Rhiannon Hendricks
While white is the traditional colour for wedding dresses, there is no rule that a bride must wear white. In fact, many brides are now opting for more unique colours to express themselves and feel like themselves on their wedding day. The most popular colours for wedding dresses include ivory, blush, nude, mocha, and even bolder colours like red, pink, orange, and black. The choice of colour often depends on the bride's skin tone, the lighting at the wedding venue, and the message they want to convey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular colour | White, ivory, champagne, blush, diamond white |
| Less popular colours | Mocha, nude, misty mauve, almond, moscato, black, purple, navy blue, gold, orange, yellow, green, silver, grey, brown |
| Colour meanings | White symbolises purity and innocence; red symbolises love, passion, strength, energy, happiness, celebration, prosperity, fertility, and good luck; pink symbolises femininity and innocence; orange symbolises youthfulness and vitality; yellow symbolises wisdom; green symbolises nature, harmony, refinement, loyalty, and compassion; purple symbolises royalty, power, and strength; gold symbolises wealth; silver and grey symbolise maturity; brown symbolises reliability |
| Cultural colours | Red for Asia, China, India; white for the Western world |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The difference between white and ivory
White wedding dresses became popular in the Western world after Queen Victoria wore a white dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, pure white wedding dresses have achieved their crisp colour by using bleached fabrics. However, pure white often washes out lighter skin tones, and can appear blue under certain lighting or when photographed with HD cameras.
Ivory, on the other hand, is a softer shade of white with warm, yellow or cream undertones. Ivory is a great option for those who don't want a pure white dress, and its warm undertones are flattering on many skin tones, giving a subtle golden glow. Some shades of ivory are mistaken for off-white, and while some have a yellow tint, most brides think ivory is natural white until told otherwise.
When choosing between white and ivory, it's important to consider the venue and lighting. In darker venues with yellow lighting, ivory might appear dull compared to white, which offers more contrast. Brighter shades of white generally complement darker skin tones, while ivory is stunning on lighter skin tones or warm skin tones with golden undertones.
While white and ivory are the most popular wedding dress colours, many brides today are choosing a variety of colours, from champagne to blush to non-traditional colours like black, blue and lavender.
Transforming Your Wedding Dress: Drop Waist Edition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The significance of red wedding dresses
In the Western world, white is the most popular colour for wedding dresses. This tradition was started by Queen Victoria in the 19th century and became popular among all classes by the 1960s. However, red is the traditional bridal colour in many cultures.
Red wedding dresses are particularly significant in Chinese weddings, where the colour is a symbol of luck, happiness, prosperity, and love. The tradition of wearing red is believed to have originated from an ancient Chinese myth about a princess bride and a part dragon, part dog warrior named Panhu. On their wedding day, the emperor dressed the princess in a bright red dress made of phoenix feathers to bless the couple with luck and happiness. The colour red is also considered lucky in Chinese culture, so it is common for modern Chinese brides to wear a red dress during the Lunar New Year as it is meant to bring extra good luck and fortune to the marriage.
In Indian weddings, the bride often wears a red sari or lehenga, which symbolises fertility, passion, success, auspiciousness, and marital bliss. The red dress also honours the Hindu Goddess Durga, who represents the divine shakti, an ancient cosmic feminine energy that protects against evil and fights destruction.
In Viking culture, red wedding attire was a sign of wealth as red dye was expensive. Some modern Asatru and Heathen couples continue this tradition during their Viking-themed weddings. In Middle Eastern and North African cultures, red is also associated with celebration and good fortune.
Camo Dream: A-Line Wedding Dresses for Brides
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pink wedding dresses and their meanings
Wedding dresses in shades of pink are becoming increasingly popular. From romantic light pink ball gowns to dramatic fuchsia princess styles, there is a shade of pink for every bride.
Pink wedding dresses are a great choice for brides with fair to medium skin tones, as the blush tones complement the lightness of their skin. For those with darker skin, the softness of the pink hue will beautifully contrast with their rich colouring. Brunettes can also benefit from the contrast between their dark hair and the light fabric.
Pink is a great choice for a vintage-inspired celebration, as the charm of a pink dress will be brought out by a rustic, antique-looking facade. The colour also pops when set against an old brick building or cobbled street.
Pink wedding dresses can also carry symbolic meaning. In modern times, pink has come to represent femininity, romance, playfulness, and creativity. Choosing a pink wedding dress over a traditional white one can also reflect an independent spirit, a carefree energy, or a modern attitude towards marriage.
Pink dresses are also a great fit for vow renewals and anniversaries, as they can be worn more than once, making them a budget-friendly option.
Velvet Dresses for February Weddings: Yes or No?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$61.99
Choosing a wedding dress colour based on skin tone
The most popular wedding dress colours are shades of off-white and ivory, which are more universally flattering. However, many brides opt for a gown with a lining in a shade of blush or nude to allow the details on their dresses to stand out.
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress colour, one of the most important factors to consider is your skin tone. Skin colour plays an essential role in selecting a wedding dress, and not every colour is suitable for every skin tone.
For those with lighter skin tones, colours like ivory and champagne may be washed out, especially outdoors. Instead, colours like blush and mocha will bring more life to your look. If you have warm undertones, you can also opt for a light gold wedding dress, which will add a touch of warmth to your complexion. Those with cooler skin tones with pink undertones should opt for shades of blush.
If you have a darker skin tone, colours like navy blue or emerald green can work well outside but may appear dull indoors. Bright colours such as ivory, pale yellow, and light grey will complement your skin tone, as will pure white, which can also suit medium skin tones. Charcoal satin is another option that works well for darker complexures.
If you have olive skin, warm-coloured wedding gowns such as off-white or cream will look beautiful, as will a champagne colour, which adds a rich depth to the skin tone.
Traditionally, white has been the most popular colour for wedding dresses, originating with Queen Victoria in the 19th century. However, before this, it was common to marry in a black dress, and in some cultures, other colours are traditional.
The Perfect Wedding Dress: A Timely Affair
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$82.99 $96.98
The history of colourful wedding dresses
Before the 1840s, when Queen Victoria wore a white dress to marry Prince Albert, it was common for brides to wear a variety of colours, including red, pink, blue, brown, or black. This trend continued into the mid-19th century, particularly among those with less money, as colourful fabrics were more practical and affordable than white.
In ancient times, brides wore bright colours to showcase their happiness on this special occasion. In Athens, for example, brides wore reds and violets. During the Medieval period, brides often wore blue, which represented purity, as well as red, yellow, or green.
In the present day, while white and ivory remain among the most popular wedding gown colours, brides are increasingly choosing a variety of colours, from champagne to blush to non-traditional colours like black, blue, and lavender. In some cultures, colour remains an important factor, with many brides choosing to wear red for good luck.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour depends on what makes the bride feel her best, with many considering their skin tone when making their decision.
Creating the Perfect Tulle Wedding Dress: Layers Decoded
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
White and ivory are the classic wedding dress colours, but there has been a rise in brides opting for coloured dresses. Ivory is currently the most popular colour for modern brides.
Other popular colours for wedding dresses include pink, red, gold, purple, blue, orange, yellow, green, black, and grey.
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress to her wedding ceremony in 1840. The colour white was chosen to represent the purity and innocence of the woman being wed.
