Wedding Dress Color Guide: Shades of White

DRESSESTIPS AND TRENDS | SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Brides-to-be, have you recently started the oh-so-exciting but also overwhelming search for the perfect wedding dress? Don’t let the plethora of wedding dress colors make your bridal shopping difficult! Choosing between white, ivory, champagne, and all those other seemingly subtle colorway options can seem daunting and yes, at times, confusing. But breathe easy—because we’ve prepared a lineup of all our wedding dress shades of white so you can be in “the know” and find the dress of your dreams. Enjoy!

What is the Difference Between White and Ivory Wedding Dresses?

What exactly is the difference between white and ivory wedding dresses, you ask? In terms of color, white is a bright hue with no mixes or shades of any other color. Because of this, a white gown will almost look a little blue in full light. Ivory, on the other hand, has a slight tint of cream, which gives it a warmer color.

See how Mitchell by Maggie Sottero and Danica by Rebecca Ingram are slightly different shades of white? It’s because Mitchell flaunts a diamond white color, while Danica features a warm ivory colorway.

Model Wearing Unique Satin Bridal Dress with Bow in Back Called Mitchel by Maggie Sottero — Mitchell by Maggie Sottero

The traditional choice for brides used to be pure white for wedding dresses, but the bridal sphere has changed in recent years. In fact, ivory wedding dresses have become increasingly more popular than their pure white counterparts. Nowadays, when you see a “white” wedding dress, most often than not, it’s actually a shade of ivory!

So, Which Wedding Dress Color Should You Choose?

Choosing a wedding dress that complements your unique features is the secret to looking your best on your wedding day. So, when deciding whether to wear a white or ivory wedding dress, skin tone should be your number one consideration.

True white wedding dresses wash out paler skin tones, but they look excellent on darker tones and yellow undertones (also known as olive skin tones). And ivory wedding dresses—well, ivory looks fabulous on just about everybody, especially lighter skin tones, as the warm hue contrasts with cool undertones.

Examples of Wedding Dress Colors

Want a little proof? Keep scrolling to see our gorgeous line up of wedding dress shades of white and examples of different wedding dress colors from our newest collections!

Diamond White Wedding Dresses

Since true white can look harsh on the skin—not to mention in your bridal portraits—we use diamond white for our wedding gowns. Diamond white is softer under full light and more flattering on a wider range of skin tones.

Model Wearing Satin A-line Wedding Gown Called Raven by Maggie Sottero — Raven by Maggie Sottero

Cindy Satin simple wedding dress by Rebecca Ingram — Cindy by Rebecca Ingram

Diamond white works especially well with satin. If you’re wanting a sleek look, try on Raven by Maggie Sottero and Cindy by Rebecca Ingram. Raven is our vintage wedding gown ideal featuring a bodice trimmer with pearls, while Cindy gives us Rita Hayworth vibes and a red-carpet-ready neckline.

Model Wearing Bishop Sleeve Crepe Wedding Gown Called Aberdeen by Maggie Sottero — Aberdeen by Maggie Sottero

Bride Wearing Off-the-Shoulder Diamond White Wedding Dress Called Admina by Sottero and Midgley — Admina by Sottero and Midgley

Diamond white hues also look stunning on crepe wedding gowns. Perhaps you want to look simple yet sophisticated. If this is the case, opt for a touch of glitz with the embroidered lace bishop sleeves on Aberdeen by Maggie Sottero, or the intricately-beaded sleeves on Admina by Sottero and Midgley. Any way you style it, diamond white on crepe will give you that effortlessly chic look you’re going for.

Ivory Wedding Dresses

Good news, brides! Our next colorway, ivory, is the most romantic of all colorways and also the most versatile on wedding dress fabrics. And the best part? It goes beautifully with lace!

Model Wearing Romantic Wedding Gown Called Daphne by Rebecca Ingram — Daphne by Rebecca Ingram

Bride on Beach Wearing Cold Shoulder Sleeve Sheath Wedding Dress Called Bracken Made by Sottero and Midgley — Bracken by Sottero and Midgley

Fit-and-flares Daphne and Daphne Lynette by Rebecca Ingram take the cake with their demure necklines and beautiful ivory lace motifs. These lace cap-sleeve wedding dresses are not only whimsical but also super affordable! Also consider Bracken and Bracken Lynette by Sottero and Midgley, two more ivory wedding dresses that stun with sultry cold shoulder sleeves and beaded lace over crepe.

Long Sleeve Lace A-line Wedding Gown called Madilyn by Maggie Sottero — Madilyn by Maggie Sottero

Bride on Beach Wearing Ivory Chiffon Wedding Dress Called Lorraine by Rebecca Ingram — Lorraine by Rebecca Ingram

Hint: Ivory shades bring out the details of your dress. Example A: Madilyn by Maggie Sottero, a wedding gown that is the epitome of classic glam. And Example B: Lorraine by Rebecca Ingram, a dreamy boho dream-come-true. The creaminess of the ivory makes these chiffon wedding dresses look great on all skin tones. And the warm undertones also make this soft and romantic colorway a great choice over nude illusion, giving your gown that veiled-unveiled kind of look.

Champagne and Blush Wedding Dresses

If your goal is to stray from classic, consider flaunting gold and pink undertones in a champagne or blush wedding dress. These soft and subtle colorways are often confused with one another, but champagne wedding dresses feature gold undertones while blush wedding gowns flash a bit of pink. Both ultra-romantic hues go well with lace, tulle, chiffon, and organza.

Bride in Greenhouse Wearing A-line Wedding Dress Called Marisol by Rebecca Ingram — Marisol by Rebecca Ingram

Model Wearing Colorful Strapless A-line Wedding Dress Called Zareen by Maggie Sottero — Zareen by Maggie Sottero

Consider Marisol by Rebecca Ingram, and Zareen and Zareen Lynette by Maggie Sottero. These soft A-line wedding dresses in shimmering champagne and lightweight lace are perfect for modern fairytale-ing. Who ever said a princess wedding gown needed to weigh a ton to feel like magic?

Model Wearing Blush Ball Gown Wedding Dress Called Tate by Sottero and Midgley — Tate by Sottero and Midgley

Model Wearing Off-the-Shoulder Ball Gown Wedding Dress with Horsehair Hem Called Zariah by Maggie Sottero — Zariah by Maggie Sottero

And for the princess bride looking for a stunning addition to her unconventional fairy tale, we present Tate by Sottero and Midgley and Zariah by Maggie Sottero. These chic blush ball gown wedding dresses features an impressive combo of textures and patterns, but our favorite part is the whimsical lace motifs over glitter tulle and soft blush.

Pearl Wedding Dresses

Pearl—its light gold undertones make this unique colorway richer than standard ivory. Pair it with any silhouette and fabric, and you’ll be ready for your warm-weather celebration!

Bride Wearing Sheath Boho Wedding Gown Called Elsie by Rebecca Ingram — Elsie by Rebecca Ingram

Featuring soft strokes of shimmery sequined lace, Elsie by Rebecca Ingram is floaty, flirty, and fuss-free. Plus, its pearl hue and sexy illusion panels make it the perfect addition to a beach-side wedding.

Model Wearing Pearl and Ivory Wedding Dress Called Lydia Anne by Maggie Sottero — Lydia Anne by Maggie Sottero

And don’t forget Lydia Anne by Maggie Sottero. Featuring an illusion bateau neckline and beaded bodice with illusion lace side cutouts, this wedding gown’s pearly hue gives it a romantic yet regal vibe.

Model Wearing Off-the-Shoulder Pearl Wedding Dress Called Kennedy by Sottero and Midgley — Kennedy by Sottero and Midgley

Featuring a plunging illusion lace back, Kennedy by Sottero and Midgley is sexy yet sophisticated. With sultry off-the-shoulder sleeves and a double lace train, this pearl mermaid wedding dress maintains the perfect combination of irresistibility and elegance.

What are you waiting for? Experience these gorgeous wedding dress shades of white at an Authorized Retailer near you! And if you’re not sure which bridal style is best for you, take our quiz to see which wedding dresses match your wedding vibe.

Still daydreaming? Visit these related posts for some major wedding dress inspo!

TIPS ARE COURTSEY OF MAGGIE SOTTERO DESIGNS: