Seasonal Color Analysis for Brides
Left: Me on my wedding day, before color analysis
Right: Digital color correction on lips, cheeks, and bouquet to coordinate with my color season
I can confidently say the one regret I have from my wedding planning is that I did not know my color season at the time. As a result, I chose my makeup, jewelry, dress, and flowers based on taste alone.
While it was a tasteful and lovely affair, and one of the best days of my life, I look back at the pictures and wish I had sported a look that enhanced my natural beauty better. It is funny to think that I look and feel more beautiful in a casual outfit and five minute makeup these days, than I did in the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever owned, in full professional hair and makeup.
Your wedding colors
Although not “required” as it once was, it is still common practice to choose two or three colors to define the aesthetic of your wedding. Often, bridesmaids dresses are selected from this limited palette, and you can count on being surrounded by the color to some extent on your wedding day.
Sadly, too many brides feel overwhelmed by choices and select things that are trendy but have nothing to do with their own beauty. When selecting bridesmaid dresses or decor, why not use the opportunity to showcase some of your best dramatic colors that will set off the white of your dress? A Dark Autumn could select a rich brownish burgundy with touches of muted peacock and a pop of soft bronze. A True Winter, on the other hand, might choose steely silvers with touches of vivid emerald.
the Big WhiTE dress
Set aside any old-fashioned notions around what it means to wear pure white… the reality is that a cool-toned, snowy white gown only flatters a small subset of women. A truly beautiful gown, one that shines in equal proportion to your features and smile—without overpowering you—could come in any number of radiant, creamy shades. Many women do not have an instinctive feel for “their white,” simply because it is not common to wear head-to-toe white in most casual or business situations.
White always has nuance—whether it is a freezing, blue-touched snow white or a shimmering peachy ivory. There is no one-size-fits-all white, any more than there is a one-size-fits-all blue. The wrong white is unforgiving, and the correct one creates a soft-focus, Arwen-in-Rivendell glow. We all want that, especially on our wedding days.
Without understanding your color palette, it will be hard to find the language or recognize your white when you see it. It takes practice and a foundational appreciation for what your native color qualities are. Once you know your color season, you will know what words and concepts define the qualities of all your best colors.
As one example, A Dark Winter bride and a Bright Winter bride will both be looking for a just-barely-warmed cool white. However, while the Dark Winter bride may keep in mind imagery of parchment and limestone, the Bright Winter will imagine her dress as part of a landscape of whipped cream and snow-capped glaciers. Their unique seasonal imagery and associations will help them select the perfect special gown.
Your color fan will be especially helpful in ensuring color harmony. Simply extend a few pages and lay it against the white of your dress. If the white overtakes the colors, or vice versa, you know there is a mismatch. If the colors seem to relax into the white, and they exist on the same visual plane—as in they appear to be the same distance from your eyes—you have good harmony.
If you are a Bay Area bride, book a free consultation below so i can help you look and feel your best on your special day!
The makeup
Makeup looks different up close in a selfie and far away in a portrait photo. Most women are accustomed to seeing their face up close, but not from ten feet away. Makeup that is adorable at kissing distance may do disservice on the same woman at a distance. Seasonal color analysis is key to understanding the density and undertone of shades to apply to each feature. The difference in seasonal makeup and “out of season” makeup is more visible in wedding photography than maybe any other situation. The white dress and focus on the bride’s face makes it impossible to miss those little inconsistencies of color, temperature, and depth.
We all have culturally-transmitted notions of what beauty is—and by extension, what “bridal beauty” looks like. Despite my efforts to resist the bridal beauty standard, I found myself gravitating towards a bronzy cheek, neutral lip, and soft smokey eye with false lashes. If I had known my color season and had practice living in my Deep Winter palette for a few months beforehand, I could have confidently worn my favorite soft cherry blush, burgundy lipstick, and charcoal liner, knowing that regardless of whether it was “standard,” it enhanced me to the utmost. Skipping false lashes, which sounds unfathomable to many modern brides, does not make the eyes appear smaller. In fact, when I look back at my bridal makeup, I marvel at how narrow and dark my eyes appear while wearing falsies!
My clients often gravitate towards the correct temperature of lipstick/blush, but not the correct intensity. A Bright Winter woman may select a Light Summer lipstick, or even a Soft Summer lipstick, as they are all neutral-cool seasons. But the Light Summer and Soft Summer tones will be missing something on her Bright Winter face. A professional color analysis will ensure you have zeroed in on the exact tone, temperature, and intensity that you need to look your most beautiful.
The smokey-eyes-nude-lip “default” for soft glam or bridal makeup does many women a huge disservice. But even if you prefer a more natural lip, rest assured that color on your lips does not necessarily mean a crisp, bold look. Any of your best lipsticks may be patted on softly for a sheer flush of natural-looking color. You will not leave the impression of an overdone bride, or any smears on your partner’s face!
The Flowers
When I look at my wedding pictures, one of my biggest regrets is my flowers—which I carefully and regrettably chose in a Light Spring palette. The subtle peaches, soft yellows, and buttercream white shades were beautiful in theory—and sitting on chairs—but they were a missed opportunity against my Dark Winter coloring.
Because most brides dress in all-white—even if it is their best shade—they can look like a blank slate with very little color variation. A bouquet becomes an accessory which lifts their outfit, enhancing their white with subtle additions of complementary colors within their palettes. For my season, hot pink peonies with pure white roses and emerald green vines would have created a fascinating contrast with my dress, echoing the darkness of my hair against my white veil. A Soft Autumn bride might opt for eucalyptus leaves, which emulate the wheat and khaki tones in her palette, alongside burnt peach dahlias and cream roses. If that same Soft Autumn chose fuchsia-colored peonies, the eye would fall away from her face and be unfortunately drawn to only her flowers.
Even if you prefer a bouquet of tame colors, select one “statement” bloom like a peony or large lily in one of your wow shades. This will function like a great lipstick, and connect with your face in photos and in-person.
The Jewelry
Jewelry is an easy way to elevate your color harmony, especially on a day when the majority of your outfit is comprised of one shade of white. Most people won’t notice jewels as an independent factor, but they will appreciate the overall image of a coordinated look. Heirloom pieces need not be refinished, as respect and tradition hold a special place on wedding days. However, if you have the choice between buying new earrings or hair pieces within your seasonal palette or outside of it… you know what to do!
There are affordable bridal-appropriate pieces available in cool, warm, and neutral color schemes. Although diamonds, pearls, and imitation versions are the most common Western bridal embellishments, do not shy away from precious gems or crystals rendered in more vivid, colorful shades. Your version of red or pink will automatically give a romantic, bridal impression. But if you are known for bold and unusual fashion in your daily life, look for a more unusual color combination. Etsy has many makers who create custom bridal sets, and can coordinate hair jewelry with necklaces or earrings.
Take special caution when selecting pearls, as any inconsistency in temperature with your dress and veil will be highly noticeable. When in doubt, lay the jewelry on top of your dress and look at it in full sun as well as shaded light.
For a detailed explanation of your season’s best metals, check out my article here.
Your Partner
There is no better opportunity to get a professional color analysis for both you and your partner than a wedding. Although one of you may be more fashion and beauty conscious than the other—as was the case with me and my husband—your photographs will be cherished family mementos for decades to come. Ensuring the both of you look your best—individually and as a pair—is an investment in the quality of your photos, and insurance against future regrets. Although wedding trends come and go, you will not regret wearing your own best colors—and you will also be more resilient against pressure to dress in the trendy tones of the day.
Most color analysts—myself included—offer couple’s consultations so that you can get it done in one day. A lovely added bonus is that having your colors done as a pair gives you a shared language to understand aesthetics, and a unique opportunity to see each other’s beauty in a refreshed light. Don’t be surprised if your fashion-challenged partner starts having some very valuable insights into your closet after this!
Putting it All Together
No matter how moisturized, well-rested, and happy you feel on your big day, knowing that you look your best will surely put you in a better state of mind to enjoy the festivities. Brides will diet, laser, and punish themselves for months before their big days—spending thousands of dollars and shedding many tears over a perception of being “not pretty enough.” Why not work with your natural attributes instead, enhancing and embracing them in the most effective way possible—with your correct colors?