Bridesmaids Through the Decades: A Look at Bridesmaid Dresses in Movie History

Being a bridesmaid is a role that many women find themselves in at least once in their lives. It’s an honor to be chosen to play such an important part in someone’s special day, and of course you want to look your best. To get some inspiration for your own bridesmaid dress, let’s take a look back at some classic movie moments featuring bridal parties of all shapes and sizes.

From The Sound of Music (1965) to My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), there have been countless movies that feature bridesmaid dresses throughout history. Let’s start with one of the most iconic movie weddings ever—The Sound of Music. In this 1965 classic, Maria Von Trapp’s six children don traditional dirndl dresses as they serve as her bridal party. The light blue and white floral-print dresses perfectly match the theme of the wedding and are timelessly elegant.

The 1990 rom-com Pretty Woman features Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward, who plays a prostitute hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere). Though she may not be technically part of the bridal party, Roberts looks stunning in her bright yellow gown—an unexpected choice for a bride or bridesmaid but one that certainly makes an impact.

Fast forwarding two decades brings us to 2002’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This cult classic follows Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) as she navigates being from a traditional Greek family while marrying non-Greek Ian Miller (John Corbett). Her five bridesmaids all wear classic strapless gowns in shades ranging from periwinkle blue to burnt orange bridesmaid dresses, making them perfect for any type of wedding setting while still staying true to Toula’s Greek roots.

No matter what decade it is or what type of movie it is, one thing remains consistent—bridesmaid dresses always stand out! From traditional to modern strapless gowns, from royal to rose gold bridemaid dresses, there are plenty of options when it comes time for you or your friends to pick out their perfect dresses for your special day. Drawing inspiration from these timeless classics can help you find the perfect combination of style and sentimentality no matter what era you’re living in!