Weddings don’t have to be white.
In fact… white isn’t even technically a colour. (Photographers and physicists, unite.)
Let’s take a look at some of the many shades weddings can take on – starting with the three that make up everything we see on screen: Red, Green and Blue. Because love comes in every channel.
Red Wedding
What is a red wedding – and is it always about Game of Thrones?
Thanks to Game of Thrones, the phrase “red wedding” doesn’t sound particularly romantic anymore. (And if you know, you know. It was inspired by two very real and very bloody events in Scottish history: The Black Dinner in 1440 and The Glencoe Massacre in 1692. But let’s save that for a glass of red wine, not the wedding menu.)
In real-life weddings, red means passion, confidence, celebration. In many cultures – from India to China – it’s the colour of luck and joy. Whether it’s a crimson bouquet, ruby lipstick, or a full scarlet look, red brings a bold kind of beauty.
So yes, “red wedding” might conjure dragons and betrayal. But in the real world? It’s all about energy, emotion and fearless style.
Green Wedding
What is a green wedding and why are more couples choosing it?
A green wedding often means one thing: sustainability. Think local vendors, low waste, vintage clothing, digital invites, eco-confetti, maybe even a photographer who turns up by bicycle. (Yes, I’ve done that. With camera gear. Uphill.)
But green also means growth, renewal, calm. It works for forest weddings, countryside barns, garden ceremonies or anything nature-inspired. Green is more than a trend – it’s a mindset. And sometimes, a forest fairytale.
Blue Wedding
What does blue mean in a wedding context?
Blue is calm, loyal, balanced – and unexpectedly stylish. From soft powder to deep navy, it fits into coastal weddings, vintage themes, whimsical fairytales or classic city settings.
Let’s not forget “something blue” – that one little tradition that still shows up in modern weddings, tucked in a ribbon or a pair of shoes. Blue loves golden hour light. And golden hour loves it back.
Black Wedding
Can you wear black to a wedding – or have one yourself?
Black weddings are rising in popularity – especially among couples who like things a little moodier, a little more dramatic, and a lot more them.
And for those who go even further — skipping traditions altogether or inventing their own — this non-traditional wedding story might just speak your language.
Black doesn’t have to mean mourning. (In fact, in many Asian cultures, white is the colour of grief – perspective, right?)
It can also be elegant, timeless, mysterious. In Jewish folklore, black bridal wear sometimes symbolised personal transformation. Today, it’s more like saying: “We’re doing this our way.” And honestly, it looks phenomenal in photos.
White Wedding
What does a white wedding really symbolise?
White weddings are the classic Western tradition – the Queen Victoria version. White dress, white cake, white flowers. White everything.
But here’s a twist: white isn’t actually a colour. It’s what happens when all colours combine. Or in pigment terms: it’s the absence of colour. Either way – it’s symbolic, but not sacred.
How ‘bridal white’ appears under real light is unpacked in this deep dive into the science of wedding-dress colour and perception.
Before Victoria’s dress went viral (in 1840 terms), brides wore their best outfit – whatever colour it was. White became “the norm” not because it’s better, but because people copied royalty. (Which, let’s be honest, is still a thing.)
So go white if you love it. But know this: it’s not the only way to say “I do.”
Other Wedding Colours
Are there other colour themes that work for weddings?
Absolutely. Gold for glam. Lavender for soft summer dreamers. Burnt orange for autumn lovers. Rainbows for rebels. Some colours haven’t been given their own “[colour] wedding” label – yet – but who cares?
Your palette doesn’t need permission. Just intention.
Common Questions About Wedding Colours
What do different wedding colours mean?
Colours can reflect emotion, tradition or simply taste. Red for passion, green for nature, blue for trust, black for elegance, white for… everything and nothing. There’s no fixed key. Only what speaks to you.
Is it okay to have a non-white wedding?
Absolutely. You don’t need white to get married. You need love, vows, and someone with decent rhythm for the first dance. (Bonus points if that someone is you.)
A Note From the Photographer
As a documentary wedding photographer, I don’t really care what colour your wedding is.
I shoot joy in black, love in green, chaos in lavender and dancing in red stilettos.
My camera is colourblind to tradition – but never to emotion.
So if your wedding breaks the mould (and especially if it throws the mould out the window), I’d love to photograph it.
