Ask Abby
Our next Dear Abby question is in regards to bridesmaids dresses which I know we ALL struggle with!
Q: My bridesmaids mean the world to me. They are all very different in their shapes, skin tones and financial status’. So, I thought I would make it easy on them and just ask them to buy their own black bridesmaids dress. Our wedding is in the Spring and will likely be outdoors. Will this work? Should I choose an accent color?
What do you guys think about wearing black in a Spring Wedding? What secondary color(s) would you pair with the classic shade?
A: I think that using black dresses is always classic. Always chic. No matter what time of year it is. It’s the colors and the styles that you pair with the black that really create the style of your wedding. When I first read your dilemma, I immediately thought of that amazing Real Wedding that we featured a few months back, sent to us by Cotton Idea Studio. I love the pairing of the fresh, crisp green and whites with the oh-so-sophisticated black. So, that’s just what I’ve envisioned for you…
Little Black Dress by Bluefly, Green Flowers (top right) by Rosenow,Floral Design, Necklace by Nordstrom, Bridal Shot by Trevor Hoehne, Green Flower Box by Vesou with photography by Trevor Hoehne
I would love to see your bridesmaids dresses accent the dresses with delicate gold necklaces and strappy sandals. Accessories should stay light and airy. The bright green bouquets will add that pop of Spring that you are looking for.
Honestly, as long as you stick with hues that are clean and bright…anything from whites, to peachy pinks to beautiful yellows…you can’t go wrong!
22 Comments about “Ask Abby”
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I think as long as the groomsmen are also in black the overall look will be cohesive not dour. You can pull in punches of color to brighten up the black. Satin shoes dyed a bright color, coordinating jewelry, hair accessories, ribbons, flowers etc... would pop off the black and add in some fun. Also I think it's great to have everyone find a dress that meets their budget needs as well as being flattering to their individual figure.
I love the idea of black and white (in damask maybe?) and that gives you a great jumping off point to introduce great bright spring colour as an accent like a yellow, pink, blue or green. The introcution of the white works well with the bright spring colours.
I totally agree with Ashley, in that you can have pops of color in the flowers, shoes, jewelry etc. Thats a great way to make a little black dress have some added color. I think its great you are letting the bridesmaids buy their own black dress! That way it adds some personality too. Here is a post I did with a black wedding dress but I love the bouquet colors with the black dress!
http://zenadiadesign.blogspot.com/2008/01/wedding-dress-love.html " rel="nofollow">http://zenadiadesign.blogspot.com/2008/01/wedding-dress-love.html >
Peach would also look beautiful with black, in my opinion. The black dresses would really offset the peach color and make it pop.
Good luck with the planning!
I agree. It will have a classic look. You can't go wrong with that.
I have struggled with this myself. Some part of me feels black in spring is just too heavy, but this would largely depend on the time of day. I think one way to lighten it up would be to request they go with an at the knee-length instead of a full gown which will include a lot more black presence in the extra fabric.
For accent colors I would suggest keeping everything really fresh and light so avoid red rose bouquets and consider infusing the rest of the color scheme with beautiful shades of green or blue. In this way the black serves as a base to a palette of gorgeous monochramatic blues, greens, pinks, purples or some other fresh spring color.
My wedding was in late February, but in Miami, at an outdoor reception near the water. The BMs wore little black dresses (I think it's important that they be short, b/c long and black can be too formal). And it looked so classic! They carried bright green dendrobium bouquets. Also, for a pop of color, the little girls in the wedding party wore hot pink! Good Luck!
I think black is gorgeous year round! It is the most classic color you can possibly pick :) Just a thought... I am dealing with several bridesmaids (11, actually!) and I found that Calypso not only makes wonderful colors but the dresses are made to work with EVERY body type. The Julia wrap dress can be tied several different ways, so your girls feel gorgeous! I let me my girls pick between the Julia wrap and the Pazzi dress all in the flame color. The black looks great in this dress too... Just a thought! Good luck!
I think that black is always classic and does not have to look drab or dull. Pair it will some bright and lovely spring shades (especially whites, crisp and natural greens, yellow, pink) the possibilities are limitless for your flowers. If for the same reason, they do black shoes, you could also do bright sashes or fun jewelry or hair pieces.
I love the idea of black dresses that bridesmaids get to pick them selves. Remember that they will most likely be carrying flowers and that will add a lot color that will tie the look together.
I agree that the GM should definitely wear black suits or tuxes, and that the BM dresses should be kept short or tea-length (and preferably in a light fabric like chiffon) - and that said, my first instinct would be to pair the black with bright yellow and white (check out the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica or Palm Springs for inspiration). However, I think this real wedding is proof that black also works with a softer, more traditional spring palette as well (don't miss the bouts and tablecloths!):
http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/post-6.html " rel="nofollow">http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/post-6.html >
http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/amanda-dan-part.html " rel="nofollow">http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/amanda-dan-part.html >
I think black is always classic. But, since you mentioned outdoors maybe instead of black, maybe the dresses can be brown?? I think that way it would look a little harsh for outdoors and still you can punch it up with bright shoes, sashes, flowers, etc.
How thoughtful of you! My initial reaction since its a spring wedding and black can be so heavy, pair it with a bright spring color. To me this just begs for yellow, or green, or yellow and green! Just make sure everything else stays bright so it doesn't feel too dark.
Black for a spring wedding? It feels a little depressing to me but I think it will work if you pull in lots of color elsewhere (flowers, shoes, jewelry, a ribbon around the waist, etc.). good luck!
The bride can buy pastel sashes for all the bridesmaids (after stipulating that the black dresses will be worn with sashes so that the styles will work). The pastels can make it spring-y, and the attendants are saved the expense.
Also, black dresses in lighter fabrics, like a voile, will be more spring-like than those in heavier fabrics.
Perhaps, have them pick short or tea-length dresses. That will "lighten" things up a bit.
I like this idea, and I would also suggest accent colors like matching earrings/necklaces/or bracelets. Also the bouquets will tie it all together. Another idea would be to get a sash or ribbon to tie around the waist of each dress (with a bow in back or front or on the side) in an accent color to tie it all in. Just a few ideas from a wedding photographer!! Good luck!
I love the links Anna posted. I think what makes that work in terms of keeping it fresh and spring-like is the infusion of various black/white patterns and the presence of lots of lush flowers and greenery everywhere. Beautiful!
I was the maid of honor in my friend's spring wedding, and she let us all pick short black dresses. I adored her for this, b/c I was pregnant and wasn't looking great in normal bridesmaid dresses. I think it looked great, too. Her accent colors were light blue and green, and our bouquets were lovely and fresh looking. She also gave us all blue and green ribbons to incorporate into our look. Some girls used them as a sash, some wove them through their hair, and I braided mine around my wrist.
My bridesmaid's all wore black dresses, which hit between knee length and mid calf. I went with black and white with splashes of hot pink for the colors in my March wedding. I gave pink pashminas to all of the girls and the guys wore black bow ties with white polka dots with their own black suits. The look was classic, if I had to do it all again I would use the same colors.
Thanks for all of the great thoughts and feedback!
I was going to have my two bridesmaids wear black dresses too for my august wedding. They are going to wear black, my dress is ivory, my fiance will wear dark charcoal, and the groomsmen will wear beige (chino/linen suits). I would love to hear thoughts on this look? The look at the alter will be black, off white, black, off white. Do you think this works?
I agree that other colors in the wedding palette should be bright and cheerful!
Meg,
I have seen something similar to what you are describing in pictures. I really think the type of fabric plays more in to the look than just the color. I like the palette you describe and you may consider throwing in a splash of color or some added texture. (think gold strappy sandles, flowers or greens in the hair)
Beautiful!