Read up on tips for how to select the best wedding colors for your special day.

January Bridal Colors

Purples and Reds

February Bridal Colors

Whites, Reds, Purples, Pinks

March Bridal Colors

Yellows, Greens

April Bridal Colors

Aquas, Yellows, Greens

May Bridal Colors

Salmon

August Bridal Colors

Blue, Yellow, Peridot

September Bridal Colors

October Bridal Colors

November Bridal Colors

December Bridal Colors

2007 Wedding Colors

2008 Wedding Colors

Reds, Oranges, Pinks, Fuschias, Chocolates

Sages, Mints, Basils, Moss, Sea Greens, Limes

Wines, Purples, Roses, Lavenders, Grapes, Silvers

Browse Bouquets By Season Colors

Summer Bridal Bouquet

Fall Bridal Bouquet

Winter Bridal Bouquet

Spring Bridal Bouquet

Finding the Ideal Colors for Your Bridesmaids

There are two things to take into consideration when choosing your bridesmaids’ colors. First, consider the size and shape of your bridesmaids, and second, keep in mind their skin tone. While you may not be able to pick the perfect color for every bridesmaid if your friends have a variety of skin tones, you can at the very least avoid colors that are unflattering and unattractive.

You probably can’t find a shape for your bridesmaids’ gowns that will look perfect on every figure, but you can keep some general rules in mind:

An A-line dress is the most universally flattering style, so if you have lots of shapes and sizes of bridesmaids, this is the style that will work best.

Don’t try to squeeze large, top-heavy or pear shaped bridesmaids into sheath dresses. The sheath will only emphasize their trouble spots and could ruin a few good friendships. If you want to go for elegant and understated, stick with the A-line and choose an elegant fabric.

If you choose a two-piece skirt and top, which is becoming increasingly popular for bridesmaids, keep in mind the shape of your bridesmaids. It’s generally better to keep the darker shade on the bottom. For instance, a black skirt with an ivory silk top. Try not to use two colors that are both bold and bright. This will tend to cut your bridesmaids in half, making them look shorter and stockier.

It’s a good idea to keep the bridesmaids’ dresses a bit simpler in style than yours. Remember, the bride’s gown is the focal point. Overdone or fussy bridesmaids’ dresses will look overdone and fussy when you have several women wearing the same dress. This can be particularly jarring in wedding photos, where the bride’s dress should be the center of attention.

Length is important. For day weddings, a tea length gown is very flattering and allows the bridesmaids to move around with a bit more freedom. The only caution with this is that a tea length gown can be difficult for a petite woman to pull off. Also, if you have a wide range of heights (for instance, one bridesmaid is six feet tall, another is barely five feet), tea length hems can begin to look ragged and uneven when your bridesmaids are standing in a row. Floor length is uniform.

Colors for Your Bridesmaids

Your first inclination may be to choose the color for your bridesmaids’ gown based on your childhood wedding fantasies. Don’t do it. Although you may love the idea of a pink wedding, consider whether your bridesmaids will hate you for it.

Darker shades of bold colors are generally more flattering, so if you’re having a fall, winter, or evening wedding, you are in luck. Deep jewel tones look wonderful on most skin types. If you love purple, for instance, a deep, dark grape shade will be more flattering than lavender for most women. If you love red, go for garnet rather than cherry red. Some of the most popular colors for bridesmaids’ dresses are discussed below.

Pink

Although it has fallen in popularity in recent years, pink is still a color that many brides love. The shade you choose makes a great deal of difference. Soft, muted rose pinks are more elegant than bubble gum or bright pinks. You can also go with a pink that has a hint of peach if you want a shade that’s more flattering to pale skins.

Generally speaking, the bolder the pink, the less detail the dress should have in order to avoid a costumey look. Also keep in mind that pink is a youthful color. There is a reason you don’t often see older women wearing pink, so if your bridesmaids are beyond their mid-twenties, try to forego the pink in favor of something more appropriate.

Blue

Baby blues and powder blues aren’t flattering on very many people. It can look wonderful with blonde hair and tanned skin, but few others can wear it successfully. Try navy blue or a shade like Federal blue, which has a touch of grey in it. These are more flattering and are attractive for almost any skin shade and every age. Navy is particularly elegant for an evening wedding and is a bit softer than pure black.

Green

Green is a surprisingly strong color. While redheads look fabulous in emerald or Kelly green, it isn’t a color most women can wear with any success. Softer grey-greens and pastel shades are more appropriate, and if you want to add a nice glow to the skin, consider aquamarine or one of the many turquoise shades that lay between green and blue on the color spectrum. Green can give an unhealthy pallor to the skin when blondes wear it, but brunettes can look terrific in it.

Red

It’s tricky to pick out a red gown that doesn’t look too racy for a wedding. As we mentioned earlier, garnet or cranberry are your best bets. Anything that looks too much like a stop sign isn’t good. Bright red visually adds pounds, so if your bridesmaids are on the heavier side, opt for a dark shade or give up red altogether. If you really want to include red in your wedding, use it in the décor and flowers but dress your bridesmaids in black, silver or some other neutral that will create a lovely background for your flowers. If you have olive skinned or dark bridesmaids, a rich red such as garnet or burgundy can be lovely. Redheads and fair skinned women tend to look washed out in any shade of red.

Purple

Purple can mean anything from the palest lilac to a deep, rich plum. The darker shades have a regal, expensive look that works well on most skin types. In fact, a dark purple is extremely flattering to pale skin and balances out sallow skin, making it one of the most versatile colors you can choose. Amethyst and darker purples are lovely for evening weddings and will flatter most figures. For daytime weddings, pastels such as lavender are usually the right choice. One interesting shade is lilac, which hovers between blue, purple and grey or silver. This shade can be very refined for more formal weddings.

Yellow

Although yellow may remind you of sunshine and warmth, it isn’t a color that most women can wear well. If you really want to go with yellow, try the palest, creamiest shade of yellow you can find. Bright yellows tend to give many people a slightly green tint, so avoid them if possible. On the other end of the color spectrum, a deep gold can be very pretty and adds a bit of formality.

The New Neutrals

Many brides today are choosing metallics for their bridesmaids’ gowns. Shades like copper, silver and bronze are rich and elegant. These are suited to evening weddings and formal settings and give you lots of options for décor and flowers.

If you like the idea of a metallic neutral, consider using the color for the skirt of the gown rather than the entire dress and put a flattering cream shade next to the faces of your bridesmaids. A bronze skirt with an ivory lace blouse is attractive without being overpowering.

If you have a few colors in mind, talk to your bridesmaids and get their input. Let them try on some gowns in various shades to see which one is the most flattering. Dressing your bridesmaids in attractive gowns will make your day far more enjoyable for them and you will have beautiful wedding photos that don’t make you cringe five years from now.