Colorful Wedding Dresses: Stunning Non-White Bridal Gown Ideas for the Bold Bride

When you picture a bride walking down the aisle, what color dress instantly comes to mind? For most, it's the classic white wedding gown. This long-standing tradition has a bride draped in layers of pristine white fabric as a symbol of purity and new beginnings.

But who decided that the most important dress of a woman's life had to be one specific shade? As bridal fashion continues to evolve, more and more trend-setting brides are ditching the "white" rule and saying "I do" to wedding dresses in every gorgeous color of the rainbow. From soft blushes to rich jewel tones, these colorful gowns allow a bride's personality and style to truly shine.

If you're ready to strut down the aisle in an absolute showstopper that perfectly represents you, keep reading! This guide explores fresh dress color ideas and styling tips for the bold, modern bride.

Traditional White Wedding Dresses

Okay, before we dive into all the brilliant dress color possibilities, we have to give credit where it's due - the white wedding dress tradition has some storied roots. This color wasn't originally chosen for its pristine, virginal look though.

The white wedding dress dates back to the 1800s when Queen Victoria was married in a white lace gown. Up until then, brides just wore their best dress without any color symbolism. Victoria's white dress set the new standard that uber-wealthy families adopted to show off their social status and wealth. Only the richest could afford such an impractical dress color that showed any speck of dirt or stain.

Cut to today when the color white represents purity, freshness, and new beginnings. It has deep cultural and religious significance, especially for Western weddings. Many brides feel it's the most fitting shade as they start their journey into marriage. You can't argue that an immaculate white dress does have an undeniably bridal, romantic feel.

However...that doesn't mean you have to follow the crowd! Non-white wedding dress colors are having a major moment as modern brides seek something more unique.

Why Consider Non-White Dress Colors?

While a white dress will always be the classic bridal choice, there are some fantastic reasons why you may want to go rogue with a pop of color:

Express Your Unique Style

Your wedding day look should reflect your own personal taste and personality. If you're a funky, fashion-forward woman who loves making bold statements, why shouldn't your dress do the same? A colorful gown allows you to have fun and let your unforgettable style shine through.

Create a Cohesive Color Scheme

Many brides carefully select a gorgeous color palette to complement their wedding venue, flowers, and overall vision. By choosing a dress that incorporates those colors, you can fully bring that entire aesthetic together in a beautifully cohesive way.

Flatter Your Gorgeous Complexion

As much as we all love the look of a crisp, white dress, let's be honest - that pale shade isn't always the most flattering against every skin tone. Richer, deeper hues like reds, blues, and plums can seriously complement and highlight a beautiful tan or darker complexion.

The bottom line: your wedding day is about celebrating your unique love story in a way that represents you. If a white dress doesn't check all the boxes, it's time to explore the endless colorful possibilities!

Popular Wedding Dress Color Options

Ivory/Champagne

Not quite ready to stray too far from tradition? Ivory or champagne shades are the perfect compromise. These soft, barely-there hues give you the stunning bridal look of a white gown with a subtle warm hint. Ivory and champagne complement most skin tones and have a way of making you look effortlessly radiant.

These dreamy neutral shades also provide an incredibly romantic, vintage-inspired vibe. Can't you just picture yourself gliding down the aisle in an intricately beaded champagne-colored dress dripping with old-world glamour? It's a timeless yet unexpected look that photographs like an absolute dream.

Blush/Nude

For brides wanting to make a soft, ultra-feminine statement, gorgeous blush and nude tones are where it's at. These rosy hues range from pale ballerina pinks to richer dusty roses. No matter which shade you choose, a blush dress is sure to flatter your complexion with a fresh, pretty glow.

These delicate pinks and nudes give off wonderfully romantic vibes while still appearing slightly unconventional. They work beautifully for spring and summer weddings, but can absolutely be styled for stunning fall or winter affairs as well by playing with richer accent colors and textures. Pair a nude dress with a dramatic berry lip and you'll be smouldering bride perfection.

Blue

From soft, dreamy powder blues to regal, saturated indigo and navy hues, blue dresses make for gorgeously unexpected bridal looks. This cool, calming color represents features like peace, confidence, and understanding - all lovely sentiments to bring into your marriage.

Light, breezy blue shades are stunning for destination weddings by the ocean, while deeper denim and sapphire blues feel perfectly at home for glamorous evening affairs. However you wear this hue, a blue dress gives off an effortlessly serene, almost regal vibe. It's a fun way to deviate from the norm while still appearing totally sophisticated and chic.

Red

Red is definitely not a color for the faint of heart bride! This fiery, passionate hue makes an unabashedly fierce statement as you strut down the aisle. A ravishing red gown allows you to quite literally wear your heart on your sleeve during one of life's most romantic events.

From vibrant crimson to deeper oxblood and wine shades, this color channel's confidence, desire, and celebration of love. A red dress instantly kicks the glam factor up about 1000 notches. You'll definitely be the "lady in red" turning heads left and right. Just prepare for some light-hearted jokes about walking the line between bride and Valentine's Day!

Black

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the always chic and sophisticated option of a black wedding dress. Black is the epitome of edgy, modern bridal style. This striking shadeis a gorgeous pick for the fashion-forward bride hosting a contemporary, avant-garde celebration of her big day.

Despite what some may think, a black wedding gown doesn't have to read as morbid or morose. Quite the opposite, actually! Black is a highly glamorous hue that achieves an unmistakably chic, cosmopolitan vibe. It's a color that connotes strength and power. Plus, a black dress looks stunning with colorful floral accents or styled with bold makeup and accessories.

Tips for Selecting Your Wedding Dress Color

Consider Your Wedding Theme & Colors

One of the biggest factors in choosing a dress color is thinking about the overall aesthetic and color scheme you've envisioned for your wedding day. If you've already selected gorgeous jewel-toned shades of emerald, purple and fuchsia as your palette, a dress in one of those rich hues would seamlessly tie everything together.

Alternatively, you may want your dress to provide a contrast against bolder decor colors. A soft pastel blue or blush could be a beautiful way to temper brighter accent colors. Or maybe you want to make a showstopping statement by selecting a dress color like crimson red that pops against more muted surroundings. Consider how your dress color will interact with the overall vibe.

What Aligns with Your Personal Style?

At the end of the day, your wedding dress color should reflect your own unique personality and style sensibilities. If you're a minimalist with pared-down, trendy tastes, a sleek white, nude or black dress could be perfect. For bohemian babes, floral prints and romantic blush or champagne shades are dreamy. Adventurous, dramatic fashion mavens will live in a luxe jewel tone dress. Stay true to yourself!

Pay Attention to Undertones

As you start trying on different color dresses, you'll quickly realize that not all shades were created equal! Something as small as undertones can make a huge difference in how flattering and gorgeous a color looks against your skin.

Are you a cool or warm toned gal? Cools look stunning in pure white dresses or colors with crisp, bluish undertones like stark reds or true navys. If you're more warm-toned, richer colors with golden, buttery undertones like creams, blush, or rust will be absolutely radiant.

You'll also want to consider how potential dress colors will interact with your hair, makeup and accessories. Don't be afraid to try on unexpected colors - you may be stunned by a real showstopper shade!

Think About Different Seasons/Settings

While you can absolutely rock any dress color you love for your wedding, some hues do naturally complement certain seasons and settings better than others.

Envisioning a romantic garden ceremony in the spring or summer months? Gorgeous pastel colors like sky blue, light pink, or sunny yellow beautifully capture those blooming, lively vibes. Jewel tones like emerald, amethyst or ruby work beautifully for rich, autumn affairs. Hosting a glamorous winter wedding? Luxe shades of burgundy, plum or even an opulent gold gown would be showstopping.

Beach brides, you can't go wrong with vibrant shades found in nature like coral, turquoise or even a punchy yellow - they'll pop beautifully against the shoreline backdrop!

Incorporate Cultural Traditions

For many brides, selecting a dress color that honors their unique cultural heritage is incredibly meaningful. For example, red is a hugely important, lucky color in Chinese, Indian and Latin American cultures. An intricately embroidered red wedding dress celebrates those rich traditions in a stunning way.

Some religions like Hinduism incorporate other vibrant hues into bridal looks. And various patterns like tartans can add lovely nods to ancestral backgrounds. Don't be afraid to have your dress represent your roots!

Styling a Colorful Wedding Dress Look

Accessory Pairings for Different Colors

Once you've selected your gorgeous gown hue, it's time to think about accessories! Different colors can pair beautifully with certain accent pieces. For example, a blush or nude dress provides the perfect subtle backdrop to really allow sparkling jewelry or metallic accents to pop.

Rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire and amethyst look sumptuous complemented by deep velvet textures and ornate beading. A bright, saturated colorful dress could be stunning with metallic accessories in mixed tones - like a fuchsia gown with pops of rose gold accents. And for daring brides rocking a black dress, make a dramatic statement with striking jewelry pieces like chandelier earrings or incorporate edgy elements like a spiked belt or headpiece.

Makeup and Hairstyle Recommendations

Your dress color can and should influence your hair and makeup look too! Coordinate your makeup shades to harmonize with your gown's tones. For example, soft pink or peach hues pair exquisitely with blush dresses while rich berry or plum shades smoulder against deep red gowns.

Consider your dress neckline as well when selecting a hairstyle. Elaborate updos can highlight a striking dress neckline while tousled waves provide a lovely contrast against structured strapless or high-neck gowns.

Option to Mix and Match Colors

Who says you need to stick to one dress shade? Monochromatic looks are absolutely chic, but exploring contrasting colors can make for a really fun, fashion-forward bridal look. Think elegant colorblocked dresses mixing classic shades like ivory and black. Or mix in pops of a vivid shade with a more subdued primary dress color.

How to Color Coordinate with Your Bridal Party

If you've decided on rocking a colorful wedding dress, you may want to get your bridal party in on the fun color action too! Having your ladies in complementing shades can create such a cohesive, visually stunning look for your entire crew.

For example, if you're wearing a chic LBD as the bride, dress your girls in shades of champagne or blush. A bright red dress could pair beautifully with bridal party looks in shades of crisp navy or hunter green. Get creative and don't be afraid to mix and match different colors and tones!

Conclusion

There you have it - all the inspiration you need to confidently strut down the aisle in a showstopping colorful wedding dress! From soft, romantic blushes and blues to bold, fiery reds and modern noir shades, you now know tons of gorgeous yet unconventional options to make a bridal style statement.

The most important thing? Choose a dress color that allows you to shine with an effortless blend of personality and beauty on your big day. Don't be afraid to ditch the expected white gown if that's not your vibe. Have fun with it! Play with shades that excite you and make you feel amazing.

After all, when you marry the love of your life in a dress you adore, that's when the real magic happens. So go ahead and let your colorful star power brilliantly take center stage!