Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Cleveland | Kailee DiMeglio

You received the wedding invitation, RSVP’d, and can’t wait for the lovebirds to see the gift you picked out from their registry.

Now all you have to do is find a dress for the wedding day… and with so many options, your head is spinning.  

Choosing the perfect wedding guest attire can overwhelm even the savviest of shoppers. If this is you, your best bet is to break it down and focus on one element at a time.

This post centers around color.

We'll share everything you need to know to simplify finding the perfect pigment. 

Showing is also waaaay more effective than telling. So we’ve got pics of our favorite colors and are pairing them with the different seasons and wedding themes in which they work best.  

What's the Best Color to Wear to a Wedding?

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Baton Rouge | Butterflies of Hope by Katelyn

Okay, we all know what not to wear. 

No one would dare commit the biggest wedding faux pas to arrive at a wedding in white or off-white. But that still leaves a whole slew of other colors to choose from.

These tips will help further narrow down the perfect color choice:

Consult the Invitation for Clues

Wedding invitations often provide wedding dress codes and other clues.

If the invitation states it’s a black-tie event or formal wedding, choose a black, navy, or deep rich jewel-tone dress.

The color palette is more relaxed for semi-formal or casual weddings. You can wear pretty much any color, including floral patterns and lighter pastel shades.

Another clue you can usually sus out from the invitation is the type of wedding or wedding theme. 

For example, if it’s a destination wedding somewhere tropical, choose bright, even fluorescent shades and big bold prints. If it’s a modern wedding, stick to darker colors.

Finally, the wedding invitation will often showcase the wedding colors in the script and other details. And you can be confident the bridesmaids may be wearing one of the dominant shades.

You could choose something that goes well with those specific colors but in an alternative shade. That way, you won’t blend in with the wedding party on the big day.

Wear Seasonally Appropriate Shades

Another trick is to use the time of year the wedding will be held to help determine the appropriate shade to wear. 

Pastel or light colors are ‘it’ for a spring wedding, and bright colors work better during summer weddings. 

For a fall wedding, stick to warm, earthy tones. Silvery metallic shades, cool blues, periwinkle, magenta, and dark green are gorgeous for winter weddings. 

Do a Color Analysis

Once you’ve used the tips above to help narrow down your color choice, have a color analysis done. Then, choose the shade that best suits your skin tone. 

Color analysis is becoming quite popular. You can find yours by consulting with an expert or using an app to determine which colors suit your skin tone best.

Shop our entire collection of wedding guest dresses!

Some of Our Favorite Wedding Guest Colors

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Mobile | Emma Kent

Okay, now for the fun part! Since you know the fundamentals, let’s look at some of our favorite wedding guest colors.

French Blue     

Jenny Yoo Bridesmaids Dress Nicole in French Blue 

Okay. Remember how we said that dark colors are ideal for a black-tie wedding? 

Well, here’s proof: this deep navy blue — almost black — is absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect shade for formal or winter weddings.

Damask Rose

Sachin & Babi Kayla Gown in Rouge Damask Rose 

The soft pink in this pattern is effortlessly sweet and romantic. 

Lighter colors like this one are ideal for spring weddings, beach weddings, or a special day with a garden party theme.

Copper

Jenny Yoo Nicolette Dress in Copper 

Copper is so appealing, and it’s almost shocking that it is not a more popular go-to color.

That’s good news for you! Wear copper, and soak up all the compliments that come from choosing this beautiful shade. 

Copper is perfect for summer and fall weddings, from indoor venues to outdoor weddings in a serene desert setting.

It’s also a no-brainer color for a boho-inspired or rustic wedding theme.

Amethyst 

Sachin & Babi Alanna Dress in Amethyst 

Flattering on almost every skin tone, amethyst is a gorgeous choice synonymous with luxury and royalty. It’s an incredibly versatile wedding guest dress color and fits equally well at formal and casual celebrations.

It’s also seasonally versatile, blending well with spring, summer, and winter wedding shades.

Emerald 

Sachin & Babi Nadia Gown in Emerald

Emerald green is a stunning color that most people find incredibly pleasing. It brings to mind balance, harmony, and opulence. 

Steal the show wearing this shade at a formal wedding, or wear it to a summer, fall, or even winter wedding celebration. 

Fuchsia 

Amsale Evening Dress Fuchsia 

Think you can’t pull this color off? 

Think again! 

This bold, beautiful shade is perfect for summer or a vibrant tropical wedding. You can also wear it for every wedding theme, except for black tie. 

Plus, the color symbolizes love and heartfelt emotions — perfect for a wedding.

Bright colors like fuchsia work well for a cocktail dress since the bold color balances well with more playful silhouettes.

Slate Blue 

Sachin & Babi Loretta Gown in Slate Blue 

Stately and sophisticated, slate blue is versatile. It’s perfect to wear to a winter wedding, paired with silver accessories, or a spring celebration offset with little pops of color. 

It’s also a lovely color for a wedding with a soft, ethereal theme.

Sage Green

Jenny Yoo Mara Dress in Sage 

This gorgeous natural color is flattering on almost everyone and plays beautifully with other colors. This, paired with its irresistibility, makes sage green a no-brainer for a wedding guest outfit. 

Sage is a color that works for almost every wedding season and type of wedding celebration. 

Black

Jenny Yoo Jessica Dress in Black

Many people dismiss black as a color option for a wedding, which is a shame. Black is such a classic that it has its own ultra-formal event named after it. 

So yes. Black is a perfect choice of color to wear for a black-tie wedding or an evening wedding with a formal dress requirement.

Black also works exceptionally well for modern minimalist weddings and more. 

You can always pair it with colorful accessories or a blazer, which plays into the season and general wedding theme.

Read ‘5 Colors That Guests Should Not Wear to Weddings’ to learn which colors are absolutely off-limits!

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Remember, colors have the power to influence mood and evoke different emotions.

Take the wedding day theme and the time of year, and combine that with a shade you feel stunning in. Then, voila — you have it: the best color to wear to a wedding as a guest.

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