Even though most people in the United States think of white for wedding dresses, there are a number of other options to consider. In particular, if you come from a particular ethnic background, there may be other colors that are considered far more advantageous. The Chinese, for example, consider red wedding dresses to be symbolic of good luck and fortune for the bride. Don’t limit your dress color options simply because of what you’ve read in a bridal magazine or in other writings on the subject.

Wedding dress colors around the world

Before Queen Victoria chose to wear white, the color was often associated with death and mourning. Brides of this era typically wore their nicest dresses – whatever color they happened to be. As mentioned previously, many Asian cultures consider red as a highly auspicious color for a wedding dress. You may also find that some cultures prefer green or gowns that have many bright colors and decorations.

Therefore, choosing a wedding dress color isn’t as straightforward as you may have previously thought. As you might expect, you’ll need to think about your family and faith-based expectations, as well as which colors best enhance your appearance. While a bright red dress might suit your personality best, you may need to consider a white dress with a red sash if you come from a strictly conservative family.

Brightening up a plain dress

If you’ve chosen a plain, monochrome dress, there are plenty of ways to provide a little color variance. For example, if you’re going to wear a white dress, you may want to use different fabrics and designs in order to create some contrast. You may also want to use lace, satin, embroidery, beadwork, and various trims in different colors for this purpose. You may also want to consider where the ceremony will be performed, as well as the color of the tuxedo the groom will be wearing.

Finding a color that suits you

While many people think of stark white for wedding dresses, you can also use different shades to complement your complexion. For example, if you look good in blue, you may want to choose a white dress that has a pale blue tint to it. Even though the gown will still be white, the bit of extra color will help enhance your natural coloring. In a similar way, you can use white or cream colored accent pieces to tone down the impact of a brightly colored gown. For example, if you want a blue wedding gown, you may be able to use a darker shade for the bodice shell and then use white lace over it.

Today, there are still some cultural and ethnic restrictions that will determine what color wedding gown is acceptable. That said, in some situations, you can choose a different color or even a paler shade to achieve a workable compromise. On the other hand, the wedding dress that you choose is very much a personal matter. It may take some research and effort to find the perfect color and accent pieces to help you achieve the look you’re going for.

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Once you’re ready to start trying on wedding dresses, you may find it helpful to wear the undergarments you’re planning to use on your wedding day. In particular, if you need to pull in your waist or want to wear a special type of bra, this will make it easier to determine if your lingerie choices will match your dress selection. As you try on gowns, you may find that some options will be very uncomfortable – or impossible – based on the dress type that you choose.

Bras and underpants

Depending on the gown type you like, you may not be able to wear a bra or you may need to purchase a specific type. For example, if you choose a gown with a filmy bodice, you may not be able to wear a bra that will be easily visible through the fabric. At the same time, if you need to have a more supportive bra, it may be best to simply choose a gown that enables you to wear one.

Similarly, if you’re going to wear a backless dress or one with a bare midriff, you’ll want to make sure that your underpants are suitably covered. If you don’t want to wear a corset to manage an expanded waistline, you may need to wear control top hoses or underpants. Double check to make sure you’ll be able to wear them with the kind of dress you’ve chosen.

Girdles and Corsets

If you’re not pregnant and want to camouflage a protruding belly, it may be helpful to wear a corset or girdle. Even if your upper and lower body are fairly balanced, using a girdle will enable you to choose from a wider range of dress designs. Of course you should wear your girdle when you’re shopping for your dress, but it’s also important to wear it during regular daytime activities. This will help you become more comfortable wearing this type of restraint – the last thing you want to do is faint on your wedding day because you aren’t used to wearing your corset!

Hoops

While many other aspects of Victorian dress have gone out of style, many women still wear hoops under their wedding gowns to increase the size of their skirts. Granted, some skirts will accommodate these accessories better than others. Just like wearing a corset, you may also need to practice walking, sitting, and dancing in your hoop skirt. While this isn’t terribly difficult to learn, being confident of your skills will make it a lot easier to for you to enjoy your wedding day.

Regardless of the wedding gown you choose, it’s important to choose the appropriate undergarments so that you’ll be comfortable on your special day. In particular, if you have little or no experience wearing hoops and corsets, it’s best to buy these items early on. This will give you a chance to practice wearing them and to see how various dresses will look as you try them on. In some cases, you may even find that the correct choice of undergarments is every bit as important as selecting the dress itself.

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Don’t underestimate the importance of being comfortable on your wedding day. Regardless of where you’re having the ceremony and reception, you’ll want to choose a wedding dress that makes you feel good. For example, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend all day shivering in your lightweight satin gown during a winter ceremony. If you start shopping early enough, you should be able to purchase or book a rental for an off-season dress at a discounted rate.

Spring

Depending on your location, you may still get some chilly days in the spring, so it’s best to use a mid-weight satin or cotton shell. If you tend to feel cold, it may still be best to buy a gown with full sleeves. That said, it’s also important to plan for the temperature of your ceremony location. If you’re planning an outdoor spring wedding, you’ll definitely want to plan for temperature variations with a shawl or wrap. On the other hand, if your spring ceremony will be performed indoors, you’ll have more flexibility in choosing your fabric and dress style.

Summer

Regardless of whether you’re planning an indoor or outdoor wedding, you’ll want to choose a gown that keeps you as cool as possible during a summer ceremony. Consider choosing a backless or strapless design made from a light fabric. If you have to have sleeves, consider using sheer fabrics or lace for this purpose. That said, if your reception is going to extend into the evening hours, you may want to have a small cape or shawl available in case you feel cold.

Fall

As with springtime weddings, it may be difficult to determine the best fabric and dress weight for a fall ceremony. Depending on where you live, you can probably still use a lightweight satin, lace overlays, and medium length sleeves. If you know that your region is cool by the time fall hits, consider a slightly heavier fabric or a dress with more coverage. It might also be helpful to ask about fabrics that won’t develop sweat stains in crucial areas. Alternatively, you may want to keep a small cape with you to cover these areas as needed.

Winter

If you’re planning to get married in the winter, you’ll need to consider how warm or cold the ceremony location will be. Invariably, if the room is crowded, it will feel warmer, so don’t go too heavy with your gown fabric selection. In addition, if you have a tendency to sweat when you’re nervous, it may still be to your benefit to choose a gown made from a lighter-weight material.

When you’re choosing a wedding dress, you may be so blinded by pretty decorations and gorgeous fabrics that you forget to consider your own comfort. The type of fabric you choose can have an enormous impact on how you look and feel throughout the day. For example, a dress that’s made of a lightweight fabric may leave you with goosebumps and mottled skin, while a dress that’s made from a heavier fabric may reveal sweat stains and red, flushed skin. Therefore, it’s crucial to take temperature and comfort into consideration when choosing your wedding dress.

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