Wedding Dress Colour Alternatives When You Don’t Want a White Wedding Gown
Queen Victoria wore white at her wedding in 1840, and the world took after her.
Before that, brides wore their best dress in whatever colour they happened to own. If you’re looking for alternatives to the white wedding dress and want to walk down the aisle in your perfect colour, you are in the right place.
White Wasn’t Always the Tradition
White might be one of the most common choices in the UK today, but it isn’t the case everywhere.
In Chinese, Indian, and many South Asian cultures, red is the traditional bridal colour, representing luck, joy, and celebration.
Across Europe before Queen Victoria’s influence took hold, brides wore blue, gold, green, or simply their best gown.
The idea that non-white is non-traditional is actually fairly recent invention, and a specifically Western one.
We believe you should wear whatever makes you feel the happiest for your special day, so here are some wonderful colour options that will help you shine in our Made to Order collection.
Colour Options for Your Wedding Day
Ivory and Champagne
Ivory is warmer than white, with a soft cream undertone that flatters a wide range of skin tones.
Champagne deepens that warmth into a golden-ivory hue that photographs beautifully against lace and beading with a vibrant richness.
For brides drawn to the white dress but wanting something with a touch of added warmth, ivory and champagne are the perhaps the easiest alternatives to white wedding dresses to explore first.
Blush
Blush is the perhaps one of most popular non-white wedding dress colour right now.
It ranges widely from a barely-there pale pink to a deeper dusty rose, and it reads as utterly romantic and bridal.
Blush also pairs beautifully with lace embroidery and floral details to add to the romantic appeal.
Dove Grey and Silver
A dove grey or silver wedding gown is a quietly chic choice. It has a cool elegance that photographs beautifully in natural light and complements almost any wedding colour scheme.
Silver adds a little more sparkle, with subtle beading and organza layers, for brides who want the understated look with a touch of light.
Light Blue and Baby Blue
There’s a reason “something blue” has been woven into wedding tradition for so long.
Light blue and baby blue wedding dresses have a delicate, romantic quality, particularly in tulle or organza with a floral embroidered bodice, that gives a fairytale feeling without committing to a bolder colour.
For brides drawn to something soft and romantic, a blue wedding gown is worth adding to the shortlist.
Black Wedding Gowns
A black wedding dress is the most dramatic option on this list, and it’s completely stunning.
Black wedding gowns have grown steadily in popularity and it makes an impact.
Floral Gowns
Floral wedding dresses sit apart from solid colours.
Embroidered florals can appear on a white, ivory, or coloured base, with blooms across the hem, bodice, or full skirt.
A floral gown with puff sleeves and a sweetheart neckline has real visual flair and works beautifully at boho or garden weddings.
What Keeps a Non-White Wedding Gown Feeling Bridal
Colour is one element, but the bridal quality of a wedding gown comes from the full picture.
These are the things that keep a non-white wedding dress firmly in bridal territory:
Silhouette
Classic bridal shapes all carry the formality of a wedding dress regardless of colour.
Fabric
Tulle, organza, lace, and satin all carry bridal associations that translate across every colour.
The fabric signals ceremony and occasion even before you take in the cut or the colour.
Embellishment and Length
Sparkle, beading, ruffle detail, and a corset bodice anchor a coloured gown in bridal territory.
Floor gown length helps too, maintaining the ceremony formality even when the colour is unexpected.
A Veil
A veil is the most effective single accessory for confirming a non-white dress as bridal.
Even a short veil over an bold colour immediately reads as a wedding look, connecting the colour to the occasion in a way nothing else quite manages.
Who Suits a Non-White Wedding Gown
Any bride who wants one!
There is no rule or reason for wanting to wear a non-white wedding gown.
We believe at Bijoux, the dress that makes you feel most confident, is the dress you should choose.
Our stylists will be on your side, helping you find your special gown for your most special day and making sure it is stored perfectly for the grand reveal.
Find Your Colour at Bijoux Bridal
At Bijoux Bridal in Hamilton, our stylists regularly help brides explore non-white wedding dresses alongside the full selection.
It’s not unusual for a bride who came in set on white to find her perfect dress in blush, champagne, or a hue or style she hadn’t seriously considered before. All we ask is for our brides to come in with an open mind and heart, and you might be surprised in the dress you end up falling in love with.
Our range of colourful and alternative wedding dresses includes unique style options across sizes 6 to 36.
Our stylists will pull from across the boutique based on what you’re drawn to: the shapes, fabrics, and mood you want to create on your wedding day.
There’s no pressure to stay in white, and absolutely no pressure to go bold.
The appointment is the place to try things you wouldn’t normally consider, surrounded by your guests in the warm, inclusive Bijoux community.
Ready to explore? Book your appointment and start your bridal journey with every colour on the table.
