Junior Rasmussen
When it comes to choosing colours for wedding attire, it's important to consider how they will photograph. While personal preference plays a role, some colours tend to photograph better than others. For instance, neutrals like grey, beige, ivory, black and taupe are timeless choices that allow the focus to remain on the subjects. Muted colours such as lavender, blush, sage and maroon also photograph well, as they don't reflect colour onto the skin and create a softer look. For outdoor weddings, natural light is ideal, and warm, bright colours tend to look better than pastel shades. Reds, in particular, can add a vibrant pop of colour, especially in a desert setting. However, it's best to avoid neon colours, as they can cast colours onto the skin and distract from the overall image.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colors to avoid | Bright orange, bright pink, neon yellow, neon green, bright white, bright red, bright blue |
| Colors to prefer | Jewel tones, cool blues, lighter pinks, emerald green, purple, navy blue, black, grey, beige, ivory, taupe, lavender, blush, sage, maroon |
| Skin undertones | Cool, warm, neutral |
| Colors for cool undertones | Cool blues, lighter pinks, emerald green, purple, navy blue, white, black |
| Colors for warm undertones | Olives, mustard, burgundy, orange, cream, ivory, warm browns, rosy pinks |
| Colors for neutral undertones | Both cool and warm tones |
| Makeup for indoor weddings | Avoid too much shimmer or glitter |
| Patterns | Avoid thin stripes, big, bold and crazy patterns. Prefer textures like cable knit, denim, lace, tulle, chiffon, velvet, fur |
| Clothing fit | Avoid too tight or too big clothing |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid bright colours
When it comes to weddings, it is best to avoid bright colours and opt for more neutral tones. This is because bright colours can be distracting and take away from the couple's special day. The last thing you want is to be mistaken for the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest who has stumbled into the wrong party!
Bright colours can also reflect onto your skin, giving it an unnatural tone in photographs. Colours like hot pink, neon green, bright orange, and magenta are best avoided. Instead, opt for toned-down shades like lavender, blush, sage, and maroon. These colours are timeless and elegant and will not detract from the happy couple.
If you're attending a beach or tropical wedding, bright colours like fuchsia and lime green are more acceptable. In this case, draw inspiration from your destination and opt for interesting blues, greens, and neutrals. For a summer outdoor wedding, take inspiration from the flowers and choose softer shades.
For formal weddings, the dress code usually calls for basic black and white, with pastel, muted, or jewel tones. For evening gowns, black should be avoided, and for daytime weddings, it is best to avoid too much sparkle or beading.
It is also important to avoid wearing white to a wedding, as this is the colour the bride will most likely wear, and it is important that she stands out. Ivory, off-white, cream, and beige should also be avoided, as well as any patterns that are mostly white or ivory.
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Choose muted colours
Choosing a colour palette for a wedding is an important part of the planning process. Muted colours are a great choice for wedding attire as they are timeless and elegant. They also add a sense of romanticism and vintage charm to the wedding.
Neutrals are a popular choice for weddings as they are versatile and can be styled in many ways. They also work well with most skin tones. Neutral colours include grey, beige, ivory, taupe, black, and white. These colours are understated and will not distract viewers from the people in the photographs. They also won't reflect colour back onto the skin, which can happen with bright or neon colours.
When choosing colours, it is important to consider the time of year and the lighting. For spring weddings, lighter neutral colours such as dove grey, ivory, and silver can be used, while brown is a great choice for fall weddings as it brings warmth and richness to the decor. Muted colours can also be used to complement the season, for example, sage instead of emerald, or lavender instead of purple.
It is also important to coordinate the colours of the wedding party without matching completely. For example, the bride and groom can wear complementary colours, or the groom can wear an outfit with similar detailing to the bride's dress. Muted colours are a great choice for this as they are easy to coordinate, and there are many shades to choose from.
Overall, choosing muted colours for wedding attire is a great way to achieve a timeless and elegant look that will photograph well and can be styled in many different ways.
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Coordinate, don't match
When it comes to wedding attire, it's important to remember that coordination is key, but that doesn't mean everyone has to match perfectly. The goal is to create a cohesive look that allows each person's individuality to shine through. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Start by choosing a color palette: Pick two to three complementary colors that you want to incorporate into your wedding attire. This could be a combination of neutrals, such as gray, beige, ivory, black, or taupe, or a mix of vibrant shades like jewel tones or earthy tones. The key is to vary the textures, styles, and patterns within this palette to add dimension and interest to your photos.
Avoid matching outfits: While it may be tempting to have everyone in the same color, this can often dull the image and hide the unique details of each person's outfit. Instead, opt for complementary colors that coordinate without being identical. For example, if the bride is wearing a pink dress with blue detailing, the groom can wear a dark blue suit, tying their looks together without blending into one another.
Consider undertones: The color palette you choose should also take into account the undertones of the people dressing in these colors. Those with cool undertones tend to look best in cool blues, lighter pinks, emerald green, purple, and navy blue, while people with warm undertones often shine in earthy colors like olives, mustard, and burgundy. If you have neutral undertones, you have the advantage of being able to wear both cool and warm tones, though you may find you lean towards one or the other depending on the season.
Steer clear of neons and pastels: Bright neon colors like pink, yellow, or green can cast an unflattering hue on the skin and are best avoided. Similarly, pastels tend to photograph better than their brighter counterparts; opt for lavender over bright purple, blush over magenta, sage over emerald, and maroon over scarlet.
Don't forget the details: When coordinating outfits, remember that it's not just the main color that matters. Embroidery, detailing, and accessories can all be used to tie looks together. For example, the groom's pocket square could match the color of the bridesmaids' dresses, or the groomsmen's ties could complement the bride's bouquet.
By following these tips, you can achieve a beautifully coordinated wedding party that looks stunning in both person and in photographs, all while allowing each individual's style and personality to shine through.
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Consider skin undertones
When it comes to choosing the right colour clothing for weddings, one of the most important considerations is skin undertone. Undertones refer to the subtle hues beneath the surface of the skin, which can be classified as warm, cool, or neutral.
Those with warm undertones have veins that appear greenish, and their skin has yellowish hues. Warm undertones are complemented by ivory, latte, mocha, and nude colours. These warm and neutral shades harmonise well with the skin tone, enhancing its natural glow. Additionally, warm undertones typically pair well with gold jewellery.
On the other hand, cool undertones are characterised by blue veins and pinkish skin hues. Cool undertones are flattered by shades like white, ivory, sand, and nude. These cool and neutral shades create a stunning contrast against the skin, adding elegance to the overall appearance. Silver jewellery tends to complement cool undertones.
For those with neutral undertones, almost any dress shade will look great. Neutral and nude shades, in particular, can be very flattering. Natural white or grey wedding dress shades are good choices, or a champagne or blush-toned veil or headpiece can complete a beautiful bridal outfit.
It's worth noting that the lighting of the venue can also affect how colours appear. Bright sunlight will lighten certain hues and darken others, so it's best to try on clothing in similar lighting to the wedding day. For example, ivory and champagne may wash out lighter skin tones outdoors, while blush and mocha will bring more life to the look.
In addition to skin undertones, the season and cultural context can also play a role in choosing wedding colours. For instance, pastels like pink, peach, blue, and turquoise are popular in spring, while summer might call for yellow, dusty pink, and soft lavender. Autumn suggests ivories and warm colours, and winter weddings often feature darker shades like sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red. In some cultures, the bride wears a traditional red dress, while in others, white and green are the customary colours.
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Pick a theme
Picking a theme for your wedding is a great way to ensure your wedding party photographs well. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a theme:
Colour Palette
It is important to choose a colour palette that coordinates rather than having everyone in the wedding party match completely. This means varying textures, styles, and patterns within the palette. For instance, if the bride's outfit is pink with blue detailing, the groom can wear a dark blue outfit. Neutrals such as grey, beige, ivory, taupe, and black are timeless choices that won't distract the viewer from the subjects of the photos. Muted colours like lavender, blush, sage, and maroon also photograph well and are less likely to reflect on your face.
Time of Day
The time of day can also affect the theme of your wedding. Morning or early evening outdoor weddings are ideal as soft natural light hides skin flaws and reflectiveness will not be an issue. This is in contrast to harsh afternoon sun, which causes harsh shadows, or indoor weddings, which often require flash or artificial lighting.
Formality
The formality of your wedding will also influence the theme. Formal wear like gowns and suits will give your photos a very formal feel, while jeans and cute shirts will convey a more casual look.
Individuality
While it is important to have a theme, each person in the wedding party should stand out in their style and individuality. This means avoiding dressing the wedding party in the exact same colour or pattern, which can make it hard to distinguish people in photos.
Skin Undertones
Consider the skin undertones of those in the wedding party. People with cool undertones tend to look best in cool blues, lighter pinks, emerald green, purple, and navy blue. Those with warm undertones tend to suit earthy colours like olive, mustard, and orange. People with neutral undertones can wear both cool and warm tones but may lean towards one or the other.
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Frequently asked questions
Warm and bright colours tend to look better than pastel colours, and saturated, rich and vibrant versions of colours photograph better than pastel versions. Colours that complement the skin tone of the wearer are also important—people with cool undertones tend to look good in jewel tones, while people with warm undertones tend to suit earthy colours.
Bright colours can cause colour casts under the chin and on the skin of people nearby. Neon colours, in particular, can put colour casts on skin and do not photograph well. Black, dark blue, and other very dark colours can also dull images and lose detail.
The bride and groom should not wear the exact same colour, as they will blend into one another and lose their individuality. However, they can wear complementary colours—for example, the embroidery on the groom's outfit can be the same colour as the bride's dress.
