A wedding with colored dresses is unexpected and infuses excitement that's sure to thrill guests. Many brides like breaking the traditional wedding dress mold with a colored gown while others opt for just a splash of color with a sash, bow, or other decorative embellishment.
A Hint of Color
Subtle hints of color on a wedding dress have been popular accents for years, and might include choices such as:
- Sashes or bows
- Colored hems or necklines
- Colored embroidery
- Contrasting inset panels
- Colored beading
While these delicate details can add a tinge of color to a dress, full colored gowns are also becoming more popular for modern, trendy brides.
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Where to Buy Colored Dresses
Because different shades of white are still the most popular bridal choice, it can be difficult to buy a fully colored gown. Brides opting for subtle color accents can find suitable dresses in any bridal boutique, but brides who want a traditional wedding dress with a full train may need to order a custom gown or arrange for their favorite bridal style to be created in a unique color.
On the higher end of the pricing scale, many designer wedding dresses are also available in a range of unique and fashionable colors for discerning brides. Check out these collections for some great colored options in your gown:
- David's Bridal offers dresses in muted colors like blush and gold as well as several black dresses. Use their store locator tool to find a shop near your home.
- The Jim Hjelm Blush collection includes fashionable and modern dresses, often with color and trendy materials. Enter your preferences into the store locator and you can find a boutique that carries the Blush line.
- Helene Bridal offers convenient online shopping for wedding dresses with color. Some gowns are embellished with colored sashes, while others are in full color.
- JJ's House offers a selection of dresses in beautiful hues including pastels and bolder colors.
Another option is to buying a prom or party gown and have it enhanced or altered to add a train or more bridal details. For that choice, brides can visit a range of stores catering to special occasions, including large department stores with special occasion sections.
Daring Wedding Gowns
One way for a bride to stand out from the many other brides-to-be out there and make a statement about her personal style is to choose a fully colored dress. Brides have many reasons to choose colored gowns, including:
- Desire to be "different" with the wedding attire
- Cheaper prices for party dresses rather than white bridal gowns
- Cultural considerations where a certain color is traditional or symbolic
- Ability to reuse the gown and wear it for other special occasions
The entire bodice, skirt, train, and even the veil may be colored, as well as other accessories such as wedding shoes, gloves, a purse, or a handkerchief. However, sometimes doing everything entirely in the same hue can be overwhelming. After all, you want the guests and your groom to be looking at you, not just your attire. Consider using a complementary shade, or one of a lighter or darker hue, for your accessories.
Different Color Options for Gowns
Choosing the right color for a wedding dress, however, can be just as challenging as choosing any colors for the wedding palette. Brides who want to go bold with color should consider:
- Seasons: Many brides who are choosing colored gowns do so according to season. Spring brides are choosing pale pinks, lilacs, and blues, while those who are marrying in the summer choose deeper shades of these same colors. Brides planning fall weddings are choosing yellows, golds, and even shades of orange. It's the winter bride who is making the boldest statement, however. Deep reds and blues and even holiday or metallic hues are making their way down the aisle.
- Pastels: For the bride who wants color but doesn't want to be so obvious about it, faint colors are the way to go. Light blue or pale pink wedding dresses add color but don't go overboard. Consider a pale shade if you're not interested in making too bold a statement but still want a unique color for your dress.
- Theme: A themed wedding has a lot of options for fantastic color choices. A colored beach wedding dress, for example, can be a rich sandy taupe, a crystalline blue or sea green, or even a tropical magenta. A holiday bride might consider Christmas wedding gowns in an emerald green or ruby red, while an autumn bride might choose a rich fall color for her gown and coordinate her bridal party dresses in a rainbow of fall colors to match the colored leaves that nature uses to decorate.
- Shades of color: Consider a dress that cascades into different shades of a favorite color; this can be more visually interesting than a single solid color, without being as bold as a print.
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Prints: It can be difficult to find a formal gown with a colored print, but a casual wedding dress can be a lovely floral print sundress or cocktail dress perfect for a garden wedding, beach wedding, or modest affair. The print can also be used for a sash in or shawl for the bridesmaid or flower girl's dress as well.
For a truly unique idea, consider doing a complete reversal of color with the bridesmaids. For example, the bride can wear a fully colored gown and have her maids dressed in white, off-white or ivory. This unique twist will create a dramatic look for the bridal party.
A Hue for Every Bride
Colored wedding dresses don't need to be shocking. A colored sash or bow or colored edging can still add color while keeping the "traditional" feel of the wedding dress. Don't be afraid to go for bolder colors and fully colored gowns, however, if you're so inclined. Perhaps one day it might be bucking tradition to wear a white wedding gown.
