THE GINGER BRIDE: An Autumn Classic in Ivory

Ginger brides love autumn. And why wouldn’t they? Red hair comes in a remarkable range of shades to match this most changeable of seasons: auburn, ginger, cinnamon, chestnut, henna, strawberry blond and, yes, carrot top. From the palest strawberry gold to deep burnished auburn, red hair has a warmth and complexity all its own.

Hair color, however, is only part of the picture. Many natural redheads have fair, sometimes alabaster skin, often with peach or rosy undertones and, of course, those wonderful freckles. This is where choosing the right bridal white becomes interesting. Ivory, eggshell, cream, and the softer silk whites can be extraordinarily flattering against red hair and fair skin.

Why? Stark optical white can create a strong contrast against a very pale complexion and, on some women, make skin look cooler or more washed out. Ivory and eggshell contain just enough warmth to soften that contrast. Put a warm ivory gown against copper hair and peach-toned skin and watch what happens: the colors begin to relate to one another. The dress doesn't compete with the bride; it's all hers.

Above & Below: DEEP AUBURN — Ivory in a Warmer Light

Above & Below: TRUE COPPER — Where Ivory Meets Fire

That doesn't mean every redhead should automatically rule out white. Silk white—that beautiful, softer white found naturally in many silks—can be particularly successful. It's neither yellow nor glaringly white, and it photographs beautifully against red hair. I especially like these paler shades in fabrics with a matte or subdued surface: silk crepe, chiffon, georgette, matte satin and softly finished duchesse. Rather than throwing light back onto the face, they allow the extraordinary color of the hair and skin to remain the focus.

And that, really, is the inspiration behind The Ginger Bride. These aren't gowns chosen simply because they are ivory. They're gowns chosen to explore the relationship between hair, complexion, fabric and color—from strawberry blond and pale cream to brilliant copper against warm ivory and deep auburn against the softest eggshell.

Sometimes the most beautiful bridal white isn't really white at all.

Above & Below: STRAWBERRY RED — The Palest Flame

Designs by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Some imagery in this post has been artistically adapted to explore variations in silhouette, fabric, and color.