Q: Can I have color in my wedding dress?
A: YES!
Q: What color should I look for?
A: Let’s figure that out now!
Have you ever seen bride photos with color incorporated in her wedding gown and wondered how you could pull that off on your big day? Maybe you aren’t the type to buck “tradition” and don’t think that your wedding day is the time to start?
Tradition means something different to everyone, in different cultures, religions, and even simply personal preference. Bridal trends come and go, but more and more brides in recent years are straying from the stark white wedding dress and opting instead for different shades of subtle color – or not-so-subtle color! If you are toying with the idea, we have good news and great ideas to share!
WHITE & IVORY: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
There is a big difference. White wedding dresses have no other colors mixed in and therefore a white fabric (a diamond white satin, for instance) can look a bit blue in bright light. A white gown has a cool undertone, looks better on darker skin tones. White dresses will beautifully pop any flower, bridesmaid, or tuxedo colors against it.
Ivory bridal gowns have cream color added and therefore are a warmer color. Ivory wedding dresses look best on lighter skin and ivory lace can have a more vintage-inspired feel. Pearl gowns have a light gold undertone making it richer than standard ivory.
Modern brides today are looking at classic style minimalist dresses and often choose a crepe fabric for their dress. Many crepe wedding dresses have a pearl color (often called natural white) with a warmer hue and a softer feel and work well on fair skin.
It is a good idea to know before you start whether you have warm or cool skin tones.
Warm skin goes nicely with:
- Earthy tones: Amber, beige, rich browns, olive green
- Pastels: Peach, coral, lavender
Cool works best with:
- Jewel tones: ruby, sapphire, Amethyst, Emerald
- Blue based: purples, greens, reds
- Black and grey
CHAMPAGNE & BLUSH COLORED WEDDING DRESSES
Champagne wedding dresses or dresses with blush or pink undertones will have an ivory lace overlay. If you prefer warm yellow undertones, (avoid if you have cool skin), a dress in latte, mocha, or peach would be the best color choice. The color underneath will highlight the detail of the lace. If you love lace appliqué, or a full lace dress in Chantilly or Venice, the best way to show, the intricate patterns is to add a delicate color like champagne or blush underneath.
The photo below shows Madi Lane’s Elora dress in mocha with an ivory lace overlay, and as an all ivory dress. Notice the difference in the visibility of the gorgeous lace detail.
*Note: the mocha color outsold the white by a large margin.
WEDDING DRESSES WITHOUT IVORY COLOR
How about a light blue satin dress? Or one of the black wedding dresses – so popular now we hold our annual Black Wedding Dress trunk show every October! So beautiful in satin and in black lace with nude lining. Many of the black dresses are paired with a matching black wedding veil.
A variety of fabrics like Lace, chiffon, and satin can be dyed to any color. Deep jewel tones like ruby red, sapphire blue, and emerald green are beautiful for non-traditional options, and black is becoming a more trending style in the bridal world, too. These darker colors are the perfect choice for a themed wedding (like Moody or Gothic), or to tie in the beautiful autumn colors for a fall wedding.
EMBROIDERED COLOR ON WHITE AND IVORY GOWNS
A trend we are seeing more of is designers using embroidery to include color. Pretty flowers and 3D detailing are done in colors from pastel to bold and even metallics. In fact, our #1 selling wedding dress of 2024 was Morilee’s Petal, with this exact look.
Adding blush and sage floral detailing with embroidery and crystal beads was the easiest way to make brides fall in love instantly and say yes to the dress!
COLOR IN YOUR ACCESSORIES
Color in your dress is not your only option. Perhaps you want to keep with tradition with your gown in the classic wedding dress colors, but still want a pop of color somehow. How do we do this? Accessories, of course!
You can have a sash, a thin strip of color at the waist, or a bow that could coordinate perfectly with your flowers or your bridesmaid dresses. Add a belt with a colored flower, or a jeweled belt with sapphire, emerald, or ruby colored stones. If you like metallic, go for a dazzling rose gold belt to add a warm and subtle pop.
Shoes
If you are shy about adding color on the outside, why not jazz up your feet! Your shoes are an amazing way of showing a little bit of your personal style without it being “obvious”. And, it definitely makes for some great pictures and conversation!
Our brides have done everything from Tiffany blue to navy blue, from pale pink to Ruby slippers, golden wedges, multi-colored cowboy boots, black Converse, Uggs, beaded Keds and bridal Toms, we have seen it all! Even the ones pictured in multi.
Hair
What about your hair accessories? Your veil can have rose gold, pink, gold, or silver threading. You can have a barrette, clips, or a comb with gemstones. What about flowers woven in your hair done by your stylist, or a flower crown?
Jewelry
Perhaps you want to complete your bridal look with some jewelry. This is a wonderful way to express a color that may be very meaningful to you. A particular gem indicating a birthstone of yourself, your fiancé, or someone special to you would be not only a great way to add color, but also to honor someone special.
It could even be your something blue!
Pearls have always been a popular choice for bridal jewelry and always appropriate. Consider adding some colored pearls for a real glam look!
BRIDAL SHOPPING
It would be a good idea to call ahead to the Bridal stores you wish to visit. Ask if they have options to the traditional white dress, and if they have color accessories to try. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Keep your ideas on your Pinterest board, and show them to your stylist at your bridal appointment. Your stylist will have ideas to offer that you may not have thought of.
The important thing to remember is that this is your special day where you get to show off your bridal style and personality. If colorful wedding dresses are your vibe, try them all to find your perfect wedding dress.
Did you embrace color in your wedding dress or your overall look? Let us know what you did and how it turned out!
Author: Wendy Salerno, Owner of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, Warrington PA