White vs. Ivory

How do you choose?

Off-white, stark white, bright white, and eggshell? So many different shades of a wedding dress may make saying "yes" to your dress that much more difficult.  Having a bride feel radient, beautiful, and simply comfortable in her gown is extremely important.  Below are all the possible shades available in wedding gowns today.

The Shades

• Stark White
• The brightest, crispest white you could possibly find on the market.  This color looks amazing on dark skin.
• Silk, Diamond, or Natural White
• This shade of white is a little off of stark white.  It looks pretty much the same in photos.  Nonetheless, most people look best in a soft, diamond-white gown rather than a stark white dress, which is known as white-white.
• Ivory
• Also referred to as "eggshell".  This would definitely be your off-white dress, some having yellow undertones making them look creamy.
• Rum or Champagne
• Some may think this is the most uncommon while hearing the name; however, the dress is white with pink undertones.  This dress will look nearly white in photos.

So how do you choose?  It all depends on your skin tone. 

The Selection

If your skin is...

• Fair:  yellow ivory is the color for you.  Steer clear of stark white, it may wash you out.
• Medium with pink undertones:  go for creamier colors such as an ivory or champagne
• Medium with yellow undertones:  try diamond white or champagne
• Dark:  you are the lucky ones!  Most shades of white will compliment your skin.  Take your pick.
• Dark with yellow/olive undertones:  stay away from yellow-ivory dresses.  Try stark white or a rum pink.

Be sure to try on multiple colors of dresses.  A color you thought might not look good on your skin tone may make you glow :)  Last note, when trying on different gowns in a bridal salon, be sure to ask for a clean fabric swatch that you could hold up next to your face.  The dresses you will be trying on could potentially be dirty and the true color may be a shade off.

Wishing you all the best of luck in finding your perfect color of wedding dress!