Ivory and Cream Fascinators for Weddings

Ivory and cream belong to the bride first. Here is how a bride wears them instead of a veil, when a guest can wear them too, and 13 pieces from our London atelier.

Ivory and cream fascinators for weddings serve two people. For the bride, they replace or sit alongside a veil, especially at a civil ceremony, a winter wedding, a second wedding or a reception change. For a guest, they work only when the outfit is clearly a colour, so the ivory reads as an accent and never as a bridal look. Below is how to tell the difference, matched to 13 pieces from our London atelier.

13 ivory and cream pieces from our atelier

Bridal pieces first, then those that also work for a guest with a coloured outfit. Prices include UK VAT.

IRIS HAT

£1,000

A white half-moon bridal headband in silk sateen, with a contrast of off-white and white across the fabric, glittered tulle, off-white sparkle clusters and a small bow. Worn forward as a headband or set back like a vintage hat.

MIREL HEADBAND

£700

Ivory satin, padded, with cream floral embellishments, fine gold branches, crystals, pearl-like beads and grey leaves forming a crown-like line. Made with brides in mind.

WALTZ HEADBAND

£850

An ivory silk sateen band with clusters of cream cotton flowers to one side and pearls along the top. For a bride, or a bridal party in cream, blush or champagne.

CELESTIAL BLOOM HEADBAND

£350

A flat ivory silk sateen Alice band topped with ivory resin flowers, each centred with a small pearl bead. Quiet enough for a bride's reception or a bridesmaid.

ECRU WHISPER HEADBAND

£450

An ecru silk Alice band with a large shimmering metallic bow on the right. A bridal accent, or the finishing touch for a guest's evening look in blush.

GENEVA FASCINATOR

£1,000

An off-white sinamay button with two buntal swirls, a fine netted veil edged in tiny cultured pearls and mother-of-pearl embroidery. A short-veil answer for a bride at a civil ceremony.

FERN FASCINATOR

£1,000

An off-white mini saucer with two buntal swirls and a cluster of cultured pearls with a mother-of-pearl ball at the centre. Small enough for a bride in a suit, or a guest in navy.

CORDELIA PILLBOX HAT

£1,450

A tall, double-layered ivory pillbox in fur felt, with a felt bow on each layer centred with cultured pearls. A winter bridal piece that also suits the mother of the bride, with a wool coat or velvet.

ELODIE PILLBOX HAT

£550

Soft ivory wool felt in pillbox form, scattered with miniature golden metal bows. For a winter register office wedding, with a structured blazer or a tailored jumpsuit.

DEVIN FASCINATOR

£1,750

An oval ivory high saucer on a tall sinamay base, worn at the front centre, with white silk flowers set among green sateen leaves. Height instead of a veil for a bride; for a guest, wear it with a coloured outfit.

VAL FASCINATOR

£1,200

An ivory sinamay button with three white silk flowers centred with beads, surrounded by green sateen leaves and loops. Worn on the front right. The green makes it an easy guest piece with pastels or navy.

FRANKIE HALF HAT

£950

An ivory half hat with two white blooms with gold beaded centres, a green ribbon and deep green leaves. Suits a wedding guest, and a bride even better.

NUITE FASCINATOR

£1,250

A blush ivory pillbox covered in ivory beads, clear crystals and pearl accents, with a black beaded floral spray on one side. The black makes it a strong guest choice with a black or navy outfit.

At a glance

For the bride: when to choose an ivory fascinator

• Civil and register office ceremonies: a short veil (Geneva) or a small saucer (Fern) suits a shorter dress or a suit.

• Second weddings and smaller weddings: a headband or half hat feels personal without the ceremony of a long veil.

• The reception change: take the veil off and put on a headband such as Mirel, Waltz or Ecru Whisper for the evening.

• Winter weddings: ivory felt (Cordelia, Elodie) looks right with a coat, velvet or long sleeves.

• Matching the shade: hold the piece next to the dress in daylight. Ivory beside a bright white can look creamy, and cream beside white can look dull, so choose by eye rather than by name.

For more bridal pieces, see our bridal hats and fascinators, and for warmer tones, our edit of ivory and gold fascinators.

For a guest: when ivory works

The rule is simple: the outfit must be clearly a colour. An ivory fascinator with navy, black, emerald, cobalt or a strong print looks like an accessory. With a pale dress it starts to look bridal, so leave it for another occasion.

• Navy and ivory: the classic pairing for a daytime church or country wedding. Fern, Val and Frankie all work.

• Black and ivory: for a city or evening wedding. Nuite carries both colours already.

• Green and ivory: Devin, Val and Frankie have green leaves or ribbon, so an emerald or sage outfit picks them up.

• Neutral dress codes: if the couple ask for neutrals, choose cream rather than white and keep the dress in camel, stone or taupe.

• Mother of the bride: agree it with the bride first. Cordelia in winter, or Devin in summer with a coloured coat, both keep their distance from bridalwear.

Day, evening and season

Spring and summer daytime: sinamay and silk (Devin, Val, Fern, Geneva, Frankie). Evening: shine and pearls (Ecru Whisper, Nuite, Mirel). Autumn and winter: felt (Cordelia, Elodie), with a coat in a deeper colour so the ivory stands out.

Every piece here is hand-made in our London atelier: sinamay and felt blocked by hand, flowers, bows and veils cut and set one at a time, pearls and beads sewn on individually. Merve Bayindir is a member of the British Fashion Council, with pieces selected for the Royal Ascot Style Guide. Every order arrives in a custom box, with worldwide DHL Express shipping included.

Frequently asked questions

Can a wedding guest wear an ivory fascinator?

Yes, if the outfit is clearly a colour, such as navy, black, emerald or cobalt. Avoid pairing it with a white, ivory or cream dress, which can look bridal.

Can a bride wear a fascinator instead of a veil?

Yes. Many brides choose a fascinator, headband or half hat for a civil ceremony, a short dress, a second wedding or the reception. A short netted veil on a fascinator gives the veiled look without the length.

What is the difference between ivory and cream?

Ivory is a soft off-white; cream is warmer and slightly more yellow. Compare the fascinator with your dress in daylight, as names vary between makers.

Can the mother of the bride wear ivory?

Only if the bride is happy with it. Choose a piece with another colour in it, or wear it with a coloured outfit, so it stays clearly apart from the bridal look.

Are ivory fascinators suitable for a winter wedding?

Yes. Ivory felt pieces such as Cordelia and Elodie are made for the colder months and pair well with wool coats and velvet.

See our beige hats and fascinators for more soft neutrals, and our white fascinators for weddings for brighter whites. Worn by the bride, or by a guest in colour, ivory and cream fascinators for weddings work best when the shade is chosen with the outfit in mind.