Create Subtle Elegance With an Ivory and Gold Wedding Theme

Photo: Bella Allentown / Xtina Sideris

Ivory is a timeless wedding color. You can’t go wrong using it in your color scheme. 

It goes well with just about any color, but few combinations are as beautiful as ivory and gold. The ivory keeps the gold grounded, while the gold elevates the ivory to another level.

And this color scheme works with any tone of gold — yellow gold, white gold, and even rose gold. 

If subtle elegance and gentle luxury are what you’re after, you’re on the right track with an ivory and gold wedding theme. We’re going to take a look at all the ways you can incorporate these colors into your big day.

Pair Ivory and Gold with the Perfect Wedding Theme

Photo: Janine Licare

A wedding theme is optional, but it can add a lot of fun to the celebration.

Themes are also a great foundation to build from, and they provide a sense of direction for your wedding planning process.

Ivory and gold meld well with quite a few wedding themes because they are such neutral colors. It’s easy to incorporate them into just about any theme you can imagine, but some themes are made for ivory and gold.

For example, imagine a Great Gatsby wedding with a ton of golden art deco details. 

… or a fairytale wedding complete with an ivory ballgown fit for a princess.

… or a winter wedding wonderland theme with pristine snow and gold ornaments.

And it’s hard to think of gold without picturing stars everywhere!

Talk to your wedding planner about possible venues that embody the theme you’re going for.

Whether you’re staying close to home or looking forward to a luxe destination wedding in a faraway place, there’s bound to be a wedding venue that already has plenty of ivory and gold influence.

The venue you choose might even help you bring a theme to mind!

These colors work with so many elegant wedding themes that you won’t have to stray from them to pull yours off, no matter what kind of theme kickstarts your wedding inspiration.

Start Your Big Day off Right With Ivory and Gold Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitations are the first taste guests will get of your special day. It’s your chance to give them a sneak peek at your wedding theme before they even RSVP.

Ivory paper isn’t hard to come by, especially in the wedding business, so you only need to add a few gold accents to jazz up your invites.

There are plenty of ways to get the gilded look, depending on how much gold you want.

Gold foil lettering for your names is a popular way to incorporate metallics into your invitation suite. You can also lay a bit of gold leaf in the empty spaces or around the border of your invitations.

For a classic look, go with gilded edges like you’d find on the pages of a book.

If you’re looking for something a little more eye-catching, making a statement isn’t difficult with ivory and gold. Just imagine your invitation showing up in a solid gold envelope or wrapped in a laser-cut golden jacket tied up with a beautiful bow.

Your guests will be chomping at the bit to RSVP when they get their invite in the mail!

 

Add Gold Touches to Your Traditional Ivory Wedding Dress

Ivory is to wedding dresses like blue is to the sky.

Just imagine this color palette alongside soft tulle, a flowing train, and a sweetheart neckline. It's almost too glamorous to handle.

We’ll just assume you’re wearing ivory since you decided to use it as one of your wedding colors. It’s easy to add a dash of gold to your wedding look to match your theme.

Accessories are a girl’s best friend!

A gold necklace, bracelet, or earrings never feel out of place at a wedding, and they’ll pair perfectly with your gold engagement ring and wedding band. If you need an extra dose of elegance, a gold belt around your waist and gold shoes complete the look from head to toe.

Not much of a jewelry person?

There are plenty of wedding dresses that already have the gold you’re looking for on them. An ivory gown with golden beading or appliques on top of soft tulle will make you feel star-studded walking down the aisle.

And for a little extra glow when you walk down the aisle, consider incorporating golden touches into your wedding makeup.

Related: Can Bridesmaids Wear White Dresses?

Bring Your Wedding Party in on Your Ivory and Gold Theme

Photo: Bella Houston / Anna Haile

Now, let’s turn our attention to the wedding party and make sure they fit the theme just as beautifully as you do. 

Dress your bridesmaids and flower girl in ivory or another off-white that matches closely to your color palette. Add some sparkle with dresses that have gold rhinestone detailing. Or deck them out completely in full gold dresses!

If you can’t make a choice, it’s just as valid to mix and match bridesmaid dresses.

A few accessories will finish off any look you choose with added glitz. You can ensure your bridesmaids match by giving them all a gold bracelet or necklace as a bridesmaid proposal gift or at your bridal shower.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

 

What Should the Groomsmen Wear in an Ivory Wedding?

For the groomsmen and the ring bearer, ivory vests and boutonnières will bring them right up to the level of everyone else. Skip dark colors entirely and go with ivory tuxedos or suits down the line.

Gold cufflinks and tie pins give the guys their own glamorous touches to go along with everyone else. 

And yes, gold bow ties are totally a thing.

Related: Your Full Guide to Groom & Groomsmen Attire

Tie Everything Together With Ivory and Gold Wedding Flowers

Photo: Bella DC / Soco Events

Ivory flower arrangements will go fabulously with your elegant wedding theme. They’re simple, tasteful, and easy to elevate with other elements because they go with everything.

White roses are a timeless choice that scream romance.

Ask your florist to fill in your arrangements with other soft white flowers, such as carnations, dahlias, peonies, orchids, and hydrangeas. Even when they’re all in off-white , the different sizes and textures will make your bouquet interesting.

Tie it all up with a gold satin ribbon to add that last little bit of elegance!

You can also add pieces of gold jewelry into your bouquet to make it stand out from the rest of your wedding flowers as something special.

See also: How to Choose the Perfect Bridesmaids Bouquets

Dress Your Ceremony Up in Ivory and Gold

Make your walk down the aisle absolutely perfect with unforgettable ivory and gold wedding decor.

Seat each of your guests in elegant gold-backed chairs complete with ivory cushions. Or, cover your chairs in ivory silk with a perfectly tied gold ribbon around them.

Any small details surrounding your ceremony are perfect for incorporating gold. 

Use gold frames for your wedding signs …

Put flower arrangements in gold vases …

Get a gold box for guests to drop their cards in ...

Add gold ribbons wherever a bit of embellishment is needed …

Balance the gold details with soft touches of ivory, such as sheer curtains forming an arch for you to stand under or ivory flower petals lining the aisle.

Set Your Reception Dinner Tables with Ivory and Gold

Photo: Stephanie Brazzle

Keep your ivory and gold wedding theme consistent from the vows through the speeches by setting your dining tables with the same elegant colors.

Your wedding tablescape can include as much or as little gold as you desire.

For example, a gold tablecloth makes a statement without overdoing things, but a gold table runner on top of an ivory tablecloth is much subtler. 

Double-layer your plates with a gold plate beneath the main white plate. Place golden silverware on either side to balance it out and weigh down some delicate ivory cloth napkins with gold napkin rings.

Top everything off with gold-rimmed wine glasses so your guests can sip in style.

Your table numbers will really stand out with gold table number holders or gold frames to keep them safe. Or, you can get large golden numbers to set on each table, so no one gets confused about which table is which.

Oh, and speaking of letting everyone know where they’re sitting, don’t forget your place cards! 

Doing everyone’s names up in gold foil will turn your place cards into a second wedding favor — everyone will want to take them home to keep as a reminder of your enchanting wedding reception.

Anchor Your Tables Using Ivory and Gold Centerpieces

At the heart of every perfect wedding table is a beautiful centerpiece. And there are so many ways you can incorporate ivory and gold into yours.

It doesn’t matter if your theme is vintage, boho, fantasy, or royal — there is an option just right for you.

Here are a few ways to create stunning ivory and gold centerpieces:

Can’t find the perfect centerpiece in gold?

Don’t worry!

It’s incredibly easy to DIY any of the options above with a couple of cans of gold spray paint and a few helping hands. 

Make sure to check unconventional places like Etsy, where people make and sell wedding decor of all kinds and for every taste. You're sure to find plenty of ideas even we didn't think of!

Have Your Ivory and Gold Wedding Cake and Eat it Too

Photo: Sweet Heather Anne

Few things are more elegant than an ivory wedding cake. Golden details take it up a notch (or a few) depending on how much you want to throw on.

Go for the trendy drip cake featuring gold drips from the top of the tiers. Use gold luster dust or edible gold paint to add a beautiful design to your cake.

You can even color an entire tier gold, or line the bottom of each tier with gold sugar pearls or gold ribbon. 

If you prefer to stick with a straightforward ivory cake, simply top it with a beautiful gold cake topper and call it a day!

In Conclusion

When you’re looking for wedding ideas that scream beauty, grace, and versatility, look no further than an ivory and gold wedding theme. It combines a wedding staple with sophisticated glamour to create a breathtaking combination.

The elegance of these wedding colors is understated but impossible to miss.

You won’t find a better option for a romantic, luxury wedding day that will live in the hearts and minds of all who attend. And, almost certainly, on their Instagram pages as well!

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