Choose informal bridesmaid dresses to go with an informal bridal gown and casual wedding.
The first consideration for any bride is if their bridesmaid dresses will be comfortable. An outdoor wedding in July almost everywhere in the United States will call for a material that is light and airy, such as chiffon. Other lightweight materials for summer include:

• Silk
• Organza
• Shantung
• Linen
• Charmeuse
• Crepe

A wedding in the Northeast in February can be frigid and snowing, so a bridesmaid dress made of a heavy satin is more appropriate. Heavier fabrics that are appropriate for a winter wedding include:

• Velvet
• Brocade
• Faux fur
• Polyester
• Velour
• Cashmere
• Dupioni

Length of dress matters, too. A tea length dress or short bridesmaid dress looks lovely at a garden outdoor wedding. However, that same dress can look out of place at a Christmas themed wedding or a rigidly formal affair.

Pros of Informal Bridesmaid Dresses

Even a more formal bride should consider letting her bridesmaids wear informal dresses. Plain, simple informal looks can be dressed up with a sash, bolero, hairstyle, jewelry, and other accessories. Reasons to let bridesmaids wear informal dresses include:

• Cost: Informal dresses often cost less than their formal counterparts and is very considerate for bridesmaids who are on a budget.
• Body Shape: Informal dress choices often offer more fabrics and cuts for women who have hard-to-fit bodies.
• Future Use: An informal dress, especially ones the bridesmaids had a hand in choosing, will lend themselves to being used at occasions after the wedding.