White really is a clean canvas. While we refer to white as a color, it is actually the absence of all color, not even an undertone of color. So, white contrasts beautifully with all the colors in the rainbow, from baby-blue to jet black. If the accent color for your wedding is bright orange, then there is no problem adding orange flowers white table cloths and orange sashes to white flower girl dresses. If your accent color goes from flaming orange to ice blue, you can still coordinate with white dresses.

However, ivory, just a few shades darker than white, is a color of many colors. Ivory can have undertones in yellow, beige, gold, or peach. Ivory can be slightly champagne, very yellow, or mimic vanilla ice cream. Ivory is generally a warm color and can clash with some color palettes. So, ivory are more difficult to accessorize with accent colors than are their white sisters.

Today’s marketplace of flower girl dresses, wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, and fancy dresses in general, is full of possibilities concerning color accents. Ivory dresses are available with a rainbow of sashes, rosettes, flower attachments, and bows. Many styles allow you pick from that rainbow to accessorize your flower girl dresses and bridesmaids dresses. So, you could potentially select dresses with a poorly suited accent color. The color combinations are not always made for you. So, with freedom of color choice comes the risk of poor color choices. What if you want ivory for your flower girls? What to do then? How to match accent colors to ivory dresses tastefully?

First of all, when selecting your wedding or special event theme colors, consider carefully the color dress you are wearing (assuming you are center stage in this event, as is a bride). If ivory dresses are planned for your event, then carefully select your accent colors. If you have no idea what color wedding dress or flower girl dresses you want, but know bright turquoise is your accent color, then carefully select ivory dresses or white dresses considering also your choice of accent color.

Ivory dresses, most often, will not coordinate well with tropical or neon colors. Avoid accents in these very bright color palettes for dresses. Examples of bright, neon, or tropical colors are: turquoise, hot pink, kiwi-green, bright orange or tangerine, bright pinkish-purples and violets. While cousins to all these colors exist in more subtle palettes, these very bright colors do not accent well with ivory dresses.

Ivory dresses will always look lovely with pastel shades; traditional pinks, sage greens, baby blues and lilac colors. Ivory dresses also contrast beautifully with traditional, rich, dark colors such as black, chocolate brown, navy blue, hunter green, deep plum, and burgundy.

While most jewel tones accent ivory well, such as ruby red and emerald green, there are some jewel tones best coordinated with white and not ivory dresses. These colors can be royal purple and royal blue.

Soft metallic accents in shades of gold look lovely with ivory dress. Carefully screen silver metallic accents with ivory dresses. The steely cold of silver can conflict with the soft, warm tones of many ivory dresses.

Again, be mindful of your theme colors for weddings and special events when deciding if participating girls and ladies will dress in ivory or white with color accents. Ivory may require a little more thought concerning accent colors than white dresses. Still, dresses will bring charm and warmth to your special event or wedding. It is well worth the few considerations in matching color accents if your event is to evoke a warm, traditional, and romantic feel. Then ivory are a perfect match for your event.