Exploring Colorful Wedding Dresses


The white wedding dress goes back to Egyptian times, when it was believed that the color symbolized virginity and celebration. Since then, brides have gone from wearing colored dresses to Church clothing and, with Queen Victoria, back to white. The second-marriage “no-white” requirement is a fairly modern custom, and nowadays brides are free to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in.

If you decide to wear an off-white dress to your wedding, or a colored dress, you’re not breaking any etiquette rules. The only statement you’re making is that you love the look of the dress! Granted, white gowns have a more formal flair than other outfits, and automatically give you a “bridal” look. If you decide to go with a different color, first consider the style of the wedding and the setting, as you might feel awkward walking down the aisle in mauve.

That said, some women simply don’t care for white, don’t find it flattering, or are in the mood to jazz things up. Non-white dresses are terrific for cocktail-party weddings, beach weddings, brunch weddings, or park or beach affairs. Remember that, if you pick a different color, make sure the bridesmaids don’t copy it, as you want to stand out from the crowd. Another advantage to non-white is that it frees up the groom to wear khaki or another, casual color.

About the only wedding color you should avoid is black, although some brides are now choosing black trim. Many brides pick their color based on the season, and a little bit of shock value. (Should you wear a red wedding dress, everyone will talk about it.) Brides go for pastels in spring, green and blue for summer, and yellows and orange for fall. Dark blue or red is the winter pick.

Just as a second-time bride can now choose to wear white without causing an uproar, you’re not obliged to explain to guests why you chose a gown of a different color.  Your mom is probably going to be the hardest sell, as she might have been envisioning you in that white dress since she wore one at her own wedding. If someone should enquire about your color choice, remind them that you’re actually going back to tradition, long before the Queen made white the trendy choice.

-David Toussaint

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