Thread: Lighter colors for weddings?

I will be dancing at my first wedding. YEAH! I have been looking at other bellydancers and their performances and noticed that many of them wear very light pretty colors including white costumes. Does the lighter color represent something? Should I wear a lighter color costume? Is black a no no? Does anyone know? ..c::

I wouldnt wear black - color of mourning Western culture
I wouldnt wear white - color of mourning in eastern culture (Indian)
I wouldnt wear forrest green - "Islamic" green
I wouldnt wear colors combinations the same as either the bride's family or the groom's family's home country's flag. (baad grammar here).

I would ask what color the bride's dress was too to avoid wearing the same color as hers...maybe also ask for the "theme" of the wedding so you dont end up matching the napkins and flowers? Dunno about that one.

DaVid

Any of the wedding or shower gigs I've done, the bride wanted me to coordinate with her wedding colors (i.e., the color the bridesmaids are wearing).

we always wear the wedding colors!

Definately ask the bride what color she wants you to wear. If she responds with... I don't know wear what you want to... try to match her wedding colors, flower colors, detailing on the cake. Ask questions... usually brides are happy to talk about the details of their wedding. Jane Archer danced at my wedding and I told her to wear whatever she wanted to in a gypsy style and she still managed to match my wedding colors.

Good luck you will be awesome!!!

It may also be a function of the fact that weddings are often held in June, and spring/summer is when many dancers bust out their pastels.

I've worn both dark purple and bright red to weddings & rehearsal dinners and the bright colors didn't seem too garish. I'd say if you're able to match the wedding colors, do it; and if not just wear what you want (except black). They're expecting a belly dancer, after all, not Martha Stewart.

Oops double post.

Talk to the bride or wedding coordinator. match or compliment the weddng colours unless specifically asked for something else.

{{{HUGS}}}

I don't think it's always feasible to allow the bride to dictate costume colors -- after all, if she's got a pink color scheme and wants me to match that, I'm not about to go out and buy a pink costume!

That said, I would ask if there were any colors I should avoid and go from there.

Deborah

Originally Posted by casbahdance

I don't think it's always feasible to allow the bride to dictate costume colors -- after all, if she's got a pink color scheme and wants me to match that, I'm not about to go out and buy a pink costume!

I tell them that I'm happy to wear their wedding colors if I have a costume in that color already. Otherwise, I ask them what color they would like me to wear (from what I have available) that would compliment their wedding colors. For example, if the wedding theme is bubblegum pink, a fire engine red costume might look a little clash-y.

But I agree with you that a dancer should not be expected to accommodate any and all costume color requests.

If the theme was bubble gum pink, silver, blue, mint, turquoise would all work well. All compliment the colours. Personally, I might find a pink skirt to borrow or buy and match it up with a gold or silver bedlah. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

i can not wear green, ....thats it! it makes me glow like a power plant!
but i did wear it for a bride.that video, i hate.i look like i am radio active from OZ

Strange how different cultures approach this huh? It would be talked about for weeks if the "entertainer" showed up with the same color on as the bride at an Indian or Pakistani wedding... :)

Ask what the wedding colors are and wear a costume close to that color. The bride will appreciate the thought and effort. And no, don't wear black or white.

I too would not wear black or white, unless asked of me. Along with music, style, time, and props used, I discuss the color and style of costume with the person hiring me. I do this for all parties, weddings, etc. Many brides do want you to choose colors that compliment the wedding colors, some don't care. But definitely along with all the other issues involved with performing for private parties I discuss costuming too.

I think gold would be a good choice. it looks very belly-dance-ie ( which the GP will like) , matches with just about any color ( unless there is a heavy silver color scheme...in which case,silver might also be a good choice..but might be too close to white?) and is bright and celebratory. I saw a wedding video of a gold-clad dancer with a shamadan and she looked majestic, she also threw in a red silk veil for a burst of color.

why not just show the bride a photo of your costumes (like in the gallery section of your website or something, you could have a 'costume' section (i think Salima has that on her website? it's a cool idea) with a pic of each costume that you currently have) and ask her to pick which she'd like you to wear? saves a lot of guess-work

david, you are so right if one showed up in white.also, another western taboo is wearing black, ( you disapprove ) or red ( color of bad women )
but if the bride asks for any of those, we do it.it made sence at a valentines wedding to wear red.i got there, all the attandants were in red.bleck and white weddings are in still.
my favorite weddings on tv are east indian!

Originally Posted by david

I would ask what color the bride's dress was too to avoid wearing the same color as hers...maybe also ask for the "theme" of the wedding so you dont end up matching the napkins and flowers? Dunno about that one.

DaVid

DaVid -

Most western brides spend a great deal of time & planning around the colour scheme of their weddings. Since most of them are wearing white, it's the bridesmaids / flowers / napkins which the dancer is going compliment or clash with.

I still go with talk to the bride / coordinator. Things can (almost) always be worked out.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

I think gold would be a good choice. it looks very belly-dance-ie ( which the GP will like) , matches with just about any color ( unless there is a heavy silver color scheme...in which case,silver might also be a good choice..but might be too close to white?) and is bright and celebratory. I saw a wedding video of a gold-clad dancer with a shamadan and she looked majestic, she also threw in a red silk veil for a burst of color.

Totally agree. Gold is classic. As are "royal" colors like rich purple and red. A great default. You want to look majestic.

Yes also to the gold. That is my default color if the bride/organizer does not have any preference.

I have seen Dina wear white at Wedding parties (youtube)! I decided on a yellow/silver and the bride to be is happy with that. Thanks for the suggestions!

I would ask first what color they prefer
I would also ask if they want conservative costume, some ethnicities prefer less revealing
otherwise I would go with gold/silver (depends on the skin color) with bright colors like orange/pink/turquoise/purple

ita no white, red, black due to potential cultural issues. best to find out ahead of time if the bride will be wearing a color or white and not wear the same as her.

ita w/ dilek, make sure if they want bedlah or dress.

i find its best to give people no more than 3 choices. otherwise it can turn into a massive time consuming deliberation for which you are not compensated for extra time involved ;)

I usually converse with the bride about color and, when reasonable, show pictures (also sometimes to be sure the cut/exposure on the costume is suitable....) I actually have been *requested* to wear red or dark red for a few weddings--one Indian, one Arabic, one American where the wedding colors included red.

When completely at a loss, I, too, tend to go with gold. I also have a black, white and silver costume (a very classy and elegant looking, fairly covered costume) that has worked well for evening wedding where I knew the men would be in tuxes & suits but the person hiring me wasn't sure of the other colors. It doesn't really read "white" nor "black", but rather just "elegant evening wear." I brought a bunch of colorful veils in my bag, and chose one when I got there based on what would best go with the colors.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

ita no white, red, black due to potential cultural issues. best to find out ahead of time if the bride will be wearing a color or white and not wear the same as her.

ita w/ dilek, make sure if they want bedlah or dress.

i find its best to give people no more than 3 choices. otherwise it can turn into a massive time consuming deliberation for which you are not compensated for extra time involved ;)

Oh, yes, white is a bride's exclusive! It's her day, so it's not very polite wearing the same colour as the bride...

Nothing would tickle a bride more than the dancer trying to 'match' the theme of her wedding. I do like the 'give them no more than 3 choices' idea.

If anyone has watched "Bridezillas" you know that if you let her have too much input, you might be asked to dress like Glenda the Good Witch for an Oz themed wedding.