You don't have to wear white on your wedding day if you'd prefer not to. Instead, go for a colorful wedding dress.
Many people prefer lighter, more subtle colors as this does not stray too far from the traditional white. You can also go for something more bold, like a black or floral-colored gown.
Think about your wedding's general atmosphere when you choose your gown. Pick a wedding dress that matches the mood you're trying to convey.
Method 1 Using Light Colors
1 Try blush.
A light pink or peach blush shade can be great to add a subtle splash of color to your wedding day. A blush tone is flattering on most skin tones and works great for a light color that does not stray too far from the traditional white.
A blush tone gives off a somewhat dreamy look. It can go well with a romantic, fairy tale-like wedding theme.
2 Opt for a gold shade.
A gold gown gives off a regal feel at a wedding. It is not too bright or gaudy, but is a nice subtle shade that adds something unique to your wedding gown. Many people find gold reminiscent of ancient goddesses, so gold can work great for a very archaic feel. You can go for a white gown with gold beads or a gown made from gold fabric.
If you dislike the way gold looks on your skin tone, you can get a similar affect using another metal color. Try silver or copper instead if gold does not work for you.
3 Think about nude colors.
Nude colors are particularly subtle. They do not stray far from a traditional white. If you want a traditional wedding, but dislike the idea of a bright, white dress, think about going with a nude color. Something like beige or cream can be a great style for your wedding day
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For a sensuous look, try pairing a beige gown with a smokey eye.
4 Try an ice blue.
If you want the traditional "something blue" for your wedding day, why not incorporate it into your gown? A subtle ice blue provides a soft color that is not overwhelming. An ice blue gown has a nice, played down effect.
Ice blue is not your only option for a soft blue. You can also try baby blue or a pastel shade of blue.
Method 2 Going for Something Bold
1 Add a dash of colorful embroidery or pattern.
You don't have to have your bold wedding day colors be completely solid. Many white or cream gowns come with decorative embroidery in bolder shades. Think about something like a white gown with bright red embroidery. This can be a great way to have a colorful gown that still honors tradition by incorporating some white.
You can coordinate with your bridesmaids with your embroidery colors. For example, if your bridesmaids are wearing purple, go for a dress with purple embroidery.
2 Go very bold with a black gown.
If you want to really defy tradition, go for a black gown. If you want a very non-traditional, somewhat eccentric wedding, a solid black gown can work great. However, if you prefer black but want a more subtle effect, black embroidery or black patterns can also work great.
Black is a great choice if you want a slimming gown. Many people find black flatters most figures.
Remember, black is a very audacious choice that stands opposite to tradition. Only go for a black gown if you're prepared to make a big statement.
3 Use floral print to add bold colors.
Floral patterned gowns can be classy for a slightly non-traditional look. They can be used to add big, bold colors to a gown. As a floral pattern is read as very feminine, it can pair great with a ball gown style dress.
You can have floral patterns with colors like pinks, purples, greens, and reds against a white background. However, you can also have a colored dress with a floral print. For example, try a floral pattern against a pink background.
Method 3 Considering the Wedding's Atmosphere
1 Think about the setting.
Where are you getting married? Certain colors may go better with certain settings than others. When selecting your wedding dress's color, look at the natural colors in your venue.
For an outdoor wedding, look at the natural colors around you. If you're getting married near a body of water, for example, consider a blue dress.
If you're getting married in an indoor setting, look at the decorations. A church with a yellow color scheme may look great with a yellow wedding dress.
2 Choose a color based on season.
If you're struggling to settle on a color gown, think about the season you're tying the knot. For a spring wedding, consider coral or pastel shades. For a summer wedding, think about rosier, brighter shades. For a fall wedding, incorporate fall colors like deep reds, violets, and oranges.
However, you don't need to let the season entirely define your look. If you're in love with a particular color, you should wear it even if it's not in season.
3 Decide on the type of mood you want to convey.
Color can set the mood of your wedding. Think about the general mood you want when choosing the color for your wedding gown. Do you want a deep, serious mood or a light, fun wedding?
Darker tones work better for a more serious theme. Think about deep reds, emeralds, or other jewel tones.
Brighter, lighter colors can work great for a more laid back wedding. Think about light pinks, reds, or yellows.
4 Create contrast.
Part of the reason many brides opt for white gowns is that they stand out amongst the bridesmaids. If you're going for a color other than white, talk to your bridesmaids about how to make sure you stand out in photos.
If you're going for a light shade, like a played down blue, more vibrant bridesmaids dresses can help you stand out. For example, dark or bright blue bridesmaids dresses may pair well with a baby blue dress.
If you're going for a bolder color, like red, the bridesmaids could go for something lighter. For example, you could wear a bold red gown while bridesmaids wore a more pastel, light shade of red.
