It has to be said – you guys really love a wedding party pic! Why wouldn’t you, though? They’re fun, they’re oozing with love and excitement and they’re often jam-packed with inspo to get your supporting team sorted on your big day. We’re talking gowns, jumpsuits, slips, suits, shoes, flowers, hair, accessories… Seriously, guys, bridal-party pics carry more wedding party ideas than you could poke a stick at.
So on that note, we went ahead and collated the top 10 wedding parties – as picked by you across our website, Instagram and Pinterest – from the year that was. And what a bloody selection! Now that lockdowns are fading away to nothing more than a bad memory and weddings are gearing back up again, there is so much goodness to share from this fabulous little industry. From matchy-matchy maids and all-white ensembles (chic AF, tbh), to pick-your-own-adventure looks and tonal themes, there’s plenty to keep every kind of bride and groom (and their crews) happy. (Hot tip: head on over to our pals Friend of Audrey for some of our fave bridesmaid fits of all time.)
We’ll stop yammering on and leave you to the scrolling, but when you’re done feeling totally inspired by these lush looks, we definitely recommend checking out the Top 10 Cakes of 2021. For now, though, let’s dive the heck in!
EM & TAS, NSW
We love a mix-and-match bridal party here at Hello May HQ, and when Em and Tas got hitched at The Barn On The Ridge on the New South Wales South Coast, the gaggle of gals did it oh-so well. Decked out in dreamy pastels and delicate springtime floral prints courtesy of Steele, Country Road and Hello Molly, Em’s maids were perfection alongside their bride (whose dress was handmade by her mum and grandma, btw – cute!). With Charlotte Exton capturing all the beauty of the big day, it’s one we won’t forget in a hurry!
FIONA & DAN, VIC
Walking in a winter wonderland! Cosying up in long sleeves and gorgeous knits, this bride tribe make cold-weather look hot, their warm autumnal colours tying together their pick-your-own looks. “The colour scheme was developed when I was shopping with my bridesmaids and we found a shop that sold lovely cosy knits in the colour pallet I liked. I bought seven and everyone chose their colour and then matched their dress to the colour of the jumper.” With Camilla and Marc, Shona Joy and a spot of op-shopping responsible for the ladies’ looks, it wasn’t difficult for Daniel Milligan Photography to snap some pics of the crew looking gorgeous on the big day.
MARIAN & ALEX, VIC
There’s something so chic about an all-white wedding party, right? That’s what bride Marian went for on her big day and the resulting shots (courtesy of our good pal Elsa Campbell) prove it was a heckin’ great choice! The stunning Friend of Audrey dresses perfectly complemented Marian’s Suzanne Harward gown, and the gals’ gorgeous LLB bouquets just completed the whole picture. If you love the vibe of Elsa Campbell’s shots, check out her directory listing, and for more on these gorgeous gowns, head to Friend of Audrey’s listing. (Psst – click on LLB‘s while you’re at it for more delicious florals!)
LAURA & GEORGIE, NSW
When Laura and Georgie tied the knot on Sydney’s south coast, they had a simple but stunning theme for their wedding party. “Our brief was pastels and be yourself! We asked our bridal party to wear something they felt comfortable in and loved, and to pick a pastel colour and see what they came back with. The result was amazing! Lucky we have very stylish and gorgeous besties!” (Ahem, not to mention gorgeous shots, captured by the super-talented Maple and June). While the brides’ tribe decked themselves out in their own picks, it must be mentioned that maid of honour Adele was wearing Sir the Label with stylish Alias Mae boots, while bride Laura found her gorgeous dress at The Bridal Atelier (get more from one of our fave bridal boutiques at their directory listing).
KAITLIN & MATT, QLD
When Kaitlin said “I do” to Matt overlooking Brisbane’s city skyline, her ladies were lovely in lavender and, just quietly, we’re dying for those ruffles and sheer, floaty sleeves. Fun! “The vibe was a little camp/extra mixed with minimal,” explains the bride of the wedding (and her own personal style), and her maids’ gossamer gowns reflected that theme beautifully. Sourced from ASOS, the pretty purple Lace and Beads numbers were stunning next to Kaitlin’s Prea James Bridal gown (again, those sleeves!) – and, of course, we’re loving the pics by talented photographer/videographer Milk and Honey Creative. Want more amazing shots like these? You know you do! Check out Milk and Honey’s directory listing right here – and more gowns to go gaga over, click on through to Prea James Bridal’s listing.
ALANA & JAMES, NSW
You cannot go wrong with nudes and neutrals, and Alana’s wedding party are undeniable proof of this fashion rule. Our friend Shane Shepherd Photography stopped by to snap gorgeous shots of this bride and her tribe on the big day in Byron Bay and we’re frankly blown away by the downright whimsy of it all. Those bridesmaids’ dresses were by Shona Joy, but it’s the linen suit and boots – courtesy of ASOS – that deserve a special mention. Oh, and let’s not forget the florals – sheer artistry by The French Petal. Need more Shane Shepherd Photography in your life? Check out his directory listing and some of the other dreamy real weddings he’s shot.
KELLY & GREG, NSW
Speaking of Shane Shepherd Photography and his skills behind the lens, here’s another one of our favourites, shot by the man himself. Bride Kelly’s trio of maids were elegant and understated in glam olive-green Bec + Bridge slips (paired with Tony Bianco shoes – we love a perfect match!) and groom Greg’s group of guys brought Hamptons vibes in spades with their dapper AF M.J. Bale suits. The wedding party could not have been more befitting the tropical Byron Bay space. Big heart eyes emoji from us! Head on over to M.J Bale’s directory listing for more dapper dudes’ duds or jump to Shane Shepherd Photography’s listing for more of his eye-catching snaps.
TANIA & NICHOLAS, SA
Okay, we know tradition usually dictates that only the bride wears white on her wedding day, but we are absolutely smitten with this all-white wedding party! It’s fresh. It’s chic. It’s simple elegance at its gosh-darn best and we are so very here for it. The gals wore stunning open-back Rebecca Vallance dresses, teamed with the cutest Vita Grace bow heels we ever did see, and with their matching white florals (thanks to Studio Botanic), this trio of bridal beauties is what wedding dreams are made of. Throw in shots by our very clever friend Taylor Kezia Photography and bam – you’ve got your big day nailed. (Want stunning snaps like these? Give Taylor Kezia Photography a shout right here.)
SHOHAN & STEPHEN, NSWIncorporating pieces from a couple’s culture into their special day gets a big “yes” from us, and we bloody love that Shohan and Steven worked in Shohan’s Sri Lankan heritage by way of their wedding squad’s sarees. The couple’s “best people” donned gorgeous burnt red and gold ensembles from Indian Wedding Saree and shawls from Light In The Box, bringing a glam pop of colour to the wedding party beside the boys’ glam monochrome black-tie looks. Of course, Zoe Morley absolutely nailed the pics on the big day – get in touch with the talented lens lady here.
STEPH & ANTHONY, VIC
Did we mention how much we love white on white for a super clean, fresh aesthetic? It’s a crisp look that suits a garden-party themed big day oh-so well, and when Steph and Anthony said “I do” at Brown Brothers Milawa, a few hours from Melbourne, they absolutely nailed it. With her trio of maids dressed in gorgeous Friend of Audrey (and the boys just as chic in M.J. Bale), fab photographer Tess Follett had no trouble delivering some amazing snaps from the event. Can we also take a minute for those gorgeous blooms the gals are carrying? Good job, Poppy Emporium! Hit up Friend of Audrey and M.J. Bale for more fits as good as these!