Colors Come With Superstition
Bridesmaid colors usually get chosen for one of two reasons: they flatter the wedding party or suit the season! But did you know that certain colors are actually said to bring good fortune to those who wear them—or bad luck, depending on the hue? Though none of these old beliefs should dictate your wedding, they're worth knowing before you pick a color with centuries of baggage behind it.
1. Black
Black bridesmaid dresses look sophisticated nowadays, but as you can imagine, the shade has traditionally carried heavy associations with death in many cultures. The beliefs stretch far back into history, too; some old wedding rhymes even warned that marrying in black meant wishing yourself back, suggesting you’d only regret the marriage.
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2. Green
Green has one of the stranger reputations in British and Irish wedding folklore (though you’d think the opposite in Ireland). Older beliefs connected the color with fairies, who supposedly disliked humans wearing too much green, while traditional wedding verses claimed marrying in the shade could bring shame. Don’t even get us started on teal.
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3. Yellow
You'd think that bright yellow meant nothing but happiness, but older customs said otherwise. Forget about the sun with this shade; a well-known traditional rhyme warned that someone married in yellow would become ashamed of her partner. Lemon, mustard, and butter-yellow bridesmaid dresses were all off the table back then, even if they’re popular now.
4. Gray
Elegant charcoal and dove gray don't immediately scream bad luck, but old rhymes did, in fact, give the color an unsettling prediction. The saying claimed that anyone married in gray would "go far away," which sounds vague but was usually interpreted as separation. That isn't the sort of forecast most want looming over their flower arch.
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5. Purple
Purple's regal reputation doesn't negate its connection with mourning in several cultures. In Thailand, for example, purple has traditionally been associated with mourning for widows, while certain Christian traditions also use violet during solemn religious periods. Depending on who’s walking down the aisle, don’t be surprised if this shade never crossed her mind!
6. White
White may be the classic bridal color in the West, but sticking your bridesmaids in it? That just creates its own problems! In several East Asian cultures, white is strongly associated with funerals rather than weddings, and Western etiquette has traditionally reserved the color primarily for the bride. It might not be bad luck to wear it unannounced, but it’s certainly bad form.
7. Brown
Brown has never been one of wedding folklore's most glamorous shades, and some traditional rhymes linked it with leaving town or living away from home. All in all, old-school beliefs gave the color a strange association with relocation and disruption—so you might want to rethink the espresso.
8. Pink
Soft pink seems like one of the least threatening colors imaginable. But if anything was going to cause problems, it was folklore. Certain versions of an old bridal rhyme said that someone married in pink would eventually see her spirits sink. We guess “blushing bride” has a whole new meaning now!
9. Ivory
Ivory doesn't have one major ancient curse attached to it, but wedding etiquette has long made it a potentially uncomfortable choice. Because it sits so close to traditional white, ivory dresses are just poor form. Okay, sure, this one’s more of a social misstep than something supernatural, but it's still a form of bad luck most people would rather avoid.
10. Pearl Gray
Pearl gray earned an unusually specific warning in some traditional verses. One old rhyme claimed that someone married in pearl would "live in a whirl," implying a future filled with chaos or unrest. Don’t assume that sticking your bridesmaid in the color takes the heat off of you, either; the bad luck extends to everyone!
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Wedding traditions aren't all warnings and ominous rhymes. Plenty of colors have long been associated with love, fertility, or joyful horizons! Come with us as we break down the most prosperous shades to rock on your big day.
1. Red
Few wedding colors carry more positive symbolism than red. In Chinese wedding traditions, red represents happiness, success, and good fortune, which is why it appears so prominently in wedding clothing and decorations. Why not extend the luck to your party? Bridesmaids in ruby, scarlet, or deep crimson can wear a shade with centuries of meaning behind it.
2. Blue
Blue has a long-standing connection with faithfulness and lasting love. After all, there’s a reason for the whole "something blue" tradition! Navy, cornflower, and dusty blue all let bridesmaids carry that symbolism without looking overly traditional.
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3. Gold
Gold has an obvious association with wealth and prosperity, so there’s no reason to count it out. It also plays an important role in many Chinese and South Asian wedding traditions, often appearing alongside other auspicious colors to represent a prosperous future.
4. Turquoise
Turquoise has been valued as a fortunate color in numerous cultures, and it’s been rocking its reputation for centuries. It’s connected with safety, healing, and good fortune, which makes it an appealing choice for just about any wedding party. The vivid blue-green shade also feels festive without borrowing from any of the colors traditionally considered unlucky.
5. Peach
Okay, pink might be off the table, but no one said anything about peach. This hue carries warm associations with happiness, affection, longevity, and good health. Soft peach bridesmaid dresses can also feel romantic while quietly nodding toward a long future together.
6. Silver
Silver might mean second on the podium, but it’s far from second best as a color! It has strong ties to prosperity, endurance, and lasting value. Traditional wedding customs even included placing a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe as a wish for financial security and good fortune.
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7. Coral
Coral is frequently associated with everything you want at your wedding: joy, warmth, protection, and positive energy. Historically, coral jewelry was also worn in parts of Europe as a protective charm thought to ward off misfortune. That gives coral bridesmaid dresses a surprisingly fitting background for a celebration focused on good vibes.
8. Orange
Orange might not be the most traditional choice, but don’t count it out just yet. This happy shade carries strong associations with energy, warmth, enthusiasm, and abundance. It’s also an amazing choice for late-year ceremonies; burnt orange or terracotta bridesmaid dresses can bring that positive symbolism into fall weddings especially well.
9. Rose Gold
Rose gold brings together the romantic feel of pink with the prosperity associated with gold. Talk about a win-win! It has become a popular wedding shade because it suggests warmth, affection, celebration, and abundance without carrying the unlucky baggage attached to green tones. Bridesmaids in rose gold are also just terribly chic.
10. Champagne
Not everyone wants to sparkle on someone else’s big day, and now, they don’t have to! Champagne gold keeps the prosperity symbolism of metallic gold while offering bridesmaids a softer, more neutral finish. The warm tone suggests abundance, celebration, and luxury without looking as bold as a full yellow-gold dress.
