White vs Ivory Wedding Dress: Which is Best For You?

White and ivory are the two most popular wedding dress colors and have a lot in common – both are light, elegant, and traditional. However, they rarely suit the same people due to the undertone disparity.

Your complexion and hair color are the most obvious factors affecting the wedding dress color choice. Other points to consider include the venue, dress fabric, and color symbolism.

A perfect wedding is all about the details. And if someone tells you there’s no difference between shades of white, don’t trust them – your wedding gown color matters.

What’s the Difference?

To determine which wedding dress color is the best for you, you should first learn what’s the difference between white and ivory. Pure white is a bright hue with no undertones – it’s an immaculate shade.

Although white doesn’t have any other shades mixed in, it may appear bluish in light and generally is perceived as a cool hue. Despite its theoretical neutrality, pure white color doesn’t suit everyone.

You may come across other shades of white, such as diamond and snow white. These shades are very crisp and often have a distinctly cool undertone, but they tend to be indistinguishable from pure white in pictures.

Ivory is sometimes considered an independent color and sometimes a shade of white. Some wedding dress manufacturers and bridal salons call this shade eggshell, off-white, and cream.

Unlike white which doesn’t have an undertone, ivory has a distinctly warm yellow or nude hue. However, ivory shouldn’t be confused with beige or champagne – it’s noticeably lighter than these colors.

Ivory is a much softer shade than pure white, especially diamond or stark white. However, the difference isn’t as drastic as between white and beige or white and cream.

The truth is, white and ivory may appear almost the same in pictures. But in real life, the differences are much more distinct, especially under natural outdoor lighting.

Skin Undertone

The core factor affecting your choice of wedding dress color is your skin undertone. A correctly chosen shade of white will make your complexion glow and appear healthier, whereas a wrong shade can make you look pale and tired.

Most white wedding dresses on the market have a subtle blue undertone that doesn’t complement cool skin.

Diamond white and stark white wedding dress colors best suit brides with a naturally golden skin undertone, creating a beautiful contrast.

Natural white or pure white wedding dresses without any undertone are rare.

Although the natural white color is neutral, it may still make cool skin appear washed out and lifeless. Such dresses look best on women with neutral or yellowish skin undertones.

Ivory color has a warm note, which makes it perfect for brides with cool skin undertones. Ivory makes fair skin appear fresh and bright.

Meanwhile, brides with neutral and subtle warm skin undertones will also look stunning in ivory wedding dresses. Overall, ivory is a much more versatile shade than pure white.

It doesn’t suit only distinctly warm, fair to medium skin but can look beautiful on darker warm skin. When in doubt, go for the ivory color – it looks flattering on nearly everyone with rare exceptions.

If you aren’t sure what is your skin tone, look at your veins – if they appear greenish, you have warm skin, bluish or purple – cool skin, and if you can’t distinguish the color, your skin is likely neutral.

Hair Color

Apart from skin undertones, your overall appearance and the so-called color season are significantly affected by your hair color.

Brunettes can look great in white and ivory, depending on the skin undertones and other factors. Meanwhile, women with black hair tend to look best in pure white or stark white, which creates a gorgeous high-contrast look.

Ivory can make brides with light ginger hair appear washed out, so white is a better choice. However, women with rich auburn hair can pull off both colors depending on the skin undertone.

For blondes, the decision between white vs. ivory wedding dress is the trickiest. Light hair can merge with the dress, so the right gown shade is vital.

Generally, light platinum and ash blonde hair looks best with natural white dresses and doesn’t go well with ivory due to the undertone discrepancy. Women with golden locks are luckier, as they can wear both shades.

Ivory combined with warm blondes will create a warmer, softer look, while natural white will create a striking contrast and make your hair appear brighter.

The only shade to avoid for most blondes is stark white, as it can look too intense.

Wedding Dress Fabric & Style

White and ivory colors may be similar, but some fabrics work better with one shade than the other.

For instance, pure white may appear too bright and intense with shiny fabrics such as silk. Furthermore, the sheen tends to make the cool undertones more saturated.

If your dream dress is made from silk or satin, especially if you’re aiming for a vintage look, pick ivory. This combination of color and texture is a timeless classic.

Lace, frills, and other romantic details also look gorgeous in ivory, complementing a rustic or bohemian wedding look. Tulle and organza, in turn, look great in any shade.

On the other hand, the white color creates a super-modern look when used in minimalistic or dramatic and sophisticated designs. It looks stunning with matte fabrics that tone down the brightness.

On the same note, choose accessories of a matching shade, as stark white and ivory don’t go well together. So, if you’re planning to wear your mother’s ivory bridal shoes, a snow-white wedding gown may not be your best choice.

Contrast

Both contrasting and soft looks are beautiful – that’s merely a question of personal preference. However, contrast is certainly something to keep in mind when choosing your perfect wedding dress shade.

Brides with olive and dark complexion look incredibly stunning in a natural white, but women with fair skin should be careful with this shade as it may make them appear washed out.

If you have a medium skin tone, go for an ivory wedding dress if you want to achieve a muted, soft look and for white if you want a more contrasting look.

Remember that you may need to make more intense makeup if you choose a bright white wedding gown to avoid looking pale.

The color of the wedding dress can also affect how visible the lace pattern is. Lace comes in all colors and forms, but the most popular option is pure white.

If the skirt fabric and the lace pattern are both white, the design will only be visible from a short distance, creating a subtle, delicate look.

But if you choose an ivory dress with pure white lace, the pattern will be contrasting and better distinguishable.

Champagne and nude lace look better with ivory dresses as these colors have warm undertones that don’t complement white. On the opposite, baby blue and pink lace look better with pure white.

White vs Ivory Color Meaning

Apart from practical differences, white and ivory colors also carry different connotations. If you’re the type of person who places great symbolic significance on their wedding dress, this can be another point of consideration.

White wedding dress meaning is purity and innocence. A white bridal gown represents spiritual and physical cleanliness, balance, hope, and loyalty. It’s the color of new beginnings and open-mindedness.

Ivory is a richer shade named after a valuable material made from animal horns and trunks.

For this reason, ivory color acquired associations with wealth, wisdom, and prosperity. Due to its warmth, ivory also represents hearth and compassion.

Wedding Color Code & Venue

A point that’s often neglected by brides choosing between white and ivory wedding gowns is the overall wedding color code and venue.

The venue interior and your look should give off the same vibe, so you should keep the whole picture in mind when shopping for the gown.

If your wedding is held outdoors, where you’ll be surrounded by natural colors, an ivory dress is your best bet. Warm tones of the golden hour will make an ivory wedding dress pop.

Meanwhile, a white dress may look overly bright outdoors and draw all attention from your face.

If you want to wear white for your outdoor ceremony, consider making the makeup a bit more intense than you would for an indoor event.

White wedding dresses complement sophisticated, elegant venues, elevating the event atmosphere and giving it a sense of luxury. Ivory gowns are the best choice for more laid-back venues in bohemian or rustic style.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t look sophisticated and formal in ivory or that a pure white dress can’t be laid-back. Still, generally, the ivory color gives off a warm, homey vibe, whereas white is more formal.