Lyla Dejesus
Choosing a wedding dress is an important decision, and colour is a key consideration. While white and ivory are the most popular colours, there are many options to choose from, including champagne, blush, mocha, black, blue, and lavender. The right colour for you will depend on your skin tone and the style of your wedding. Warmer shades of ivory, for example, suit lighter skin tones, while pure white looks stunning on darker skin tones. You can also consider the meaning of colours—for instance, red symbolises luck in some cultures, while pink is associated with playful femininity. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and there are no rules when it comes to wedding dress colours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin tone | Fairer brides may be washed out by pure white. Off-white is universally flattering. Warmer shades of ivory suit lighter skin tones with golden undertones. Cooler skin tones with pink undertones suit shades of blush. Neutral skin tones can pull off any shade of white. |
| Skin undertone | Warm undertones suit shades of ivory. Cool undertones suit true white. Neutral undertones can pull off all colours, except perhaps chocolate brown and navy. |
| Season | Metallics, icy shades of blue, grey and dark blue work for January. Reds, pinks, purples and gold work for February. Blue, yellow and shades of green are good for March. Green, yellow, blue and rose shades are good for April. |
| Wedding style | Sparkling fabrics and metallics suit a glamorous wedding. A modern wedding suits a mix of black and white. Reds and pinks work for a romantic wedding. Rustic weddings suit moss green, sage, coral, rust, peach and golden yellow. Vintage weddings suit violets, dusty blue, pink, gold, lemon and grey. |
| Personality | Pink is playful and flirtatious. Red is bold, passionate and full of desire. Orange suggests youthful vitality, strength and flamboyance. Yellow conveys intelligence, wisdom and humour. |
| Culture | In some cultures, red is considered good luck. |
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Skin tone
When choosing a wedding dress, it's important to consider your skin tone and undertones to find the most flattering option. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect dress colour for your special day:
For lighter or fair skin tones, colours like ivory, champagne, or true white may wash you out, especially outdoors. Instead, shades like blush, mocha, and charcoal satin can bring more life to your look. Blush tones, with their hints of pink and red, add a romantic touch and emphasise textures, especially when paired with ivory or nude. Mocha, a darker shade, is perfect if you want the details of your dress to pop. If you're looking for a classic white dress, diamond white with tulle can soften the look, and satin can help diffuse light for stunning bridal portraits.
For olive skin tones, colours with warm undertones are ideal. Off-white, cream, and champagne gowns will beautifully complement your skin. The slight pink and gold tones in champagne add depth and balance to both warm and cool undertones.
For darker skin tones, bright colours like ivory, pale yellow, and light grey will flatter your complexion. You can also opt for bolder colours like emerald green and navy blue, which work well outdoors. Pure white wedding dresses, which can wash out paler skin tones, often look excellent on darker skin. Additionally, textured fabrics like lace and beading can add glamour to your ensemble.
If you have cool undertones, bright white shades may not be the best choice. Instead, silver, platinum, and white gold jewellery will beautifully complement your skin. You can also experiment with accessories, but the warmth of rose gold may not enhance your overall look.
For warm undertones, bright white, pinks, purples, and blues are ideal. Dusky, smoky shades provide a lovely contrast and add a unique touch of colour to your bridal look. Any metal will suit your skin tone, but rose gold will add a special glow.
Lastly, neutral undertones offer the most versatility. Neutral shades of white and ivory are flattering, and grey wedding dresses are also a stunning choice. You have free rein over your accessories, as both white and yellow metals will look fabulous.
Remember, it's essential to try on different shades and fabrics to determine what highlights your features best and makes you feel confident!
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Wedding season
When choosing a wedding dress colour, one of the most important considerations is your skin tone and undertone. The right colour will complement your skin's natural hue, enhancing your radiance on the big day. To determine your undertone, try the vein method: examine the colour of the veins on your inner arm in natural light. If they appear greenish or yellowish, you have a warm undertone; if they look blue or purple, your undertone is cool; and if you can't quite tell, or they seem dark or brown, you likely have a neutral undertone.
For those with warm undertones, ivory, champagne, or mocha gowns can be stunning choices, adding a subtle golden glow. Cool undertones are beautifully complemented by shades of blush, which have undertones of pink and red, creating an ultra-romantic look. If you have a neutral undertone, you're in luck! Almost any colour will suit you, although some experts suggest avoiding chocolate brown and navy.
Beyond skin tone, the season and style of your wedding can also influence your dress colour. For a glamorous wedding, sparkling fabrics and metallics are a perfect choice. Modern weddings may feature a bold mix of black and white, while romantic celebrations call for reds and pinks. If you're having a rustic wedding, consider colours like sage, coral, or peach. And for a vintage vibe, dusty blue, violet, or lemon will set the tone.
Ultimately, the most important factor is choosing a colour that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. It's your special day, so don't be afraid to break traditions and embrace a colour that reflects your unique personality and style.
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Wedding theme
The wedding dress colour you choose should complement your unique features and skin tone. However, there are no rules when it comes to choosing a wedding dress colour, and you should go with what feels most like you.
If you are having a themed wedding, you may want to choose a dress colour that fits in with the theme and location. For example, if you are having a vintage-themed wedding, you might want to choose a dress colour that reflects the era. If you are having a festival-style wedding, you might want to choose a dress colour that is more playful and fun.
If you are having a chic and sober wedding, a monochromatic harmony of several shades of the same colour could be a good choice. For a playful and sparkling wedding, complementary harmony, or the combination of two opposite colours, could be perfect. Some possible combinations include pink and green, wisteria and pastel yellow, or cream, powder blue, and sand.
If you are a bride with warm undertones, you might want to choose a dress with warm tones, such as pastel shades of ivory, champagne, golden, peach, or pale pink. If you are a bride with cool undertones, you might want to choose a dress with cool tones, such as white, azure, or purple.
For a winter wedding, a combination of blue eyes with charcoal hair, or platinum blonde hair with brown eyes, could be striking. A monophonic outfit in white, cream, or champagne will enhance the contrast. For an autumn wedding, colours that complement soft facial features and golden or olive skin tones could be chosen, such as copper or red hair with a light tan.
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Fabric and silhouette
The fabric of your wedding dress is an important consideration as it sets the tone for your entire bridal style. It determines how your dress will drape, move, and feel. The right fabric can elevate your look, so it's important to carefully consider all the factors, from the season and venue to your personal style and body type.
For example, if you're getting married in the summer, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics like chiffon, which is sheer and simple, or crepe, which is flowy yet striking and perfect for embellishments. Warmer colours like ivory or champagne are also a great choice for summer weddings. If you're tying the knot in the winter, heavier fabrics like satin will add a touch of old-world charm to your gown. Cooler colours like white or diamond white are also popular choices for winter weddings.
The silhouette of your wedding dress is another key consideration. A-line silhouettes are universally flattering, with fitted bodices that cascade out towards the ground, resembling the outline of an "A". Ball gown silhouettes are ideal for most body types, with fitted bodices and full skirts that create a grand, romantic look. Trumpet or fit-and-flare silhouettes are perfect for brides who want to accentuate their small waist, while mermaid silhouettes are sleek and sexy, fitted to the body with a dramatic flare at or below the knee.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a dress that feels most like you and complements your unique features. Don't be afraid to ask for help; your bridal stylist can guide you in finding the perfect dress that flatters your skin tone and fits your bridal vision.
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Cultural considerations
The colour of a wedding dress often carries deep cultural significance. In Western countries, white is the most common colour for a wedding dress, symbolising purity and simplicity. This tradition can be traced back to Christian roots and the expectation that a bride should be a virgin on her wedding day.
However, white is not always an appropriate colour for a wedding dress. In Chinese culture, for example, white is associated with death and sadness, and wearing white to a wedding is considered bad luck. Instead, red is a popular choice, symbolising good luck, happiness, and fertility. Similarly, in Vietnamese culture, red is worn for the engagement ceremony, and on the wedding day, brides usually wear red, white, or pastel-coloured áo dàis. In Chinese-American weddings, brides may opt for a white dress in a traditional Chinese style, such as a cheongsam or a qipao, to combine their two cultures.
In Indian culture, the dress is often used to symbolise the bride's wealth and status in society, and gold is commonly worn to represent the divine connection of marriage. In Nigerian culture, there is a wide variety of traditional wedding attire, with each of the 371 distinct tribes having its own specific set of traditions and clothing.
In addition to colour, other aspects of the wedding dress can carry cultural significance. For example, in Chinese culture, the fabric of the dress may feature a phoenix or a dragon, representing the bride and groom respectively, and symbolising good luck and a harmonious marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
Ivory, champagne, blush, mocha, honey, or almond shades will suit you.
Shades of blush with cool undertones, such as subtle blush or pale rose, will complement your skin tone.
You can pull off all colours! However, some experts advise avoiding chocolate brown and navy.
Red is a bold choice and signifies passion and desire. Orange conveys strength and flamboyance, while yellow suggests intelligence and wisdom.
White and ivory are the most traditional wedding dress colours.
