More and more brides are becoming conscious of the environmental impact of their wedding and choosing to opt for a more eco-friendly affair. Eco-Friendly bridesmaid dresses are totally possible and this post looks at some of the ways you can go about ensuring your bridesmaid dresses are beautiful and sustainable.

6 Ideas For Eco Friendly Bridesmaid Dresses

So, is it really possible to have eco-friendly bridesmaids’ dresses? Ones that your bridal party will actually want to wear? Of course it is!

1. Ask Your Bridesmaids To Wear Something They Already Own

Asking your bridesmaids to wear something they already own is one of the most sustainable ways to go when it comes to bridesmaids’ dresses, as there is zero impact on the environment.

However, there are some downsides. It’s unlikely all your bridesmaids will own the exact same dress, so if you’re looking for super matchy bridesmaids, this might not be an option.

You could of course set a colour scheme such as all pink or all yellow. Allow plenty of time before the big day to see how all the bridesmaids look together. Some people really dig the mismatched vibe and it really suits a less formal wedding or weddings where there are only one or two bridesmaids.

2. Eco Friendly Bridesmaid Dresses: Choose Less Formal Dresses That Can Be Worn Again

One of the things that make bridesmaids’ dresses not environmentally friendly, is that they are often only worn once.

This could be because the dress is very formal, or because it’s a colour or style the bridesmaid doesn’t like and only wore because she loves the bride and wants her to be happy. They then often end up being kept because they have sentimental value, even though they’re not being worn.

You work with your bridesmaids to choose a dress style that they love and would be happy to wear over and over again. This is likely to be more difficult the more bridesmaids you have, but even if half the dresses are worn again that’s a win for sustainability.

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3. Buy Secondhand Bridesmaid Dresses

If you want to be more sustainable from the offset, then buying second-hand dresses is the way to go. I often see sets of bridesmaids’ dresses being sold on Facebook, eBay and Vinted.

The only issue here could be getting the same dresses in the right sizes for your bridesmaids. If you’re saving a lot of money by buying second-hand, then you could have dresses altered so that they are a better fit.

You could also source dresses from different places if you’re choosing a popular style that has been widely available.

Another option could be to buy the majority of dresses second-hand and then supplement with one or two brand-new dresses if needed.

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4. Choose A Sustainable Brand To Buy Your Dresses From

If buying second-hand isn’t for you (and I know it’s not for everyone!) the next thing to look at is buying from a genuinely sustainable brand.

With lots of greenwashing happening in the Fashion space, it can be hard to tell what’s true and what isn’t. Do plenty of research beforehand and ask for recommendations in wedding groups and on wedding forums.

5. Rent Your Bridesmaids Dresses

Men renting their Tuxes or suits for a wedding seems to be the norm, whereas it’s much less common for a bride and her bridesmaids to do so.

However, this could be a perfect choice for eco-friendly bridesmaid dresses. Plus, if you are not on a budget, there could be the option of renting designer dresses which you wouldn’t have been able to afford if buying new.

6. Sell Your Bridesmaid’s Dresses After The Wedding

The final step to trying to have eco friendly bridesmaid dresses is to sell them after the wedding.

You could tell your bridesmaids they can sell them on themselves, or you could ask for them back and sell them as a set of four or five or however many.

I would just make your bridesmaids aware this is the plan beforehand!

Some bridal boutiques offer a buy-back service for both wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses so this is also something you could look into.

Finally, the bridesmaid’s dresses could be donated to a charity. There are lots of wedding charities that arrange ceremonies for those that are terminally ill so your dresses would be going to a very good cause.

What To Avoid: Eco Friendly Bridesmaids’ Dresses

If you’re looking for eco friendly bridesmaid dresses then there are definitely some things that should be avoided.

• Buying high street brands, and fast-fashion dresses.
• Sequins. Sequins are terrible for the environment as they can’t be recycled.
• Crazy colours that your bridesmaids won’t want to wear again.
• Buying brand new dresses unless from a sustainable brand.
• Dresses that are not being sold, donated, or reused after the wedding.

I really hope these tips help you find the perfect sustainable bridesmaids’ dresses!