Choosing Your Wedding Colors: A Guide for Designing Brides
- Sussing Out Your Style
- Destination: Home, Sweet Home
- Your Secret Romantic Style
- The Gown's the Guide
- Adjust for Geography, Venue and Season
- Essential Color-Choosing Tools
- Color Schemer
- Sherwin-Williams Color Generator
- Big Huge Labs Palette Generator
- Make a Mood Board
- Making the Most of Your Choices
- And They Lived Happily Ever After ...
- Chime In!
- Comments (3096)
And even if you're getting the cake from Ron Ben-Israel, he's not going to ask you whether your wedding theme draws elements from 14th century Venetian court dress ... he'll ask you about your colors.
A mere generation ago, planning the wedding was a lot easier. It expressed your social class, and your parents' tastes. Even if they had particular ideas, the market couldn't offer much in terms of individual design. But these days, your wedding expresses your personal style in a way it never has before. Translation? The pressure's on!
Sussing Out Your Style
Some brides can solve the color question without thinking too much about style. They might have a life-long love for purple. Or, their venue might have strong hues they need to coordinate with. Or, when they picture their wedding, they already see their bridesmaids awash in certain colors. Easiest of all: sometimes they already have a theme in mind.For others, it's not that simple. Still, you can quickly pin down the styles that get your heart beating almost as fast as your fiancé does. Does Martha Stewart's relaxed, preppy look command your undying devotion? Do you pray you can someday actually subscribe to H&M magazine? Did Vera Wang's modern, moody Bolshevik collections incite heavy breathing? This gives you some major clues.
Destination: Home, Sweet Home
Still, even if you don't consider yourself a fashionista or a Martha devotee, all's not lost. Instead, let's turn our eyes back to home and hearth.Many brides aren't just looking forward to a wedding, they're also buzzing with anticipation over the dream house they plan to share with their beloved. And in the process of hunting down this love nest, most spent lots time mulling over their personal style. What did you picture in your mind's eye as the right setting for your new life together? A rangy colonial with a gabled roof? A warm, log-sided farmhouse with a wood stove in the kitchen? Or did you dream of finding a downtown loft bursting with recessed lighting and monochromatics, and flip through the new IKEA catalog to pick out your cabinets?
Or consider: do you dream of filling your home with antiques you can pass down to your children? Look to seasonal-inspired color schemes and ballrooms. Plan to drape your bedroom ceiling in yards of mosquito netting? A fairytale wedding drenched in candelabras, gold braid and gauzy swags might fit the bill. Collect exotic objects from all over the planet? Try an art museum for your setting, and a sophisticated or daring palette.
And if you're one of those eclectic types who pairs Amish rocking chairs with aboriginal artifacts, use this old designer trick: think of the last bit of art or furniture you bought to spruce up your house. That tells you what's on your mind lately.
Your Secret Romantic Style
So, you know your domestic style is Eclectic Contemporary. Congratulations: that means you're holding a black-and-white wedding with chartreuse accents and ostrich feathers in a huge SoHo loft, right?Hold it: not so fast. Why? Because many brides have a special romantic style that exists in a universe by itself. You might be thrilled picking out Art Deco style spaceships for your pendant lighting. And yet, when it comes your wedding, you might picture something a lot more traditional.
So even if you're the most fashion-forward girl on the block, take a moment to consider whether your wedding vision doesn't actually go back in time by few hundred years. You might secretly harbor a special place in your heart for New England autumns, Victorian elegance, English cottage style, or even timeless fairy tales. And if that's true, rest assured you've got plenty of company.
The Gown's the Guide
But how do you tell if this stylistic gotcha's operating in your case? Here's the secret: go get your dress.For many brides, The Dress is a journey that starts with many preconceptions, but ends in the unexpected. Finding the dress is usually a case of recognizing it once you've tried it on, not knowing ahead of time what you'll wear.
And once you've found it, the dress will offer some big clues about your Romantic style. Captured by a demure ivory gown covered in Alençon lace, with a button-back closure? Start your search with pastels and neutrals that suit a 1930's vintage or feminine garden wedding. Fell hard for a sleek, diamond white v-neck that's all about the lines? Investigate the crisper, more playful palettes we see today, such as black and white, aqua, bright pinks, lime green and corals.
Adjust for Geography, Venue and Season
Now that you've unearthed your personal style, it's time to look outward. If your style's traditional, for example, start with a hotel ballroom. If you want a strong seasonal feel for fall, try a rustic barn. Cultivated gardens go well with traditional, Martha-esque tints. Tents weddings are a blank slate: you can make them as classic or brazenly modern as your heart desires.Geography, too, plays a role in your colors. Tropical affairs in the blinding sun are often showcases for the brightest hues of all: coral and orchid, for example, or aqua and orange. Evening white-tie affairs in New York City? Not so much.
Many brides are in the middle, and want to weave in at least a seasonal hint. Fortunately for them, most seasons have palettes both traditional and modern. For example, a classic summer wedding might feature cornflower blue or sage, where a modern one draws on fuchsia and lime green, or orange, pink and black.
Even flowers help set the style. For example, a profusion of pinks in a bouquet of roses and peonies says English cottage. Mini-sunflowers and chrysanthemums says New England country. On the other hand, the color blocking in a hand-tied bouquet of purple callas is strongly modern.
Essential Color-Choosing Tools
Now you've got a style in mind, let's get to the art of actually picking colors. Here are a few can't-miss tools.Color Schemer
You'll need to create a free account, but this wonderful site has user-created palettes aplenty that you can search by keyword. Once you've registered, hit the "search schemes" button and enter words that fit your vision, like "fall,""garden," "sunset," "winter." Or free-associate with adjectives like "nautical," "peaceful," "modern," "preppy" or even "trendy." We promise, you'll be hooked.Sherwin-Williams Color Generator
Hit their site, and choose "FIND COLOR." Click on any color that draws you, and you'll automatically pull up two accent colors that complement it. Cool.Big Huge Labs Palette Generator
Have a photo on your hard drive that seems to capture your wedding's heart and soul? Upload it to a palette generator, which will kick out most of the main hues involved. Unless you're on the beach, use one of the more neutral, calming colors as a primary (e.g., use it for bridesmaids or table linens), and the more nervous, high-energy colors as accents (use these in table napkins, chair sashes, ribbons, and some of your flowers.)Make a Mood Board
Once you've narrowed down some favorites, start grabbing photos (for your own personal use, of course). Make a special folder on your hard drive, and save photos that seem to fit the colors, setting and season you're going for. If you've got any photo editing software, start putting them together in one big image. This will tell you more than thousands of words how your look will play out.
Making the Most of Your Choices
Now that you've got your colors, how can you really make them shine? A problem that plagues some brides is an oversized fear of chaos. Although it's simple, most weddings aren't at their best when the groomsmen's vests and ties exactly match the bridesmaids' gowns, which in turn match the bride's sash.So, choose your colors wisely and stick with them, but strive for designing more than matching. Brown and ivory are neutrals when chosen thoughtfully, so use their many shades for a sophisticated, monochromatic look. If the bridesmaids wear mocha or persimmon, the men will look great in chocolate brown. And even if the flowers call for a palette of orange and yellow, let a little green or cream sneak in for dimension. Check for too much of a good thing: when the entire wedding party wears matching brown or black, the effect can be overpowering.
And They Lived Happily Ever After ...
When all's said and done, you're sure to have a great feeling about your colors, and how they fit your personal style. Even if the scheme you hit on isn't "I've loved that all my life!", it might be "I never would have thought of that, but I love these together!"Picking your colors is a journey, just like finding the dress, or knocking all those planning items off your checklist. But hitting on the right colors, theme and setting for the ultimate expression of your own Romantic style? That can be the pleasure of a lifetime.
Champagne goes with a lot of things. For fall, some combinations include:
Champagne, ivory and chocolate brown
Champagne, burnt orange, chocolate brown
Champagne, pale pink, ivory
Champagne, dusty blue, ivory
Im getting married on Sep. 20, 2008. Everyone keeps asking me what my colors are. and i have know idea what i want…. I want my brides maids to wear champaign colored dresses… but i dont know what else will go with that!!!:( HELP!!!!!
Hi This if for Christina – I have seen black tux with brown/chocolate vest and tie. It was very elegant. You wouldn’t think so but. I have seen pictures of a coworker who’s daughter had this in her wedding.
I definetly know exactly what all of you are going through. Picking a color scheme is the hardest. Once you decide don’t change your mind. I first choose red and silver for my October 20, 2007 wedding. Bought some candles to use now I have about 120 red floating candles and I have changed my mind to blue and silver. Now what I am going to do with 120 floating candles????? Good thing they were on clearance which is why I bought them in the first place.
Anyway HAPPY PLANNING!!!!!
Hi, my name is Lacey, and I’m getting married in March 2008:X. I know it’s a ways away yet, but I’m not quite sure what colors to use. My first idea was like a light turquiose bluish colour with brown, but no one seems to like this idea and its hard to find flowers those colors as well. I also love pink, green and yellow.
I just need help, I don’t know what to do. I also want to use Gerbera daisies! They are so beautiful, but are they around this time of year? Please help me!:?:?
Help! I am getting married in July and my bridemaids are wearing light pink. Is this going to look ok in pictures next to my white dress? Are their dresses going to look washed out or look white next to mine? Someone reassure me!!!
wedding Sept. 22, 2007 I have a light gold dress but can’t decide on my maids colors, I like purple will that go? any color ideas?
Hi my wedding comes up in December n em choosing a color has been confusing. i like purple pink n white but i can’t figure out what it’ll look like. i need help:((
Hi, i am planning for a wedding at the end of february. The room we are getting married in is all covered in a deep burgandy color. The reception room is a Mediterranean themed room, filled with dark rich colors of browns, greens, reds and more. however, i cannot decide which color scheme would be best to wear in the ceremony room (burgandy). i dont want the bridesmaids to wear red because i think it will clash. My dress is all ivory and the groom will be wearing a black tux with an ivory vest. What should the bridesmaids and groomsmen wear and what kind of flowers should i use? Anyone have any ideas?? :-?
hi, please my wedding’s coming up in september in Nigeria, and i don’t know which colours to choose. I thought of pink and green, but don’t know what shades of both would match. Please can you help me? Thanks
Red is very romantic for a wedding. I have never heard you couldnt use red. Go for it…red and silver would be real pretty.
Please help. I heard that you can not use red for a wedding colour. Is this true? I wanted red and silver.:-w
christina, maybe the guys can wear the black suits and have a pink vest.
Well I picked my colors..brown and cream with a little pink. My wedding is in November. My only problem is the guys want to wear black suits. How will that go with the Brown!! Any suggestions!?!?! Help!!!
For a more Romantic look…Creme colored dress with flowers from the deepest burgundy to the lightest pink!!
For something totally different but not too out there how about Black and Ivory with Ivory roses with thin gold and black ribbons!!
want to know the best colours that match gold.
hey my wedding is October 27 , 2007. I am wanting to do the color cornflower (it’s a blue). Do you think this is a good color for fall or not. I can’t find to many things in this color and it’s aggervating! Do you think i should change my colors. I was gonna do that color and white!?
That is a little pale for a december wedding, though it would work well for an outdoor spring or summer wedding. If YOU like the colors, then I would say stick with it. If not, you can either add a nuetral darker color like Chocolate Brown and use it as your base color, or use a darker shade for the green or lilac colors.
My wedding is in December 2007 and I have no clue as to the color combinations. I had chosen olive green, lilac and light yellow, but my friends says it is too pale….HHHHHEEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!
Hi! Just thought I’d pipe in a few comments for those having a fall-time wedding. My wedding is September 15th of 2007 and I chose to do a fall theme of roses. The colors are: burgandy, wine, crimson, red, terracotta, orange, golden yellow, and a light brown. My dress is ivory with gold embroidery and my bridesmaid dresses are tea-length gold dresses with satin, lace and chiffon layers. They are accented with wine colored shoes, shoulder wraps and they will have rose hairpieces to match the flowers (one open rose and a couple different colored buds). These colors make it festive and vibrantly colored for the season and it is easy to match.
Hi, I’m getting married early 2008 in South Africa, the weather here at that time of year is round very warm, I was thinking of using 3 shades of green and silver as my color scheme. Do you think this could work? I’m just afraid it may be a little dull
pls am having my wedding by august in nigeria and am having problem with colour to use.though i have thought of fuschia pink and green please which other colour can i use to make the wedding come out fine august is suppose to be summer 8-|
i am having a wedding October of this year, it is going to be outdoors, with lots of trees changing into fall colors. I would like my bridal party to wear black dresses and tuxes, but what other color can I put with it?
Hi, i’m getting married later this year and i’m thinking of having a white wedding. Can you please advise on colours that are close to white that i can combine. thanks!
IM GETTING MARRIED JUNE 2008 I KNOW ITS AWHILE AWAY BUT I CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT COLORS TO HAVE I DONT WANT THE TRADITIONAL BUT DONT WANT THE BRIGHTS. HELP!!!
Hi..its always good to pick a color you won’t regret later..get a color you know you will like..don’t try to be different just to make a statement. bold isn’t always good..
Hi my wedding is july 1, 2008 My theme of my wedding is Cinderella theme ( Princess) and i’m having trouble picking out colors that would loook good with a princess theme. Can you help me
Hi, I’m planning a spring wedding. I love pastel colors like sage, light gray, lavender and pink. I also love flowers, pearls and diamonds. I would love to incorporate these in my wedding, but I am having trouble doing so. My wedding is at 6pm and at a church location. Please help me with some ideas.
I am thinking about Purple and black mostly purple most think it will come off ugly if i dont do everything just right what do i do
I think that you should start with thinking about colors that you like best. For instance if you like red, I would consider using a deep shade of red,like crimson with a touch of gold or chocolate.
hi,my isyolanda and i need help picking the right colors for my wedding my wedding is in september.so can u please help
christina,
made a baord for ya! after looking carefully at the venue colors, i out together a very simple purple and fresh green color scheme. i hope i am not confusing you!! i just think this will be your best option and the softest looking. very zen like. let me know!!
christina,
here are some more pics!
ali, pic didnt post try again….
Thanks so much that tablescape is completely beautiful! It made me excited to start planning!
caressa,
i ran across this and thougth you might like it!!
*Candace and Kristopher in Golden Beach, FL
jennifer,
I made you a mood board once I saw the fall pics of your location. Since you chose harvest gold, I just ran with that. This is the vision I saw. For the centerpieces notice they are simple urns with trailing ivy, you could go with this look or you could pull in fall berry vines and have them trailing or put them in a mix of fall foilage.
* bittersweet berry
* like here
* artficial bittersweet garland
* more
* extra links
* real wedding
* real wedding 2
* real wedding 3 ( where board reception pic come from)
Stacey, you are truly talented!! Thank you so much for making my mood board it made it all come together for me. Do you think that the guys can get away with wearing blacks tux’s with the gold vest and tie? My fiance is not to excited about wearing a brown tux? Also the table clothes in my reception are ivory…do you think I should get a colored sash such as green or burgundy or do you think the ivory would work by itself? I love the centerpieces that you sent they are gorgeous!! I am still contemplating those willow branches you sent me a while back with candles around them….those were great!! I am with you on decorating the chapel I think it will already be gorgeous and nothing else is really needed!! The harvest gold dresses give it that fall warm feeling but keep it elegant at the same time. I do not want there flowers to be to much so that it takes away from anything? I am going to carry simply ivory roses. Thank you so much for all your help you have literally been a life saver to me…I can finally see my wedding coming together!! Dont hesitate to tell me if you vision something else or if I what I say is not going to work….not that I have decided on the gold I am open to anything else….THANK YOU!!
Jennifer,
I am truly excited for you! The first board I made actually had black tuxes with gold vest and tie and it looked fantastic. So my answer is yes! Ivory linens perfect. You could most definitely have a table runner. What about black? that would be so beautiful and really set off any centerpieces. Gold would give an elegant feel. I think I would steer clear of to much green or reds with the harvest gold it may look to holidayish. the ivory linens would be beautiful by themselves too. You are most welcome!
Hey Stacey, I see what you mean with using green or burgundy table runner….I think I may just stick with the ivory and leave it at that. Do you think I should do all the tables with curly willow branches and candles around them or mix it and do half of them the branches and the other half white pumpkins? Also could I incorporate burgundy in the bridal flowers or the cake or should I just simply have a gold and ivory wedding? I am not sure if it will look weird with only gold and ivory or if I need some color in the reception hall? I think I will have my girls carry a fall color but I am not sure what that will be yet. I am sicking to mine being classic ivory flowers. As far as invitations I am assuming I should stick with gold? Thanks again for your help you really know how to make me feel more at ease with this stuff!!
Jennifer,
I would place all curly willow on the tables with candles and have a small white pumpkin on each place setting. I really think burgundy used in the bouquets would make the bridesmaid look even more elegant. I think the harvest gold would look fantastic with a pop of color against it, like the more muted burgundy/colors in bouquet i used in the mood board. gold invites would really set the mood.
Hey Stacey, I just looked at the mason jat centerpieces that you posted and my fiance loves them. We have that country met city relationship. He loves anything that looks old and rustic and I like the more elegant look. How could we incorporate the mason jars with the curly willows. I love the curly willows and I think they will be perfect for our wedding simply bc I want it to be classy and elegant but with a full touch!! Also I was planning on having gold napkins with our names should I have another color with gold or not? I am not sure if i should just stick with the gold theme or incorporate another color in my reception. What color do you think my cake should be? I am going to leave the table with just ivory cloths and no runner. Thanks for your help!!
one more thing Stacey and please be completely honest with me. Do you think I made the right decision with the harvest gold dresses?? I know you were leaning towards the green and I did like that. I really think the gold will look great on all the girls as it looked gorgeous on one of them. I was just looking at the chapel in the fall when the trees are at their peak and I do not want the gold dresses to clash with the trees and scenery. Please be honest and tell me what you think if you think the gold is to much trsut me I would rather know that now. Thank you for all your advice and for all your help!!
Jennifer,
you could actually just use the clear glass jars for the candle holders that would look fantastic. think about using the pint or even half pint jars fill them with water and float the candles. the candle wouldnt melt in the bottom that way and be difficult to remove. if you use the jars like this in between or scattered around the tables and room it would give a very romantic feel and compliment the cylinders with curly willow very well. i am not sure what ya mean on the other color with gold? were you using the muted colors in the bouquets like in the mood board? the pepperberry’s? or were you wanting to use just a gold and ivory color scheme? i think the gold dresses will be gorgeous with the scenery cause you will want a color that does go with the surroundings otherwise it will clash and look out of place. you will not want to blend in to much with the scenery and be camoflagued by the foilage. i think the gold will be gorgeous! even if you choose to use just gold and ivory, cause when you bring inthe curly willow etc. that will have another bit of color to it. if you go that route i would load up the room on candlelight. and i would have your cake done in simple ivory and add muted fall colored roses like the bouquet in mood board. i am assuming the guys will be in black? then you could put your flowergirl in black with ivory sash or vice versa.
* its a beautiful combo
* this is how black and gold would look against fall foilage
which of the colors are you doubting? or is it the style? how much rustic are you wanting to add?
Jennifer,
I think I found a few things you might like. what do you think about using a palette of the harvest gold, a “fall” green, ivory and black?
* here are some curly willow centerpieces.
* check this out! gorgeous isnt it!
* lovin the pheasant feathers in the bouquets
* this is amazing!
* another idea is to add rust with the gold and ivory
* ivory or white overlays on harvest gold linens with white or ivory and green centerpieces
* and this is my favorite one
jennifer,
i decided to make a orange, green,gold wedding board. i think the colors really compliment the setting. i am just trying to help you see which color scheme pops out for ya! so your wedding will be everything you hoped it would be!
Hey Stacey, I think I will use curly willows for all my centerpieces and then use the little mason jars and have candles in them. I think that will be a great compromise for me and my fiance. The curly willows are so pretty and I dont have to worry about what color flowers or what kind of flowers to use for centerpieces if I stick with the curly willows. They have that rustic yet elegant look and the floating candles in mason jars will just add to them. As far as another color besides gold I am not sure what I want to do. I would like to keep it somewhat simple. I think I will have some fall colored roses in my BM’s flowers but not to much and then for my reception I can add some fall flowers to the cake but keep it simple yet elegant. For napkins and stuff I will use gold and I am not sure if I will incorporate another color or not. I am going to do caramel apple favors. What color ribbon should I use to go around the Girls flowers? I love the flowers in the mood board they will look great with harvest gold dresses!! My main goal is to have a classy elegant wedding but have it look a little rustic to suit my fiance. Gold seems to be the perfect color for that!!. I cannot see the orange, gold, and greem mood board you make??
Jennifer,
For the flowergirls flowers you could have them carry a pomander on a shimmery gold ribbon loop. Ribbon wands would be so pretty too. Flowergirls love wands and anything that sparkles! What a keepsake after the wedding! They will love it.
* ribbon wands
* wands
* pomanders
* let me know if the pic works
with the curly willows you could do simple ivory linens with shimmery gold toppers that would look so ethereal and toppers/linens are the best money you can spend to get a luxury look on any budget. They dont cost much to rent at all. white/gold gives off a sparkle and pair it with rustic items and it just screams elegance.
* heh grapevine is one other idea for decor with white lights, so absolutely gorgeous, it would be like the curly willow and pull out rustic elegance. you just dont need xtra color with this type setting
( be sure to check out everything on this site, some gorgeous stuff!)
Stacey, I love the fall leaves in the vases with the idea of curly willows coming out!!! That is simply perfect. I think that is what I will do!! I will have my cylinders filled with the leaves then the curly willows coming out the top. Then I will scatter some fall leaves on the table with candles around them!! It sound beautiful!! I love the pictures you send me!! So if I do it that way you think I should have the gold and burgundy napkins on the cake table or just the gold? on the cake table I will have candles and some fall leaves scattered around and then the napkins. I am soo excited I can finally see it all coming together!! The fall leaves will be free and gorgeous…I have no idea how much the curly willows are? Do you like the fall leaves and curly willows better than the fall leaf branches? Thank you!!
Jennifer,
The burgundy and gold napkins would definitely look nice with fall leaves decor.
* save on crafts ( curly willow branches)
Actually, since you are gonna have the fall leaves in vases then I would go ahead and cut fall branches ( with the leaves) and have a few scattered on tables. To look like they fell off by a slight breeze. I know, I mentioned the breeze before but imagine standing under a maple and a gentle wind blows they flutter like rose petals.( which I love that effect). To me that is what this would look like. How ethereal. Plus the only cost would be your vases if you could also cut some fall branches. make sure your vases are anchored with rocks in the bottom, so the branches wont tip over. The leaves in the vase will cover the rocks so they wont be seen.
Hey Stacey, one more thing when I talk about the candles…do you still think we could pull it off using the pint or half pint mason jars with the floating candles…I think it will still give it that elegant look but also the rustic fall look we are going for? My vision right now it…The fall leaves stuffed in the vases with curly willows coming out the top…with fall leaves or branches scattered on the table with floating candles around them? Is this what you are visioning? Just was not sure of the vase you sent me with the fall leaves is supoose to be just like that or if I add something to it?
These are PERFECT!! On one of them I found the color for the bridesmaid dresses (Alfred Angelo Clover). One site mentioned pink lemonade; since I was picturing an afternoon ‘tea’ reception, that too would be perfect. Thank you so much!
BTW, what do you use to make inspiration boards??
Sandra,
polyvore.com
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for the links! Most of the 20s/Great Gatsby items I’d already come across in my almost constant googling of this idea, but the old hollywood photos added a new angle. I’m not much of a “black and white” person myself, so I was hoping to come up with more color that would go with the venue. What about a red wine color or a pale purple? These seem to stand out to me when I’m looking through all the inspiration boards and photos available online.