Nature's cathedral is a beautiful place in which to hold a wedding ceremony. An outdoor wedding is very edifying, and a garden, beach or mountain can provide the perfect backdrop for the wedding. When choosing bridesmaid dresses to complement your outdoor wedding, it is important to remember to choose attire that reflects the setting, as well as your desired ceremony.

Formal outdoor wedding wear is especially appropriate for a ceremony in a garden or a park. Bridesmaid dresses should be long, and reflect the chosen wedding colors. Black dresses can be very striking in this setting. However, as the outdoors is a naturally colorful place, it isn't a bad idea to have bridesmaids wear darker shades of blue, green, maroon or burgundy. In most formal ceremonies, the bridesmaid dresses are all of one color, this holds true for those held outdoors as well.

Of course, most outdoor weddings are not meant to be formal. They are often more relaxed: semi-formal or casual. But there is no reason for the bridesmaids not to wear beautiful dresses that reflect the setting. Tea-length bridesmaid dresses work very well in semi-formal and casual settings, especially outdoors. Choosing a different color for each bridesmaid dress is a good way to pattern the ceremony after the variety found in nature.

In a garden or park ceremony, simple bridesmaid dresses with muted and small, simple prints, can add an element of fun. Bright colors, reminding guests of flowers, are appropriate for this type of wedding. Any outdoor bridesmaid dress looks fresh and attractive when complemented with a ribbon or bow tied around the waist.

Sun dresses are perfect as part of a beachfront wedding. Bridesmaids with simple, and even sleeveless, dresses look stylish, and as though they could belong at the beach. Some colors that might look nice on the beach are light or pastel shades of green, aqua, blue, pink and yellow. These colors reflect the ocean, and the sunset or sunrise over the water.

Cocktail length dresses are great for mountain weddings, as are tea-length bridesmaid dresses. As with other non-formal outdoor wedding wear, simple is best for the bridesmaid dresses. Earth tones reflect mountain colors well. Shades of brown and rust, as well as dark green and blue, complement a mountain setting. These are also good colors for an outdoor wedding held during autumn.

Unless the ceremony is formal, simple is key for outdoor bridesmaid dresses. Simple dresses better reflect the natural setting, and create a connection between the ceremony and nature.