Choosing Your Wedding Colors: A Guide for Designing Brides
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 collection for fall 2007 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 ...
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.
Chime In!
Stuck on colors, and looking to chat? Upload some starter pics that shows us your venue, your dress or whatever you're working with. Tell us the season or theme, if you've got one ... then post away!You Might Also Like ...
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- Is Orange & Fuchsia Too Loud for a Wedding?
- A Pale Pink & Champagne Springtime Wedding
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I am looking for a really pretty pink and a pretty green that will go together….I need some help
Thanks
jessica, almost forgot. make sure the navy blue in the suits match. take your dads suit with you to match the blues. if you do this consider putting girls in lighter blue. or another idea: you could even go as far as putting gm in grey to pull the stripe from your dads suit, if you do this put girls in navy..
hi jessica, i think these are just what the doctor ordered! yes yes yes use daisies gerber or shasta. before you had a black, white and pink wedding replace the black with blue. pink looks great against blue. google image blue wedding and blue and pink wedding for ideas. your dad’s suit will be fine. i think this will work out, so he wont have to buy another suit, and that having him in the wedding means so much to you. heh tell him he was the inspiration for your color scheme!!(i bet this will make him smile), and still give you what you want. it doesnt matter if the guys have solid blue suits, the stripes in your dads suit will set him apart like it he was meant to wear a suit with stripes and it will not clash. add your touches of pink here and there. ot leave it out and go with all blue and white either or… i would use light blue also with the navy blue. it looks sooooo good together. even add other blues like blue grey in pic i sent you,which is my fave. yes with the pink touches from light to medium. i think varying tones will set your wedding apart and give it depth, creativity, and a summer elegance. write back and let me know what you think.
jessica, a few more!!:P
here are some ideas jessica.
I HAVE to bring up this website I found while putting together a mood board - http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/search.sets - you can choose a color or multiple colors and user created collages featuring different items/themes come up. You can even put together your own collage with art that catches your eye. It’s so perfect for mood boards!
bola, give a trial run on the brown sash but i wouldnt use one. gms can wear white shirts unless your using ivory or off white. then consider a peach vest and tie in shade of bm’s dresses or keep it simple black and white with peach boutonniere, it will look more pulled together not to mention more elegant. i wouldnt use gold. i dont think that would work to well. it might look gawdy.
Hi! My wedding colours are peach, coffee brown and gold, can you please advise on what colour of shirt and tie the groom’s men can wear( they will all be waering black suits). I am planning that the bride’s maids will wear peach cocktail length dresses, gold sandals. Do you think they should have brown sashes? Wont that be too much colour?
Hey Stacey!
To answer your question, my dad is going to wear a navy suit with gray pinstripes.
Also do you think daisies are a good flower for a summer wedding?
stacey, have you gotten the two or so emails I sent over the past month or so? If not, can you give me an addy where I can reach you? Thanks!
jane, check out a teal & peach wedding
google image blue and coral wedding, and also aqua and coral wedding. also try aqua wedding then coral wedding. there are to many pics to list.
now one of my personal faves is brown and coral, this is so romantic and elegant. you could still add touches of aqua, i think this is the way to go if you want aqua. oh yeah dont overlook lavender and coral mixed with brown. google image purple and brown wedding look at 1st pic especially this is sooooooo beautiful.beautiful!! you could adjust the colors, let me know what you think!! good luck!!
heh jessica, google image vintage wedding inspiration board for ideas. then wedding inspiration board. there are lots of them. then black white and pink wedding.
this is what i would do. if someone cant buy him a new suit. when i was married before, my dad couldnt fit the shoes the gm were all wearing which were black dress. we looked everywhere but all he had was brown dress and he felt awkward. your color scheme should work around what your dad has to wear, there are so many colors that could fit with anything. what is the color of his suit.? write back and i will help. but He will look and feel out of place.
PLEASE HELP!!!:(( I’m getting married next June and we still can’t decide on colors!! Now we are thinking of a black and white and pink vintage theme. Can anyone suggest ideas?
Also my father can’t afford a new suit for our wedding is it okay if he doesn’t wear the same color suit as the groomsmen?
And also can anyone give me some good color schemes and pictures for colors that would work with a June wedding? Please help anyone!! thanks!!!!
I need help with my wedding colors. I’m getting married in February and I still don’t have my colors yet. The wedding will be at night. I don’t really wanna use red or pink even though its valentines. I kinda like aqua or coral? Is aqua a good color for Feb? What goes with this color? Maybe tangerine?
Has anyone bought flowers from amazonflowers.us? I really need some feed back fast! Thanks
wendy, first for the olive green and silver, thats pretty. this is what i think you should go with, i would look no further.. (google image green hydrangea wedding ) white linens, white plates, etc.silverware, olive green napkins, silver containers for flowers, silver candleabras is using candles, glass votive holders, girls wear olive green carry white hydrangeas tied with white ribbon, bride carry green hydrangeas with silver, blue, and green gorgeous ribbon.
guys in classic black and white, simple, easy, failproof. just do white bout. for groom, green for guys, in hydrangeas. ceremony decor deipping in hydrangeas add grapevine intertwined if ya wish otherwise keep it simple like on page i showed you. i just love adding touches of blue in the brides ribbon.
keep this simple and clean. it looks best this way. if some hydrangeas have tinges of color dont worry about it, it would actually be pretty to add slight tinges of color through the flowers. i promise this wedding will be all and more.
for other ideas google image: olive green wedding, green wedding, green wedding bouquet, keep silver to a minimum, if you use in like i stated above then it will look elegant and expensive looking but easy on the pocketbook. good luck!!
wendy, hi, your brave planning 2 at once! but good for you!
its rewarding isnt it? okay you dont have to choose between the color schemes. instead do a twist. have a brown and green wedding with white of course, or ivory. and have the flowers in both peach and orange. make sure the girls dresses are a solid color dont add another color sash. it will mess up the bouquet against it.
here are some ideas to google image for an idea: green and brown wedding, orange wedding, peach and orange wedding, orange and brown wedding, orange and green wedding.
i personally would do the brown and green with the peach and orange. it would be magnificent. plus they all compliment each other so well!! and to me peach is just a shade of orange anyway. it would give a depth to the flowers and have lots of greenery. if wedding is in fall add berries. when you look this over please write back and we will go from there.
okay wendy, one more go to Provençal Pastoral at Brides. it says ’slideshow not found’ and you cant enlarge the pics but this is a fab olive green wedding!! wow!! i love the splashes of color thru the bouquet etc. while all else stays green and white with touches of silver. this is truly amazing. i reallllly hope you choose this right down to the last detail!!:P:P:D>-
wendy, the rustic olive link i gave ola is yours, just click on the rustic olive link. keep it ultra romantic, with lots of white and greenery. girls in olive and guys in black and olive. see the ideas i gave in previous post. thats what i envsion for the wedding.
See Dana & Briana for ideas, especially the hydrangea aisle (attached) i envision this as decor idea.if you dont like this let me know what you envision and we can go from there!!
See Elizabeth Anne Designs - Rustic Olive
groomsmen in black suits or tux ( the one with vests) have their vest match your girls. your the same height as my daughter. she tried on everything under the sun! look for simple lines like an a-line and not a lot of decor like beading or ruching. keep it simple!! if you must have embellishment keep it minimal, like a simple lace a line( this is slimming too thats why i love it, it looks good on the majority of body types. i am 5′8.5″ i look slim just TALLLLLL!:P and i cant wear strapless or cap sleeves they make me look weird. some of the most beautiful dresses are the simple ones with gorgeous jewelry. your local bridal shop will give you great tips, like bodice, sleeves, etc. try on several gowns to see in a full length mirror.