If you have started looking at wedding dresses you will have noticed how many shades of “white” there is to choose from. So how do you make the decision between pure white, ivory, cream or “whites with a hint of” that are available? Your skin tone is the key to helping you make a decision.

Joanna from Colour me Beautiful explains that most people can be divided into one of 6 categories: Light, Deep, Cool, Clear, Soft, and Warm. For example if you are naturally blond and blue eyed you will come under Light, traditional whites, ivories and creams will look best complimented with bridesmaids in pastels or light colours. If you have dark hair and dark eyes with olive to light brown skin you are Deep - a bright chalk white looks best or if you want cream then go for a deep shade such as vanilla and rich tones in your makeup. If you are auburn with pale porcelain skin you will be Warm - ivories, creams and golden shades will look best on you, gold jewellery or embroidery will suit your skin tone.

A dilemma is whether you choose a colour for your bridesmaids based on what will look good next to you or what looks best for their skin tone. Joanna recommends you consider your bridesmaids best colours and try to find a colour that will work well on all of them – if they all have very different hair colour and skin tone different shades of the same colour can work really well and can look great in photographs particularly if there are 4 or more bridesmaids. If your bridesmaids feel comfortable in the colours they are wearing they will feel happy and confident and be all the more photogenic as a result!

Colour Me Beautiful can not only help you find out what colours best suit you and your bridesmaids, they can also help you decide what style of dress best suits your shape. For example if you have a pear shape you will look best in a dress with a full skirt, if you really want a shift type dress it is best to make it a two piece so that the top and bottom half can be made to fit separately. If you have a full hourglass figure with a full bust, well defined waist, and full hips a close fitting ball gown design works best. If you have a slender figure, small bust and narrow hips an A-line dress works best, a boned bodice will give you a fuller bust, an empire line dress with textured or patterned fabrics such as brocade or lace also works well.

When you consider the amount of money you spend on a wedding dress is likely to far exceed anything you have spend on a dress before, and the importance of looking your absolute best on your special day, a consultation with a qualified consultant could be the best decision you ever make and will help you to focus your search for that perfect wedding dress!



Colour Me Beautiful