George Boyle
Wedding dress shopping can be an overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to choosing a colour. While white wedding dresses are traditional, modern brides are increasingly opting for non-white gowns. When deciding on a wedding dress colour, several factors come into play, such as personal style, skin tone, cultural or religious considerations, and the level of formality of the wedding. Ultimately, the choice of colour should reflect the bride's personality and make her feel beautiful and confident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional colour | White |
| Modern classic colour | Ivory |
| Colour for playful femininity and flirtatious nature | Pink |
| Colour for power, sophistication and wealth | Black |
| Colour for composure, organisation and glamour | Silver grey |
| Colour for wealth and power | Gold |
| Colour for youthful vitality, strength and flamboyance | Orange |
| Colour for intelligence and wisdom with a hint of humour | Yellow |
| Colour for compassion and loyalty | Green |
| Colour for good luck, peace and purity | Blue |
| Colour for romance and nostalgia | Pale shades of blue |
| Colour for strength and power | Dark shades of blue |
| Skin tone | Golden skin, grey, blue or green eyes, light eyebrows, and hair in shades of blond, straw, red and light brown |
| Skin tone | Cold-coloured hair (blond, ash, dark), light eyes (grey, brown), bronze skin |
| Skin tone | Skin of a golden or olive hue, warm eye colour (grey, brown, amber), copper-coloured or red hair |
| Skin tone | Dark hair (brown, black), white skin, light or dark eyes |
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What You'll Learn
Consider your skin tone
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, it's important to consider your skin tone to ensure you look your best. The right colour will complement your skin, while the wrong shade can leave you looking washed out or drained.
Firstly, you need to identify your skin tone. Most people fall into one of these categories: pale, fair, medium, olive, or dark. Then, you need to determine your undertone, which can be cool, neutral, or warm. To find your undertone, look at the veins on your wrist. If you have a warm undertone, you might see greenish-coloured veins, and your skin might tan easily. If you have a cool undertone, your veins might appear blue or purple, and you might burn easily in the sun. Neutral undertones exhibit characteristics of both cool and warm undertones.
If you have a warm skin tone, you might want to avoid pure white wedding dresses, as they can wash you out. Instead, opt for shades like ivory, which has a warm yellow or creamy finish, or pastel shades like cream or peach. If you're feeling adventurous, a light gold wedding dress will add a touch of warmth and glow to your look.
For those with cool skin tones, a bright white dress might not be the most flattering option. Instead, consider off-white shades like cream or champagne, which will complement your complexion. If you want to add some colour, a blush-coloured dress has undertones of pink and red, adding a romantic and whimsical touch to your look.
If you have a neutral skin tone, you're in luck! Almost any dress shade will look great on you. Go for a natural white or grey wedding dress, or a veil or headpiece with a champagne or blush tone.
Lastly, don't forget to consider the lighting on your wedding day. Certain colours may look different under natural light versus indoor lighting, so keep that in mind when making your selection.
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Choose a colour that reflects your personality
The colour of a wedding dress can be an expression of the bride's personality and style. When deciding on a hue, consider choosing a colour that reflects your personality and style.
If you're a bold, confident, and dramatic person, you may want to go for a vibrant and rich colour like royal blue, deep purple, or even a bold pink. These colours are perfect for making a statement and showing off your unique style. They can also be an excellent choice for those who want to embrace cultural traditions or add a modern twist to their wedding outfit.
Pastels and softer shades reflect a romantic, dreamy, and whimsical personality. Colours like blush pink, sky blue, and mint green are perfect for a delicate, ethereal look. These hues are also versatile and can be easily paired with bolder colours for a contrast that reflects your fun side.
For a classic, elegant, and sophisticated bride, pure white, off-white, or ivory are timeless choices. These colours convey simplicity and refinement and are perfect for those who want a traditional, elegant wedding. They are also versatile, allowing you to style your dress however you wish, be it with a touch of vintage glamour or modern minimalism.
If you're a fun, creative, and unique bride, you might want to play with less traditional colours. Sunset orange, yellow, or even a subtle grey can be an excellent choice for a wedding dress. These colours reflect a cheerful, imaginative personality and can be a wonderful way to showcase your individual style.
Deep reds, burgundies, and black are ideal for a bride who wants to make a statement and showcase their passion and intensity. These colours are bold and dramatic, perfect for an unforgettable wedding look. They can also be a wonderful choice for an outdoor wedding, creating a stunning contrast with the natural backdrop.
Ultimately, the choice of colour is a personal one, and you should select a hue that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and true to yourself.
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$61.99
Understand the meaning of different colours
The colour of a wedding dress often holds symbolic meaning. Traditionally, white symbolises purity and innocence, and remains the colour of choice for many cultural and religious reasons. However, in the past, it was also associated with wealth and prestige. Today, some consider white to be outdated, and brides are increasingly choosing dresses in colours that flatter their skin tone and fit their desired aesthetic.
Ivory, a softer, warmer tone, has become a popular alternative to white. It is said to represent love and commitment. It is also more flattering on lighter skin tones or warm skin tones with golden undertones.
Pink tones, including pale rose, subtle blush, blossom, and vibrant hot pink, are associated with playful femininity and a flirtatious nature.
Red is a bold choice, symbolising passion and desire. In some cultures, brides wear red for good luck.
Orange is a cheerful, youthful colour, suggesting strength and flamboyance.
Yellow is the colour of happiness, intelligence, and wisdom, with a hint of humour.
Green is the colour of nature, balance, compassion, and loyalty.
Blue is a traditional symbol of peace and purity, as well as good luck. Pale shades suggest romance and nostalgia, while deeper tones convey strength and power.
Silver grey represents composure, organisation, and glamour, with a touch of old Hollywood sophistication.
Black is a bold statement, signifying power, sophistication, wealth, and mystery.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a reflection of the bride's personality and what makes her feel her best. While certain colours may be more flattering on certain skin tones, there are no rules, and modern brides are encouraged to break traditions and choose a colour that makes them feel beautiful.
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Opt for a traditional white dress
If you're opting for a traditional white wedding dress, you'll be following in the footsteps of brides for centuries. White wedding dresses are a long-standing tradition, stemming from Queen Victoria's wedding dress in 1840. Before Queen Victoria, wedding dresses came in a variety of colours, from purple to red to green. However, the white dress that Queen Victoria chose for her wedding to Prince Albert caught the eye of brides-to-be, and the colour quickly became a symbol of status and wealth.
White dresses were also favoured as they provided an opportunity for conspicuous consumption. In the 19th century, laundering clothing was challenging, and a white dress was difficult to maintain. As such, a white wedding dress became a way for brides to showcase their wealth and firmly establish themselves as part of the leisure class.
Over time, the colour white took on additional symbolism. It became associated with purity, innocence, and new beginnings, further cementing its popularity as a wedding dress colour. The portrayal of weddings in Hollywood, as well as the widespread circulation of celebrity wedding photos, also contributed to the enduring popularity of white wedding dresses. Iconic white wedding gowns, such as Grace Kelly's in 1956 and Lady Diana Spencer's in 1981, further solidified the notion that marriage demanded a white dress.
Today, white remains the dominant colour in bridal design, with various shades available to flatter different skin tones. From stark white to ivory to champagne, there are numerous options within the white colour family to choose from. Ivory, for example, has a slight tint of cream, giving it a warmer tone that flatters most skin types. Champagne, a soft gold undertone, can add a touch of whimsy to your bridal look. Ultimately, the shade of white you choose should complement your unique features and feel most like you.
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Decide between warm and cool tones
When deciding between warm and cool tones for your wedding dress, it's important to consider your skin tone and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve.
If you have a warmer skin tone, colours like ivory, champagne, gold, olive, light orange, or aquamarine could complement your complexion beautifully. These warm tones can create a harmonious look that emphasises your natural radiance. Additionally, if you have a "spring" or "autumn" colour type, with golden or olive skin, warmer tones might be a better choice.
On the other hand, if you have a cooler skin tone, you might opt for colours like white, silver, grey, or even bolder choices like blue or purple. Cooler tones can create a striking contrast, especially if you have darker hair and lighter eyes. If you identify with the "summer" or "winter" colour type, characterised by cold-coloured hair and light eyes, a cool-toned dress might be more flattering.
It's worth noting that the lighting and fabric of the dress can also impact how warm or cool it appears. For example, a dress with lace or embroidery might stand out more against a slightly darker or warmer shade of white. Additionally, certain fabrics like silk, satin, and lace tend to reflect light differently, which can enhance or mute the warmth or coolness of the colour.
Ultimately, the decision between warm and cool tones for your wedding dress comes down to personal preference and what makes you feel the most confident and true to yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
Ultimately, it's up to you! While it's traditional for brides to wear white, there are many other colours to choose from. Consider your skin tone, the style of your wedding, and any cultural or religious factors that may influence your decision.
Your wedding dress should complement your unique features and skin tone. For example, if you have a spring appearance, you may want to emphasise your "juiciness". If you have an autumn appearance, you may want to choose a matte fabric with a heavier structure.
Popular colours include ivory, champagne, silver, pink, blue, and even black. Each colour has its own unique symbolism and aesthetic appeal. Ivory, for example, is a modern classic that signifies love and commitment, while black represents power, sophistication, and wealth.
White is a bright hue with no mixes or shades of any other colour. In full light, a white gown may appear to have a slight blue tint. Ivory, on the other hand, has a slight cream tint, giving it a warmer colour. Ivory can also enhance the details of your dress, especially if it features lace or sequins.
Absolutely! While white is the traditional choice, there is a growing trend of brides choosing non-white gowns. Colours like orange, yellow, green, and blue can convey various meanings and add a unique touch to your special day.
