Franklin Dean
Choosing the right colour for your wedding dress is an important part of wedding planning. While white wedding gowns became popular in the 19th century due to Queen Victoria, who wore one to showcase wealth and prestige, nowadays, there are many different shades of white and colours to choose from. The right shade of white will depend on your skin's undertones, which can be warm, cool, or a mixture of both. For example, someone with warm undertones will look better in warmer whites with hints of yellow, while someone with cool undertones will look better in cooler shades of white with blue undertones. Ivory, champagne, and blush are also popular wedding dress colours that can complement certain skin tones.
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What You'll Learn
Skin tone and undertones
Firstly, it is important to identify your skin tone. Skin tones can be categorised as pale, fair, medium, olive, or dark. Then, you need to determine your skin's undertone. Undertones can be warm, cool, or a mixture of both. Warm undertones are characterised by yellowish skin, while cool undertones are more pinkish. Neutral undertones fall somewhere in between. One way to determine your undertone is by looking at the veins in your wrist. If your veins appear green, you likely have warm undertones, whereas if they appear blue, you likely have cool undertones.
Now, let's explore how skin tone and undertones can guide your choice of wedding dress colour:
- Warm undertones: If you have warm undertones, cool and pure whites, as well as neutral white wedding dresses, will complement your skin tone. Bright white, also known as pure white or snow white, is a classic choice for dark skin tones with warm undertones. For fair skin with warm undertones, a creamy white dress with yellow undertones can prevent you from looking too pink-cheeked or flushed.
- Cool undertones: If you have cool undertones, neutrals like champagne white or warm whites like cream or ivory will be a perfect choice. Cool-toned skin often pairs well with silver, platinum, or white gold jewellery.
- Neutral undertones: If you have neutral undertones, you're in luck! Almost any dress shade will look great on you. Neutral and nude shades, in particular, can look amazing against your skin tone.
It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and there may be exceptions. For instance, while pure white typically suits dark skin tones, it can sometimes wash out fair skin, even with warm undertones. Additionally, certain shades may be more flattering for specific seasons, like dull white for summer or warm golden tones for autumn.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your wedding dress.
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Fabric and lighting
The colour of a wedding dress is not just about the cut—it's about the colour that speaks to you. It is important to consider how the dress's fabric and lighting will affect its appearance.
Fabric
The same colour can look completely different depending on the fabric. Satin, for example, brings shine and structure, while tulle or chiffon softens the look with a dreamy effect. Satin is not just white, ivory or pink: it is a world of colour reflections that explode under the light. A white satin could become almost silver or even blue, depending on the type of light that hits it. Chiffon, on the other hand, could take on much warmer shades than those that the atelier mirror – typically with cold lights – can give you back during your choice. Tulle, lace, and chiffon, on the other hand, are great fabrics to highlight a champagne-coloured dress.
Lighting
Different fabrics reflect light differently, so what looks "too white" on the rack may look fabulous on you! For example, a white gown will almost look a little blue in full light. Diamond white gowns, for instance, tend to be less bright than a stark white and have a slight pink undertone when seen in person. The purest white fabric appears to glow and looks marvelous against dark skin or tanned ladies.
It is important to consider how the combination of shades and fabric will create the perfect colour according to your season. For example, satin is great at evenly diffusing lights, making your bridal portraits pop. An outdoor wedding in a cream white dress will shine brilliantly while giving off rich hues once you step inside.
You can order fabric swatches to see how each tone looks under natural lighting and against your skin.
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Colour accents
The colour of your wedding dress is important as it enhances your complexion and overall look, affecting how your wedding pictures turn out. The right dress should make your skin glow and complete the beauty of your photos.
If you have a warm skin tone, cooler and neutral colours will complement you best. Colours that work well include off-white, pure white, blues, mauve, champagne, and grey. If you have a cool skin tone, colours like ivory, cream, champagne, nude, silver, charcoal, and navy will suit you. If you have a neutral skin tone, you can pull off all colours, though some experts advise avoiding chocolate brown and navy.
You can also choose to add colour accents to a white dress. Some brides opt for coloured embroidery, lace, or bands of satin, or refashion necklines in a different shade. Pastel colours are an elegant choice, and you could also choose colours that complement your eyes. For a spring wedding, pink, peach, blue, and turquoise are popular, while yellow, dusty pink, and soft lavender are excellent for summer. For autumn, consider ivories and warm colours, and for winter, colours like sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red.
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Seasonality
The colour of your wedding dress can have a significant impact on how you look and feel on your big day. The right shade of white can be determined by your skin's undertones, which can be classified as either warm or cool.
If you have warm undertones, you will likely suit warmer shades of white with hints of yellow, such as cream. Cool undertones, on the other hand, tend to suit cooler shades of white with blue undertones, like pure whites. If you have a neutral skin tone, a soft white that is neither too warm nor too cool will likely be the most flattering.
However, the season of your wedding can also play a role in determining the colour of your dress. For example, if you are having a summer wedding, soft pastels or breezy blues may be appropriate, while jewel tones like emerald or navy would be more suitable for an elegant evening affair. If you are having a boho-inspired outdoor wedding, earthy hues like taupe, moss green, or rust will blend beautifully with nature.
The colour of your wedding dress can also be influenced by your cultural background and personal style. For instance, in many cultures, specific colours symbolise different things. Red symbolises luck and celebration, while gold represents prosperity and royalty.
Additionally, the venue and wedding aesthetic should be considered when choosing your dress colour. If you are getting married on a beach, soft pastels or blues may be more fitting than a pure white dress, which could create a striking contrast against a winter backdrop.
Ultimately, the decision of what colour to wear on your wedding day is a personal one. It is important to choose a shade that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and that reflects your personality and style.
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Makeup and hair colour
When it comes to your wedding look, your hair and makeup should complement your dress, not compete with it. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect balance:
If you have a warm skin tone, characterised by greenish or yellowish veins, opt for a wedding dress in shades of cream, beige, or ivory. These shades will enhance your honey-toned complexion. For makeup, choose warmer tones like peachy blush, bronze highlighter, and nude lips with golden undertones. For hair colour, consider dark blond, red, or mocha brown hues to further emphasise the warmth of your skin tone.
If you have a cool skin tone, identified by bluish or purple-ish veins, lean towards wedding dress colours like optical white, ice white, or grey. Avoid shades with yellow undertones, such as beige or peach, as they may clash with your skin's natural undertones. For makeup, cooler tones like pure whites, pinks, lavenders, and bluish shades will complement your skin. A bold lip and structured brows can add a modern edge to your look. For hair, consider darker shades to create a striking contrast with your complexion.
If you have a balanced skin tone, your veins will likely appear dark, with no particular colour. In this case, you have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of wedding dress colours. Neutral shades like champagne, off-white, blush, and grey can be flattering options. For makeup, enhance your natural features with glowing skin, nude or soft pink lips, and a touch of shimmer on the eyes. A loose updo or soft waves can give a romantic, whimsical feel to your overall look.
It's important to remember that the lighting and fabric of your wedding dress can also impact its appearance. Opt for a colour that complements your skin tone and creates a harmonious overall look. Additionally, consider the season and venue lighting when making your selection.
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Frequently asked questions
The right shade of wedding dress will depend on your skin's undertones. If you have warm undertones, cool, pure whites and neutral white wedding dresses are the way to go. If you have cool undertones, neutrals like champagne white or warm whites like cream or ivory will be perfect.
Undertones are the colours that sit under your skin. To find yours, look at the veins on your forearm. Green to brown-ish veins indicate warm undertones, blue to purple-ish veins signify cool undertones, and dark veins with no particular colour suggest balanced undertones.
Ivory, all ivory, and blush are some of the most popular wedding dress colours, with many brides finding them the most flattering on their skin tones. Other popular colours include champagne, light gold, and diamond white.
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