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.
hello nonny, i love this site too, but credit should go to blake and the rest of his team. your bouquet could have blue and white flowers and a touch of any other chosen colour, your hubby can have a blue waistcoat with tie/cravat. i’ve seen sky blue used with rose pink, purple, burgundy, coffee brown, silver and white, all other shades of blue, red, peach, bronze, burnt orange and a host of other colours….i especially like it with silver and white.
Hi Roli,
I appreciate everything about this website.Thanks so much 4 the sharing my problem with you.my fiance is in love with sky blue,and we both chocolate in color,please what colors can really go with sky blue considering our skin color.I need your help please. :((:((:((
Roli…i can imagine how ur hubby practically drolled when he saw you in that georgeous gown.
its simply beautiful and i can see that it fit you like a glove. i think i have finally settles on using your colours. am having a June wedding here in Ghana. its raining season at that time and i am hoping that the weather will not dampen the effect of the colours.
initially i was thinking of getting my gown from davidsbridal but now am a bit skeptical;am wondering if they can sow to fit my very african hourglass figure.what do you think?
do you know of any bridal store online that has measurements that fit th e african woman figure? i hope you do
Yewande … I love peach. It goes with SO many things. A little different, yet a very soothing, feminine, harmonious color. Here are a few possibilities for you, showing how peach looks lovely with greens, reds, golds, pinks & apricots, yellow, and purple … just for a start! I’ve also seen it with maroon and crisp white for a very dramatic, sort of autumn look.
A few more thoughts: peach and aqua is VERY tropical and festive, while peach and navy is a bit preppy and very elegant and different.
Hope this helps!
what colors can i match with peach — also, please can you also send me pictures of brides bouquets?
Good day,so pleased to see visit this site.my wedding is coming up towards the end of the year.i have been sooo confused choosing my colors.for the bridesmaids,chief and everyone.i need your help pllllllleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeeee.
Hi roli,
i did not see dis dress in full but i feel in love with it.how i wish i will be wearing it so soon.i called funke she said they have problem with their shop but in 2 months time they will resume,so i will go to them by june.i like everything about your wedding.cheers.
hello sophy. im so so sorry. it totally escaped my mind. here are some more pics.
hello franca, olive and beige are a lovely combo, adding a third colour is really up to you but yes, wine will be a good pick for a trio combo, and will bring more stylishness to the day. thanks for your lovely compliment. all da best with planning your big day….
Roli,
i really appriciate your response.i will give them a call,i am not in lagos.my colors are olive green and beige for d brides maids.how do u see it?pls if u feel there is need for another color to be added for the decoration.what color do u suggest. although i wanted wine red.
am enjoying all your post, keeep it up.thanks.
hi Roli,
hope you enjoying ur marriage.
i have been waiting for your posts. remember you promised to paste more pictures. i actually checked out the morilee blu collection online but like u said, i didnt see the dress. but am anxious to see more pictures so pls post more ok. take care.
hello franca, thanks so much for the compliment. i loved it too from the min i set my eyes on it. i got it using a bridal store in ikoyi, lagos, aisle of white, you can call Funke or Pamela on 08033944978 or 08023858347. they had a catalogue for the uk and usa bridal stores they have a relationship with, and i just picked it and they brought it in for me. its a morilee blu collection dress. all the best with your wedding dearie. what are your wedding colours?
Roli,
am a nigerian and really love your wedding gown.how gan i get the phone contact of the bridal shop.i will be greatfull. my wedding is in august.thanks.
heh to anyone who can help me. I had who made my shoes saved on my files and my computer went crazy and i lost the designers name. Could someone please help me? thank you so much!! http://www.world-of-shoes.info (my corset style shoes)
Thandiwe had to break up into 2 posts. What type of wedding are you having? outdoors? simple? tight budget or flexible? That way I can better help you. Ideas off top of my head would be in other post. I say white tablecloths or Have beautiful clear or silver vases of cerise calla lilies in water(love that look stems showing) all your stemware etc. ceremony: billowy fabric wedding arch with greenery if you use more than calla lilies either use inspiration from the bridal bouquet i showed or you could have just the arch with greenery and fabric with 2 silver urns on side with calla lilies and same urns at entrance of aisle( you can reuse these at reception) sprinkle white rose petals if your site allows. If you dont like these ideas go here: http://www.ariellaflowers.com/ one of my fave designers. post back the formality of your event and i will help more if youd like. good luck!! another image: http://momentsbymorgan.blogspot.com/2007/08/quick-update-party-rental-ltd.html ( the silver looks amazing and cerise flowers would make it pop)i didn’t know it this was to elegant.
thank you very very much i think i love mini cala lillies i’ll definelty go for them. So now about the cirise colour i love that colour but where to put it,,i really apreciate your help you guys are good you helped me since i was doom from the begining but now everything is fine. thanks,,,
hello sophy. tx so so much. i loved that gown from the first min i saw it,lol. no stones, no pearls, simply elegant. anyways, i got it from morilee, its the morilee blu collection. i got it using a bridal store in my home country, Nigeria. I didn’t even find it at the morilee webpage cos the blu collection is supposedly only open to their dealers for viewing. i’d post some more pics, will do so later today.
Hey Blake I love the dark plum bit you posted I’m getting married sept 09 and having a fall theme I have a vision of the dark plum for my bridesmaid dresses and the dark plum then champagne and Ivory,havnt seen any dresses in that color yet,love the site gave me most of my ideas!!!
Hey Tricia I ‘m going with the burgandy and champagne (shiny beige) and Ivory maybe that might help,I just googled fabric and color and went from there good luck!
Heather usually casual weddings dont usually wear tuxes. they wear sports jackets and slacks to slacks and white shirts depending on the formality and location of the event and your dress. Are you the Heather doing the Marie Antoinette theme? If so, and he wont wear a tux try looking at the men’s costumes from that era. Especially the white shirts they wore and I dont think he’d like the knickers, so slacks would work. Could you describe your dress and some of the details ? so I could help more. cause attire from those days were elaborate. I was wondering what time of day etc. and the casualness you want, so he would compliment you as well as the theme. :D:D
OKAY I NEED HELP THIS IS NOT ABOUT COLOR WE WANT TO HAVE A CASUAL WEDDING … WHAT DO THE MEN NEED TO WEAR (HE REFUSES TO WEAR A TUX)
Hi blake thanks i love it. I have sent 2 posts to Thandiwe and they will not pull up and didn’t understand why. could you help me out. thanks
Roli,
beautiful pictures, beautiful wedding and do i love your gown! who made it, and where did u get it. i love your colour combination and i am thinking of adopting it. can you post some more pictures. or would you like to mail them to me?
hi Blake,
thanks for the blue/silver colour suggestion. and i love the pictures too. they are beautiful. but the church for the wedding is painted beige on the inside, and it has these multicoloured windows.( its a catholic church). i think the dominant colours in the window pane is wine. would the blue and silver blend in well with this?
nonetheless, please post some more blue and silver theme pictures ok. i am falliing in love with them
Thandiwe, there are so many flowers in that color, it’s going to be hard to narrow it down except to focus on the kinds you like. Are you thinking more formal flowers (roses), modern (mini calla lilies), garden (hydrangeas, peonies), whimsical (gerger daisies)?
You could do a color-blocking bouquet with dramatic patches of snow-white flowers (like roses) against blocks of cerise (aka cherry … a beautiful pinkish-red … to US types!) and tie it off with a shiny silver ribbon bouquet wrap.
Or, you could do the all-white bouquet that’s so popular now, and use a bright cherry bouquet wrap … so many options. White is also great for sparkly bouquet jewels, which might complement your silver theme really well.
Hi Anastacia, one more thing … I stumbled across this greenery-centric aqua and green wedding by Rick Martin at SoireeSpecialEvents‘ great blog … you don’t see a lot of foiliage-heavy weddings so I wanted to post this here! And it’s even close to your colors.
Please help my wedding is in 10 & 11 May 08 2day wedding my colours are cerise,silverand white , my brisemaid will be wearing silver dress, silver shoes and groomates will be wearing grey suit and white shirt now i need to know where can i add my cerise colour because it only appears on my decor only or can i carry flowers with of that colour
Thank you for the compliment. For an easy relaxing wedding with reusable items and wear again attire. that was really important to me. the idea of spending money on things for only a few hours just didn’t suit me. this has been difficult planning but i know in the end it will be everything i dreamed. I love your idea of the lily pad. i love lily pads as well. I hope to get even more suggestions this is helping me so much.again thank you.
Wow Anastacia. You have amazing ideas. I love the idea of the crisp white with the earthy green. Why not try a shallow, glass bowl full of water and float a lily pad on top with a white floating candle lily. Set the bowl atop fresh moss. It will look very fresh. Your idea of tinted blue water would also look fabulous. Sprinkle the table with blue sequins to match you fav necklace.
Please help. I am planning a june 09 outdoor affair. I have chosen fluffy white edible glitter cupcakes, dress style: ralph lauren spring 2005 collection on style.com page 3, 3rd from left, 2nd row ( will not be see thru top adding poet sleeves that enclose at wrist. corset style shoes at http://www.world-of-shoes.info
want groom in slacks and untucked long sleeve white shirt
Fave color is white fave flower white rose I love greenery and amaranthus more than flowers. my home decor style: british colonial( relaxed easy and simple with touch of elegance) LOVE romance ( want to exude romance/love like in the movies ex: pirates of car. 2 wedding(top fave), kate winslet tresor commercial etc.) Love plume pens and parchment invites. want a tea style reception. no candles. do love all greenery weddings with only flowers : bridal bouquet. LOVE les habitudes dresses.
two websites explain ; type peter island .com look under events then weddings at table on beach.
then beverly clark’s wedding location.com type in el careyes the couple on beach side wedding reception
I want to find a way to incorporate all these ideas into a crisp yet old world style wedding a little pirate style i guess.i prefer one color and one type flower decor to keep things simple(since I am earthy like) and things to reuse in my home later. on very tight budget dont want to spend all that money on stuff only to throw it all out. the something blue i want to hang my fave blue rhinestone cross necklace from bouquet.(I collect crosses and I am religious) thought about, also, white flowers in green blue tinted water for a caribbean feel. i dont know what to do. would an all green wedding be better for this style? more modern 18th century ? thank you for any suggestions.