10 Ways to Style Lilac Bridesmaid Dresses to Make Your Wedding Whimsical

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Let’s face it, a good ol’ fashioned white wedding isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. For those who live in loud mode, pale flowers, pastel dresses, and three-tier fruit cakes can feel so tired, especially once you’ve attended more than five weddings. So what is an artistic bride to do? In walks the whimsical wedding.

A whimsical wedding theme will have you thinking outside the box. Above all else, it’s supposed to be fun. Now’s the time for vibrant, striking colors and unusual decor choices that feel like magic and fantasy. And what color could express this concept more than a lighter shade of purple? Choosing a lilac color for your bridesmaid dresses (or, dare we say, your wedding dress) is the best way to make a whimsical wedding pop.

10 Ways to Style Lilac Dresses for Whimsical Weddings

1. Combine Lilac and Sage Green

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When we look at the color wheel, yellow lies directly opposite purple, making the two complementary colors an excellent match. A yellow-toned green (like sage) is the direct opposite of lilac, which is nearer to pink than blue. Put the two together, and you have a match made in quirky color heaven! Layout some sage green bridesmaid dresses alongside the lilac ones to see what we mean!

2. Go for Glittery Makeup

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Whimsical weddings reject everything stuffy. There’s no room for clean, conventional, and “bridal” makeup looks – instead, go for something more expressive. Getting your gals all glittered up is the perfect way to inject some whimsical glow into their look. Pair your lilac bridesmaid dresses with playful rosy highlighter, sparkling hairspray, or shimmer eye-shadow if you want to be subtle. Prefer to go all out? Pop on some holographic face jewels to put Coachella to shame.

3. Add Lilac Bridesmaid Capes

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Nothing says whimsy like floor-length capes. Adding them to your bridal ensemble will instantly up the magic and mystery—especially for Medieval or fantasy-inspired weddings. Removable capes will make dancing easier at the reception, but you can find dresses with built-in capes if you prefer. Consider dress styles with single-shoulder capes or flowy cape-like sleeves for a more modern whimsical.

4. Choose Blue as an Accent Color

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Blue and purple are the ultimate color pairing for playful weddings. It can somehow bring images of mysterious, intergalactic affairs and royal fairy tea parties to mind. The two colors are analogous (sit next to each other on the color wheel) and always look good together. Dress your bridesmaids in lilac and the groomsmen in navy to make the pairing a focused part of your wedding, or drop some hydrangeas and delphinium into your bouquets.

5. Carry Wildflower Bouquets

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The perfect whimsical wedding bouquet is cascading, colorful and unashamedly wild! Good purple wildflower options for lilac dresses include cosmos, lilac, and lavender. Hint: pop in a few sprays of baby’s breath or sprigs of grass to give these romantic florals some extra dimension. If you like something brighter, go for daisies, black-eyed-susans, or lupines in yellow and orange – these are liquid gold for a whimsical sunset wedding ceremony!

6. Butterflies!

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Since the beginning of time, butterflies have been a symbol of new beginnings—perfect for newlyweds! They almost always feature in fairytales and folklore, so they’re just the thing for a whimsical wedding. Give your lilac dresses some flutter-bye love with butterfly-shaped hairpins, charm bracelets, or earrings or get a few live ones to fly over your ceremony for extra magic. Karner Blue, Colorado Hairstreak, and Royal Assyrian are the best breeds for a purple wedding.

7. Do a Pink and Purple Mix-Match

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A pink and purple wedding is nothing short of magical! To get the look, go for mismatched bridesmaid dresses in lilac, candy pink, Fuschia, and coral, finishing it all off with white flowers and romantic curls. Alternatively, go full-on Barbie with bright lilac and all-pink accessories—there are so many ways to make pink and purple work. Bonus tip for witchy girlies—this color combo also looks stunning under a black light!

8. Fluff up Your Skirts With Tulle

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Lilac tulle dresses are a fabulous choice for weddings, especially capricious ones. Tulle is a light and airy fabric that dances as you move. Plus, it stacks beautifully—giving your skirt that vintage volume you need for an enchanted meadow photoshoot. Tulle will instantly make your wedding more mesmerizing and even works for holiday-inspired ceremonies, being the fabric choice for classic ballerinas. Once again, add glitter for extra whimsy!

9. Add Purple Flower Crowns

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Want whimsical with a boho touch? Add a few flower crowns, and voila! Florals will add delicate romance to your bridesmaids’ outfits, making them more casual and relaxed. Choose a crown of eryngium, lavender, or bright blue cornflowers to offset your lilac dresses. Weave in a few sprigs of freesia of Lily of the Valley to break up the color with some classic bridal white.

10. Opt for Loose, Long Hairstyles

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Whimsical weddings are playful and unique, so there’s no set rule for bridesmaids' hairstyles here. However, we find that flowy, loose locks tend to work best. They’re less formal than the traditional up-do and give your bridesmaids a relaxed, fun-loving feel. Style your lilac bridesmaid dresses with big, loose curls, hair extensions and fantasy braids, or bouncy natural styles to make them ambassadors for your wedding philosophy.

Other Wedding Themes That Suit Lilac Bridesmaid Dresses

Vintage Weddings

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Lilac is somewhat of an old-school color, so it stands to reason that it would work well for vintage weddings. If you decide against whimsical, consider using the hue in light pastel shades alongside traditional white rose bouquets and muted gray suits. You could even choose a Regency-era-inspired dress style with pearl accessories to exude some serious Bridgerton energy!

Garden Weddings

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Before lilac was a color, it was a flower. The delicate purple hue photographs beautifully against green backdrops, so it’s perfect for spring weddings outdoors. Lilac bridesmaid dresses with floral embellishment or lace details will strengthen your garden wedding theme, bringing everything together under one blossoming tree top canopy.