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The Power of Color: Wedding Color Meanings and Traditions Around the World

Author: BIRDY GREY | Date: 08/19/2024

Choosing your wedding color palette is one of the most fun parts of your big day. The colors you select will set the tone for your celebration, creating an ambiance that reflects your personality and vision. But did you know that colors also carry deep cultural meanings and traditions? In this blog, we'll explore the fascinating symbolism behind wedding colors across different cultures and how these meanings can vary—proving that when it comes to color, meaning is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Red: Good Luck and Prosperity

Red is perhaps the most intriguing color when it comes to weddings. In some cultures, it is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and happiness. In China, India, and several other Asian countries, red is the traditional color for brides. It's seen as a powerful color that wards off evil spirits and brings fortune to the newlyweds. A bride dressed in red is often considered blessed with good luck, fertility, and happiness.

Blue: Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Blue is often associated with calmness, stability, and trust—qualities that are highly valued in marriage. In Western wedding traditions, "something blue" is a symbol of fidelity and love, often incorporated into the bride's attire as a small detail, such as a garter or a piece of jewelry.

Green: A Symbol of Growth

Green is the color of nature, growth, and fertility, making it a beautiful choice for weddings. In many cultures, green is associated with new beginnings and harmony, symbolizing the fresh start that marriage represents. In ancient Celtic traditions, green was worn to encourage fertility and was believed to bring good luck to the couple.

Gold: Wealth, Power, and Eternal Love

Gold is universally recognized as a color of wealth, power, and eternal love. In many cultures, gold is used in wedding attire, jewelry, and decorations to signify prosperity and success. In Indian weddings, gold is often worn by the bride in the form of intricate jewelry, symbolizing not only wealth but also the divine connection of marriage.


In Western cultures, gold wedding bands are the standard, representing the unending nature of love with their circular shape. Gold’s association with the sun and with divine power makes it a fitting choice for a day as significant as a wedding. 

Purple: Royalty

Purple has long been associated with royalty, luxury, and power. A bride who chooses purple for her wedding theme is often seen as bold, creative, and regal. In ancient times, purple dye was rare and expensive, making it a symbol of wealth and high status.