You’ll Fall for This Magical Nevada Elopement at Bonneville Salt Flats
Bridal Party Sunglasses: The Must-Have Accessory for a Stylish Celebration
It was the summer of 2022, in a vineyard tucked behind dusty hills in Santorini, when I first realized that bridal party sunglasses weren’t just cute—they were essential. The maid of honor whipped out a white monogrammed box filled with matching cat-eye sunnies, and suddenly the whole morning felt like a music video. Champagne popped. Hair curlers hissed. And the energy shifted. These weren’t just accessories—they were declarations of vibe.
No bridal party is complete without sunglasses 🙂 Photo by Lazarus Ziridis on Pexels.com
I’ve attended more bridal parties than I can count at this point—beach vows, forest elopements, rooftop soirées. And at nearly every one in the past few years, bridal party sunglasses made a dazzling appearance. Not always matching, not always coordinated, but always fabulous. So, as part of our bridal party inspiration, let’s get into it—why this trend has turned into a staple, and what you need to know before slipping those shades on.
Bridal Party Sunglasses Are Stealing the Spotlight—Here’s Why
There’s something about a group of people in coordinated sunglasses that screams “iconic.” Like the opening credits of a cool indie film—each character introduced with their own strut and shade of sass. Bridal shower sunglasses offer that cinematic flair, and more importantly, they keep your crew from squinting during golden hour photos.
Function meets fashion. And look, I’m all for aesthetic, but I’ve also been the girl in a silk dress, sweating in the sun and pretending to smile through eye pain. Practicality counts.
Photographers love them too—reflections, symmetry, and that extra pop of personality. According to Brides, “custom sunglasses are one of the most photogenic bridal day props you can incorporate”. The Knot echoes the sentiment, noting that “bridal party accessories like fun sunglasses can make even the most posed photos feel spontaneous and joyful”.
Bonus? They’re often way cheaper than other bridal party gifts. I’ve seen custom sets on Etsy for less than the cost of one round of Aperol Spritz at a fancy brunch spot.
There’s something about a group of people in coordinated sunglasses that screams “iconic.” Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash.com
When to Wear Them Without Looking Like a Walking Theme Party
Don’t get me wrong—I love a theme. But sometimes the line between stylish and cheesy gets razor-thin. You’ve got to time your sunglass moments like a DJ drops a beat: just right.
The bachelorette weekend is a no-brainer. I once spent three days in Ibiza with a bride squad wearing heart-shaped sunnies that said “Babe Patrol,” and let me tell you—locals still remember us. Bridal shower sunglasses, especially cheeky styles like bride tribe sunglasses or team bride sunglasses, help set the tone early. It says: This isn’t just any weekend. This is the weekend.
Bridal party morning glam is another peak moment. It breaks the tension, makes for great candid shots, and doubles as a shield when the waterworks hit early. Post-vows is my favorite. Picture this: just married, the couple struts back down the aisle, sunlight pouring in, bridal party in sync behind them—with shades. It’s the kind of moment that makes guests stand up and cheer.
Some parties keep them on all the way into the reception, especially if it’s outdoors. I’ve even seen them paired with LED sneakers during the final dance set, which—yes—sounds wild, but also kind of worked.
WeddingWire even recommends sunglasses as “unexpected but functional favors that guests will actually use”.
Shades of Style: Finding the Right Look for Your Crew
Here’s where things get spicy. You don’t have to do the classic black Ray-Ban dupe. That’s a safe choice, sure. But bridal party sunglasses can say a lot about your vibe. Think of them like a cake: there’s no “right” kind, just what feels deliciously you.
Retro heart frames bring out the romantic-meets-reckless energy (and look surprisingly flattering on most face shapes). I wore a tortoise shell pair with gold lettering to a garden ceremony in Lisbon that matched the bridesmaids’ sage dresses and floral crowns—chefs kiss. If you’re going beachy or boho, bamboo or rose-tinted lenses are your best friend.
And don’t forget the people who actually need glasses. At a celebration in Bali, the groom’s sister had prescription sunglasses made to match the bridal party’s round gold frames. She looked stunning and didn’t have to squint once. Sometimes, inclusive choices are the most stylish of all.
Harper’s Bazaar fashion editors even noted that custom eyewear for bridal parties “adds polish without trying too hard”.
Watch this video to get some more ideas:
Add a Personal Touch (Without Going Full Pinterest DIY Meltdown)
Here’s the trick to customizing sunglasses without slipping into Etsy-overload madness: think like a minimalist with a cheeky streak.
Add initials, party roles (“Bride,” “MOH,” “Bride’s Favorite Cousin Who Should Totally Be in the Bridal Party But Isn’t”), or your hashtag. Keep the fonts clean, the colors coordinated, and resist the urge to bedazzle unless your theme is full-on disco. Trust me on this one—I once helped hot-glue rhinestones at 2am in a hotel room and it was not the glamorous bonding moment we thought it would be.
If you’re gifting them, presentation counts. I’ve seen brides use mini velvet pouches or eco-friendly boxes with a Polaroid of each person inside. One bride even included a tiny bottle of tequila and a note that said “Let’s make questionable choices—fashionably.” That bride? She gets it.
More and more couples are using team bride sunglasses as part of their flat-lay photo designs or welcome bag reveals—a trend even Martha Stewart Weddings featured in their list of stylish party gift ideas.
Watch this reel for some inspiration:
Real Talk: Not Just Cute—They’re Symbolic
Here’s what I didn’t realize until my fifth bridal shower of the year: bridal party sunglasses are more than accessories. They’re armor. Not the heavy, emotional kind. The kind you wear with red lipstick and a smirk.
They signal unity. Inside jokes. The pact that says, “No matter what goes wrong today, we’ll laugh our way through it.” They’re also deeply photogenic metaphors: everyone looking toward the future, shaded against the past.
At a bridal shower in Tuscany, the bride’s grandfather put on the groom’s extra pair of sunglasses and declared, “Now I’m part of the cool kids’ table.” We all melted. That moment—small, funny, deeply human—was the one the photographer printed for the thank-you cards.
That’s the magic. That’s the memory-maker.
That’s the magic. That’s the memory-maker. Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels.com
TL;DR? Get the Glasses.
Bridal party sunglasses are fun, affordable, and actually useful. They won’t break the bank, they’ll look great in photos, and they’re one of the few trends that genuinely make the day easier for everyone involved.
Are they technically necessary? No. But neither are champagne towers, and we all know how those end (epically).
If you’re planning your bridal party or part of someone else’s, think of sunglasses as your low-effort, high-impact accessory. A wink. A vibe. A vibe with lenses.
If you’ve worn them, gifted them, or even designed your own, I want to see! Tag us @bespokebride on Instagram, or drop your fave sunglass moment in the comments below.
And whatever happens—never let a squint ruin a perfect photo.
