Once you've found 'the one' (your wedding dress) it's time to sort out the bridesmaid dresses - and in my humble opinion, green is the way to go. Like ballet slipper pink and burnt orange, green bridesmaid dresses are becoming an increasingly popular colour - and it's not hard to see why. Ever since Atonement, bridesmaid dress goals have somewhat coalesced around the brilliant, almost backless, emerald gown worn by Keira Knightley.
As well as emerald, lighter shades of green work wonderfully in spring and summer. Sage green bridesmaid dresses, in particular, have emerged as something of an undisputed favourite. But darker hues like forest are definitely worth exploring, especially for the moodier autumn months when you might not want something pastel. Mid-green hues - like seafoam, mint and chartreuse - are equally worth of attention, especially if you want something that will almost certainly stand out. Want to mix and match? Green is the ideal colour to create a spectrum of colour on your wedding day, with shades to suit all skin tones, hair colours and style preferences.
Whatever shade you opt for on the spectrum, it's guaranteed to turn heads for all the right reasons. And because it's such a popular shade for dresses full stop - it's actually quite easy to find something that your bridesmaids will want to wear again, whether you're looking for a traditional bridesmaid dress or a modern take that will still cut the mustard when it comes to the bridal party shots.
Grazia's Round-Up Of The Best Green Bridesmaid Dresses At A Glance
Editor's choice: Pretty Lavish Amelia Ruched Maxi Bridesmaid Dress.
Best off-the-shoulder green bridesmaid dress: Nobody's Child Satin Bardot Gaia Bridesmaid Dress
Best halter-neck green bridesmaid dress: Vila Bridesmaid Halter-Neck Strappy Cross-Back Maxi Dress
Best midaxi green bridemaid dress: Rixo Sandrine V-Neck Midi Dress
As you can see from the above selection, the high street really delivers when it comes to bridesmaid dresses that won't break the bank (especially if you've got a bevy of friends to cater for).
Here are some of our favourite green bridesmaid dresses to shop now:
SHOP: The Best Green Bridesmaid Dresses
Editor's choice
Pretty Lavishprettylavish.co.uk
Looking for a one-shouldered green bridesmaid dress? The Amelia Ruched Maxi Bridesmaid Dress is the perfect twist on a classic bridesmaid dress, complete with a flattering one-shoulder and ruched detailing. The added side split will take your bridesmaids from the aisle to the dance floor.
| Size range: | 6-18 |
Best satin green bridesmaid dress
Ghostwww.ghost.co.uk
Ghost is an all-time favourite of fashion editors when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. The Satin Midi Dress' elegant button closures and elbow-length sleeves make it a timeless choice.
| Size range: | XS/8-XL/16 |
Best olive green bridesmaid dress
Rewrittenwearerewritten.com
Rewritten is one of the most reliable destinations for bridesmaid dresses - and this style looks lovely in satin. Complete with flattering tie-waist detailing and cross-back straps, this dress will make your bridal party look and feel their best in green on your special day.
| Size range: | XS-XL |
www.galvanlondon.com
If your maids aren't into floor-length gowns, try this mid-calf-length beauty from Galvan London, a cropped version of its iconic dress, the Sienna.
| Size range: | 34-44 (UK 6-16) |
Best midaxi green bridesmaid dress
rixolondon.com
This empire-waisted, bias-cut dress is a signature at Rixo, whose bridesmaid dress offering is one of the best in the business. This jacquard fabric is available in multiple different dress silhouettes and shades so your maids can mix and match.
| Size range: | 6-20 |
www.maidstomeasure.com
Maids to Measure is one of the best specialist brands for bridesmaid dresses, with the option to filter by colour. When it comes to green bridesmaid dresses, you can even sort by four different shades: forest, light, sage and misty.
| Sie range: | 8-18 |
Best embellished green bridesmaid dress
www.monsoon.co.uk
Monsoon has a lovely selection of bridesmaid dresses, including this sage green style with delicate embroidery on the sleeves, bodice and skirt.
| Size range: | 6-18 |
www.net-a-porter.com
Saloni's emerald dress couldn't be a chicer option if you have fewer bridesmaids and a bit more to spend on what they wear.
| Size range: | 4-16 |
www.mytheresa.com
Rodarte's emerald green silk dress would be the bridesmaid dress to end all bridesmaid dresses, especially for a winter wedding.
| Size range: | 4-16 |
www.cos.com
COS' green satin midi dress would be the definition of an easy, breezy choice for your bridesmaids.
| Size range: | 32-44 (UK 4-16) |
Best slip dress green bridesmaid dress
www.jcrew.com
For a height-of-summer wedding that will be hot with a capital H, J.Crew's '90s-inspired slip dress is a very safe bet.
| Size range: | US: 00-24 (XXS-3X) |
www.thereformation.com
Reformation is always a go-to for fashionable brides and their equally fashionable maids. This Casette silk dress is available in six different shades, but we bet you'll be struck by the artichoke.
| Size range: | 4-16 |
Best halter-neck green bridesmaid dress
www.asos.com
Available via ASOS, Vila's halter-neck, sage green dress is an affordable option that doesn't compromise on style or quality.
| Size range: | 6-18 |
Best high street green bridesmaid dress
www.warehousefashion.com
Warehouse's halter-neck backless slip dress is a purse-friendly option that's perfect for hot-weather nuptials.
| Size range: | 6-16 |
www.needleandthread.com
If your bridesmaids have a taste for embellishment, it's got to be Needle & Thread, which has this one-sleeved wonder in spearmint green.
| Size range: | 4-22 |
www.coastfashion.com
Elegant and easy to wear, Coast's waterfall-hemmed bridesmaid dress comes in this rather sumptuous emerald - ideal for a winter church wedding.
| Size range: | 8-18 |
Best black tie green bridesmaid dress
www.ralphlauren.co.uk
Trust Ralph Lauren to deliver a knock-out gown - fabulously one-shouldered and fluid - that will definitely pass muster on the bridesmaid circuit.
| Size range: | 2-22 |
www.nobodyschild.com
Nobody's Child has one of the best dress selections on the high street - and now it does bridesmaid dresses.
| Size range: | 4-18 |
sisterjane.com
Sister Jane's emerald dress has adjustable shoulder ties and is meticulously embellished with beaded flower trims.
| Size range: | XS-L |
www.meandem.com
For a green bridesmaid dress with a difference, Me+Em's cold-shoulder style ticks all the boxes.
| Size range: | 6-16 |
www.zara.com
Zara's off-the-shoulder dress definitely isn't a traditional bridesmaid dress, but if you're looking for something with edge for a town hall ceremony, you've found it.
| Size range: | S-L |
www.theoutnet.com
Rasario's tulle-trimmed scalloped twill maxi dress is guaranteed to turn heads for all the right reasons, thanks to its zesty shade of lime.
| Size range: | 36-44 (UK 8-16) |
Best simple green bridesmaid dress
www2.hm.com
For a summer wedding that's likely to coincide with scoring temperatures, H&M's scoop-neck slip dress will be cool in both senses of the word.
| Size range: | S-XL |
www.mytheresa.com
Norma Kamali's jersey dresses are legendary for their comfort factor, so why not treat your bridesmaids to something sexy yet super easy to wear?
| Size range: | XXS-XL |
Where to shop the best green bridesmaid dresses?
As with any bridesmaid dress hunt, a popular place to start is with specialist brands such as Maids to Measure (Rewritten's selection of bridesmaid dresses is also available to shop via John Lewis). It's also worth looking at some of your favourite dress brands who have diversified their offering to include bridalwear, like Rixo, a favourite for bridesmaid dresses with Team Grazia, and Nobody's Child, who offers beautiful dresses that won't blow the budget (as well as allowing customers to borrow instead of buy with its in-house rental service).
What shoes should you wear with a green bridesmaid dress?
Good question! I would usually say whatever heels you've got in your wardrobe if you're a heels person or a smart pair of flat sandals if not, but some colours might work better than others. I would personally opt for something metallic. A silver slingback or a gold mule sandal will contrast brilliantly with almost any shade of green (the only one you might need to watch out for is chartreuse), but won't steal the spotlight away from what you're wearing.
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).