Choosing Your Wedding Colors

Photo credits: Birch Design, brides via Wedding Sutra

To many grooms, selecting a wedding day color may seem quite trivial in the realm of planning the entire wedding event. However, for most brides and professional wedding planners, choosing a wedding color and/or colors is the glue that connects the dots. It helps define the mood and theme, as well as extends into every aspect of the wedding: the invitations, table décor, centerpieces, cake, flowers, and in some cases the bride’s dress itself.

The trend today is to go big and bold with color everywhere—to make a statement with every little detail to signify your event. Color is now showing up in signature drinks, the hor d’oeuvres, lighting, candles, etc.

Ideas on picking your wedding colors:

So, how do you go about choosing the perfect colors or color scheme for your wedding?

Of course, there are many factors to consider in this all-important decision.

First off, consider your favorite color or colors. That just might work for you. If you like pink, incorporate soft hues and shades of pink. If you like more dramatic colors such as burgundy or magenta, infuse those into your creativity. Pick your most-desired colors and done.

To help you choose colors that may not be your preferred choice, look for inspiration in bridal magazines, fabric stores, or even by looking at a Pantone book that showcases tones and variations of colors. You may love green, but by using these resources, you can narrow in on which green. Is it kelly green, forest green, or sage green? You might even select a range of colors that evoke a particular theme. Combine various tones you find in shells like subtle yellows and delicate pinks, with shades of sand and light ocean blues to represent “Summer at the Cape.”

Also, take into consideration the wedding location and ceremony, the time of year for your nuptials, and which colors are in style now. For example, accents of brown and even black are extremely popular with today’s contemporary brides.

Let’s break this down further.

First off, your wedding location may dictate a color scheme for you based on its interior décor. For example, if your reception site is a country club that has navy and gold carpeting and draperies, lavenders, pinks and yellows will definitely clash.

Regarding time of year… if your event is a winter wedding, you may opt for richer colors of deep reds or sapphire blues. For a summer beach-themed wedding, soft tones of peach and oranges might complement the scenery just right. These are all things to consider when accentuating your occasion with color.

Also take into account the feeling you want to evoke on your wedding day. Do you want it to be upbeat and fun? Then choose bold, bright colors. Do you want it to be sophisticated and romantic? Maybe go with a combination of red, black and ivory. Do you want it to be peaceful and Zen-like? Choose soft sages and tans. For a multiple room event, it is also perfectly acceptable to pick one color scheme for your cocktail hour and one for the reception. The possibilities are endless.

Ideas on the easiest wedding uses of color:

AttireOne of the most notable trends right now is to select a unique color for your wedding gown itself. More and more couture designers are showcasing dresses made in blush, silver, grays, and shades of champagnes in their collections. They are also adding colorful accents to their dresses, i.e. colored sashes, black and brown trims, combination beading (blues and silvers together), and stand alone appliqués like chiffon flowers in pinks and taupes. In addition, your color palette should extend into your groomsmen’s attire and maids’ dresses as well. A current trend is for each bridesmaid to have a variation on the style and/or color of the attendant dress. It is perfectly acceptable to forgo being completely “matchy-matchy.”

InvitationsAs the first thing people see, invitations set the stage and initial mood for your event. It’s simple to add “your colors” to the font, personal monogram, or ribbons when announcing the wedding.

FlowersWhen it comes to flowers, there is most likely a particular flower available in your exact colors. Keep in mind however that they may or may not be affordable and in-season at the time. If that is the case, simply select white flowers as your base and small accent flowers in your particular colors to add consistency to your wedding details and décor.

CakeApplying color to your cake is one of the easiest ways to use color. White fondant icing is essentially a blank canvas for colorful detailing with flowers, stripes, or polka dots in your favorite colors. Most fondants can also be made in any pantone color or shade of choice today. Another idea, showcase a different color on every layer of your cake for maximum impact.

FavorsSimply showcase color in your favor packaging. Use gift tags, paper, fabric, and ribbons to add little touch of your color for your guest gifts.

CocktailsColorful cocktails are very popular today. Some ideas include bright yellow Mimosas for an early brunch wedding; pinkish red Cosmos for a destination wedding; or Blue Martinis for a Winter Wonderland evening affair. Yum.

Remember there are many other ways to incorporate color into the small details of your wedding. Think about the napkins, centerpiece containers, colored wine glasses, bridal accessories, guest book, drinks, appetizers, food staging, etc. Be creative, the list goes on and on.