Who said you can’t throw convention out of the window and still look stunning? From pastel pink gowns to dark edgy show-stopping numbers, Mandy Moore, Jessica Biel, Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham and many others broke with tradition and pulled out a colorful surprise on their big day while still appearing oh-so-fabulous!
But what do fashion designers think of colored wedding dresses? Do they advise brides-to-be to wear one? What are the pros and cons of wearing a colored wedding dress? We asked four Arab designers and here’s what they thought…
“The established norms relating to what a woman should wear on her wedding day only serve as tradition. A woman may relate to the idea of a traditional bride, or make her own rules entirely. Whatever image she has of herself for that day is the way to go. When celebrating love, a person should feel free to be whatever they want.”
“I would always recommend white unless someone is really sure that they want to go the non-traditional route. There are always surrounding events where the bride could choose color and it’s more non-committal than the ceremony itself. Alternatively, there are subtle ways to incorporate color in the ceremony, whether through the bouquet, the shoes, beading, or an accessory. At the end of the day, I’m a big proponent of following your heart and doing what feels right to you, and that way you can always look back on the moment and know that you were true to yourself.”
“My first ever customized wedding dress was blue! It’s not that it’s a must, but sometimes the shade makes the dress even more magical and emphasizes the embroidery and the bride perfectly. The pros of wearing a colored dress on your big day are that it’s unique, it looks more couture and made to measure. On the other hand, we all know white is always traditionally associated with bridal dresses as the color represents purity and transition, so wearing a non-white bridal dress might increase the probability of having a guest wearing the same shade, which is something not all brides would be happy with. Personally, I don’t think anyone, or anything can beat or compete with a bride’s look, no matter the color!”
“I think [whether you should wear] a colored wedding dress would depend on the theme and culture. It would be breaking the norm in modern Arab traditions, which is why it’s very rare to see this. For us, our bride has to be wearing white, as a sign of purity. It’s a way for her to stand out; in a sea of colorful ballroom gowns and cocktail dresses stands a glowing presence in white. That being said, I also believe in the freedom of personal choice. I love to see a rebel in a black wedding dress, but you can also rebel in different ways: silhouettes, embroidery, and fabric. For me, I would love to work with all the Pantone shades of off white from light to dark for wedding dresses and a touch of embroidery in gold or silver.”
