When it comes to picking out the best bridesmaid dresses, it can be easy to fall prey to trite, cookie-cutter designs. Over the years, we’ve been subconsciously trained to think that the bride’s gown is really all that matters. But that’s certainly not the case, especially if you’re planning to capture spectacular pictures of everyone together. Both the bride and bridesmaid’s looks should work hand in hand to complement each other.

An easy trick to adopt when shopping for maid of honor dresses is to think of it as an orchestra. Each dress plays a different role (just like every instrument in a symphony), but when worn together, they harmonize into a beautiful song—or in this case, an unforgettably chic wedding portrait.

So whether you’re choosing to uniformly dress your bridesmaids in coordinating designs or letting each person show off a bit of their personality, skip the commonplace, cheesy gowns and look for fabulous designs your wedding party will really and truly want to wear again. It’s all about ensuring everyone looks and feels their best. If you’re still not sure where to start, we’ve gathered some of our favorite designs that are worthy of such a momentous occasion. You won’t find any embarrassingly fluffy tulle or dreaded can-can skirts here, just simply the best bridesmaid dresses to consider for your big day.