Winter Wedding Colour Palettes That Photograph Beautifully
Winter weddings are pure magic. They bring a charm of their own – with soft lights, crisp air, lush florals, striking jewel-tone decor, and an undeniable romantic vibe. Who can forget Phoebe Buffay’s gorgeous bridal look from Friends?
However, as magical as it seems in print and in the media, winter weddings also pose a hard-to-navigate styling challenge that many brides struggle with.
Will the moody atmosphere make my photos look dull?
What colours should I wear so I don’t look washed out in the photos?
Will pastel colours not contrast well with the winter lights?
What colours look equally good in daylight and reception lights?
Unlike a summer or spring wedding, making a winter wedding pop relies more on choosing the right colours.
As an expert bridal stylist, we can tell you this with confidence:
- Unfortunately, not all colours photograph equally well in winter
- The undertone matters more than Pinterest trends
- The right palette can elevate your wedding album, taking it from average to stunning!
To help you in this journey, here is a virtual personal stylist-curated winter wedding colour palette guide, complete with undertone recommendations, styling notes, and outfit suggestions.
Deep Burgundy And Antique Gold
Burgundy and Gold are cult classics when it comes to bridal colours. Thankfully, they are also perfect winter colours. This combination is perfect for brides who would like a regal, rich and timeless look.
While burgundy absorbs light in a flattering way, it also exudes luxurious charm and looks exceptional in natural light, flash photography and indoor warm lighting.
- Works best for: warm to neutral undertones, and olive
- Idea for: Brides looking for a timeless regal look
Why it photographs beautifully
- The deep solid quality of burgundy makes skin look radiant and bright
- Gold accents and embroidery contrasts well and adds dimension to the photos
- The striking contrast makes personal features and elements pop against winter lights
Styling ideas
- Choose velvet fabrics for dupattas to enrich the look
- For the gold accents, choose Gold Zardozi work, Dabka work, or sequins
- Balance the look by keeping jewellery minimal, if the outfit is heavily embellished
Blush Pink and Rose Gold
Blush pink is often a colour that brides steer clear of when it comes to choosing a winter wedding colour palette. However, there’s a way to make it work. The key here is rose gold. Pairing soft pink with rose gold accents can lend a subliminally contrasting look that photographs beautifully.
- Works best for: warm to neutral undertones
- Ideal for: day weddings and brides who love pastels
Why it photographs well
- Rose gold helps perfectly balance the pale tones of blush pink
- Blush pink looks ethereal against the winter sun and sparkle
- It lends a soft, feminine, yet luxurious and romantic aesthetic to photos, much like a high-profile celebrity wedding
Styling ideas
- With a monochromatic outfit, choose soft glam makeup to keep the palette cohesive
- Choose luxe reflective fabrics like organza and tulle in your outfit to enhance the romantic quality
- Add a second dupatta in a deeper rose colour to add depth and dimension
Plum, Mauve, and Stunning Metallics
Plum is perhaps the most underrated choice in winter wedding colours. However, as an expert bridal stylist, we can tell you you’re missing out. In fact, this season, a plum, mauve and metallics colour palette is trending globally, especially for winter weddings in Canada and the US.
Why it works
- Plum shades add depth to the look
- Mauve tones balance and soften the complexion, making pictures look more put together and harmonious
- Metallic embroidery enhances the look of movement-infused photos with the sparkle element
Styling ideas
- Opt for soft curls in hairstyle for a more romantic and dreamy aesthetic
- Choose embroidery in soft metallic tones and mauve to soften the look
- Works best for indoor weddings and events like receptions
Emerald Green And Champagne
Taking a detour from conventional bridal colours, emerald green is a gem worth exploring. The striking deep green is not only universally flattering but also photographs beautifully against winter backgrounds, more so during the golden hour.
Personal stylists online love jewel tones in emerald, especially when it comes to occasion wear.
Works well for: brides who are looking to experiment with unconventional colours, and want elegance without going too traditional
Ideal for: warm, neutral, as well as cool undertones (it’s a universal shade)
Why it works
- Jewel tones offer a crisp and saturated look that helps bring the bridal outfit together
- Champagne accents create a soft yet solid and balanced highlight
- Works wonderfully against florals and darker backgrounds
Styling ideas
- Pair a rich emerald lehenga with a champagne coloured dupatta for the perfect winter bridal look
- Keep the makeup minimal and soft because emerald is taking care of the drama element
- Use champagne tones strategically on the dupatta without overdoing it, for light reflection
Ruby Red And Understated Gold
Ruby red is perhaps the safest choice for brides who want to keep it traditional. It is a colour that NEVER fails in photos. Some tweaks and add-ons in styling can also blend its traditional vibe seamlessly with modern elements.
A winter wedding colour palette with ruby red and gold tones is bound to make your album look regal and polished.
Works well for: traditional brides
Ideal for: warm, caramel, wheatish, and neutral undertones
Why it photographs well
- Ruby red looks sophisticated and rich in every lighting condition
- Understated and matte versions of gold tones adds depth and interest
- It blends modernity with tradition making it a symbolic choice
Styling ideas
- Use a mix of texture, like adding a velvet dupatta to elevate your bridal ensemble
- Use matte zari work instead of shiny zari for a more sophisticated look
- Go for nude lips and a traditional bold kajal look for goddess vibes
Ivory, Gold, And Pearl
Ivory’s simplistic nature is what makes it bold. And contrary to popular belief, it photographs extremely well in winter because of the diffused natural light. It lends a monochrome aura to the wedding album, making it look much like a winter wonderland in itself.
Works well for: minimalist brides looking for simple looks
Ideal for: warm, neutral, as well as cool undertones as long as the makeup is done right
Why it photographs well
- Ivory, pearl and gold tones create a clean, classy, editorial finish
- It is perfect for daytime shoots and serene winter backgrounds
- The minimal tones enhance the shine of the jewellery
Styling ideas
- Pair ivory outfits with gold jewellery for a warm look, and with silver jewellery for a cool look
- Wear matte makeup to avoid flashback
- Maintain contrast with bold jewellery
How to Choose Your Perfect Winter Colour Palette
Here’s where most brides make mistakes.
They choose their wedding look colours based on:
- Pinterest trends
- Friends’s advice
- Celebrity wedding inspo
- Bridal shop suggestions
However, above all of these, the only things that matter are your undertone and your wedding lighting.
The key is to first understand your skin tone and undertone, plan the aesthetics and location of your wedding, and then proceed to choose colours that complement the various elements. This is where an online bridal stylist can help you.
How brides get it wrong
- Choose pastel shades out of a whim, but end up looking grey in indoor LED lighting
- Use reds that clash with their undertone, making them looked washed out
- Choose outfits that blend in with the background, making pictures look less than average
- Choose overly cool palettes that once again make you look dull and washed out
How a bridal stylist fixes these mistakes
- Curate an undertone-based winter wedding colour palette
- Help choose fabrics that photograph crisp and striking instead of flat
- Help select dupatta tones that balance face brightness
- Recommend combinations that flatter your proportions and skintone
- Offer multi-event palette planning from Mehendi to reception
Want Your Perfect Winter Bridal Colour Palette?
Start by taking a deeper look in the mirror. Observe your beautiful skin tone and best features. Seek the help of a virtual personal stylist.
At Lune by Bhagya, we help brides choose colours that:
- Enhance their skin tone
- Helps them look flawless and radiant in photos
- Align with their wedding theme
- Help create a timeless and cohesive bridal look
Our Bridal Blueprint package is perfect for brides who wish to keep their bridal outfit planning process their own with complete freedom, but also need reliable guidance.
It includes:
- Personalized colour analysis
- A custom bridal palette
- Outfit recommendations, embellishments, fabrics to explore
- Dupatta draping ideas and outfit styling ideas
- Jewellery recommendations and styling ideas
- Photoshoot styling aesthetics
The perfect guide for brides who feel overwhelmed, want clarity and confidence, but without over intrusion; much like a quick fix for your wedding overwhelm.
Book your Bridal Blueprint package today.
FAQs: Winter Wedding Colour Palette
What colours look best for a winter wedding?
Some of the most flattering winter bridal colours are burgundy, ruby red, emerald green, ivory-gold combinations, blush rose, plum, and metallic tones. These shades photograph beautifully against picturesque winter backgrounds, soft winter lights, and also complement most undertones.
If you are unsure about which palette to choose, a bridal colour analysis is the quickest way to find your perfect wedding colour palette.
Are pastels good for winter weddings?
Yes, pastels can work well for winter weddings, provided it is paired with metallic embellishments or accents like rose gold, and with warmer undertones.
For example, shades like blush pink, soft peach, and dusty lavender can look exceptionally striking in pictures for daylight winter weddings, especially when balanced with deeper tones in jewellery and dupatta.
Does white photograph well for a winter wedding?
Yes, absolutely! Soft white and ivory colours look crisp, clean and editorial in winter light. However, to avoid a washed-out look, you need to style them well.
It is best to pair them with:
- A contrasting dupatta to balance the look
- Statement jewellery to add warmth to an otherwise too-cool look
- Gold or rose-gold embellishments for depth and interest
What colours should a bride avoid for winter weddings?
For winter weddings it is best to avoid overly light pastel colours with no warmth, neon shades, and very cool-toned greys, unless they match your undertone exceptionally.
These colours typically tend to make winter skin appear dull, dry and washed out in pictures.
How do I know which winter bridal colours suit my skin tone?
Your ideal winter wedding colour palette depends on your undertone (warm, cool, neutral, or olive). Different undertones look beautiful against different bridal outfit colours.
A few examples are:
- Warm/Olive: Burgundy, ruby, emerald, antique gold
- Cool: Silver, plum, ivory
- Neutral: Blush pink, mauve, champagne, emerald
If you’re confused, you can check out our quick-fix Bridal Blueprint Styling Package. It includes a personalized bridal colour palette curated based on your undertone and photoshoot lighting.
Is velvet good for winter weddings?
Yes, velvet is, in fact, one of the most flattering fabrics for bridal wear in winter because:
- It absorbs light, eliminating chances for unflattering flashbacks
- It adds richness and structure to the outfit
- It also enhances deep colours like burgundy and navy.
It is perfect for indoor ceremonies, receptions, as well as colder regions.
How can a bridal stylist online help me choose the right winter colour palette?
A bridal stylist online first analyzes your:
- Undertone
- Complexion
- Wedding theme
- Venue lighting
- Event timing
- Outfit silhouette
- Jewellery
- Personal style and preferences
Then, they create a customized winter bridal colour palette that ensures you look your best in pictures, and your outfit photographs beautifully from every angle – no overwhelm, no guesswork.
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