Why Purple Colored Wedding Dresses Are Taking The Bridal World By Storm
Are you dreaming of a wedding that breaks away from tradition and makes a bold statement? Purple colored wedding dresses might be exactly what you're looking for. While white gowns have dominated weddings for centuries, more brides are discovering the enchanting allure of purple – a color that symbolizes royalty, luxury, and creativity.
But what makes purple such an appealing choice for modern brides? Perhaps it's the way this versatile hue can range from soft lavender to deep plum, offering something for every personality and wedding theme. Or maybe it's the desire to stand out on a day when everyone expects you to blend in with tradition. Whatever your motivation, purple wedding dresses are more than just a trend – they're a celebration of individuality and romance.
The History and Symbolism of Purple in Weddings
Purple has long been associated with royalty and nobility, dating back to ancient civilizations where the dye was so rare and expensive that only the wealthiest could afford it. The color was extracted from sea snails, making it more valuable than gold in some cultures. This royal connection continues today, making purple an excellent choice for brides who want to feel like a queen on their special day.
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Beyond royalty, purple carries deep symbolic meanings across different cultures. In many traditions, it represents spirituality, transformation, and new beginnings – all perfect themes for a wedding celebration. The color also symbolizes creativity and imagination, making it ideal for artistic couples who want their wedding to reflect their unique love story.
Interestingly, purple wasn't always considered unconventional for weddings. In the Victorian era, brides often wore dresses in various colors, including rich purples and burgundies, that could be repurposed for other occasions. The shift to white wedding gowns only became popular after Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, and now we're seeing a return to more colorful options as modern brides embrace their personal style.
Popular Shades of Purple for Wedding Dresses
When it comes to purple wedding dresses, the options are nearly endless. Each shade carries its own personality and works beautifully for different wedding styles and seasons.
Lavender offers a soft, romantic option that's perfect for spring and summer weddings. This delicate hue pairs wonderfully with garden settings and creates an ethereal, fairy-tale aesthetic. Lavender dresses often feature flowing fabrics like chiffon or tulle, creating a dreamy silhouette that photographs beautifully in natural light.
Lilac provides a slightly deeper tone while maintaining that soft, feminine quality. This shade works exceptionally well for outdoor weddings, particularly in garden or vineyard settings. The color complements natural surroundings and creates a harmonious connection between the bride and her environment.
Mauve bridges the gap between soft and bold, offering a sophisticated option for brides who want something unique without being too dramatic. This dusty purple shade works beautifully for both daytime and evening weddings and pairs well with metallic accents like rose gold or champagne.
Plum and eggplant represent the deeper end of the purple spectrum, creating a rich, luxurious look perfect for fall and winter weddings. These shades convey elegance and drama, especially when paired with velvet or satin fabrics. They also photograph beautifully in candlelight or evening settings.
Amethyst sits in the middle ground, offering a vibrant yet refined option. This jewel-toned purple works beautifully for formal weddings and pairs exceptionally well with silver or platinum jewelry and accessories.
Styling Your Purple Wedding Dress
Once you've chosen your perfect shade of purple, the next step is creating a cohesive look that complements your dress while expressing your personal style.
Accessories play a crucial role in styling a purple wedding dress. For lighter shades like lavender or lilac, consider silver or platinum jewelry that won't compete with the dress's softness. For deeper purples, you might opt for gold or rose gold pieces that add warmth and richness to the overall look.
Your veil or headpiece can either blend with your dress or provide a striking contrast. A white or ivory veil creates an interesting juxtaposition against purple, while a matching purple veil creates a seamless, elegant look. Floral crowns in complementary colors can also enhance the romantic feel of your purple gown.
Shoes are another opportunity to express your style. Many brides choose to wear white or ivory shoes with purple dresses, creating a traditional bridal element. Others opt for metallic shoes in silver, gold, or rose gold that pick up the dress's undertones. Some even choose bold purple shoes that peek out from under the hem for a playful surprise.
Consider your bouquet carefully, as it should complement rather than compete with your purple dress. White flowers create a classic, timeless look, while purple blooms in varying shades can create a monochromatic effect. Greenery adds freshness and balance, while unexpected elements like succulents or berries can add texture and interest.
Best Fabrics for Purple Wedding Dresses
The fabric you choose for your purple wedding dress significantly impacts its overall look, feel, and movement. Different materials create entirely different aesthetics, even in the same shade of purple.
Chiffon offers a lightweight, flowing option perfect for outdoor weddings or bohemian styles. This sheer fabric creates beautiful movement and drapes elegantly, making it ideal for lavender and lilac shades. Chiffon works well for both A-line and mermaid silhouettes and photographs beautifully in natural light.
Tulle provides that quintessential princess feel, especially when used in multiple layers. This fabric works beautifully for ball gowns and creates volume without excessive weight. Tulle in purple shades can range from soft and romantic to dramatic and bold, depending on the number of layers and the shade chosen.
Satin offers a luxurious, high-shine option that works beautifully for formal weddings. The fabric's natural sheen enhances purple's richness, making it perfect for deeper shades like plum and amethyst. Satin creates clean lines and structured silhouettes, making it ideal for classic styles.
Lace adds texture and romance to purple wedding dresses. Whether used as an overlay or for specific details, lace can soften the boldness of purple while adding vintage charm. Chantilly lace, in particular, works beautifully with purple, creating a delicate, feminine look.
Velvet provides a luxurious option for fall and winter weddings. This rich fabric enhances purple's depth and creates a regal, opulent feel. Velvet works exceptionally well for deeper purple shades and adds warmth and texture to your wedding look.
Purple Wedding Dresses for Different Wedding Styles
Purple wedding dresses can be adapted to suit virtually any wedding style, from casual beach ceremonies to grand ballroom affairs.
For bohemian weddings, consider flowing lavender or lilac dresses in lightweight fabrics like chiffon or crepe. These styles often feature lace details, off-the-shoulder necklines, or bell sleeves that enhance the free-spirited aesthetic. Pair with flower crowns and natural, unstructured bouquets for a cohesive boho look.
Vintage-inspired weddings pair beautifully with mauve or dusty purple dresses featuring lace, beading, or embroidery. Look for styles with cap sleeves, sweetheart necklines, or tea-length hems that evoke the romance of past eras. Accessorize with pearl jewelry and vintage-style veils for an authentic period look.
Modern minimalist weddings can embrace purple through clean-lined dresses in solid amethyst or plum shades. These styles often feature simple silhouettes, minimal embellishment, and high-quality fabrics that speak for themselves. The key is choosing the right shade and fabric to create impact through simplicity.
Glamorous weddings call for purple dresses in luxurious fabrics like satin or velvet, often featuring dramatic details like long trains, capes, or intricate beading. Deeper purple shades work best for this style, creating a sense of drama and sophistication that matches the wedding's elevated aesthetic.
Makeup and Hair for Purple Wedding Dresses
Your makeup and hair should complement your purple wedding dress while enhancing your natural beauty. The key is creating balance so your overall look feels cohesive and intentional.
For makeup, consider how your dress's shade affects your color choices. With lighter purples like lavender, you might opt for soft, romantic makeup with pink or peach tones that create a fresh, youthful look. For deeper purples, you can be more dramatic with your makeup, perhaps incorporating smoky eyes or bold lips that match the dress's intensity.
Eye makeup deserves special consideration when wearing purple. You might choose to echo the dress's color with purple eyeshadow, creating a monochromatic look that's both bold and beautiful. Alternatively, you could use complementary colors like gold or bronze to make your eyes pop while keeping the overall look harmonious.
Lip color should balance your eye makeup and dress. For lighter purple dresses, nude or pink lips often work best, while deeper purple dresses can handle bolder lip colors like berry or even a matching purple lip for the truly adventurous bride.
Your hairstyle should complement both your dress and your overall wedding style. Updos work beautifully with most purple wedding dresses, especially those with intricate back details or long trains. Soft waves or curls can create a more relaxed, romantic look that pairs well with bohemian or garden weddings.
Real Wedding Inspiration: Purple Brides Who Dared to Be Different
Looking for real-life inspiration? Many brides have embraced purple wedding dresses and created stunning celebrations that reflect their personalities and love stories.
One memorable wedding featured a bride in a lavender chiffon A-line dress with a flowing train, set against a garden backdrop filled with purple and white flowers. The bridesmaids wore varying shades of purple, creating a gradient effect that was both cohesive and visually interesting. The couple incorporated purple throughout their decor, from table linens to wedding favors, creating a unified theme.
Another bride chose a deep plum satin gown with a cathedral-length train for her winter wedding. She paired it with a white faux fur stole and crystal accessories, creating a look that was both regal and seasonally appropriate. The wedding featured rich purple and gold decor that enhanced the gown's luxurious feel.
A third example shows how purple can work for casual weddings too. This bride wore a soft lilac tea-length dress with lace details for her beach wedding. She kept her accessories simple and natural, letting the dress's color be the statement piece. The relaxed, colorful aesthetic perfectly matched the couple's laid-back personality and seaside setting.
Where to Buy Purple Wedding Dresses
Finding the perfect purple wedding dress requires knowing where to look and what to expect from different retailers.
Bridal boutiques often carry a selection of colored wedding dresses, though purple may be limited to certain seasons or designers. These shops offer the advantage of trying on dresses and receiving professional assistance, but selection may be more limited than with online retailers.
Online retailers provide the widest selection of purple wedding dresses, from budget-friendly options to designer pieces. Websites specializing in colored wedding dresses often offer customization options, allowing you to adjust the shade, fabric, or details to your preferences. However, buying online means you can't try before you purchase, so ordering multiple sizes and returning what doesn't work is often necessary.
Custom designers can create your dream purple wedding dress from scratch, ensuring a perfect fit and exactly the style you envision. This option is typically more expensive but offers the most personalized experience. Many designers who specialize in colored wedding dresses can guide you through the process of selecting the perfect shade and fabric for your vision.
Second-hand and vintage shops can be treasure troves for unique purple wedding dresses. These options are often more affordable and provide the opportunity to find one-of-a-kind pieces with character and history. Vintage purple dresses from past decades can create a truly unique look that honors both tradition and individuality.
Caring for Your Purple Wedding Dress
Once you've found your perfect purple wedding dress, proper care ensures it stays beautiful from your first fitting through your wedding day and beyond.
Storage is crucial for maintaining your dress's color and fabric quality. Store your dress in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause purple dyes to fade or change over time. Use a breathable garment bag rather than plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to yellowing or mildew.
Cleaning your purple wedding dress requires special attention. Always check the care label and follow manufacturer instructions carefully. Some purple dyes are more prone to bleeding or fading than others, so professional cleaning by someone experienced with colored wedding gowns is often the safest option.
If you plan to preserve your dress as a keepsake or for future generations, consider professional preservation services. These services clean and package your dress in archival-quality materials that protect it from light, moisture, and other damaging factors. This is especially important for purple dresses, as the dyes may be more susceptible to degradation over time.
For spot cleaning before your wedding day, test any cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first. Some purple fabrics may react differently to cleaning solutions than white fabrics would. When in doubt, consult with your bridal boutique or a professional cleaner who specializes in wedding gowns.
Breaking Tradition: The Rise of Colored Wedding Dresses
The growing popularity of purple wedding dresses reflects a broader trend toward personalization and breaking away from rigid wedding traditions. Modern couples are increasingly focused on creating celebrations that authentically represent their relationship and individual styles.
This shift represents a move away from the idea that there's only one "right" way to do a wedding. Instead, couples are asking themselves what feels meaningful and authentic to them. For some, that means choosing a purple wedding dress that makes them feel confident, beautiful, and true to themselves.
The trend toward colored wedding dresses also reflects changing attitudes about sustainability and practicality. Many brides appreciate that colored dresses can be more easily repurposed or worn again, making them a more sustainable choice than traditional white gowns that may never be worn again.
Social media has played a significant role in popularizing colored wedding dresses, with platforms like Instagram and Pinterest making it easier than ever to discover and share alternative wedding ideas. Seeing other brides successfully rock purple dresses helps normalize the choice and inspires confidence in those considering it.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Unique Bridal Style with Purple
Choosing a purple wedding dress is about more than just selecting a color – it's about embracing your individuality and creating a wedding day that authentically represents you and your partner. Whether you opt for soft lavender, rich plum, or anything in between, purple offers a range of options that can suit any wedding style, season, or personal aesthetic.
The beauty of purple wedding dresses lies in their versatility and the way they allow brides to stand out while still feeling bridal and elegant. From the symbolism of royalty and spirituality to the practical benefits of having a dress you can potentially wear again, purple offers compelling reasons to break from tradition.
As you plan your wedding, remember that the most important thing is that you feel confident, comfortable, and true to yourself. If that means wearing purple on your wedding day, then embrace it fully. After all, your wedding day is a celebration of your unique love story – shouldn't your dress reflect that uniqueness too?
Are you ready to join the growing number of brides who are painting the wedding world purple? Your perfect purple wedding dress is out there waiting to make your special day even more magical and memorable.
