All colour for the bridal party starts with the choice of the bride’s gown.
Many brides find white unflattering because white can drain a too-pale complexion. However, brides are sometimes unaware that white comes in an array of shades, and there is a white that works for every woman. It may be snow – a whiter-than-white, it may be a warm white or a white that verges on ivory.
Summer weddings
The colour choice of bridesmaids’ gowns may be guided by the wedding’s theme colour. Or it may be determined by the season of the year. The summer invites airy pastels. All shades of pink, from blush to rose, are perennial summer favourites. On trend this year are shades of blue. These are cool blues without a hint of green. But green, itself, is hot this year, especially a mint green.
The sophisticated woman may turn to the neutrals. And so we see an ombre with taupe to silver-grey and cinnamon in some collections. And then … black! This remains a perennial favourite. (The role of black emerged a few years ago when some brides invited their attendants to wear their own, favourite black dress.) Black continues to be both a thoughtful and popular choice and is ideal at summer weddings if the style is sheer and airy.
Winter weddings
A winter wedding embraces richer colours. Current fashion favourites are burgundy and purple. But a rich brown is surfacing in some collections and, always, black. However, for winter weddings, the fabric and style can be more formal and elegance is key.
So match the choice of colour to the formality of the wedding, the season and the colour theme. There’s lots to choose from.
Dresses by Bill Levkoff (styles from left): 1136, 1109
Originally published in Today’s Bride magazine, Fall/Winter 2015.
