I know a lot of you are having to change your wedding or celebration dates and I am sorry for all the stress. In many cases you have already chosen your décor colours, or purchased bridesmaid dresses. Often we associate specific colours with seasons, and I am here to tell you not to worry. You can bring a color, fabric, or motif into any month of the year in style.
If you have already purchased your bridesmaid dresses, linen, or suits with a spring or summer wedding in mind, we have your back with simple designs that take your wedding into the next season. If you have envisioned a lavender or blush wedding, for example, don’t let a fall wedding date mess with your plans. The best thing you can do is be true to your vision and trust your gut. Here are a few inspirations to consider.
Feminine pastels
These light and adventurous hues have been a wedding staple for generations, but they have really come into their own in the last few years. (“Blush” is all I have to say to any naysayers and this feminine tone is not going anywhere!) Whether you fancy baby pink, blue or lilac, pastels are beautiful with all shades of white and ivory for summer. However, I love to play down the white and bring in a few warmer shades of the same tone or gradient for fall. Punch up the sparkle and bring back the white for winter. When working with lighter tones, pick complementing colours in the same family and be inspired by natural shades of gradient colors like sunsets, waves, autumn leaves and foliage.
Pro tip: Pastels can be a hard to wear on certain skin tones, so when choosing these hues consider your bridal party. Offering accessories in bold or darker shades can help bring the look together.
New generation neutrals
This might be my favorite trend and it is really breaking the mold of what we thought we knew when it came to the wedding planning. Shades of white are always beautiful and I love how brides are now including moss, sage and olive as new neutrals inspired from nature. Be sure to consider browns, champagnes and maroon to round out this look. This trend is classic and modern all at once. You don’t have to do much to update this sophisticated pallet, but warm metals like copper or rose gold can create the perfect transition into fall and winter months. Also consider toning up the brown and bringing down the lace or delicate fabrics.
Pro tip: Whites are the hardest shades to match and are ever changing in the light and environment. Instead of choosing one or two shades of white, consider a few. Where two shade of whites can clash, more than two can bring it all together.
Playful colour
Be bold with a coluorful spectrum of bright hues for your big day. If you are looking at warming up the tones for a fall or winter wedding, I would consider a bold neutral. You might not think that adding a beige or cream to your colors would make a difference, but trust me, it can change the whole look when added to fuchsia, orange, yellow or wine. Navy is beautifully paired with blush or baby blue and I look to greys or dusty tones to pair with lilac, teal or purple.
Pro tip: You have to go all the way; don’t dip your toe in with one bold colour. Jump right in with a few choices. Not only will they balance each other, they will also provide a sophistication that brings the look from Barbie dream home to a seaside Italian villa.
Finishing with texture
As the seasons get cooler, you are going to want to add more material and texture. Often, bridesmaid dresses are extra-long, so when doing alterations, take the extra fabric to make cap sleeves or shawls for the girls. I love texture in fall, so little things like mixing in dried and fresh flowers into your bouquet or feathered greenery and faux fur runners into your decor. These inspirations are so easy to achieve. Little touches to you already beautiful plan is all you need.
Written by Vonda-Lee Sharun. Vonda-Lee was an international fashion model for 10 years before starting her own design label, Ayla Rae. Ayla Rae designs are sold through Rae’s Closet, and across numerous bridal stores across Western Canada.
All florals by Small Flower Floral Studio, Calgary.
When I got married I had the dresses custom made. As the bridesmaids all had different skin tones, they chose a delicate floral pattern for the bodice and sleeves and the same shade of a solid colour for the skirt part of the dress – worked much better for all and the empire waist was equally great on their different figures with each having unique sleeves. The base colour was a warm, dusty rose and while I had a June wedding this is a great colour that works year round.
This is a very timely article in a year of the unknown.
Thanks for such great professional advise! It’s so nice to still be able to keep a dream vision of a wedding while transitioning into the future by changing only a few accessories and still including one’s personal taste.
Beautifully written!