How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (2024)

DressesTips and Trends | January 25, 2022

Brides-to-be, have you recently started the oh-so-exciting (and also slightly overwhelming) search for the perfect wedding dress? Don’t let the plethora of wedding dress colors make your bridal shopping difficult! Choosing between white, ivory, champagne, and all those other colorway options can seem daunting and yes, at times, confusing. But breathe easy— between our Style Quiz and this handy guide to learning the how’s and why’s between all the different color wedding dresses, you’ll have no difficulty finding the gown of your dreams at one of our Authorized Retailers.

What Is the Difference Between White Vs. Ivory Wedding Dresses?

First things first, you might be asking yourself what exactly the difference between a white vs. ivory wedding dress is. There actually is a pretty big difference! In terms of color, white is a bright hue with no mixes or shades of any other color. Because of this, a white gown will almost look a little blue in full light. Ivory, on the other hand, has a slight tint of cream, which gives it a warmer color.

A traditional choice for brides has historically been pure white for a wedding gown. However, the bridal sphere has changed a bit in recent years! Ivory has been on the rise in the past few years and more likely than not, you will find an ivory dress rather than a diamond white dress when shopping.

Tradition or not though, what really matters on your wedding day is finding the wedding dress (and color) that feels most like you! Thankfully, at Maggie, we carry many gowns that you’re able to personalize the color of to match your love story.

Which Wedding Dress Color Should You Choose?

Choosing a wedding dress that complements your unique features is the secret to looking your best on your wedding day. So, when deciding on different color wedding dresses, keeping your skin color in mind is always something to consider.

True white wedding dresses wash out paler skin tones, but they look excellent on darker tones and yellow undertones (also known as olive skin tones). And ivory wedding dresses—well, ivory gowns look fabulous on just about everybody. They specifically compliment lighter skin tones, as the warm hue contrasts with cool undertones. And lastly, don’t forget that within the realm of ivory colorways, blush, champagne, and mauve also exist, which is what we’ll talk about next.

Keep scrolling to see our gorgeous lineup of different wedding dress colors from shades of white, to blush, to black!

Traditional Diamond White Wedding Dresses

  • How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (2)

Fun Fact: Did you know white wedding gowns were made popular by Queen Victoria in the 19th century, not for their symbolism but because they showed wealth and prestige? Well, you’ll certainly feel like royalty in Josie by Rebecca Ingram!

This gown comes in many different shades, but we love it in diamond white. As seen in this gown, diamond white works especially well with satin to capture that romantic old Hollywood vibe. With its off-the-shoulder straps and buttons down the back, you’re sure to give Audrey Hepburn a run for her money! To find other vintage-inspired gowns, make sure to look at our dresses on our blog.

If you’re looking for a little bit more whimsy while wearing diamond white, look no further than Harlem by Maggie Sottero. Crawling botanical lace, a sweetheart neckline, and a flowy sequined skirt will have you looking like a forest fairy on your wedding day (while still rocking a traditional look). Since diamond white can tend to look harsh on skin tones, incorporating tulle into your wedding gown will help soften up the overall look.

Soft Ivory Wedding Dresses

Good news, brides-to-be! Our next colorway, ivory, is the most romantic of all colorways and also the most versatile on wedding dress fabrics. And the best part? It goes beautifully with lace!

That’s why we love it on Mallory Dawn by Maggie Sottero! Soft ivory looks absolutely stunning on soft Mallory Dawn. This shade of white brings out the creaminess in the tulle skirt while also emphasizing the contrast in the intricate lace sleeves.

Compared to different color wedding dresses, ivory really brings out the details of your wedding dress which is why we recommend it for lace and fit and flare options like Greenley by Maggie Sottero! We love how the ivory color highlights the curves of your body, while also enhancing the lace and sequins on Greenley.

Bold Champagne Wedding Dresses

  • How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (6)

If your goal is to stray from classic, consider flaunting a gold undertone in a champagne wedding dress! This soft and subtle colorway goes great with lace, tulle, chiffon, and organza. This light gold color also goes well with a subtle shimmer which is why we love this hue on our lace sheath gown, Tuscany Lynette by Maggie Sottero. This lacy gown stands out with its light champagne color, sheer bodice, and illusion-plunging sweetheart neckline.

A champagne color also looks wonderful on Zander by Sottero and Midgley. Champagne is the perfect wedding dress color to highlight contrasting layers of tulle, lace, and shimmer, and can you believe how elegant and soft the botanical sleeves look?!

Romantic Blush Bridal Gowns

While the champagne wedding dress color has undertones of gold, the blush wedding color has undertones of pink and red. This ultra-romantic hue puts whimsy into your gown and helps emphasize textures and patterns – especially with ivory or nude combined with it!

Roxanne by Sottero and Midgley is the perfect example. This boho princess A-line gown has a beautiful guipure lace with layers of pattern that is perfectly emphasized by this soft blush. We also love our blush, sexy mermaid gown, Hattie by Rebecca Ingram. We love how this contrasts with the ivory lace and also emphasizes every model’s skin tone with its strapless neckline.

While blush is one of many different wedding dress colors, mocha and misty mauve are two similar colors that we carry at Maggie Sottero!

Different Color Wedding Dresses: Edgy Black Wedding Dresses

  • How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (10)
  • How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (11)

Last, but certainly not least, we love a good black wedding gown! This is a newer color in the wedding dress color scheme, but it has grown in popularity over the last few years. Black wedding gowns are perfect for edgier brides who want to make a statement on their wedding day. It’s also an amazing wedding dress color choice for brides who want to emphasize all the details of their gown.

That’s why we love Tristyn by Maggie Sottero and Norvinia by Sottero and Midgley! These beautiful black gowns sport a gorgeous royal-inspired black lace pattern that is emphasized by the champagne color beneath it.

Whether you’re shopping for white, ivory, champagne, blush, or black, make sure to check out one of our Authorized Retailers near you! Before you do that though, read through our blog about the 10 questions to consider while shopping for your dream dress.

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As a seasoned wedding dress enthusiast and expert in bridal fashion, my knowledge extends across various aspects of wedding attire, from color trends to fabric choices and style preferences. I've closely followed the evolution of bridal fashion, keeping up with the latest trends, historical influences, and the diverse array of options available to brides today.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the provided article about wedding dress tips and trends, particularly focusing on the different color options:

  1. White vs. Ivory Wedding Dresses:

    • White: A bright hue with no mixes or shades, appearing slightly blue in full light.
    • Ivory: Slightly tinted with cream, offering a warmer color. Ivory has gained popularity in recent years, challenging the traditional preference for pure white.
  2. Choosing the Right Color for Your Skin Tone:

    • White dresses may wash out paler skin tones but look excellent on darker tones and yellow undertones.
    • Ivory dresses complement lighter skin tones, creating a beautiful contrast with cool undertones.
  3. Varieties within Ivory Colorways:

    • Blush, champagne, and mauve are variations within the ivory color spectrum, providing additional options for brides seeking a unique touch.
  4. Traditional Diamond White Wedding Dresses:

    • Diamond white, historically associated with wealth and prestige, is a popular choice for a traditional look.
    • The article features examples like Josie by Rebecca Ingram, showcasing the versatility of diamond white with satin and vintage-inspired styles.
  5. Soft Ivory Wedding Dresses:

    • Ivory is described as the most romantic and versatile colorway, particularly suitable for lace and fit-and-flare options.
    • Mallory Dawn by Maggie Sottero and Greenley by Maggie Sottero are highlighted as examples, emphasizing the creamy tulle and intricate lace details.
  6. Bold Champagne Wedding Dresses:

    • Champagne, with its gold undertones, provides a soft and subtle alternative to classic white.
    • Tuscany Lynette and Zander by Maggie Sottero exemplify how champagne complements lace, tulle, and shimmer.
  7. Romantic Blush Bridal Gowns:

    • Blush, with undertones of pink and red, adds a romantic touch to gowns, emphasizing textures and patterns.
    • Roxanne by Sottero and Midgley and Hattie by Rebecca Ingram are showcased as examples of blush wedding dresses.
  8. Edgy Black Wedding Dresses:

    • Black wedding gowns, gaining popularity in recent years, are highlighted for edgier brides who want to make a statement.
    • Tristyn by Maggie Sottero and Norvinia by Sottero and Midgley showcase the beauty of black gowns with royal-inspired lace patterns.

The article not only provides insights into color options but also guides brides on choosing dresses that complement their unique features and preferences, making the wedding dress shopping experience more personalized.

How To: The Ultimate Guide To Different Color Wedding Dresses For Your Big Day (2024)

FAQs

How to decide on wedding dress color? ›

Choosing the color of your wedding dress largely depends on what makes you feel your best. Keeping your skin tone in mind can help you decide which color is the most flattering. Pure white often looks best on medium or darker skin tones, as the bright nature of this shade of white can wash out fairer brides.

What do different coloured wedding dresses mean? ›

Natural tones such as nude and sand are symbolic of order, standing and patience. Brown hues like caramel and coffee represent a steady conservative nature that will always be reliable. Black. Gothic influences of the colour black demonstrate power, sophistication and wealth mixed with an air of mystery.

What does a purple wedding dress mean? ›

Although darker shades of purple still signify luxury and power, lighter shades of purple can provoke a sense of elegance, whimsy and magic. Its many associations make it one of the more popular wedding colour choices for modern brides.

What color means you slept with the groom? ›

Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you've slept with the groom.” “Old Wives' Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained. However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.

How do I choose a color combination for a dress? ›

Choose colours that complement your skin tone and express your style. Consider classic combinations like navy and white or experiment with trendy pairings like green and pink. Ultimately, the best colour combination for a dress depends on your personal preferences and the occasion you're dressing for.

Is it OK to wear the same color dress as the mother of the bride? ›

"Etiquette says that the mother of the bride picks their dress and color first," says Sabatino. "You don't want to match, but you do want to coordinate so that you're not totally out of scope." You should start shopping for your MOB dress around six to eight months before the wedding date.

What does a grey wedding dress symbolize? ›

Grey has long been associated with age and maturity but it's also a colour that signifies composure with a hint of refined sophistication. It's equally a calm shade that connotes organisation, and composure. Again, you can choose to either wear an all-grey wedding dress or introduce the pigment as an accent.

What is the most popular color wedding dress? ›

1. Ivory and White Dresses. These colors have dominated most of the traditional as well as modern wedding ceremonies. The purity, virginity, or innocence message about the bride are perfectly highlighted by these two colors, with ivory being increasingly preferred over white.

What does a black wedding dress mean? ›

Some may be concerned about what it means to wear a black wedding dress. While the traditional white wedding dress was meant to symbolize innocence, a black wedding dress depicts elegance, power, mystery, and individuality.

Which color is best for a day wedding? ›

Sky Blue

Highly recommended for a day wedding, this shade adds such a bright pop of colour and will make you stand out on your D-day!

What does the Bible say about the color of your wedding dress? ›

Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow.” The white wedding gown is not a symbol of the bride's purity. It is an emblem of the work Jesus has done on the cross. It is a mark of the work the Holy Spirit continues to do, changing hearts, breathing life, making his people new.

What to wear to a Mexican wedding reception? ›

For formal events, men should wear suits or tuxedos and women should wear elegant dresses, dressy pantsuits, or traditional Mexican "trajes." In church settings, clothing should cover the shoulders, chest, and knees out of respect for religious customs. The color of clothing also depends on the time of day.

What color is most seductive on a man? ›

Studies reveal that red is the most attractive colour to both men and women but, curiously, the two genders are attracted to the same colour for different reasons. Women are attracted to men wearing red because, according to one study, it sends signals of status and dominance.

What color represents adultery? ›

Scarlet is also associated with immorality and sin, particularly prostitution or adultery, largely because of a passage referring to "The Great Harlot", "dressed in purple and scarlet", in the Bible (Revelation 17:1–6).

What color should the bride's dress be? ›

It is very traditional for brides to wear white on their wedding day. When you start looking at wedding dresses online or at a bridal shop, you will see wedding dresses labeled with many different color names, from white to ivory to off-white to diamond white to cream and many color names and shades in between.

What is the best color dress code for a wedding? ›

If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate. For a more glamorous look, pastels such as lavender, light pink, or pale blue will add a touch of elegance to your outfit.

How do you color coordinate for a wedding? ›

While you can go with any color combination you like, a good rule of thumb is to have at least one color be relatively timeless and neutral. In the event that you can't find a wedding invitation or table linen in your favorite shade of pink, it'll be nice to know there are plenty of options in white or ivory.

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