore a pretty red gown instead. The bridesmaids wore gorgeous emerald green dresses to accompany her into the depths of the earth.
The thing is, these bridesmaids didn’t have to worry too hard about their hair or accessories. Instead of necklaces and delicate heels, these ladies wore hard hats and emergency gas masks. There’s nothing like a potential gas mask emergency during a romantic wedding ceremony. Plus, each hard hat was accessorized with a fashionable headlamp to illuminate their way through the mineshaft.
Feeling Big-Headed
Fashionable hats were the norm back in the day. Women would always perfectly match their hats with their dresses, creating a glamorous, elegant look that many of us envy today. The hats these two bridesmaids wore to a wedding certainly match their ensembles. But it doesn’t look great. Just look how giant those hats are!
Was the theme of the wedding “Little Bo Peep” because that’s the only explanation we can think of for such a fashion choice. Along with those puffy sleeves and old-fashioned buttons, it’s almost too much to look at. At least they had some early form of a sun visor during the course of the ceremony and reception. You know, in case it was sunny outside.
Duck Dynasty Says “I Do”
Every couple has a right to plan their dream wedding the way they want to. But that won’t stop other people from making fun of their dream wedding. This couple decided to think outside the box by planning an all-camo wedding. We wish they hadn’t. Unless they’re getting married out in the middle of the woods during hunting season, there’s absolutely no reason to make your loved ones wear camouflage formalwear.
Everything about this wedding shot is absolutely wild. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are wearing matching dresses and vests, and the bride and groom are wearing white camo. We didn’t even know that was a thing. The bright blaze-orange tie worn by the groomsman on the left is a nice, classy touch.
Barbie's Dream Wedding
We love a color-coordinated wedding as much as the next person. This bride and groom planned their color coordination down to the smallest detail. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but we have to admit that it was thought out very well. The bride was obviously a huge fan of bright pink. How can we tell? Well, it’s everywhere.
Her bridesmaids are wearing questionably bright pink dresses, which perfectly match the groomsmen’s bowties. On top of that, there are matching boutonnieres, bouquets, and corsages. We know that Barbie pink is having a moment, but this shade of pink is way too overwhelming. Just a friendly reminder that you can throw other colors into your wedding day palette, folks.
A Sea of Bridesmaids
The thing about following fashion trends is that they eventually go out of style. A lot of brides worry that their dresses will be unfashionable when they look back on their photos. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but that’s inevitable. Fashion and style change over time, so something you love now might be cringe-worthy in the future. It’s just the way of the world.
For example, if we were looking at this bridesmaid group photo ten to twenty years ago, many of us would think these dresses were super cute. Now, of course, they look dated and cheesy. But we can tell from the looks on these women’s faces that they were totally feeling themselves in those dresses. If you feel great about your outfit in the moment, that’s all that matters.
Crimping My Style
These bridesmaid dresses were a very unfortunate choice. We’ve cut out their faces to protect their anonymity and dignity. Whoever designed this dress did a great disservice to the world of wedding attire. There’s no way anyone could look good in a dress like this. First things first. Let’s address the horrendous elephant in the room.
The crimping on those skirts is absolutely awful. Perhaps the designer thought it brought a creative edge to the dress design. If that’s the case, they need to go back to fashion school. The dresses look like walking wedding cakes made of fabric instead of icing. Plus, those ruched sleeves would make anyone’s shoulders look top-heavy, no matter how petite they were.
Only the Best for Marquess
The wedding of a marquess is always a big deal. Charles Paget, Marquess of Anglesey, married Lady Marjorie Manners in 1911, and it was a most illustrious affair. There’s no doubt that they spent top dollar for everything, including the bridesmaid dresses. But money can’t buy everything, especially style.
Maybe it was the style of the time, but these dresses look pretty frumpy by today’s standards. They look more like mother-of-the-bride dresses rather than bridesmaid dresses. (No offense to all the mothers out there). We have so many questions about those giant arm muffs. Is that what fancy people used instead of bouquets back in the day?
We Come In Peace
Long before “My Favorite Martian” hit television screens in the '60s, these two women made their debut as bridesmaids. They look out of this world, but not in a good way. Something about these bridesmaid dresses is off. Maybe it’s the textured material or sheer collar, or maybe it’s the pointed hairpieces they’re wearing.
Whatever it is, these ladies look like martians, not bridesmaids. This whole look is giving ethereal alien vibes. We wonder what the public opinion was about this look back in the 30s when this photo was taken. We can’t imagine it was the cutting edge of fashion, but who knows?
Green for Good Luck?
The 1950s were a time of flared skirts and fitting waistlines. It was a glamorous and chic time for fashion. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to nail the iconic '50s look. This bridesmaid dress is almost there, but not quite. At least this lady tried. It’s a shiny green dress with a tulle skirt, but it looks like a wannabe knock-off of more glamorous styles of the time.
The see-through tulle skirt is kind of pointless. Why make it poofy if you can still see the tighter skirt underneath? It’s just not flattering at all. Plus, those matching shoes aren’t doing anything good for the overall outfit. No matter what they say, shiny satin is never the answer when it comes to wedding fashion.
What Are You Doing, Sarah?
You're Sarah Michelle Gellar. Why do you look like a garden? This color is just too harsh, even for a beautiful girl like you. And those frills? What is going on down there? Are you trying to look like a plant? Because if you are it's working! Now look, she's not entirely to blame here.
It's true, the costume department would have picked these outfits, and maybe Sarah didn't get a chance to speak up? All we know is that this outfit looked better in theory, and those earrings and slick hairstyle weren't going to save things, no matter how hard they tried.
Unique Wedding Traditions
The Cook Islands are comprised of fifteen islands near New Zealand. Each island has its own traditions and customs, especially when it comes to weddings. Rarotonga is the most populated island, and many people choose to get married on its beautiful beaches. This traditional wedding took place on Muri Beach in Rarotonga. You can see how awesome the bridesmaid's and groomsmen's outfits are.
Most Western weddings require stuffy formalwear and stiff formalities. Cook Island weddings are a bit different. The custom dress is way more relaxed and appropriate for its tropical location. But, just because their wedding attire looks more relaxed doesn’t make their wedding traditions any less special. We think celebrating different types of wedding dresses is pretty cool.
Princess Diana’s Bridesmaids
Princess Diana was a fashion icon. Her wedding dress was center stage when she got married to Prince Charles in 1981. Everyone fawned over the young Princess’s taffeta gown and 25-foot train. Surprisingly, hardly anyone remembers the bridesmaid dresses. Rightfully so, because they were pretty dull compared to Princess Diana’s stunning look.
India Hicks and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones were just teenagers when Princess Diana got married. They didn’t really have any say in what they wore to the royal wedding of the century. So, here they are in two very stodgy, very layered bridesmaid dresses. India and Sarah were thirteen and seventeen, respectively, but they were forced to dress more like grandmas instead of teenage girls.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
If you hate this bridesmaid look, blame Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. You can totally see their fashion influence in this 80s-era wedding photo. Both Madonna and Cyndi Lauper created a unique sense of style that took the world by storm. Lace gloves, teased hair, and repurposed formalwear all had a moment in the 80s, thanks to the two pop stars.
These girls just wanna have fun in their bridesmaid dresses, lace gloves, and high ponytails. While this look is definitely dated, it looks pretty fun to wear. Their shiny one-shoulder dresses might not be the most fashion-forward, but they look like they had a blast on the dance floor. Remember, the memories you make as a bridesmaid are way more important than what you wear.