Deborah Chan
Choosing what to wear to a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to selecting a colour. The most important rule is to avoid wearing white or any shade that could be mistaken for white, such as ivory, beige, or cream. You should also avoid wearing the same colour as the wedding party to prevent being mistaken for a member of the bridal party. Other colours to avoid include glittery or shimmery fabrics, neon colours, and anything too flashy or bold. Instead, opt for colours that complement the wedding theme, season, and your skin tone. For spring weddings, pastel or light colours are ideal, while bright colours are perfect for summer. Warm, earthy tones are suitable for fall, and silvery metallic shades, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, and dark green are elegant choices for winter. Ultimately, the key is to choose a colour that makes you feel confident and elegant while ensuring you don't take away from the spotlight of the happy couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring: pastel or light colours; Summer: bright colours; Fall: warm, earthy tones; Winter: silvery metallic shades, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, dark green |
| Skin tone | Copper, amethyst, emerald green |
| Wedding party's colours | Avoid wearing the exact shade as the wedding party |
| Dress code | Formal: basic black and white; semi-formal: pastel, muted, or jewel tones; informal: neutral tones and solid colours |
| Venue | Indoor: copper; outdoor: copper, amethyst, emerald green |
| Theme | Vineyard chic, seaside glam, boho-inspired, rustic |
| What not to wear | White, ivory, off-white, beige, champagne, cream, super light colours, denim, glitter, neon colours, metallic gold, silver, rose gold |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid white, ivory, off-white, beige, champagne, cream, and super light colours
When choosing a colour for a wedding guest dress, it is important to avoid wearing white, ivory, off-white, beige, champagne, cream, and super light colours. This is because the bride should be the only one wearing white, as it is her day to shine and it is traditional for the bride to wear white. There are many other colours to choose from, so it is not worth the risk of upstaging the bride or causing confusion by wearing a similar shade.
Wearing white or a similar shade to a wedding can be seen as disrespectful to the bride and may cause unnecessary tension. It is best to avoid any colours that are too close to white, as they may appear white in photos and cause the same issues. Shades like ivory, champagne, and pale blush should be avoided for this reason. Fabrics such as lace, satin, and tulle are also traditionally associated with wedding dresses, so it is best to steer clear of these fabrics even in non-white colours.
While it may seem like a simple choice to avoid, there are many factors to consider when choosing a wedding guest dress colour. The season and formality of the event will play a role in your decision. For example, pastel or light colours are perfect for a spring wedding, while bright colours are better suited for summer weddings. For a fall wedding, warm, earthy tones are ideal, and for winter weddings, richer colours like dark green or magenta are a gorgeous choice.
In addition to the time of year, the wedding's theme and your personal style can help guide your colour choice. Combining these factors will help you choose a shade that you feel confident and stunning in while also respecting the bride's wishes. It is important to remember that there are countless colours besides white that will look beautiful and appropriate for a wedding guest.
If you are unsure about what colour to choose, it is always a good idea to check the invitation for dress code cues or even ask the bride directly. This can help you avoid any missteps and ensure that you feel comfortable and appropriate for the wedding. With a little consideration and planning, you can find a wedding guest dress colour that is both stylish and respectful.
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Don't wear the same colour as the wedding party
When choosing a colour for your wedding guest dress, it is important to avoid wearing the same colour as the wedding party. This is a well-known wedding guest fashion faux pas, as you don't want to be mistaken for a member of the bridal party or the bride herself.
To avoid this, you can ask a member of the wedding party or another guest what colours the wedding party will be wearing. If you don't know anyone in the wedding party, it may be difficult to find out the exact colours they will be wearing, but you can make an educated guess based on the season and formality of the wedding. For example, pastel or light colours are popular for spring weddings, while bright colours are more common in summer. For a fall wedding, warm, earthy tones are often chosen, and a winter wedding may feature darker, richer colours like silver, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, and dark green.
If the wedding is formal, you may want to opt for a floor-length gown in a muted or jewel tone. On the other hand, if the wedding is more casual, you can choose a shorter dress in a colour that complements the season, such as copper for a summer or fall wedding.
In addition to avoiding the wedding party colours, there are a few other colours to steer clear of as a wedding guest. White, ivory, and other light colours that could be mistaken for white are typically considered off-limits, as they are too similar to traditional bridal gowns. Black is also sometimes seen as inappropriate for a daytime wedding, especially if it is a celebratory event, as it can be associated with funerals.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a colour that you feel confident and comfortable in, while also being mindful of the wedding party's colours and other cultural or seasonal considerations.
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Choose a colour that complements your skin tone
When choosing a wedding dress colour, it's essential to consider your skin tone. The right shade will make your skin glow and ensure you look radiant in your wedding photos.
Firstly, you need to identify your skin tone. Most brides fall into the pale, fair, medium, olive, or dark skin tone categories. Then, you must determine your skin's undertone by looking at the veins on your forearm between your wrist and elbow. If your veins appear greenish or yellowish, you have a warm undertone. If they seem blue or purple, you have a cool undertone.
If you have a warm skin tone, cooler and neutral colours will complement you best. Off-white, pure white, blues, mauve, champagne, and grey are all excellent choices. If you have olive or tanned skin, a warm-coloured gown such as off-white or cream will look beautiful. For darker skin tones, bright colours like ivory, pale yellow, and light grey are very flattering.
On the other hand, if you have a cool undertone, ivory, cream, champagne, nude, silver, charcoal, and navy are all excellent choices. Soft pastels like blush, mint, and lilac will also complement your skin. If you have fair skin, cool-toned colours like champagne and blush can be very flattering. For pale skin, ivory is a great choice as it will not emphasise any pallor.
Lastly, if you have a neutral undertone, almost any colour will look fantastic. However, some experts recommend avoiding chocolate brown and navy.
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Consider the season and location of the wedding
The season and location of the wedding are key factors in determining what colours you'll feel good in and what will look great in photos. If you're attending a wedding in the summer, you might want to opt for a dress in a pastel or light colour, as these shades are perfect for a summer wedding. If you're looking for something that will flatter your skin tone, amethyst is a gorgeous choice and is seasonally versatile, blending well with spring, summer, and winter wedding shades. For a serene desert setting, copper is a good choice for summer and fall weddings.
For a fall wedding, stick to warm, earthy tones. If you're attending a wedding in the winter, colours like silvery metallic shades, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, and dark green are gorgeous choices. Emerald green is a stunning colour that most people find incredibly pleasing and can be worn to a summer, fall, or winter wedding.
The location of the wedding is also important to consider when choosing a dress colour. For a beach wedding, for example, you might want to opt for lighter colours. If you're attending a wedding at a chilly outdoor location, it's a good idea to choose clothing that's appropriate for the weather.
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Avoid neon colours and anything too flashy
When choosing a colour for a wedding guest dress, it's important to avoid neon colours and anything too flashy. While you want to look stylish and elegant, you don't want to draw too much attention away from the bride and groom. Neon colours tend to look casual and sporty, and they can be quite attention-grabbing. Instead, opt for classic neutrals or deep colours that will make you look elegant and polished.
Another reason to avoid flashy colours is that you don't want to accidentally match the wedding party. It's important to consider the wedding's colour scheme and try to avoid wearing the same shade as the bridal party. This will help prevent any confusion or mishaps.
In addition to neon colours, it's best to steer clear of ultra-bright hues and garish colours. While you want to stand out and look your best, you don't want to appear too flashy or over-the-top. Stick to more subtle and elegant colours that complement the season and the wedding theme.
For example, if you're attending a spring wedding, pastel colours are a lovely choice. Just be mindful of pale pastels that might appear white in certain lighting conditions, as you don't want to accidentally break the "`don't wear white`" rule. Instead, opt for softer shades that complement the springtime palette.
When in doubt, it's always a good idea to choose a colour that you feel stunning in and that complements your skin tone. This way, you'll look and feel confident without taking away from the happy couple's special day.
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Frequently asked questions
It is considered taboo for wedding guests to wear white, ivory, off-white, beige, champagne, cream, eggshell, or any variation of white that could be mistaken for the colour of the bride's dress. Other colours to avoid include denim, glitter, neon colours, and metallic gold, silver, and rose gold.
The best colour for a wedding guest dress depends on the season, location, and formality of the wedding. For spring weddings, pastel or light colours are a good choice; for summer weddings, bright colours are ideal; for fall weddings, warm, earthy tones are best; and for winter weddings, silvery metallic shades, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, and dark green are perfect. It's also important to choose a colour that complements your skin tone and that you feel good in.
Copper is a great choice for summer and fall weddings, especially for indoor venues or outdoor weddings in a serene desert setting. Amethyst is a versatile colour that is flattering on almost every skin tone and can be worn for formal and casual celebrations all year, except for summer. Emerald green is a stunning and pleasing colour that can be worn to formal and informal weddings all year, except for spring.
Yes, it's important to avoid wearing the same colour as the wedding party. You should also avoid anything too flashy or distracting, such as sequins or bold patterns. Instead, opt for solid colours or subdued patterns in elegant, polished shades.
