How to Brighten Up a Black Dress for a Wedding?

Are you thinking of wearing a black dress to a wedding, but worried it might look too gloomy? Looking for tips to style a black dress for a festive occasion?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for ideas to customise my outfits and add that little extra something that makes a difference.

The little black dress is a timeless classic that can be worn on any occasion. However, for a wedding or any other special event, you might want to jazz it up a bit and make it more festive. That’s why I’m sharing some tips with you today on how to achieve that.

To jazz up a black dress for a wedding, you can pair it with colourful hues. If you choose a vibrant colour (like bright red, orange, or even white), it's best to incorporate it across multiple garments and accessories. Alternatively, if you prefer neutral shades like brown or grey, you can create a stylish gradient by wearing your black dress with a darker accessory and others in lighter tones. Also, consider the contrasts from bi-material or sheer garments, which can add flair to a dark dress and make it the focal point of an elegant outfit! Lastly, don’t forget to wear beautiful jewellery, as metallic tones will add a shimmering touch to your ensemble!

Looking to find out more? Keep reading to discover:

• Which black dress styles to choose for attending a wedding,
• What colours to pair with it for a more vibrant look,
• What jacket to wear for contrast,
• How to accessorise with a bag, jewellery, shoes, and more,
• And plenty of original outfit examples featuring a black dress for this event!

3 Perfect Little Black Dress Models for a Wedding

The little black dress is a timeless classic that most of us have in our wardrobes. Traditionally, it's true that it's not usually the first choice for a wedding, as people traditionally wear bright and cheerful colours for such occasions. However, it is definitely possible to choose a black dress that doesn’t look too formal, one that suits your style and can be worn for a wedding. Find out how in the following paragraphs!

A Lace Dress

If you're attending a wedding during the summer, you'll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful weather while wearing a dress that shows off some skin. A backless black dress or one with sheer lace details would be perfect for a wedding, as the contrast between the fabric and your skin adds a cheerful touch. Some well-crafted panels, especially around the neckline, also give your dress a classy vibe that's ideal for such festive occasions.

A textured or shiny dress

Another option you can consider is to choose a two-tone dress. The combination of two different types of fabric can create the illusion that your dress has a bicolour effect, adding sophistication to your look. This effect can also be achieved with sequins or a shiny, sheer material. The idea is to go for a design that’s more than just a simple plain black dress, making your outfit unique and elegant!

A Bohemian Dress

When we think of boho fashion, black isn't usually the first colour that comes to mind. However, there are some really lovely designs of black bohemian dresses. This style, which highlights loose and flattering cuts, is often seen in long, flowy dresses that are perfect for wearing in spring and summer.

In this case, black is not synonymous with sadness at all, but rather represents an elegant simplicity. It can even be enhanced with floral patterns, which will add some cheer to your outfit. Some chic bohemian dresses also highlight light and stylish materials like lace or backless cuts, which, as we've seen, are perfect for wearing at a wedding.

👉 Looking for a bohemian black dress to wear for a wedding or any other occasion? Head over to our online boutique focused on this style. You'll find many dress designs, including black or dark options that you might really like!

Boho Dress

What Colours to Pair with a Black Dress to Brighten It Up?

Once you've chosen your dress, you can easily create a stylish and vibrant outfit by pairing it with accessories, shoes, or a jacket in a colour that contrasts with black. Here are some examples of colour combinations: it's up to you to choose the one that best suits your tastes and style!

Bright Colors to Enhance It

It’s often said that black goes well with everything, and that’s quite true! To prevent your outfit from looking dull, you can definitely pair it with vibrant shades such as:

• bright red,
• teal blue,
• bright orange,
• vivid yellow,
• pink.

Opt for just one bold shade that you can wear multiple times with your outfit. For example, if you choose a bright red clutch, you can subtly echo that colour with a hair accessory or jewellery in the same hue!

White to Create a Chic Contrast

The combination of black and white usually results in a very elegant look, reminiscent of haute couture outfits. Since your dress is black, you can afford to incorporate a touch of white without overshadowing the bride. This will brighten your complexion while adding a bit of cheer to your ensemble.

If you prefer, you can also opt for natural shades like camel, cognac, or ecru. The contrast will be less pronounced, giving you a more subtle look. In this case, don’t hesitate to create a gradient or add small pastel details to bring a bit of cheer and softness to the overall outfit!

Metallic Tones for a Festive Touch

Shimmering fabrics and metallic shades have a fantastic ability: they capture and reflect light! This makes them a perfect choice to dress up a simple black dress with a touch of elegance.

There are two main types of metallic tones:

• warm tones: gold, rose gold, copper…
• cool tones: silver, metallic white or glittery…

To find out which features will enhance your look the most, just take a close look at certain aspects of your appearance:

🔸 If you tend to tan easily and have a medium to tanned complexion, that means you have a warm undertone. So, go for gold or copper jewellery to complement your look.

🔸 Warm tones will also look great on redheads and women with auburn highlights in their brown hair.

🔸 If you have platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and tend to flush rather than tan when exposed to the sun, it’s better to choose cool tones.

🔸 Lastly, if you have very dark skin, you can wear all the light metallic shades, gold as well as silver, which will look absolutely stunning on you.

What jacket to wear with a little black dress?

Choosing the right blazer or jacket is key when you're wearing a formal outfit with a little black dress. This piece will enhance your dress, and if your dress is classic, it will also define your style.

For example, if you love bohemian fashion or if you want to add a casual chic vibe to your outfit, you can pair your dress with a denim jacket, whether it’s customised or not.

A light blazer is perfect for those looking to wear an elegant and polished outfit. For the more romantic folks, a pastel wool cardigan will add a touch of softness to your ensemble.

5 Accessory Ideas to Elevate Your Little Black Dress!

As I mentioned in this guide, accessories are essential for elevating a black dress. By choosing them thoughtfully, you'll be able to discover a style that enhances your look and makes you stand out.

Thin Tights or Stockings

If you're attending a wedding during winter or mid-season, consider wearing patterned tights or sheer stockings to add some flair to your outfit.

Simple polka dot tights are perfect for showcasing your legs in a sexy yet classy way!

Oversized or Colourful Jewelry

To add some character to your outfit, don't hesitate to wear jewellery that complements it. Certain types of statement jewellery can easily brighten up a dark ensemble. This could be a lovely colourful brooch, a long necklace, or even multiple bracelets worn together as a set.

👉 For a stylish and smart look, you can choose a matching accessory set. This could be a necklace and bracelet, or a necklace paired with a set of earrings.

A floral crown or a hat

An original hairstyle is a simple and elegant way to look beautiful for an event. You can choose to wear a simple hat or a flower crown, which will add freshness and cheerfulness to your outfit. This can be made from fresh flowers by a florist, or it can consist of synthetic flowers, which have the advantage of lasting longer.

👉 If you're interested in this type of floral hairstyle, feel free to check out our collection of flower crowns on our online store! We offer plenty of vibrant designs that will be perfect for brightening up a dark outfit!

A Beautiful Pouch

Chic and elegant, the clutch is perfect for keeping your small essentials at a wedding. Choose one that is colourful or decorated with a lovely pattern, in contrast to your dress. This will catch the eye and add personality to your outfit.

Don't forget to match it to your style:

🔸A clutch with floral embroidery, fringes, or beads would be perfect to complement a bohemian dress.

🔸For a classic and smart outfit, you can choose a simple model in leather or fabric (with or without lace), in ivory, white, or black, matching in tone.

A Fancy Belt

Wearing a belt over your dress not only accentuates your curves but also adds a stylish detail to your outfit. Don’t hesitate to choose a wider model that defines your waist nicely. If you’re wearing colourful shoes, I recommend making a connection by picking a belt in the same shade.

Our final tip: Own your unique style!

It’s true that when you say you’re planning to wear a black dress to a wedding, it might raise some eyebrows! However, depending on the style you choose and how you carry it off, you can achieve a very chic look that isn’t sad at all! For this, it’s essential to have confidence in yourself and to pick an outfit that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. This way, you’ll look radiant and the colour of your dress won’t matter as much as the joy that shines from you!

Some brides dare to wear a black dress, resulting in an original and elegant look that brings a fresh and modern twist to the traditional wedding conventions!

I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas on how to style your little black dress and create a stunning outfit that will make you shine at this festive occasion! To find out which shoes to wear with your little black dress, check out our dedicated guide on the topic, which was previously published on our blog!

Our bonus tip: Get a multi-layered necklace to pair with your little black dress!

If you want to take it a step further, why not get a new accessory to pair with your beautiful black dress? After all, an occasion like a wedding deserves your utmost attention, and you won't be able to ignore the dresses or outfits of the other ladies attending the event... By choosing to purchase a piece of jewellery like a multi-layer necklace in stainless steel, you can be sure to make a statement!

This is quite a unique idea for all the women who want to stand out from the crowd while treating themselves to a beautiful piece of jewellery that they can wear for future occasions. Moreover, a multi-strand necklace is also very convenient for wearing during nights out with friends or even on romantic evenings... You’ll never have to worry about how to dress for a night of celebration again, because this multi-strand necklace doesn’t just go well with a little black dress. It can elevate all the other outfits in your wardrobe!