We’ve all seen them before: the bridesmaids who match from head to toe. Identical dresses are, of course, a given, but as they dutifully stand next to their bride, guests who are particularly attentive (or bored during the ceremony) will notice further evidence that these treasured friends and family members may have in fact been cloned (or that the bride has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder): their hair is parted on the same side and eye lashes curled to the same precise angle. There is the exact same number of beads in their matching necklaces and bobby pins in their up-dos (except for the bride’s “wild cousin” Becky, who needed an extra two). Their shoes came off the same conveyor belt in the same factory in China. A whiff of drama is in air of the chapel, as you notice the rogue bridesmaid wearing a band-aid, completely ruining the bride’s vision, not the mention the photos that she and her hubby are spending thousands of dollars on.

While there’s certainly nothing wrong with matching bridesmaids (especially if you’ve got friends at Alexander McQueen who can score you six or seven Pippa dresses at a sizable discount), you’ll have a hard time finding any wedding authority to support your claim that everything from the Spanx shade to the chignons should be identical. In fact, brides are increasingly washing their manicured hands of the entire thing and opting instead for a mismatched look. If you’re anything like me, this can be almost as frightening as a banquet hall without chandeliers. But fear not: I’ve combed the bridal blogosphere for the most fierce and fashionable mismatched bridal parties in every kind of setting.

First Comes Love Photo

Erin Hearts Court

Erin Hearts Court

Rothwell Photography

Aaron Delesie

Josh Goleman, The Wedding Artists Collective

Jose Villa

Braedon Flynn

Michael Segal

Yitzhak Dalal

Amelia J. Moore Photography

Christian Oth

Yvette Roman

White Rabbit Studios

Stephen Devries

Stephen Pappas Photography

Celebrities on trend:

Elizabeth Messina

JAKE HOLLY/Startraksphoto.com

Brides.com

People.com

And of course, who could forget the infamous mismatched bridesmaids dresses from Sex and the City?

What do you think of mismatched bridesmaids? Can it work? Or do you prefer a uniform look? Comment below or tweet @RachelCravit.