Choosing the right bridesmaid dress colour can feel like a daunting task. After all, the colour needs to not only match the wedding venue, the season, and your overall wedding aesthetic but also suit your bridesmaids’ preferences, skin tones, and personal styles. Don’t worry! We’ve put together some simple tips to help you find the perfect shade for your bridesmaid dresses.
What to Consider Before Picking a Bridesmaid Dress Colour?
Selecting the ideal colour for your bridesmaid dresses requires a careful balance of several factors. Before diving into the colour options, here are a few things to consider that will make the decision easier and more informed.
1. Look for Inspiration
Are you unsure where to start at first? You can look to wedding magazines, bridal websites, social media platforms like Pinterest for some inspiration, all great places to discover trending colours and unique pairings. Whether it’s classic shades or bold, modern colours, there’s always a visual reference that will help you with your choices.
2. The Importance of the Wedding Venue
When choosing bridesmaid dress colours, it is important to consider the setting of the wedding venue. For example, for a beach wedding you should choose tropical tones such as coral or turquoise that will complement the natural scenery around you. Whereas for a formal indoor wedding, deep jewel tones or metallic colours may be more appropriate and can add a sense of elegance and dignity. For romantic outdoor garden weddings, soft romantic pastel colours are often the best choice, blending perfectly with the atmosphere of the garden to create a warm and romantic feel.
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3. The Colour of Your Wedding Dress
The colour of the wedding dress will influence the choice of bridesmaid dress colours. White or ivory wedding dresses tend to pair well with soft, complementary shades like pastels, while colourful wedding dresses may require neutral tones or dark bridesmaid dresses for contrast.
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4. Match the bridesmaids’ Skin Colour
No two people have the same skin tone, so it’s important to choose a colour that suits all bridesmaids. For bridesmaids with fair skin tones, light colours like blush, peach, or lavender are very flattering. Bridesmaids with medium skin tones can opt for bold colours like teal, plum, or burgundy. Darker skin tones tend to pair well with bold and vibrant colours like royal blue, emerald, and bright yellow. It can be helpful to ask your bridesmaids for their opinion and find out which colours look particularly good on them, especially if they prefer a particular colour.
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5. The Season of the Wedding
The time of year will also influence the best colours for your bridesmaid dresses. For a spring or summer wedding, light and airy hues like pastels (soft pink, lavender, mint) or fresh colours like yellow and turquoise work wonderfully. For fall or winter weddings, richer tones like burgundy, navy, or deep green create a more dramatic, seasonal look. Think about the atmosphere you want to create based on the time of year, and let that inspire your colour choices.
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6. Consider Multiple Bridesmaid Dress Colours
If you’re having trouble deciding on just one colour, consider using two or three colours for your bridesmaids’ dresses. This can add depth and dimension to your bridal party while still maintaining a cohesive overall look. Some popular colour combinations include navy and gold, blush and champagne, or emerald green and silver. Choosing different colours for your bridesmaids can also help highlight their individual personalities and skin tones, making everyone feel confident and beautiful.
7. Know the Colour Palette: Less is More
When planning the colour scheme for your wedding, it’s easy to get carried away with multiple colour choices. However, using too many colours can make the overall look feel chaotic and detract from the focal points of your big day. To avoid this, consider the classic 60-30-10 rule, a design principle that helps create a balanced and cohesive palette for your entire wedding.
According to the rule, 60% of your primary colour should dominate the key elements of your wedding, such as your bridesmaid dresses and major décor, setting the tone for the celebration. For example, a soft blush pink could be the main colour, giving the event a warm, unified vibe. Next, 30% of a secondary colour should complement the primary hue without overpowering it. Colours like dusty blue or lavender can work well in accents such as flowers, napkins, or table settings. Finally, 10% of an accent colour adds a bold touch, highlighting special details like invitations, the wedding cake, or small décor pieces. Shades like gold, deep burgundy, or navy can make these elements stand out.
Following this rule ensures your wedding colour palette remains streamlined, elegant, and visually appealing, while allowing each colour to shine without overwhelming the overall theme.
Classic Colours of Bridesmaids’ Dresses
After considering the above factors, what colours should you choose for your bridesmaids? Here are some timeless and stylish colours that will suit any wedding style:
- Blush Pink: A soft, romantic and classic colour that is perfect for all seasons, especially spring and summer weddings.
- Navy Blue: A rich, elegant colour that suits many skin tones and works well for both summer and winter weddings.
- Emerald green: Perfect for an autumn or winter wedding, this jewel colour is bold yet sophisticated.
- Burgundy: A luxurious, deep shade that is perfect for autumn and winter weddings.
- Champagne: A soft, elegant colour that works well with both traditional and modern wedding themes.
It’s important to choose a colour that you and your bridesmaids feel comfortable with and that suits your wedding theme. If in doubt, talk to your bridesmaids, get their feedback on the choices and then narrow down the options together.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress colour can be overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting part of the wedding planning process. By considering the venue, your wedding dress colour, the season, and the preferences of your bridesmaids, you can find a colour that suits everyone and adds to the overall beauty of your big day. Remember, there are no “wrong” choices, just what feels right for you and your bridal party. Whether you stick with one classic colour or mix and match shades, the most important thing is that everyone feels confident and beautiful on your special day.
