Flowers will never be passé for the big day, but it you’re looking to switch things up a bit and equip your ladies with something special and unconventional, we love that, too. Plus, bouquets and floral arrangements can easily become one of the biggest chunks of your wedding budget. Sound familiar? The good news is you can opt for an alternative to flora without sacrificing any charm. From parasols to seashells, candles and corsages, the sky is the limit. Look to your wedding theme for inspiration. Perhaps you’ve chosen a bird motif, so why not have them carry sweet bird cages?
Check out these unorthodox, totally hot bridesmaid accessories:
SEASIDE SHELLS: A bouquet of shells is interesting and in sync with a beach-side soirée.
AFLAME: For an evening wedding, nothing feels more magical than your maids floating down the aisle with glowing candles. (I’ve seen this at a ceremony, and it was a majestic.) Note that this isn’t the best option for an outdoor venue; however, if your heart is set, opt for battery-operated varieties.
BIGGEST FANS: Loud and playful, DIY paper fans (how cute are these bright hearts?) are an easy and inexpensive alternative. Also, they make for unforgettable snapshots.
CORSAGES: Try pretty petite corsages for a more budget-friendly option than full bouquets. A word of advice: Because the girls won’t be holding anything, make sure to have them rest their hands in the same fashion (e.g. at their sides, clasped in front or back), so they look uniform in pictures. It can get sloppy, fast — trust us!
PARASOLS: I first saw this take on bridesmaid fashion while attending a wedding in Spain (in the blazing sun), and the look still has me swooning. Fitting for a sunny day, parasols ooze an old-world, timeless feel, and they’re multi-purpose. Shade, anyone?
PINWHEELS: With a similar feeling to fans, colorful pinwheels are a playful addition.
LIT UP: Giving your leading ladies an enchanting lantern is whimsy at its finest.
