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.
Hi Stacey,
I was wondering if you could help me out. We are looking at doing a Tiffany blue, black and white wedding in April. Are those good colors to do together? If they are, how would you do a table and party favors. I’m having some trouble with flowers as well. Any advice would help!
Thanks
D’ondra,
Yes they are very nice colors. I would have the florals a simple white.
* ideas
* loads of pics
D’ondra,
* more pics
* this is nice
D’ondra,
* you might like this
Brides,
Another new board. FOr anybody wanting a super simple, super sweet pink wedding.
Brides,
A new board with a vintage enchanted forest theme.
Brides,
Here is a new board. It is inspired by Carolyn Bessette’s wedding.
Hi. I am having a lakeside wedding, very simple. Not sure how to keep it from being too country and worried about having too many ideas going on. The tables are picnic tables-thought about using burlap runners with a splash of red, and maybe using some apples too. I also have questions about colors for the MOH and flower girl. The groom will have a khaki suit, thought about a polka-dot dress for the FG and brwn or green dress for MOH…will that clash with the hints of red throughout the rest of the wedding? shld I use another color for the runner??help!
Jaime,
What color polka dot dress were you thinking for the flower girl? Also what color/type flowers were you using?
* check out some of these pics
Jaime,
* look at this wedding, gorgeous. Loads of ideas. This has the look of “happiness”.
Jaime,
* love this! also check out part 1
Jaime,
* here are some burlap ideas
* you might really like this one
this is the dress…http://www.cutieclothes.com/product-p/01brn-b973-s.htm
Jamie,
That is really adorable. I think I would play off the brown and khaki as my basic color scheme pulling in red flowers. Using white linens with the burlap runners and use red garden or wildflowers in mason jars. You could even put a single stem flower in small vases and have floating candles in the mason jars marching down the table or grouped together. Red florals against brown dresses would look nice.
* I just had to show you this
Great!! so you think the MOH dress should be brown also?
Jaime,
I think that would be the best option. Make sure it is a shade that compliments her skintone. I think pairing down the colors would simplify( previous comment ideas). Have a single type of flower in a single color and use lots of it in the mason jars( which are very popular now and you can get them for next to nothing. I priced them where I live( Louisiana) the other day -$7.50 for a dozen quart jars. Perfect vases and your wedding style!
All Brides,
In a search dilemma. Trying to find a wedding dress designer. Can’t seem to find this one. I use to know it but I am at a loss. When computer went haywire, I lost it.
Does anybody know who the designer is? Thanks a million.
Brides,
I do know the wedding is Orlando Jones, in the Instyle Weddings Mag. Summer 2009. It would save me alot of time, if someone has the book. Thanks a bunch!!
THE DESIGNER IS CAROLINA HERRERA
Joanna,
You have taken a load off of my mind! Thank you sooo much!!!
Joanna,
Do you know the style number or bridal collection it is from? I looked on the runway and the designer bridal collections but nothing. Thanks a bunch!
Stacey
My fiance and I are getting married May 2011. it’s an outdoor wedding in a historic park with beautiful oak trees historic buildings reflecting pool etc. I a m having a tough time choosing a color that goes with bright royal blue and candy apple green any ideas please. This is the color of dress what color tux would be good for fiance?
Thank You
Dani
Dani,
Let me get some more details. What color is the bridal party wearing? Where are you using the blue and green? ( decor-wise) Are you wearing a green wedding dress?( like the one shown) or is this the color for the bridesmaids?
I was planning on wearing the green wedding dress but it seems to be making everything else so confusing when choosing colors. I was going to have the girls wear the royal blue and also the men. and all the tables chairs etc in the royal blue and green and thinking my fiance in a dark smokey grey? I can’t figure out a third color or if I should go with an ivory or champagne dress to make it easier for other colors to flow????? It is me and my fiances favorite colors so I was trying to use the two. unless you have some other thoughts that would be helpful. Thanks.
Dani
Dani,
I like the idea of a colored dress. I am thinking there are alot of different shades going here, it may look to busy with you in such a vibrant green and the bridesmaids in another vibrant color. Ithink it would flow easier if you had a ivory or champagne dress( make sure that shade works with your skintone) with a green sash. Have the florals in blues and greens, girls in royal blue, have simple linens pulling in the vivid florals of blues and greens, guys would look amazing in black or charcoal with matching ties to the bridesmaids, with your guy in charcoal and green or white tie. I dont think you need another color, except for the grey to anchor the bright colors. You could even use grey or matte silver linens with the vivid colored flowers, would look amazing.
Dani,
* real wedding
* pics
Stacey,
Thank You for sending over the pics I am checking them out now. The out door area we are getting married in is very beautiful lot’s of greenery trees flowers , stones. It’s an old ranch owned by the movie star Leo Carrilo. I was also thinking of putting white twinkle lights in trees and garden area and floating candles in the pool area.
Thanks
Dani
Stacey
Hi, my fiance told me he would love to be able to dress like doc holiday from tombstone for our wedding. yes where were getting married at could pull off this look but now what would I do for decor, dress, flowers. etc.. Now i’m at square one all over again.
I love Tombstone Just don’t know if we could pull off this as a wedding theme. Please Help any Ideas
Dani
Dani,
I actually made a board a while back with this theme. You can use wildflowers or garden flowers.
* here it is
* real wedding
Dani,
Actually what you will be planning is a old west wedding ( from the victorian age).
* pics
* theme ideas
Dani,
* love this article
With this type theme. It should have crystal vases( cause back then IF they had these things they would be used for such a special day to hold flowers) Simplify. It is okay to have some flowers/garlands trailing but getting married under a huge tree would be more fitting and let nature be the decor. There were no formal florists so flowers would have been picked in the hills, fields, gardens, it had that fresh picked look. Wrap the bouquets in strips of lace or ribbon. Lace table linens would have been key or at least use white linens. Things stored away just for special events would have been used. Tea or coffee services( you can rent those). The majority of the weddings then would have been very simple and pared down. Dressing up would have been on the list( whether their sunday best or other) cause it was an important day. A old fashioned potluck would be the BEST idea for this. In lieu of gifts ask guests to bring a fave dish. Some nowdays frown on this but back then it was normal for everyone to pitch in. A tradition that is sadly forgotten cause it pulls family/friends together.
Dani,
* this is the right style, tad more updated but would still work
Dani,
* another good example
* kinda up to date but you may want to mix old and new, isnt this wedding amazing!!
Dani,
I would have a different color palette and style bm dresses for your theme but this overall look has it.
* here
* this too
* click on any pic and look for ideas
Dani,
This site has loads to look at…
* just look at blog-archives by month
* wedding starts at 6:39 it is in royal blue too, see how simple this is.
Dani,
* this might be a little hazy but maybe you can see the decor
Dani,
* look at this reception!
* part 1
Stacey,
Thank You for all the info and pics. I have a lot of ideas now and feel a lot better about it. I also loved the article about weddings. I think that’s where I was at. I didn’t want our wedding to be like everyone else’s. We were going to have a halloween wedding and when it had to be changed it was just hard to think of what to do after that with all the ideas and plans we had. So the Tombstone wedding it is. I just need to do some research on what would be good wedding favors, and I wanted to put something in the pool area for pictures. it’s a huge area with old stone fireplaces and like an 18th century bar this is where are having cocktail hour. any ideas on what would be cool to serve for that? thanks for all your help. Now at least I have in mind what to do and what type of gown to look for. Should the bm be in color? I love the idea of lots of wild flowers for arrangements and also thinking of doing hay barrels at the entrance by book signing with sweet tea being served. I know we will do a coffee station and tea station. Just need to pull everything else together. I believe my fiance is going to wear a deep charcoal grey like what val kilmer wore in tombstone ( that kinda look) and I think my dress will be more the champagne color. saw 2 on line that really went with theme and the look I like. Thanks again
Dani
Stacey
Hi I loved everything you sent over. I feel so much better now. I didn’t want the typical wedding and now I have so many ideas. I still want to put somtheing in the pool area for pictures. its a large area with old stone fireplaces and like an 18th century bar area. this is where cocktail hour will be. I’m also trying to figure out what would be good for that. I want to do hay barrels in the front entrance where guest will sign in and serve sweet tea. it;s like a secluded area before you get to the next seating area. we have all 27 acres. what also would be good wedding favors? and should bm be in color? I love doing wild flowers mostly. I know my fiance is going to wear deep charcoal grey like the look val kilmer had in tombstone and i like champagne for me. The satin and organza look I found 2 so far. spaghetti straps real pretty… Thanks again
I’m excited
Dani
Dani,
I would research some things from the Tombstone movie, and have signature drinks named after them. Like: Huckleberry, O.K. Corral, Doc, Wyatt, etc.
* Here is the tourism website so you could find some neat ideas.
For wedding favors you could do anything from shot glasses to hot sauce, homemade preserves, penny candy, etc. I am a huge fan of edible favors, something homemade like cookies or brownies would work.
Dani,
Also if budget would allow using ole’ speckled enamelware tin cups for the coffee. ( camping mugs).
For the dresses look for colors like deep rose, muted “colors” earthtones, mint greens, pale blues, greys, silvers,gold, lavender/lilac, etc. If you notice Mattie wore a beautiful shade of silver-grey at the theater in the movie. I would go back and watch the parts of the womens costumes and use a color/colors for the bridesmaids to try on. I am thinking a shade in the silvery grey would look amazing with wildflowers. If you are using different colored flowers then have a neutral color to set it against for a bigger impact. The flowers would gain more attention where color they can blend in too much.
Stacey
Hi thanks for the tips. I found a website that sales all the old time candy and thought that would be cool set up. I like the coffee mug idea. we have been trying to watch the movie again for 4 days and we have been sick so we will get around to it. It will help me a lot with ideas. I am so happy to finally have a theme and so many cool things that we can do that will be different from the typical wedding. My fiance and I are not huge country western music fans so hopefully it works with a little country music and our 80′s rock music for dancing… lol
Thanks a bunch!
Dani
Stacey
All of the enamel speckled cups are that french blue color is that the only color to get them in?
Dani
Dani,
I have seen them in green, red, blue, white with colored rims,. etc.
* check out these pics
Dani,
* more pics
* old west photo-look what they did to regular coffee cups. This is fantastic!
Dani,
Another thing you could do is use mason jars. You could get oodles of these for your bar. For a little of nothing! It would be alot cheaper than speckled cups. And fit the bill perfectly!!!
Dani,
*Some pics of mason jar drinking glasses, just buy cases of canning jars, no need for the ones with the handles unless you just prefer them.
Dani,
* look at this theme ( might get some decor ideas here)
Dani,
* mason jar weddings
* Here is a wedding that gets it very close to that might have been done then.
Dani,
* Here is more on the wedding, breakdown of how the bride planned it.
I do hope you both feel better soon. And I will be here if you need any more ideas.
STACEY,
HI we are both feeling better now. thanks.. finally got to watch Tombstone and got some good ideas. thanks for everything you have sent over. My mom sold over 100 mason jars in her garage sale last year because no one wanted them.. go figure who woulda thought.. so now I will be after some of those. last week you sent over a picture of a real wedding the guy had on a blue ascot and the girls dress was beautiful but now I can’t find it. do you remember it? I have a lot of ideas now thanks to your help now I just need to simplify them and figure out exactly which things to use. i will keep you posted what I find. I can’t find any vendors with old tables and chairs so I was thinking of doing burlap table runners over the linens. Do you think its best to do a long table over a round one for this style wedding?
Thanks
Dani
the backyard bbq was cool. lot’s of good ideas. where are wedding is there is lots of hay stacks before the entrance i was thinking of putting an old horse saddle on them for display and since the whole site is very old and rustic it is so perfect for this theme. i like the ideas of the mini pies and I will try to find inexpensive enamel cups if possible. we are thinking of doing telegrams for our save the dates. and then some type of burnt paper design that looks old and vintage for invitations. We are going to have old time photos done for our engagement picture.
Dani
Dani,
When I think of the round tables, it would be neat tohave some of those by the bar. Kinda like a saloon. Just plain tables. You might could print up some facts about tombstone and frame them for a centerpiece or have yellow-brown parchment or stiff paper menu with an old font, with the list of available drinks on it. Another thing is the dollar store has paper towel holders in red or black iron look( where Ilive) and they are a buck. those would be neat in the center of bar tables9 if you choose something like that). Then use the long tables for your main reception. it would also be neat to affix playing cards onto a table linen. be whimsical. If you cant do both, then I would choose long. It sounds awesome, I hope youpost your pics! I will see if I can find that real wedding.
Dani,
I looked back through all the things I sent. I cant seem to find the one your talking about. I would go back over everything I sent carefully and see if it is there. Youmay have went more pages than Idid on the google images. it may be in alll those weddings at cedarwood? I didnt go through all of those.
Dani,
* Is it the board I had made a while back based on the movie?
stacey
Hi that would be cool by the bar. because i am thinking of haveing bridesmaids in saloon dresses and the bartender and servers are dressing up like back in the day. We are doing facts from each person back then wyatt earp doc holliday etc… for the tables and was also thinking of setting up a poker table. our invitations are like a burnt parchment paper with script writing from the late 1800′s. We are having old time photos taken and also hanging up wanted posters from people that were “wanted” back then. before they enter the wedding site, The wedding I was talking about was real wedding pics. her husband had a light blue ascot on and her dress was strapless and a ivory color. they were out in the fields. I know you probably see so many but just incase you see it again. people wrote comments under it how beautiful her dress was. I will definitely send you pictures of our wedding i am so excited about all the ideas you have given me. I was thinking about doing my wildflowers on the tables in the old mason jars too. also was thinking how do you think lace table cloths would look on main tables?
Thanks for all your help. I will keep you posted of things i find along the way, I am now focused on trying to find the right wedding dress, can’t wait to go try some on,,,
Dani
Stacey
Hi again. I am having a tough time trying to figure out the accent color or color for bm I am using ivory lace table cloths and different size mason jars with wildflowers for centerpieces. like some of the wedding pictures you sent over loved the flowers. simple but looks beautiful with the theme i am having. the tables by bar will be round and i am thinking using lanterns on those??? or saloon feathers?? My fiance is going to be wearing dark charcoal grey so i thought maybe the girls in a silver blue grey??? idk. If they do not have enough or i can not find enough lace table cloths then i will probably use neutrals with burlap runners. please help if you have any suggestions i am lost at the moment. also we are doing bbq for food because it goes with timeline but then what do you serve for cocktail hour?
thanks
Dani
Thank yo
Dani,
I love the lanterns for the bar area. If your wedding will not run into evening then I would go with feathers. For the girls a silvery blue grey would be great, as long as their skintone looks good in it. Lavender can be really nice too especially for all skintones. Since your going with wildflowers you can be open about the dress colors, that goes with the era. I have seen some movies with the women in a burgundy color, wine. It was muted though. For cocktail hour you could serve old time style foods. Think mini biscuits with assorted meats( something that wouldnt ruin the dinner appetite) fruit, veggies, mini drumsticks, pull out some southwestern flavor and throw in some mini meat pies.
* something like this would seriously work, it looks rustic and the veggies fit the bill-fresh from the garden look
Dani,
Another thing is offer some good ole’ roasted peanuts( that would be a GREAT bar centerpiece) simple baskets full of peanuts in a shell. Just like they have at our local Logan’s Roadhouse Restaurant. You could even find out how much they would sell them for ( by the pound) mini galvanized tubs would be cute holding them or silver pails. How about shot glasses of peach cobbler? plate of mini cornfritters? biscuits with syrup/honey/preserves? beef jerky?
Dani,
Serve biscuits in hankie napkins. Dont forget cornbread wedges or squares.
* you could easily swing in some of these. Go with what you love even if it is not authentic old west. Just present it like it is.
Dani,
Another thing to pull in a more modern food into your old west wedding is to name it, like Chuckwagon or Wagonwheel biscuits etc.
Stacey,
Thanks for all the ideas. I like the mini biscuits and meats and meat pies. definitely cornbread and jams and honey. peanuts for the bar is a good idea. the wedding will go into night so I also like the old mason jars with candles for bar area. peach cobbler in shot glasses way cool. my fiance loved the beef jerky idea… things i would of never thought of. thanks again for all your help
Dani
My gown is white and the bridemaids dresses are silver. I have decided to get a more simple dress for the reception and have fallen in love with an ivory dress. Will the silver Bridesmaid dresses look bad with my ivory dress? Would the cake have to be ivory too? Thanks so much!
Lori F,
Not at all. Why not wear a pair of killer silver heels with your dress (or use as your main wedding shoes) and then at the reception the guests will get to see them. The cake does not have to be ivory either.
hi can u help me wat color is nice for a wedding on may2011? my reception s like on a garden.. still cant figure in what color to choose and i cant seem to start my planning w/o that.. thank you very much.
mARie29,
What style garden wedding? vintage, modern, classic, etc.? Also what colors will be in bloom during your wedding? This will help narrow down colors that compliment the venue. Also what colors are you most drawn too?
I am planning a wedding in aug. of 2011, and I have been looking for color combinations, but have been having a hard time finding good pics of them. I want green (like a moss green, or natural looking green) for my main color, but I also want a splash of turquoise as well. Any ideas? or pics of turqouise and green together?
Molly,
* here are some pics
* here is teal and green
* isnt this beautiful
Molly,
* here is that same board except with cakes
Molly,
* loads of blue and green combos
I want champagne as one of my wedding colors except I am having troubles coming up with other colors to use. I would love to have red as another color, but does champagne and red go together?
Amanda,
* some pics
* here is red and gold will show similar ways it will look
Amanda,
* example
Hi, I’m getting married in May 2011 can someone help me with the color combinations. I love yellow and pink as well as fuschia and gold but not sure how to come up with a nice arrangement. thanks
jane,
What if you did something like this? You coudl use champagne as your linens and have gold accents.
Jane,
If you can give me a pic or link to your venue I would be happy to see which colors work best.
* also here is a pic of what I am envisioning.
HI Stacey here is the link to my venue is http://www.ramada.com, look under photos for the picture of the ballroom.
I have also attached the picture
Thanks
Jane,
I am attaching 3 pics of what I think is the best ones for this venue.
I got the pics from *here
let me know what you think.
Brides,
I have 2 more boards to share!
My fiance and I are not agreeing on colors at all for our August wedding. He wants blue and I want bright colors like pink,orange and yellow. So I thought about haveing a black and white wedding with 2 accent colors…please help!
Amanda,
* check out the first 3 pics on this event website. You might like this.
Consider navy blue for the attire. OR just add some blue hydrangeas in the mix.
Amanda,
* look at this board
* another pic
Amanda,
* love this
I love the 2nd picture. the girls in black dresses with eacha different color flowers! Im totally useing that concept! Thank You!
I am having trouble deciding if what i want is going to work.my dress is a yellow/dirty ivory with swirls of mauve beads scattered around the bodice. i would like the bridesmaids to be in an ivory dress with green trim and waist sash. and i would like orange flowers with green foliage. please help. will all this clash?
Shannon,
It depends on the shades your using. I was playing around with some colors/pics but the ivory with green trim didnt work the best, vice versa might. Could i get your color scheme and style of wedding your after( vintage, modern, etc.) I amthinking if you add mauve to the orange shade it would be beautiful. Looking forward to your reply!
I am having a tough time deciding on colors. My dress is antique gold–the Maggie Sottero Vogue dress–and I am very attracted to bright colors such as purple, fuschia, teal, and orange for wedding colors. My question is would those colors be a clash against my antique white, very extremely detailed romantic dress? So many people told me to go with dark red, but I hate that idea. It’s a spring wedding and I want spring flowers–bright and crazy like my personality. PLEASE let me know what you think!!
Michelle,
What I would do is put the bridal party in a neutral color Then pair bright florals with it. Since your dress is antique gold you could pull in some light antique gold linens into your reception and have colorful floral centerpieces.
* look at this
* this would really work
* you could do this and have the bright colors on lavender linens
Michelle,
* so would this
* here on the gold linens with the bright colors
Michelle,
* this would REALLY work
Michelle,
* i just found this
( would work because it has a whimsical yet “traditonal look to it by using gold inthe decor)
Thank you for all your help! I have a few more ideas to go off of now. THANK YOU!! :)
P.S. Could you delete off the picture of the wedding dress with the face on it at the top please?? Just in case relatives saw this site?
Thanks, Michelle
Having some troubles coming up with ideas/colors/everything I need for my wedding.ha ha.
My fiancé is a US Marine and will be wearing his dress blues. We are getting married at our friend’s mansion in Canada, the first weekend of Sept. The location is in the woods near the mountains, there is also a stream were we are getting married. The reception is to be held inside/outside the mansion. This is made of log. Later in the evening we will have a fire outside and everyone just hang out. The food will be buffet style.
My first colors I picked were gold and red to match my fiancés blues, but when I think of those colors I think of elegant, and I want my wedding to be more laid back and country. Semi-casual.
It’s a big mess because initially we were going to have the romantic fancy wedding. And I already got my dress which is a ball gown dress. ANYWAY I need help pulling this all together.
My fiancé in his blues, me in a ball gown, wedding in the woods??? HELP = (
Here is a picture of the Marine Blues, also a picture I saw on this website from an earlier post, I liked, And some pictures of the location.
(pls excuse the faces)
More Pics
Lindsey,
I actually like the shades of oranges. I think different shades of oranges from peach to a deeper orange would be pretty.
It would be beautiful with the uniform AND would look like an enchanted forest wedding.
* wedding decor
Lindsey,
* WOW! it is red but look at the whimsical touches they put in to keep it from being “too” elegant.
Lindsey,
* another route you could go is a white wedding
Lindsey,
* you might like this
Lindsey,
* great ones to browse
* click the Equinox, Vt
Lindsey,
Let me know what colors you lean to the most and I can find some more ideas if non of these stand out.
hello, i have the same problems…
i would really like to use colours like hot pink or something like that… do you think its going to match? can you show us more ideas or colour palettes? thanks!
Diana,
* real weddings
* wedding 2
Diana,
* more weddings
* this would be great
Diana,
* this is beautiful
Diana,
* real wedding
perfect! thanks!
Brides,
More boards!
Im having a hot pink and lime green wedding in july…My dress is ivory and I want to get a sash to go with it..my flowers will be pink and green and my future husband will be wearing a lime green dress shirt with a hot pink tie what color sash should i wear
Crystal,
* pics
I think the hot pink sash would look really good.
I agree–Your dress will look better too with the pink being more of a hit on you than the lime green.
Maybe using less green since your hubby will be in green would look nice otherwise I think it would be a bit much of the lime green.
Brides,
I drove past a majestic magnolia the other day it had to be a 100 years old. And thought of my favorite nearby town where this plantation is, close to the river. Here is my wedding inspiration of all things Southern Magnolia.
Brides,
The Southern Magnolia Wedding board has only magnolia blooms. You wont need anything but these flowers in bouquets floating in a pool, in your hair, etc. Have magnolia leaves in cut glass vases. Since our weather is hot and humid, breathable cotton dresses work best. I would skip the heels and go for comfort. Don’t the barefoot flowergirl look right at home in the water? Have a beverage station set up with a welcome mat right at the table or have washtubs full of iced down drinks. Keep the cake layered with strawberry filling and have plenty of hand fans for the guests. Favors of old fashioned pulled taffy wrapped in clear plastic with twisted ends and heavy appetizers instead of a sit down meal work better in warm weather.
Brides,
And last, the Southern Magnolia wouldn’t be complete without the handwritten wedding invitation, honoring a lost art. Who wouldn’t love a letter style invite?
Hi. Tell me what you think about a silver and white wedding? I have all these ideas running through my mind. Is the colour appropriate for summer time or even spring? Thanks, Fadiela
Fadiela,
Very beautiful, simple, timeless…
Very appropriate anytime. This is a traditional color palette but you can take these 2 colors and make it into anything you choose. It is failproof.
* some pics
* real weddings
Fadiela,
* some pics
Thanks for the pics, they’re stunning.
I also want my bridesmaids to wear long silver dresses. Could you please send me somes pictures on that. They are two 16year olds. I want them to look simple and elegant but not too grown up…
Fadiela,
I can’t seem to find any pictures with silver/platinum long dresses. They are all short. Here is a board I made.
Can i have a gold and silver wedding the white as the main colur? If so, could you please show me some pictures?
Thanks
Fadiela,
*Here silver is used as accent in the silverware
Fadiela,
* this is a winter wedding but with your colors
* here is a color combo that looks fantastic
Fadiela,
* here is another pic ( just in case)
* here is silver, gold, white
Fadiela,
* this is gorgeous!
Fadiela,
Could you tell me a little about the vision in your mind? Also what does your venue look like? Gold, silver, white although beautiful it might be a tricky for summer.
Fadiela,
* look at pic #27,28, 29
Fadiela.
the pics in the last post would work very well. It is more of a chamapgne gold with lots of white and silver accents. Classic!
Thanks alot Stacey!
What I have in mind is a pure white wedding with a touch of softness in it, that’s where the gold and silver comes in. I originally wanted silver and white only with soft yellow flowers to break the colour. But now I had an idea that the gold and silver might look stunning together. I want to keep the pureness of the white though and allow each colour to compliment eachother. Do you think you could give me any more ideas?
Fadiela,
* this one has hints of antique gold( you have to look carefully to see it)
Fadiela,
* this is so pretty
Fadiela,
* look at this one, it has lots of antique metallic looks
Fadiela,
* breakers hotel/ 2 pics
Fadiela,
* look at this site, featured weddings lexi then laurie
Fadiela,
* this one is pretty neat. hanging a mixture of soft gold and silver garlands/crystals from branch centerpieces
Fadiela,
* sorry for all the separate posts, my computer is being testy today
also the link that didnt highlight is from michellerago.com
Fadiela,
* for a streamlined approach have all white flowers with alll white linens and silver/gold votive holders. or add gold floating candles, this wedding is pure beauty!
Thank you so much Stacey! You’ve helped me so much. I think I am definitely going to stick to the gold, silver and white theme I had in mind.
Keep helping clueless brides to like myself! Cant thank you enough
Hi Stacey,
I have been having a hard time finding pictures of just sliced lemons and limes. I would like them in cylinder bowls I think. Candles and rose petals on the tables too. I like the idea of having ones with yellow and pink flowers on the sign in table and head table too. Same as in the pic above in my older post. I would like the garland on the head table with my colours too. I can even just have the boquets on the head table with the garland in front or do you think I should have an additional centerpiece? I also would like lights on the head table if it’s not going to be too much. My mom was asking me about decorations for the room. I didn’t even think about that at all! Are balloons too tacky? What are some good cost effective decorations for the room? Do you think other decorations are even necessary?
Shannon
Shannon,
white Paper lanterns will be very reasonable and easy color for this. Look at orientaltrading.com or saveoncrafts.com
So would tissue pom poms.
*like here
Shannon,
* here is how Martha Stewart weddings done glamourous with balloons. Remember balloons can be more expensive than paper lanters. here they have no streamers. they are attached to ceiling. I wouldnt add to chairs with your other decor.
Shannon,
*Loads of pics.
another idea is to rent ficus trees covered in fairy lights. More is not necessarily better, it is just more. I agree with the minimalist approach. I think once all the candlelight and the centerpieces, with garlands are done youwill be pleased. But I do think the only thing xtra( if you decorate the venue) is the artificial trees with white lights. Enchanting. maybe make some wedding wreaths for the venue doors. The venue already has a great layout.
Shannon,
Went back and looked at the venue. Axe the tissue pom poms and lanterns. I am heavily leaning toward the greenery with white lights. I am not sure if your using one room or both( the divider was folded back) go to the dollar tree or store and buy up votive holders and white candles. The room does have a great layout. Adding white lights to the head table will be fine used among the garland. make sure no cords are seen. Also using white lights under a sheer draped cake table would be beautiful.
* look at these rooms with minimal decor, resembles your venue, it looks beautiful
Are you still wanting the minimalist approach?
Shannon,
* look at this!
* here is one head table where the focal point of the decor( instead of all around the room).centerpieces were minimal. this would work too. actually very well.
Shannon,
By keeping everything else minimal and concentrating on head table you can also eliminate other room decor, except for a equally wonderful cake table and guest book table. That is where my focus would be. I love the ceiling and the lights it would be a shame to cover that up, it also wouldnt destract from the windows( and you get to keep that minimal look)
Tulle is very cheap and you can use this for the draping then hang the floral garland on the head table. It wouldnt hut to see how cheap you can get 2 floral candelabras or urn displays ( like in pic) this will also give the room height. I know I have given several ideas but I do love the focal point decor best, it will be simple, elegance. Your $$$ will be better placed than in the ceiling decor or ficus tree decor.
Shannon,
Remember you can rent candleabras without flowers and just tie a draping fabric ( like the silky style tulle) and let puddle to the floor can also attach a long green ivy garland to this, then have only the 2 floral displays at the side, guest book centerpiece, your centerpieces and votives, etc. Sounds beautiful!
Brides,
One more. I just found this over at hostessblog.com
* check it out
Her eis a sample pic from the site.
Hi Stacey,
thanks for the response and links. Can i change the garden wedding to another venue? Maybe a hall or just an open space without flowers in it. Cos i really love the color red. can u make further suggestion on the background to use for red. The hall i am thinking of is painted cream. Awaiting your response
Sarah,
Could I see the hall your thinking about? Also what shade of red were you thinking? cause a single color wedding would be amazing. And yes, you can change the venue! I cant wait tohear from you so I can give you some ideas, also what is your wedding style? meaning casual, romantic, modern, etc.:D
Hey
i have decided on navy bridesmaids for my wedding in Oct,i was wondering wat colour of flowers would you recommend?? i was thinking of maybe gold? Have you any ideas t help me please
AFitz,
What does your venue look like and are you going for a fall theme? You were thinking navy and gold? Were you wanting to put a different color flower with it? There are “golden” flower bouquets. They would be in the golden yellow family.
* like here in the lower right hand corner
AFitz,
* this is fab!
AFitz,
I made you a board.
Brids,
Here is a wedding board I put together. Targeted for fall but optional.
hi!
I am planning a small lake side wedding in the fall. The lake has a shelter and lightly wooded except an opening where the ceremony will take place. It has wood picnic tables, fire pit and even horseshoe stobs!! I thought about hanging lights in the trees, but I don’t have a certain “theme” unless its country-rustic-chic-???? I’v thought about mason jars but I need a color palette. I like the orange, yellow, brown, sage greens but feel that may be too many colors…my dress is diamond white and suit color will be a brown color…any inspiration would be GREAT!!!
Jamie,
First I will begin with the colors that will be in the area during the fall. It is best to look at the surroundings to make sure the colors work. Will it be informal or casual? other?
* here is a wedding. you could do brown and white. this would go with everything. you could bring in one bold fall color.
jamie,
* imagine this with brown instead of black. isnt this wedding fab!!!
* look at the decor on this one.
Jamie,
* oh how fun! you could do chocolate brown and red, then have candy and caramel apples for favors( I love this so much, you could have a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, serve hot cocoa and apple cider, smores at a nearby bonfire, etc.)
jamie,
actually apples could be your theme. why not have wood crates or rustic baskets full of apples, add hanging lanterns, etc. red plays off extremely well against brown. add lots of candlelight. have white linens with red/white checked or brown and white gingham napkins. rustic elegance. choosing all red flwoers will cut the $$$, stand out beautifully, as well as be one of natures fall colors. simple rustic elegance perfect for the lakeside using only 2 colors.
jaime,
dont like red? use green it would work well too. just change the color of the apples in the centerpieces and bouquets. voila!
Jaime,
I had fun with this. I made you 2 boards one with green the other with red apples. Green bouquets/florals go with the green apple board and red with red.
very casual!
Jaime,
What did you think about the apple idea? You could always have a picnic style wedding.
* look at these pics
Jaime,
* real wedding
Jaime,
* real wedding
Jaime,
* real wedding
Jaime,
* look at this casual wedding, love it. have fall elements instead.
* your gonna love this website
* also here
jaime,
* one of my faves
* a great one here
* I loved this one so much
I have decided on yellow and brown for my major colors. I am still going to use a few apples too.
Hi Stacy, these are the colours we have decided on. Do you have any ideas on decorations that would fit in with this? Also, can a tinge of yello work? I was contemplating it. Any advice is welcomed. Thanks.
Melissa,
That is really beautiful. A tinge of pale yellow would fit in this.
* this is really romantic
melissa,
*reception pic
* this is very romantic, check out all the parts to this wedding
melissa,
* more decor ideas
Melissa,
* another real wedding
hoping some of these help.
oh wow stacy thanks so much for ur help. these pics are gorgeous and i’ve already decided on some stuff. all ur links helped me. thanks alot and keep doing what you do best. God bless.
Hello everyone! I’m having trouble picking 3 colors for my wedding. I want my colors to express a romantic, sexy, but elegant pallette. Please help.
and let me add the colors I don’t want. Whites, lavender and browns.
I do like maroon.
C C,
Any shade of deep red would give you that look.
* here is another palette, pink red black
C C,
* wow this is nice
* black/hot pink
C C,
* this looks like a elegant, rockstar wedding. I am loving this alot!
you could also do this with black and a shade of red.
let me know what you think.
CC,
* dont overlook instyle wedding site for ideas. These weddings are usually all the things you want.
I like the pink, red, and black. Pink for romance, red is sexy, and black is elegant. Thanks so much!
angela,
* pics
* real weddings
Angela,
* receptions
* great wedding
Angela,
* this is beautiful too