If I was to pick one element of designing a wedding dress that is  most important and most vital it would be colour. 

Brides can spend hours picking the exact neckline for their dress, but when I ask them what colour are they thinking for their dream gown, I get a rabbit caught in headlights look. 

Colour can change everything on a dress, one shade difference can transform a brides complexion from dull and washed out, to a natural healthy glow, this is before fake tan and professional make up does its job. 

So where does a bride begin, how on earth do you decide between optical white, platinum white, off white, winter white... even my head spins with the amount of names for white. So here is a little lesson on colour before you hit the wedding dress trail

Take a look at your makeup bag

Yes I know a little mad, but a little education on your colouring before you start can make a big decision on choosing a dress colour a little less stressful. 

Foundation generally comes in two tones - a pink tone and a yellow tone. It helps to have an idea of what tone foundation you use especially if you are going to go with an ivory dress. For the lovely pink tone ladies a cream or light ivory are going to work better for you. Yellow tones are going to rock our the strong ivory's like champagne.

While you are at it, check out your wardrobe

Pick out 5 outfits from your wardrobe that you know are amazing on you and always get compliments. With the outfits laid out is there a theme, are they all lovely warm colours or soft pastel colours. The idea is to get a feeling for your colouring. 

For example, I am a cold colour person  (with a warm heart of course ). I need to wear strong primary colours that are cool. So my wardrobe is full of silver, greys, bright blues and strong vibrant pinks. For my wedding dress, I needed to wear a bright white, cool silver or an ice pink. For the warmer ladies, you will have mochas, creams and dusky colours in the wardrobe. Gold, cream, blush and pearl ivory are going to be winners for you.

Honesty

We all have that one person in our lives that is brutally honest with us, for me it's my mother. When she doesn't like something on me you know straight away! Classic quote this week "Did you try to curl your hair last night Sarah or are you going for the messy look".

It maybe a friend, sibling or even your spouse to be. Ask them for an hour of their time, pop into a shop and try on white tops, cream tops and any bridal colours you can find. You will be surprised how this little trick will help to narrow down what colour suits you best.

Over the years I have made some of the most beautiful colour wedding dresses. From burgundy red to teal, sage green to printed multi coloured chiffon they where just the right fit for the brides personality. Although you may not want to go as extreme as these ladies don't be afraid of colour, embrace it. A hint of colour in the embellishment or in the lining maybe just what you need!

So let the hunt begin, you are armed with a little education on colour. Remember to have fun it is an exciting time and no stressing allowed 

With passion

Sarah