If you are planning a summer wedding, it is time to get your bridesmaid dresses ordered! Every season has its own special trends and stand out styles, and summer 2010 is no exception. Make your bridal party look like a dream in the prettiest summer bridesmaid dresses of the season.

Finally, there is something other than strapless available in bridesmaid dresses! The top necklines for this summer are neither strapless nor spaghetti strap (although there are still plenty of both available), but bold halter and one shoulder necklines. Asymmetry is very popular, as are fluid fabrics like chiffon, organza, and charmeuse. If there is one clear trend for bridesmaid dresses for the summer of 2010 it is fresh modernity. These are bridesmaid dresses for the stylish contemporary woman who just happens to be in a wedding party.

The bridesmaid dresses which you select have a big job to do: they need to complement your wedding gown, fit in with the style and season of the wedding, flatter your attendants, and work within their price range. That is a lot to ask from a dress! It is no wonder that choosing bridesmaid dresses can be one of the most challenging tasks of the entire wedding planning process. Your best bet to make the process as painless as possible is to do your homework: read articles about 2010 fashion trends, look at pictures online, and narrow it down to a few basic shapes and colors. Only then should you begin actively shopping, and when you do, bring only one or two other people with you.

If the style of your wedding is city chic, then a one shoulder silhouette will be ideal for your bridal party. This design is now being offered by most of the bridesmaid dress designers, in every price point. For a formal evening wedding, opt for a floor length one shoulder bridesmaid dress in a gathered chiffon. In the daytime, a knee length style will be more summery and light, especially in a popular color for 2010 like periwinkle blue. The elegance of the one shoulder gown also looks lovely when interpreted in glamorous silk charmeuse, but only for indoor weddings. Since the neckline does not allow for a necklace, look for sets of bridesmaid jewelry with a dangly pair of earrings and a couple of bracelets to stack.

The halter neckline is a fairly versatile one. It is being shown in bridesmaid dresses which run the gamut from tailored shantung styles to sexier flowing silks. One of the more intriguing designs is a tailored shantung in a two-tone design. The bodice of the halter dress is one color, and the skirt portion a contrasting color. This is an interesting option, as it would allow for a lot of customization within the dress, and also adds a graphic punch to your attendants’ attire. For evening weddings, charcoal is one of the most popular wedding colors for 2010, although personally, I find it a bit subdued for summer. It would be fun to choose a bolder color like bright purple or fuchsia, which are much livelier and a great match for festive summer wedding flowers.

Ruffles are very romantic, and are a big trend in dresses across the fashion spectrum this season. Bridesmaid dresses with ruffled necklines are available in all of the different necklines, from V-neck to strapless to spaghetti strap to one shoulder. This is a romantic style which would suit almost any wedding. For a daytime wedding, dare to choose a yellow bridesmaid dress with a chiffon ruffle at the neckline. Or select a more subtle color like pale shell pink and give it pizazz with a more dramatically ruffled bodice. The charming nature of ruffled dresses is enhanced by sets of bridesmaid jewelry with a romantic or vintage flavor, such as pearl and crystal pendant and earring sets.

There are many lovely styles available for summer 2010 bridesmaid dresses. Choose from trendy colors like yellow, purple, blue, or charcoal, or select your favorite color in another shade. With flowing chiffon, cutting edge necklines, and ultra-girly ruffles among the choices, there is sure to be a style which will be perfect with any type of wedding.

By: Laura Firenze

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