George Boyle
Choosing a wedding dress colour is a highly personal decision and there are many factors to consider, from skin tone to cultural traditions. Traditionally, white is the most common colour for wedding dresses, symbolising innocence and purity, and this is especially flattering on darker skin tones. However, in recent years, ivory has become increasingly popular, with its warm hue suiting lighter skin tones. Blush, champagne, and black are also popular alternatives, with some brides opting for more inventive colours like blue or lavender to reflect their personality and make a statement. Ultimately, the colour of your wedding dress should be a reflection of who you are and what makes you feel your best.
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What You'll Learn
Skin tone
For lighter skin tones, ivory tulle or champagne-coloured dresses can look terrific. If you have fair skin, cool-toned colours like champagne, blush, or pastel shades like cream or peach can be more flattering. For those with very warm undertones, pure white can also work. However, if you have cool undertones, bright white shades might not be the best option, and you may want to opt for silver, platinum, or white gold jewellery instead.
For olive or tanned skin, warm-coloured gowns such as off-white, cream, or champagne and golden shades will look beautiful. Dusky, smoky shades complement warm skin tones, and you can also experiment with colours like yellow, although this may wash out some skin tones.
Darker skin tones are generally complemented by bright colours such as ivory, pale yellow, and light grey. Charcoal satin is excellent for darker complexions, and pure white or snow-white shades can be a great choice.
Additionally, the lighting of your venue can impact how different colours appear, so it's a good idea to try on dresses in similar lighting to your wedding day.
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Fabric
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, the fabric is an important consideration. The right fabric can accentuate your curves, complement your skin tone, and create a specific look or feel for your wedding. Here are some popular wedding dress fabrics to consider:
Satin
A traditional choice for brides, satin is known for its glossy sheen on the outside and matte finish inside. It is typically made of silk, though polyester or blended options are also available. Satin is a durable fabric with a weight suitable for all seasons, and its sheen and drape make it a popular choice for structured designs like ruched or ball gowns.
Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight and sheer fabric, often used as an overlay or in layers due to its transparent style. Made from woven silk or rayon, chiffon has a floaty and ethereal vibe, making it perfect for bohemian-style weddings or spring and summer celebrations. Its light and airy structure lends itself to diaphanous silhouettes and goddess styles.
Organza
Similar to chiffon, organza is sheer and lightweight but holds a more structured silhouette. It is traditionally woven from silk and has a lustrous finish and crisp drape. Organza is ideal for layered looks to add fullness to ball gowns, trains, and veils. It is a whimsical and romantic choice, perfect for enchanted garden-themed weddings.
Mikado
Mikado is a mouldable and multi-seamed fabric, suitable for creating sexy, narrow mermaids and strapless ballgowns. It is typically made of polyester or heavy silk taffeta and can be worn year-round, though its weight may be better suited for cooler temperatures.
Dotted Swiss
A lightweight and breathable fabric, dotted Swiss is made from muslin and features evenly dispersed dotted motifs. It is an ideal choice for spring or summer outdoor weddings, especially for sweet and ladylike celebrations such as a garden-party reception.
When choosing a wedding dress fabric, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, the season of your wedding, and how the fabric will complement your skin tone and body type. Additionally, don't be afraid to experiment with colours and fabrics to find the perfect combination that reflects your unique style and personality.
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Tone and symbolism
The colour of a wedding dress is a highly individual choice, and modern brides are increasingly choosing a dress colour that flatters their skin tone and fits their desired aesthetic, rather than adhering to tradition.
That being said, the traditional choice for brides has historically been pure white, a colour that symbolises innocence and purity. However, this tradition was started by Queen Victoria in the 19th century to demonstrate wealth and prestige, rather than for its symbolic meaning.
Today, ivory is a popular choice, regarded as a modern classic that signifies love and commitment. Ivory dresses are often confused for off-white, but they feature a creamy, warm undertone that imparts a subtle golden glow and flatters a wide range of skin tones. Antique ivory is a darker hue, suitable for brides who want a traditional bridal white but are worried about being washed out by a bright white dress.
Brides who want to make a statement might opt for a non-traditional colour such as black, which demonstrates power, sophistication, and wealth, or silver grey, which suggests composure, organisation, and glamour. Blush is another increasingly popular choice, with its soft pink hues emphasising whimsy and texture, especially when combined with ivory or nude.
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Seasonality
Spring
Spring is a romantic time of year, with nature awakening from its winter slumber and bursting into bloom. Take inspiration from the pastel colours of Easter eggs, the sunny skies, and the colourful flowers of spring. For a March wedding, you could opt for a toned-down shade to reflect the colder weather, with a splash of colour to mark the emergence of warmer days. A neutral mix of grey, blue, and green will complement the chilly weather, or you could embrace the transition into spring with a rose-tone shade like rosewood, which pairs beautifully with calming greenery. For a bolder look, sage green is a perfect choice, and you could even use springs of fresh sage for boutonnieres and bouquets.
Summer
For summer weddings, it's important to choose a seasonally-appropriate fabric. Light and bright colours are a good choice, but it's important to avoid white. For outdoor weddings, consider the terrain when choosing your footwear, and opt for a dress that won't drag on the floor. For a beach wedding, sandals and a maxi dress are a perfect combination. For a country wedding, wedges and a shorter dress are a good choice. Yellow, green, pink, and blue are all wonderful hues for summer weddings. For a casual dress code, a floral, strapless, halter, or sleeveless dress is ideal.
Autumn
Autumn is known for its warm and earthy tones, so consider shades like rich burgundy, hunter green, or eggplant. Neutrals like taupe or champagne are also a good choice, as they complement the autumn atmosphere. Jewel tones are a timeless option, and you can incorporate deep emerald greens, garnet reds, or rich sapphire blues. For a bohemian or vintage-inspired look, consider nature-inspired colours like sage green or warm terracotta.
Winter
Winter weddings often feature classic colours like snowy white and black, but you can also add pops of colour with bold reds or greens. Deep reds contrast beautifully against the white snow and grey skies of winter, and forest green is a popular choice for December weddings. For a lighter shade, sage green is a great option, or you could embrace the season with luxurious fabrics like velvet.
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Photography
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, there are many factors to consider, from the silhouette to the fabric and the overall vibe. One of the most important factors is the colour. While white and ivory are the most popular colours for wedding gowns, brides today are choosing a variety of colours, from champagne to blush to non-traditional colours like black, blue, and lavender.
When it comes to choosing the colour of your wedding dress, it's important to consider how it will photograph. Bright, crisp white dresses may be less flattering in photographs, which is why some bridal designers have moved away from this shade. A dress with a darker underlay, such as champagne or ivory, will photograph much lighter than it appears in the mirror and can make the lace detailing stand out. Be sure to take photos of the dresses you're trying on to see how they look on camera.
The colour of your wedding dress can also be chosen based on your skin tone. Pure white tends to look best on medium or darker skin tones, while fairer brides may be washed out by this shade. Off-white is universally flattering, and ivory with its warm undertones complements lighter skin tones with golden undertones. Blush shades, on the other hand, look stunning on those with cooler skin tones and pink undertones. If you have a neutral skin tone, you can pull off any shade of white.
Your wedding dress colour can also be chosen based on the symbolism of different colours. White symbolises innocence and purity and is often chosen for traditional, cultural, or religious reasons. Ivory represents love and commitment, while pink tones are associated with playful femininity and a flirtatious nature. Natural tones like nude and sand symbolise order, standing, and patience, while black represents power, sophistication, and wealth with a touch of mystery. Silver grey suggests composure, organisation, and glamour.
Ultimately, the colour of your wedding dress should be a reflection of your personality and what makes you feel your best. Don't be afraid to break traditions or choose a colour that makes you feel beautiful and fits the aesthetic of your wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
Pure white suits medium or darker skin tones, while ivory is more flattering on lighter skin tones. If you have a neutral skin tone, you can pull off any shade of white. For cool skin tones with pink undertones, choose blush. For warmer skin tones with golden undertones, try antique ivory.
Wedding dresses come in many colours, including champagne, blush, black, blue, lavender, and grey.
White symbolises innocence and purity, while ivory represents love and commitment. Pink is associated with playful femininity, and black symbolises power, sophistication, and wealth.
Consider the style of your wedding and how you want to feel. Take photos of the dresses you try on to see how they will look in pictures. Keep an open mind and choose a colour that makes you feel beautiful.
Traditionally, brides wear white, a trend started by Queen Victoria in the 19th century. However, today's brides are increasingly choosing non-white dresses.
