Billy Idol once sang: “it’s a nice day for a white wedding” – which we can presume, meant that it was fairly sunny with a minimal chance of rain. As any 80s rock musician will know, nothing spoils a white wedding so much as splashes of mud everywhere.
If a white wedding is indeed what you have your heart set on, then by all means you should go with it. However, more and more, couples are breaking away from the tradition of a huge white dress and basic formal wear for the grooms.
Of course, it remains an option – but this is one day that’s all about you as a couple. The wedding photos will last forever, so it’s fair to say you want them to be representative of you. This is a day you’re going to remember forever – so if you like to live a colourful life, why not extend that to your wedding day?
How Much Colour Is Too Much?
There is an argument to say that it’s not possible to have too much colour at a wedding. Given that this is a day of celebration, it’s tempting to throw the entire rainbow at proceedings and bask in the reflected, multicolour glow. However, if you go too far, then you might find your celebration more resembles a child’s party that a serious commitment between two people.
Or, it can be tempting to pick a colour that you like and make it a dominant feature. While the marriage itself didn’t last, we all recall with horror the pink monstrosity that was Katie Price’s wedding to Peter Andre – so there’s an immediate proof of how badly that can go.
Instead, choose a few select colours – and it’s even better if they have a significant meaning to you. Say for example that you’re big sports fans, a worthwhile option is to dress in the colours of your team. Keep the palette simple with two or three colours that work in unison together.
The Wedding Dress
If you want to pass over the idea of a white dress, then that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go for the aforementioned bright red. There’s a vast array of neutral tones you can choose from, some of which will work better with your skin tone than the bleaching effect that white can have. Ivory, for example, works well with olive tones.
If you do want a bit of colour, then consider pale shades such as light blues or mint greens. A soft baby pink can look fantastic too, especially if it’s styled with darker accessories.
If you’re going to wear a non-conventional colour, try and keep the dress itself fairly basic. Let the colour be the decoration, skipping over the jewels, glitter and ruffles. Too much colour combined with a dress that’s too detailed can quickly cause overload.
In conclusion: try and pick a two-to-three part colour scheme, and even better if it has a personal significance, and tie it with a muted shade for the bridal gown. Finally, don’t forget finishing touches like bow ties and pocket squares for groomsmen and even the guests – they can make a glorious injection of a bright, matching colour that makes the wedding party stand out.
Collaboration