How to Brighten Up a Little Black Dress for a Wedding?

Would you like to wear a black dress to a wedding, but are concerned it might seem too gloomy? Are you looking for tips to put together an outfit with a black dress that’s suitable for a festive occasion?

I will help you.

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

The little black dress is a timeless staple that you can wear on any occasion; however, for a wedding or any other event, you might want to make it a bit more festive and cheerful. That’s why today I'm sharing some tips on how to achieve that.

To liven up a black dress worn for a wedding, you can pair it with vibrant colours. If you choose a bold hue (like bright red or orange, or even white), it’s best to wear it across several garments and accessories for a cohesive look. Alternatively, if you opt for neutral tones such as brown or grey, you can create a lovely chic gradient by wearing your black dress with a darker accessory alongside lighter ones. Consider also the contrasts created by bi-material or perforated garments, which can add style 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 dazzling reflections to your ensemble!

Would you like to learn more? Continue reading to discover:

• Which black dress styles to choose for attending a wedding,
• Which colours to pair it with for a bit of brightness,
• What jacket to wear to create contrast,
• How to accessorise it with a bag, jewellery, shoes, etc.,
• And plenty of examples of original outfits featuring a black dress for this occasion!

3 Perfect Little Black Dress Styles for a Wedding

The little black dress is a timeless and classic piece of clothing that most of us have in our wardrobes. Traditionally, it’s true that it’s not usually the first choice for a wedding, as we traditionally wear bright and cheerful colours for such events. However, it is entirely possible to choose a black dress that doesn’t feel too formal, suits your style, and can be worn to a wedding. Read on to find out how!

A Lacy Dress

If the wedding you are attending is in the summer, you can take advantage of the lovely weather to wear a dress that showcases your skin. Therefore, a black backless dress or one with sheer lace details will be perfect for a wedding, as the contrast between the fabric and your skin will add a cheerful touch. Certain intricate panels, especially around the neckline, also give your dress a more formal aspect that's ideal for such celebrations.

A textured or shiny dress

Another option available to you is to choose a two-tone dress. In fact, combining two different types of fabrics will create the illusion that your dress is bicolour, adding sophistication to your outfit. This effect can also be achieved with sequins or a shiny material that features cut-outs. The idea is to select a style that differs from a simple solid black dress to achieve a unique and elegant ensemble!

A Bohemian Dress

When thinking of boho fashion, black may not be the first colour that comes to mind. However, there are some very lovely designs of black bohemian dresses. This style, which highlights loose and flattering cuts, is often seen in long, flowing dresses that are worn 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 adorned with floral patterns, which will add a cheerful touch to your outfit. Some chic bohemian dresses also feature light and stylish materials such as lace or backless designs, which, as we have seen, are perfect for wearing at a wedding.

👉 Are you looking for a bohemian black dress to wear for a wedding or any other occasion? I invite you to visit our online shop dedicated to this style. You will find numerous dress designs, including black or dark dresses that you may well like!

Bohemian Dress

What colours to pair with a black dress to brighten it up?

Once you've chosen your dress, it’s entirely possible to create a chic and bright 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 Colours to Enhance It

It is often said that black goes with everything, and it's quite true! To ensure your outfit doesn't appear dull, you can definitely pair it with vibrant shades such as:

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

Instead, choose a single colour that is bright and that you can wear once or multiple times in your outfit. For example, if you go for a vibrant red clutch, you can create a subtle connection with a hair accessory or jewellery in the same shade!

White for Creating a Chic Contrast

The combination of black and white typically produces a very elegant result, reminiscent of couture outfits. Since your dress is black, you can afford to incorporate a bit of white without overshadowing the bride. This will brighten your complexion while adding a cheerful touch to your outfit.

If you prefer, you can also opt for natural shades, such as camel, cognac, and ecru. The contrast will be less pronounced, giving you a more understated outfit. In this case, don't hesitate to create a gradient or to pair it with small pastel details to introduce a touch of cheerfulness and softness to the whole look!

Metallic shades for their festive appeal

Sequined clothing and metallic shades have a wonderful ability: they capture and reflect light! This makes them an ideal choice to stylishly complement a subtle little black dress.

There are two main categories of metallic tones:

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

To find out which will highlight your features the best, simply pay close attention to certain characteristics of your physique:

🔸 If you tend to tan easily and have olive or sun-kissed skin, you have what is known as a warm undertone. Therefore, opt for gold or copper jewellery.

🔸 Warm tones will also suit redheads and women with auburn highlights in their brown hair very well.

🔸 If you have platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and tend to flush rather than tan when exposed to the sun, it's best to opt for cool tones.

🔸 Lastly, if you have very dark skin, you can wear all the light metallic shades, such as gold and silver, which will enhance your beauty superbly.

What jacket to wear with a smart black dress?

Choosing the right waistcoat or jacket is crucial when you’re wearing formal attire with a little black dress. This piece of clothing will enhance your dress, and if the dress is a classic style, it will help to define your overall look.

For example, if you love bohemian fashion or want to add a casual chic touch 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 smart outfit. For the more romantic, a pastel wool cardigan will add a touch of softness to your ensemble.

5 Accessory Ideas to Elevate Your Little Black Dress!

As I’ve mentioned in this guide, accessories are essential for brightening up a black dress. By choosing them carefully, you’ll be able to find a style that enhances your appearance and makes you stand out as unique.

Sheer Tights or Stockings

If you're attending a wedding in winter or during the transitional season, consider wearing patterned tights or sheer stockings, as they will add dimension to your outfit.

Simple polka dot tights are perfect for showcasing your legs in a sexy yet very chic manner!

Oversized or Colourful Jewellery

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

👉 For a smart and elegant outfit, you can choose a matching set. This could be a necklace paired with a bracelet, or a necklace teamed with a pair of earrings.

A flower crown or a hat

An original hairstyle is a simple and elegant way to beautify yourself for an event. You can choose a simple hat or a flower crown, which will add freshness and cheer to your outfit. This can be made with fresh flowers by a local florist, or you can opt for 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 shop! We offer many colourful designs that will be perfect for brightening up a dark outfit!

A lovely clutch bag

Chic and sophisticated, the clutch bag is perfect for keeping your essentials at a wedding. Choose one that is colourful or adorned with a lovely pattern, providing a contrast to your dress. This will catch the eye and add character to your outfit.

Don’t forget to match it to your style:

🔸A clutch with floral embroidery, fringing, or even pearls will be perfect to complement a bohemian dress.

🔸For a classic and formal outfit, you might choose a simple model in leather or fabric (with or without lace), in ivory, white, or black, in tone-on-tone shades.

A fancy belt

Wearing a belt over your dress not only accentuates your curves but also adds a chic detail to your outfit. Don't hesitate to choose a wider style that defines your waist. If you're wearing colourful shoes, I recommend creating a cohesive look by selecting a belt in a matching colour.

Our final piece of advice: Own your unique style!

It’s true that when you announce you plan to wear a black dress to a wedding, it can raise some eyebrows! However, depending on the style you choose and how you wear it, you can achieve a very chic look that is far from gloomy! To do this, it’s essential to have confidence in yourself and select an outfit in which 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 of life that will radiate from you!

Some brides dare to wear a black dress, resulting in a unique and elegant look that brings a breath of fresh air and modernity to the world of wedding traditions!

I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas for pairing with your little black dress and creating a stunning outfit that showcases you for this festive occasion! To find out what shoes to wear with your little black dress, check out our dedicated guide on the subject, previously published on our blog!

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

If you want to take it a step further, why not treat yourself to a new accessory to complement your stunning black dress? An event like a wedding deserves to be approached with the utmost care, and you'll undoubtedly notice the dresses and outfits of other women attending. By choosing to purchase a piece of jewellery like a multi-layer necklace made from stainless steel, you can be confident you’ll stand out!

This is quite an original idea for all the women who want to stand out from the crowd but, more importantly, wish to treat themselves to a beautiful piece of jewellery that they can wear on other occasions. Additionally, a layered necklace is very practical for wearing during nights out with friends or even on a romantic evening... You will never again feel obliged to wonder what you should wear for a night of celebration, as this layered necklace isn’t just suited to a little black dress. It can enhance all the other outfits in your wardrobe!