Holding your wedding in the colder months is a great opportunity to go a little extra with what your bridal party wears.

Summer weddings call for delicate fabrics and a little more exposed skin but a winter ceremony means things like dramatic silhouettes and rich fabrics and colours. We honestly never expected to see velvet as a go-to material for bridesmaids but bridal planning site WeddingWire is calling it. "Velvet is making a comeback in the fashion world and we’re digging it for 2018 bridesmaid dresses," they say. [caption id="attachment_393692" align="alignnone" width="555"] Image via Etsy[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_393697" align="alignnone" width="560"] Image via Romwe[/caption]   They reckon that velvet will be popular this year for the drama it lends to a look, especially for autumn and winter weddings. "The luxe fabric can also be worn in a variety of colors, so you can easily mix and match your bridesmaid dresses," they add. We love a bit of velvet for a night out have seen plenty of it on the red carpet so you'll have lots of inspo to work with. As for whether all all your gals will be up for such a dramatic look? That could be another story. Another controversial bridesmaids trend predicted to be huge in 2018 is dresses with a slit up the side. The Knot says this 'sexy' style will be everywhere this year. "Floor-length gowns take on a sexier edge with a thigh-high slit this season," the publication says. "A side slit (or double slit for the truly daring) shows just the right amount of skin." A dress with a slit is perfect for many an occasion but how can you make it work for a wedding? The key might be to go for a flowy skirt. The more material there is there, the less leg will be on show and the less likely a bridesmaid will show some knicker.