George Boyle
Choosing what color dress to wear to a wedding can be a nerve-wracking experience. The most important rule is to avoid wearing white or ivory, as these are too close to the bride's dress. It's also best to avoid the exact shade as the wedding party to ensure you're not mistaken for a member. The time of year and formality of the wedding are also key factors in determining what color to wear. For example, spring and summer lend themselves to pastels, brights, and lighter hues, while fall and winter are perfect for deeper, moodier palettes. If you're attending a formal wedding, darker colors such as black, navy, emerald green, and burgundy are considered appropriate, especially for evening weddings. Semi-formal weddings offer more flexibility, with a wide range of colors accepted, from bold hues to softer shades and pastels. For casual weddings, lighter colors and bright prints are often chosen for daytime or beach weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring: pastels, whites, light blues |
| Summer: bright colours, greens, oranges, pinks | |
| Fall: darker colours, burgundy, navy blue, forest green | |
| Winter: red, green, jewel tones | |
| Time of Day | Morning/Afternoon: lighter colours, pastels, brighter colours |
| Evening: darker colours, navy blue, black | |
| Dress Code | Formal: darker colours, black, navy blue, emerald green, plum, burgundy |
| Semi-formal: magenta, coral, jewel tones, pastels | |
| Casual: lighter colours, bright prints | |
| Venue | Beach: lighter colours, bright prints, teal, orange |
| Garden: teal | |
| Las Vegas: bold colours | |
| Indoor: clothing appropriate for the weather | |
| Skin Tone | Blue, pink, purple, orange, teal, grey |
| Minimal white is acceptable, avoid white, ivory | |
| Other | Avoid the same colour as the wedding party |
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What You'll Learn
What colours are appropriate for the season and dress code?
When deciding what colours to wear to a wedding, it's important to consider the season and dress code.
Spring and Summer Weddings
For spring and summer weddings, opt for light colours like pastels, whites, and light blues. These colours will help capture the feeling of the season and will keep you cool in warmer temperatures. Shades of lavender, pink, yellow, light blue, baby blue, pale yellow, mint green, and coral are all perfect for spring and summer weddings. If you want to make a statement, go for brighter colours like magenta, orange, emerald green, sapphire blue, or ruby red.
Fall and Winter Weddings
For fall and winter weddings, darker colours are more appropriate. Rich hues like burgundy, navy blue, forest green, and mustard yellow will complement the changing leaves of the season. For a festive touch, consider classic holiday colours like red and green. If you're attending an evening wedding during these seasons, darker shades like emerald green, sapphire blue, plum, and dark purple are elegant choices.
Formal and Semi-Formal Weddings
The formality of the wedding also plays a role in colour choice. For formal weddings, darker colours are typically more appropriate. Black, navy blue, emerald green, plum, and burgundy are considered elegant options for evening weddings. On the other hand, semi-formal weddings offer more flexibility. You can experiment with bold hues like magenta and coral, jewel tones, or softer shades and pastels.
Casual Weddings
At casual weddings, you have more freedom to express yourself. Lighter colours, bright prints, and colourful accessories are all acceptable for daytime or beach weddings. If you're unsure about the dress code, remember that the invitation can be a helpful guide. A colourful and less formal invitation indicates that you can have fun with your colour and style choices.
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What colours are the wedding party wearing?
When deciding what colours to wear to a wedding, it's important to consider the dress code, the season, the venue, and the wedding party's colours. It's generally advised to avoid wearing the exact shade as the wedding party to prevent being mistaken for a member of the bridal party.
For spring weddings, light colours like pastels, whites, and light blues are appropriate. For summer weddings, bold colours like green, orange, and pink reflect the energy of the season. For fall weddings, richer, darker colours like burgundy, navy blue, and forest green complement the changing leaves. For winter weddings, classic holiday colours like red and green are festive and stylish.
The formality of the wedding is also a key factor in determining the appropriate colours to wear. For formal weddings, darker colours such as black, navy blue, emerald green, plum, and burgundy are considered appropriate, especially for evening ceremonies. Semi-formal weddings offer more flexibility, with a wide range of colours accepted, from bold hues like magenta and coral to softer pastels and jewel tones. Casual weddings are perfect for lighter colours and bright prints, especially for daytime or beach weddings.
Additionally, the time of day can influence the colour choice. Darker colours are often preferred for evening weddings, while lighter colours are more suitable for mornings and afternoons. Grey is a versatile option, offering a range of shades that can be dressed up or down depending on the dress code and season. Blue is another popular choice, with various shades to choose from, making it easy to find the right tone for your skin tone and the formality of the wedding.
It's worth noting that some couples may request that guests wear specific colours or themes, so checking the invitation or the couple's website for any guidelines or dress codes is always a good idea.
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What colours should be avoided?
When deciding what colour to wear to a wedding, it's essential to consider the dress code, season, venue, and level of formality. While there are many colours that are appropriate for wedding guests, there are also a few colours that are best avoided.
Firstly, it is generally advised to avoid wearing white or ivory to a wedding, as these colours are too close to the bride's dress. Even a pattern with a white base can be inappropriate, although a minimal amount of white is usually acceptable. White shoes, in particular, should be avoided. However, a white cardigan is unlikely to raise eyebrows, and a bright white may be acceptable for a casual wedding.
It is also important to avoid wearing the exact shade as the wedding party, as this may cause confusion among the guests. It is also recommended to avoid any colours specified by the couple, especially if they have requested a particular palette or theme. For example, if the couple has requested "festive attire" for a December wedding, it is best not to wear red.
In addition, while black is generally considered acceptable for most weddings, it is still best avoided in many situations to maintain proper etiquette. Traditionally, black is associated with funerals and may be seen as inappropriate for a celebratory occasion. Therefore, it is often recommended to opt for darker neutrals like camel, beige, or champagne instead of black.
Finally, while bright colours can be perfect for summer weddings, it is important to avoid overly garish colours like bright yellow, fuchsia, or orange, especially for a backyard wedding. Instead, opt for more subtle shades like magenta, coral, or pastel hues.
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What colours complement your skin tone?
When choosing a dress colour that complements your skin tone, it's important to first determine whether you have a warm, cool, or neutral skin tone.
If you have a warm skin tone, you will likely have veins that appear green and a complexion that looks yellow, peach, or golden when held against a white shirt. Colours that will complement your skin tone include cream, peach, golden-yellow, light orange, and bright colours such as lime green, lemon yellow, and coral. For a wedding, you could opt for a dress in any of these colours, steering clear of white, ivory, off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, and cream colours that could be mistaken for white, as these are typically reserved for the bride. For a beach wedding, you could also consider a silk shirt and khakis in interesting blues and greens.
If you have a cool skin tone, your veins will likely appear blue, and your complexion may look pink or rosy when held against a white shirt. Colours that will complement your skin tone include pastel colours and soft neutral tones, as well as colours on the cool side of the colour wheel, such as deep green, blue, and purple. For a wedding, you could opt for a dress in a bold, sharp primary colour like navy blue or red, or a light and cool colour like sky blue or aqua.
If you have a neutral skin tone, your veins will likely appear bluish-green, and your undertones will appear yellowish-pink when held against a white shirt. Almost every colour will work for you, so for a wedding, you could consider the season and location of the wedding when choosing a dress colour. For example, for a winter or autumn wedding, you could opt for a deep colour like black or charcoal grey, while for a summer or spring wedding, you could choose a lighter colour like beige or a cream colour that isn't quite white.
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What colours are appropriate for the wedding venue and location?
When it comes to choosing what colours to wear to a wedding, it's essential to consider the venue and location to ensure your outfit is appropriate and tasteful. Here are some guidelines to help you select the right colours for the occasion:
For a Beach Wedding or Tropical Destination Wedding:
At a beach or tropical wedding, it's best to opt for breezy and light attire. Bright colours like fuchsia and lime green are perfect for this setting and can add a vibrant touch to your outfit. You can also draw inspiration from the stunning beachfront surroundings with interesting blues and greens or neutral shades. These colours will not only keep you cool but also complement the relaxed and playful atmosphere of a beach wedding.
For an Outdoor Summer Wedding:
If you're attending an outdoor summer wedding, especially in a garden or park setting, consider softer and lighter colours. Neutrals, such as beige and khaki, are excellent choices. You can also explore cream colours that are not too close to white. These shades will help you stay comfortable in the warm weather while still looking elegant and appropriate.
For a Formal Indoor Wedding:
When attending a formal indoor wedding, it's best to opt for more subdued and elegant colours. Deep colours like navy, black, charcoal grey, and dark berry are excellent choices and can be paired with colourful accessories. These shades convey formality and sophistication while ensuring you don't draw attention away from the happy couple.
For a Winter or Autumn Wedding:
Winter and autumn weddings often call for darker and richer colours. Black, charcoal grey, and navy are safe choices and can be elegant options for evening weddings. You can also experiment with colours like emerald, burgundy, and plum, adding a touch of seasonal warmth to your outfit. These shades reflect the atmosphere of the season while keeping you comfortably warm.
Regardless of the venue and location, there are a few colours you should generally avoid as a wedding guest. White, ivory, and off-white shades are typically reserved for the bride, so it's best to steer clear of them. Additionally, ultra-pale pinks and misty ice blues can sometimes appear white, especially in certain lighting or sheer fabrics. It's also advisable to avoid neon colours, as they can be too casual and draw attention away from the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
Light and pastel colours are a good choice for spring and summer weddings. Colours like lavender, pink, pale blue, yellow, mint green, and baby blue are popular for warm-weather weddings. For a summer wedding, you could also opt for bolder colours like green, orange, and pink.
Darker shades are a good choice for fall and winter weddings. Colours like burgundy, navy blue, forest green, mustard yellow, amber, and rich jewel tones are popular for cold-weather weddings. For a winter wedding, you could also opt for classic holiday colours like red and green.
It is generally best to avoid wearing white or ivory to a wedding, as these colours are too close to the bride's dress. Black is also sometimes considered a faux pas, although this rule has become more relaxed in recent years. You should also avoid wearing the exact shade as the wedding party.
For formal weddings, darker colours are typically considered more appropriate. Colours like black, navy blue, emerald green, plum, and burgundy are popular choices for formal evening weddings. For informal weddings, you have more flexibility when it comes to colour choice. Lighter colours, bright prints, and bold colours are all good options for informal weddings.
