How to Pull Off a Hot Pink Bridesmaid's Dress

A hot pink bridesmaid dress definitely makes a bold statement for your wedding. However, if you don't want your bridesmaids to cringe when they hear your color of choice, keep a few basic guidelines in mind when hitting the bridal shops.

Hot pink is such a bold color that it will really stand alone without a lot of additional ornamentation. When going bold, it is important to keep the line of the dress clean and elegant. With such a bright color, there is a fine line between making a statement and being downright tacky. Avoid bows, puffy sleeves or flashy embroidery, as this will clutter the look of the ensemble. Choose fabrics that hang and drape well.

An A line skirt is always a safe bet, as this type of cut is flattering to women of all shapes and sizes. Paired with a bateau neckline and a pearl choker, a hot pink bridesmaid's dress can be the height of elegance. If you are going with a layered or flounced look for the bottom of the dress, make sure that the bodice is basic and clean. When working with this type of color palette, it's all about finding the right balance between subtlety and panache.

If you choose hot pink for your bridesmaid's dress, keep in mind that you will have to coordinate your wedding accessories (bridal bouquets, jewelry, shoes, makeup) to make the whole look come together. Even with a monochromatic theme, you'll want some additional colors in the bridal ensemble for contrast. However, take care to decide on a color that will work well with what you have already chosen.

Also, a word about makeup-To prevent your bridesmaids from disappearing inside their dress, their makeup palette will have be suitably bold to carry off the color of the gown. Most women need a little bit of help to pull off a color like hot pink. You may want to urge your bridesmaids to have their makeup professionally done.

To play off the hot pink theme, you can choose a completely opposite color to accent the look of the bridal party. Ivory is always a good choice to accentuate an otherwise bright color palette. A few ivory roses in a bridesmaid's bouquet, ivory shoes, a few pearls discreetly woven into the bridesmaid's headpiece can create a stunning effect. Remember, if you choose a bold monochromatic theme like hot pink, keep the accents of to a minimum. You don't want your accessories to interfere with the main color palette.

If you like the idea of a hot pink bridesmaid's dress, but still prefer a softer look, you can use the color as an accent as opposed to an overall theme. A dash of hot pink can add more punch to subtler hues such as pearl gray and lavender. A bouquet of hot pink roses, a hot pink shawl or a hot pink ribbon around an empire waist dress can provide just the subtle punch that you're looking for. You may also want to consider some hot pink accents for a black bridesmaid's dress for a touch of fun.