If you’re in the early stages of wedding planning, you might be at that uncomfortable or exciting (depending on how you look at it) phase where everyone starts asking you what you and your wedding party are going to wear. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding party looks that we’re inspired by this year.

Bring back the veil

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

As with most wedding traditions and trends, if you look into the origin of it, you’ll find a story that often feels like a disappointing and distant truth for a modern bride. The veil, being one of the oldest pieces of a bridal ensemble, was originally designed to represent the “delivery of a modest and untouched maiden.” Source

For that reason, a lot of brides in the last decade have chosen not to wear a veil on their wedding days. That said, we’re seeing that change. More and more, modern women are saying “screw it!” to the patriarchal origins of bridal traditions and choosing to take ownership of the tradition in a new way. No one can argue with how elegant and chic a bride looks with a long (or short!) veil, and it’s obvious that we don’t need it for the purpose of looking like untouched maidens. Bring back the veil and own it!

Include a personal touch

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Infusing your wedding day with personal touches is what ultimately makes the memories of it shine for years and years to come. Whether it’s wearing a special piece of jewelry that was passed down to you from older generations or giving your bridesmaids personalized robes to wear while getting ready, it’s the thought and intention that makes it not only feel so good, but deepens the experience for everyone involved.

Keep it comfortable

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Throughout the wedding planning process, you’ll hear a lot of people talk about how quickly the day goes by. While this is absolutely true, the speed of the day doesn’t change the fact that it’s pretty much a 19 hour day of nonstop stimulation. Yup, 19 hours. You’ll most likely wake up around 7 or 8am to start getting ready, do your first look, ride to the venue, take photos, get married and then party the night away – not hitting your pillow again until 2am the next day.

I think we can all agree that whether we’re having a 19 hour day at a music festival or at our own wedding, the wisest decision we can make is to be comfortable! And prioritizing comfort does not mean you have to sacrifice elegance or class. Break out some comfy, well-worn shoes and make sure your dress fits just right. The last thing you want to worry about are blisters or constant adjustments on your big day.

Carry a simple bouquet

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Outfitting for every(body)

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Gone are the days where every member of the wedding party is required to squeeze into the same dress style, despite the fact that everyone’s bodies and personal styles are vastly different. And good riddance! Giving the wedding party autonomy in what they wear is probably the most reasonable wedding trend we’ve seen in years.

This one is simple: we are all unique individuals with unique experiences and bodies. Giving your friends and loved ones the opportunity to choose their own outfit (within a carefully selected color palette of course) will not only make the planning process easier, but it will allow them to feel comfortable and enjoy the big day even more!

Get more wedding planning tips from Bryony & Birch

We loveeeee a good wedding convo. That’s why we write about it a lot! If you’re looking for more wedding planning tips and resources, tap into some of the articles below.