Instead of groaning when asked to be a member of a friend's wedding party, many modern bridesmaids are breathing sighs of relief.

Today, bridal manufacturers are offering sophisticated dresses that may even make the bride blush with envy.

Watters & Watters, a design company based in Dallas, was started by two sisters who believed bridesmaids consistently got left out when it came to style.

Twelve years ago, the sisters started designing dresses "that the bridesmaid could actually wear again," says Vice President Maria Prince. Now the company's sleek, sexy dresses are rivaling the most elegant wedding gowns.

"They are much more sophisticated than the bridesmaids' dresses of yesterday that were always so cutesy," Prince says.

Today, the bridal party is having a ball wearing dresses that are more elegant and glamorous than in years past.

"There really are two directions for bridesmaids' dresses," Prince says. "They are either slim and sleek and kind of Audrey Hepburn-like or they are fuller tulle looks reminiscent of Grace Kelly."

The many options available to brides and their attendants today applies whether the entire party looks alike, the traditional approach, or whether the attendants complement each other as well as the bridal gown.

When it comes to color, "spring is lighter," according to Prince. "We're seeing more pale colors," she says, "more like ready-to-wear." Honeydew, sage green and moonlight are just a few of the latest hues from Watters & Watters.

At Dessy Creations, silvery platinum satin dresses with matching stoles are glimmering for the bridal party. Gray and all its lighter, shimmering shades are as popular for the bridal party as they are in ready-to-wear.

And if you don't like silver, Dessy's interactive "color-finder" will allow you to see any dress in any color with a click of the mouse on http://www.dessy.com

The shape of bridesmaids' dresses echo that of bridal gowns, Prince says. "They're mostly strapless," she says, "or they have a soft, modified V-neckline. Square necklines usually aren't as flattering."

Watters & Watters' spring collection features elegant simplicity. A pink iridescent sleeveless chiffon dress has a matching chiffon scarf. A honeydew-colored strapless dress with shirring bodice falls into a full-length tulle skirt, also with matching scarf.

Other not-so-typical bridesmaids' dresses from Watters & Watters include a white rayon two-piece sleeveless top with buttons down the front, a fabric flower pin at the back waist and a slim floor-length skirt.

Soft pink is another favorite hue for the bridal party this spring. Softened with chiffon, Jim Hjelm's Occasions pink bridesmaid's satin princess dress features a cowl drape neckline -- another popular detail on dresses this spring.

While most brides still want their wedding party to wear matching dresses, there is room for change. Don't be afraid to set your best friend apart.

"Many brides will want their maid of honor to wear a different dress that coordinates with the other maids," Prince says.

Bianchi's Tiamo collection features "Mix & Match Maids," an interchangeable array of dresses for the bridal party that coordinate in color, but feature different silhouettes and shapes, "because no two bridesmaids are exactly alike."

At Vera Wang Maids, the bridal party can choose from dresses in a variety of silhouettes -- from halters to strapless to off-the-shoulder shapes -- all in the same color tones. Buttery mellow-yellow golds are among the most popular color combinations.

The rest of the bridal party -- junior bridesmaids and flower girls -- follow suit with the bridesmaids, coordinating colors and flowers. But let's face it: The ring bearer and the flower girl can wear almost anything and upstage the bride.

While junior bridesmaids often wear miniature replicas of the other bridal attendants' dresses, flower girls usually wear more traditional full-skirted dresses that fall to midcalf.

In creamy white organza or taffeta, perhaps smocked and trimmed with ribbon sashes and flowers, these dresses are appropriate any time of year, complete with ballet slippers or Mary Janes, white tights and anklets.

When it comes to Mom's wedding attire, specialty stores and bridal boutiques offer an incredible selection of evening clothes. However, the mother of the bride or groom does not have to vanish into the background. An elegant evening dress or cocktail suit can express individual personality while complementing the fashions of the rest of the wedding party.

With the wide variety of clothing options for the members of the wedding, there's no reason your wedding can't be picture perfect.