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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- A 5th Avenue or Beach-Style Aqua Blue Wedding
- From 40s Fantasy to Designer Deco: the New Black and White Wedding
- Pink Theme Weddings
- Is Orange & Fuchsia Too Loud for a Wedding?
- A Pale Pink & Champagne Springtime Wedding
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I am planning my wedding for August of this year. The ceremony will be in a garden setting and the reception will take place in a tent. I am having a difficult time choosing colors. I really like purple, but my fiance is coming out in a wedding in June 2009 and the color is purple. He does not want me to choose purple. I was thinking of accenting purple into my decorations and flowers and having the bridesmaids in a color that will look beautiful with the purples. This way, I can include the purple into the wedding without it being the main color. I was thinking maybe fuschia for the bridesmaids dresses. HELP
mirella,
hi!! i think fuschia is beautiful. but for a garden wedding why not choose champagne dresses with fuschia and lilac flowers? it will give a very gardeny color scheme, fits in well. tell me all the colors you are thinking and which ones your fiance likes and i will find some ideas for you!! google search garden wedding board and look at jimhjelm.com under bridesmaids ( look at the gardeny background with each dress color (under each bm season) see which one stands out. you will see many color dresses. even the blue dresses look beautiful against the gardeny colors(which they used the same color scheme for each pic). check it out and let me know!!
Hi Stacey
Thank you very much for the helpful hints:)
I want to go with champagne. For dark skinned people would this colour work well? And what should I combine it with?
My fiance does not want to look like his groomsmen and does not want a suit anywhere close to white.
I was thinking that the groomsmen wear black suits with champagne waistcoats and chocolate ties. Then he can wear Black suit with a chocolate waistcoat with a champagne tie.
My bridesmaids would then wear champaign dresses. I’m not sure where the chocolate will fit in with the girls though.
Will the decor then have to include black or can I keep it as white and champagne.
gugu, definitely have a white with champagne decor. its so beautiful.
champagne would work well!! when dressing the guys keep the vests and the ties the same color. it wont flow with so many colors in the suit. like gm have black with the brown ties and vests. tie the girls bouquets with rich mocha ribbon. this will tie in the brown. have the groom with the black and champagne vest and tie. if you are wearing white it will be okay. just put a white bout. on him.
thank you for your all your suggestions, they are mind-blowing.
my wedding is coming up on the 25th of july, and i am looking for a way to incoporate my best colour (black) into the theme. i wish i could make black the major colour but i live in the part of the world where there is a belief that black is only to mourn.
the colours i eventually chose are mint green and silver, can black ever find its way in?
pls help.
eunice, hi! why not have a black white green and silver color scheme? have the girls in a beautiful shade of green or greens ( or silver if they can wear it) ( compliment their skintone). have guys in black and white suits or tuxes. use pocket hankies on gm to match the girls dresses. for the groom have white pocket hankie. have white linens, green centerpieces( green orchids or another green flower, not sure if you have hydrangeas)then tie black ribbons around crisp white boxes. or patterened boxes in black and green with silver ribbon. have a silver and white wedding cake, ringbearer pillow in white and silver, flowergirl wearing white and black sash. your centerpiece containers in silver, utensils, cake plate (the metal accents). have bm carry green bouquets, you carry white. have invites in white and green. then google image green and black wedding board.( lots of ideas!!)
google image silver wedding cake then green wedding bouquet,
Hi, a friend of mine needs advice on colors to use for her wedding, that is for the hall decoration and all the bridesmaids outfit. she wants to combine 3 colors but does not know the perfect color all she know is that she wants white and yellow flowers and a yellow bouquet like the one in the picture below. thanks a lot.
oyin, when is she getting married and does she have a theme? this will determine alot. yellow compliments many colors. if it were me i would go with a simple yellow, white and emerald green( have girls in green) the green will make the yellow pop!!
for loads of ideas go here to see if anything stands out. google image yellow wedding and also try yellow wedding board. i also love the simple wear again, brown dress with yellow. try this image search by pairing yellow with others colors (ex: yellow and black wedding or yellow and pink wedding, you can also try it with board added for more results)
*wedding details by color
I want to show how gold looks when paired with yellow, accents of a orange - red in the aisle, simply stunning!
*Real Wedding
*san francisco flowers
*Inspiration Board: Brown & Yellow Wedding
Hi,
I want to have a mother of pearl colour themed wedding..do you think it is possible to just have that?Do you get linen & stationary in that colour?
Thanks alot
nicole,
yes this color is possible. select a shade of oyster white with crisp white ( all white) and accent with the mother of pearl accessories. i would get the stationary in white and mother of pearl and have linen in solid white. make sure you keep your crisp whites ( linens etc the same shade). i must say this is gonna be different and gorgeous! have bm and gm in black, silvery grey and charcoal grey(guys) or even brown. i think a pale pink for the bridal party would be amazing too!! just look at the mother of pearl and check out its shades. add greenery to this setting to keep ot from looking cold. all white has a having a habit of that, unless using texture. thats wahy the bridal party needs to have a bit of color. google image white wedding board and also shell white wedding board. google image/search mother of pearl wedding accessories and mother of pearl wedding invites. then mother of pearl wedding theme.
a great way to add mother of pearl to your centerpieces would be a craft store that carries bags of shimmery mother of pearl shells. i have seen them and they are very reasonable. placing these at the bottom of a clear water filled vase and white flowers would be beautiful.
*Mother of Pearl Table Accents
Hello,
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what colors I want for our wedding! We are planning on a late February wedding, 2010. We don’t really have a preference, just whatever looks nice. Some that came to mind are navy/royal blue, aquamarine, silver, etc., but we are not set on any of those. ANY suggestions would be a ton of help! Ceremony in a church (colors don’t matter), reception at a hotel.
We are also not afraid to be bold w/ certain colors!
michelle,
i love navy it is so classic. can you tell me what color the hotel venue is? and what of feel do you want to present to your guests? if you are looking for the classic and timeless, navy is the way to go.
*Sapphire And Peridot Beach( beach theme but beautiful colors, the green and white will go with Everything!!! smile!!
*Cranberry, Pistachio, Navy
*Wedding style of Simply Mondern Weddings ( this is simple and so beautiful, it just looks like a something blue tradition wedding, i would put the bm in a solid color dress)
theknot.com go to wedding photos then color detail gallery. they have sooo many ideas.
I need help! I’m not sure how to nail down my colors. I am having a fall wedding and LOVE fall/warm colors. My plan is to have chocolate brown bridesmaid dresses and I like the idea of incorporating mango as the main flower color. Where I am getting stuck is how many other colors to incorporate. I love bouquets with deep reds and purples, burnt orange, etc. Or should I keep it just brown and mango? The reception hall has a bit of purple, but I don’t think I’m a big enough purple fan to make that a main color. Any thoughts??
amber,
i really love brown and mango. if you love the many colors of fall( and they are beautiful) why not set yourself apart and have those colors into a special fall wedding bouquet, and tie in plum and mango calla lilies for the bm? or add grapes( which will serve for the purple)with the reception hall having a bit of purple tie it in your cake, pull in “all” of the fall colors into your wedding cake and then add beautiful plum ribbon to your favors. dont worry about adding all the fall colors to everything. i am gonna give you links for brown/mango as well as all the colors.
*The Scoop: Cara & Nate’s Wedding
*EVENTS by Show Stoppers: Fall Weddings
*Autumn Wedding
*An indecisive bride-to-be( this is ideal all the way!! add faux grapes if youwish) it has more of the mango but with subtle touches of plum. and the brides is amazing!! i have just rethought my idea have bm carry mango flowers, you carry the fall mix, have cake in fall mix, mango flower centerpieces with fall berries including grapes. this should pull in everything youwant.
for more ideas go to theknot.com under wedding photos and it will pull up color detail galleries. go to brown then orange it will show many different pics. you can also look at real weddings link fall.
Hi Ms Stacey,
I think your suggestions are great. You’re very helpful
Btw, my name is June, i’m getting married in January 2010. I am also having trouble with my choice of color. Initially, i’ve decided to have a fuschia pink and white motif. Pink is my favorite color,but just this morning, as i was shopping for a dress, i’ve tried this silvery gray with periwinkle-lilac accent that looks so gorgeous. I’m confused again. I’m going to have a morning wedding - church followed by a hotel reception. I’m from the Philippines and January is quite a rainy season.. Can you help me with some of your suggestions? Me and my fiance also prefer modern-casual style. Thank you! 
hi june, thank you for the compliment, means alot!! i wish i could see a pic of the dress to better help you but the dress you tried on can include pink. actually that would be a beautiful color scheme. silvery grey/pink/periwinkle, this would be stunning for a january wedding.
look at this website, i actually think this is perfect. see how the flowers have touch of pink in the centerpieces and the cupcakes, not to mention this wedding idea is totally modern and casual at the same time, just elegant. if you choose more pink just add a deep shade in the centerpieces.
*Inspiration Board: Lovely Lilac & Gray
isnt it perfect! i love this board with a passion!! table setting and all. and it would be so easy and looks like a million dollars! the perfect way to tie in your dress. if the purples are off no matter because this scheme( see the candy) has many shades of purple. this color wears soooo well on skintones, especially periwinkle. now for the bouquets i think i would add a bit more pink.
* Purple Bling
i am posting a pic of the bouquet i think would work for your bm .with a medium purple shade ribbon and have them wear a soft shade of purple. for you carry a bouquet of creamy white flowers with pale pink centers and a shimmery silver/grey ribbon.
i hope you love the ideas. i think they will work perfect for you. fo to theknot.com and under wedding photos link it will bring you to color galleries, check out the ideas!! (especially the purple details) here is the cake i see with this. add silver for the accents( silverware, cake plate, etc) i wouldnt use gold. silver will make it more modern. post back if you need further help!! good luck!!
by the way, go get that gorgeous dress you tried on! it sounds like its THE one. whay not buy a pair of fantastic silver or purple heels to compliment it. cause you have colors that have always complimented each other. pink/purple/ and silvery grey.
Help anyone! I have been engaged for 7 months and I have bought my wedding dress but I have no clue still as to what colors to pick. We are getting married end of July of 2009. My fiance doesn’t want a whole lot of pastels but he wouldn’t mind them as accents. My favorite color is purple but when I have looked at pictures of purple themed weddings, I really don’t like them. I am more drawn to blues. But, I still want some purple in there somewhere. We are on a very tight budget as well and we will need to pick seasonal flowers to cut some costs and I am an airhead when it comes to flowers but they will obviously need to go with our color scheme as well so any help there would be appreciated too. My favorite flowers are gerbera daisies, lilies, roses, and tulips. Not sure if any of those flowers are in season for the summer though. Also one of my bridesmaids will be about 7 mos pregnant by the time we say I do. So it would be preferable to not make her belly too obvious. Sorry if there is too much detail or not enough. Thanks in advance for any help!
joanie, i love hearing the brides thoughts/details, it helps me know what to look for. roses come in bulk and can, overall, be the cheapest. tulips( spring) , lilies, are expensive. unless your going with silk. i actually suggest roses and/or gerbera daisies. it doesnt mean you cant have a mix, a florist will suggest the best flowers of the season in your area. i just love gerbera daisies they are so beautiful and go from casual to formal effortlessly. there are beautiful bm dresses out there that would make her comfy and make it less obvious. empire and aline are choices i would look at. might i suggest a blue/purple wedding color scheme. it looks stunning when paired together. color is everything when your on a tight budget. it will make a wedding look like you spent so much, if you consider some details. ribbon and greenery can be your best friends. ribbon comes in so many great patterns they can add oomph to a simple 1 color bouquet. tie that amazing ribbon around a simple favor box and you have a talked about presentation.
here are some links:
*Jessica and Derek’s Wedding
* Blue And Purple
*budget friendly boards ( so many tips on these pages)
*Thrifty Wedding
here is my suggestion. put bm and guys in navy blue( it has the same classic look as black and is easy to find, jcrew has great dresses. then pair ranges of purples which will include a bluelike shade among it.
* A Wedding in Blue
( here is an example, see how purple is tinged thruout, blue flowers are really a certain shade of purple that looks blue) maybe your fh would like this, it incorporates navy blue which makes it not so pastel. add bridal party in navy and it will look classic and fresh. this wedding doesnt look expensive at all. but some of the details you could find “similar products” . another idea is have a simple black and white scheme and add purple/blue/white florals.
*‘nole’s wedding’ — A Look Back, II… ( i threw this one in there, didnt know if your event was casual?!?) there are also some great vases for a $1 at your local only a buck or dollar tree. these look amazing in groupings with gerbera daisies. continue the theme by placing a daisy in the folded napkin/place setting. another idea is glass cylinders and submerge a real gerbera daisies in water, float a candle atop. or float gerbera daisies in shallow glass containers and surround with votives.
google image gerbera daisy wedding
ahh! found a beautiful wedding!!
*Kara & Jeff in Midlothian, VA
( this one look inexpensive and easy to do) hope all this helps!!
I need advice on the colors of my wedding. I am having a winter wonderland theme, and my colors are periwinkle and silver. I really think that I need another color but I dont know what would look right with them.
Nathena -
I would think white would work well with those colors. It could make it very elegant. It’s impossible for me to guess if this is your taste or not so here are some options:
Why not go consult your florist for options? Your florist can probably show you flowers that are in season and different color options that will work with your flowers and decor. Florists offer options and don’t merely provide flowers. Many sell accessories, guest books and favors or work with vendors that do.
Your colors and flowers may change depending on your style of dress, month, day and how you envision your day. A florist can take all of these options into consideration - one of the biggest services they provide is matching your style of dress with flowers, so I am sure they can help you with colors.
If not, a planner is also another source of help. Planners work with brides all the time, so even just consulting with one for an hour can give you a whole new perspective on color and decor. Many planners have a consultation option, where you can talk to them and use them as resources but they aren’t necessarily in charge of the planning process. This makes them much more affordable as well.
nathena,
a beautiful color with this would be a shade of blue or a deeper shade of purple. you will want to add a icy white to the wintry theme. think about adding sparkle to your cake with white edible glitter. have white branches scattered in containers, pineboughs and pinecones, i love the periwinkle, i would most definitely add a deeper sahde of the purple(preferred) so it will look wintry but will make it look less icy, which will give your event a cold feeling. plus, the deeper shade will look sooo elegant against periwinkle bm dresses. i am giving 2 pics the cake ismt wintry but will give you an idea of deeper color. i wouldnt stray to far from the periwinkle?purple/blue family.
Hi, I need help.
Im planning a July wedding with a color scheme of 3 colors- gold, silver and another color. Can u suggest what colors will blend with gold and silver? I don’t like lilac or purple.
Thanks!!!!!
sarah,
. i would steer clear of green, blue or red, so it wont look holidayish. another color that would look beautiful is brown or black, it would make it look so timeless. punch it up with flowers in pale yellows or peaches. i saw a wedding in a magazine once, gorgeous. it was outdoors and she chose silver, gold, and mocha. bridal party was in creamy mocha and guys were in simple black suits, she accented with flowers in blush. very pale not pink. it was the most gorgeous wedding. it had lots of greenery in the bouquets and centerpieces, greenery garlands in the tent. i havent been able to find that wedding again, threw the book away?!?! you wouldnt even have to choose a 3rd color. this is elegant to stand on its on. just add details, like a strawberry on the edge of the champagne glass, a blue, silver and gold cake, etc. add unexpected pops of color here and there, it will set your wedding apart from the rest.. also think velvet ringbearer pillow in deep blue, a guest book in regal gold and red. royalty had one main color with a mix of jewel tones here and there. i dont think i would choose “a 3rd” color i would choose a mix in subtle touches everywhere.
*Paris, France
*Real Weddings - Silver - Gold - Reception Decor
Stacy, thanks fr that advise.
Im having an indian wedding and thinking of gold bridal outfit. Would wearing gold plus having gold decor be too much?
Also, am having a wedding on open lawn and am thinking i should switch from gold n silver to rather soft pastels colors. What do u think and what colors would u suggest.
My time is going and i cant decide on a color yet!
Pics links would be helpful.
I having trouble getting the right color gold for my outfit. Do u have any links that can help.
Thanks!
hi sarah,
are you wearing the traditional indian attire? or just a gold dress? i actually think shades of purple with gold would be the choice i would make. it would look so amazing outdoors. since indian weddings are bolder colors, this would fit the bill.
*Purple & Gold ( this is beautiful!!)
* The Clemson Bride ( i threw this one in its so pretty)
here are some pics i think would work beautifully. notice the background in the dress pics( jimhjelm.com) bridesmaids. see the purple is so gorgeous!! its a failproof color scheme. and adding gold tothe mix would make it heavenly!!
sarah, oops i forgot to post the pics!! the dress color is eggplant, i think your bm would love it!! they also have this color at jcrew.com and they are super reasonable!!
sarah, one more pic. if you choose to go with the colors in the background you will have a winner!! plus you wont have to worry about matching the purples, since they all look great together. for xtra pics go to theknot.com ( requires a free sign up) go to wedding photos and it will take you to color galleries. check out the purple. they are all amazing!
i put other pics with this too.
Hi Stacy
The background looks fabulous. I like this look. Im not big on purple though to use as a main color and Im not sure i want gold anymore as a theme color. Using the background in mind can we derive two other theme color? Pics would be helpful.
Im already confused.
Thanks a million!
sarah, what other colors are you thinking? actually, outdoors, a one colro scheme looks amazing and have florals in background colors. champagne cream or ivory looks soooo beautiful outdoors. since your not sure of the gold. have you thought of champagne and silver with the colors coming in on the florals? this would be a eye popping simple scheme. pull in silver in the metal accents only( containers, serving pieces, utensils) have girls in silvery grey( unless it dont compliment skintone). another idea would be simple green and ivory always a winner!! this is a failproof scheme and you can use just about any color with this. thats why its a fave of mine.
*Wedding Wednesday - Old-World Sage & Ivory Wedding
*Adventures in Inspiration Boards October
*Wedding Wednesday: Sage and Ivory Lace
*Spring Green Inspiration Board
*Inspiration Board #9 - A Romantic Wedding in Green
*indian wedding.( also look at the older posts)
*‘indian wedding’( beautiful pics)
*fete weddings( absolutely GORGEOUS WEDDINGS here!!)
* bridesmaids ( go here and look at all dress colors agaisnt the background, tell me waht makes an impression, it will help narrow down waht your drawn too, i was amazed at how all the colors blended with the garden floral colors!!)
Hi Stacey,
Actually i had ivory in mind as one color.
I like the sage n ivory look…very calming to the eye.
My venue is under a tent on a lawn with LOTS of greenery around the tent. Would choosing sage as a color be too much green? Or how can i incorporate it w/out looking too green. Im thinking of adding the color burgandy/fuschia somewhere just to give it a vibrant and celebratory look. What do u think?
I need ideas on how to decorate with these colors …table linens, centerpieces etc. I will be using fabric as canopies fr the tent. R balloons used at weddings? I would not be having bms.
Again, thanks so much!
sarah, any shade of green looks so good outside!! it actually looks better when the lawn is a beautiful green( think tropical green grass). plus the sage against the grass will add depth. use alot of ivory though. your right it is very calming to the eye and it will blend and be just as calming with the green grass. i love the idea of adding a burgundy or fuschia ( especially using orchids with burgundy centers) but have you thought about adding a tangerine? i have some links and pics. maybe they will help you even further. paper lanterns are a fantasic way to bring in some color!! hang them from tree limbs. its really a stunner!! google image outdoor wedding.
i forgot about this video.
*Always And Forever picture 5 ( this shows how depths of green can look, isnt this an amazing wedding!!)
*floral arts weddings
*English Country Romance ( paper lanterns)
*green weding wedding channel
*Green
heh!! here is a complete wedding by sandra lee on food network. it is beautiful and when i saw you were using fabric as canopies for the tent, i knew it might be a winner!! plus i love everything about this wedding and the kicker? its budget friendly!! i hope this fits the bill!!
*Wedding Tables ( this weding is explained in detail in sandra lee semi homemade desserts ( the one that has the pastel looking cover)
*Wedding Reception Tips for Brides on a Budget ( doesnt the green and white palette pop against the lawn, gorgeous!!!!!)
*Wedding Reception Tips ( both of these posts are sandra lee’s but i think one article is a little different)
sarah,
google image balloon weddings.
more pics. here is a balloon photo, yes they are used and many dont care for them. I love balloons! great for the kids after the wedding. if used why not doll them up with satin ribbon than regular ribbon. it makes it so pretty. my daughter had a b-day party and balloons with streamers hanging down from ceiling, ( example google image balloon wedding ceiling) it was magical when you walked in under it. everyone thought so. i still think about that effect, it makes me smile.
Oh Stacey, those links were incredibly helpful. I got so many great ideas! I cannot thank you enough!
I’ve decided to stick to ivory, sage n fushia. Green does look beautiful outdoor! For centerpieces i’m thinking white hydrangeas n fushia rose.
Thank u so very much for helping me though this.
U r truly amazing!!!!
Hi Stacey
Its me again and I really need your help.
Im at lost as how to use my color [sage green, ivory and fucshia] in the decor.
I want fabric swagging under the white tents but dont know what color[s] to swag with. Also, whats a nice and budget friendly fabric to do the swagging? i don’t like the usual tulle.
I will be using ivory paper lanterns in the trees but dont know if i should also use it together with the swags under the tents. If so what color should I use.
What color should i use as tablecloths?
I’m having a garden theme and wants the decor style to reflect that. I also want to keep it simple yet elegant. I will be having 10 tents with lots of greenery around.
Eagerly waiting to hear from you.
Thanks
Hi there,
I am planning a wedding for May 29th 2010 and I was wondering if you can help me decide on a colour theme for this time of year? I love deep red but I think this is not a summery colour and I also love cadburys purple.
Also I am stuck on a theme for the whole day really, the day we get married is the day we have been together for 10yrs so has anyone have any ideas on what we could do to make it a double celebration or shall I keep it as simple
Your thoughts would be so much appreciated
michelle,
red is definitely a summer color! smile! i would keep it simple, incorporate a poem or special reading celebrating your getting married on your 10th anniversary of being together. that way it can be significant in a subtle way. so no need for a double celebration. the wedding will be the reason your celebrating, because its joining you in marriage after 10 years together and embarking on many more!! congratulations!!
as for theme why not let it be just romantic celebration? themes do make weddings easier but are not necessary. you could even have a color scheme theme. my suggestions for colors are purple and red. it is so beautiful/romantic when paired together. i was engaged to marry a few years back. my colors were purple/red. i was having a victorianish theme, complete with oil lamps, candles, etc. i kept my decor subtle with lots of creamy white. bm was gonna be in a beautiful shade of purple. the decor was stunning!
just have purple as the main color. and add red in the mix.
* Nicole & Robert in Athens, GA
* Kaitlin & Bradley in Albuquerque, NM
*Michelle & Tennyson in Toronto, Ontario
* Red & Purple Wedding
Hey. I need help. I am going to wear a white attire with pastel beadings. but wondering on what colors should my bridesmaids wear. was thinking of multiple pastel colors such as light pink, peach, light blue, light yellow and light green.
btw, i’ll be having 2 receptions of which the other one has a theme of turquoise and lavender. i think they look gorgeous when together. what should my friends & family wear to make it look good in pictures? any comments?
camelia,
are you wanting them all to wear one of the shades? like the all white wedding for example.if so, turquoise and/or beige would look wonderful. or are you wanting them to choose from the lighter colors?
I’m getting married in October and am looking to do a fall color splash of wines, oranges, yellows, purples, and pinks. My fiance said NOT alot of pink. Pink is my favorite color though, so I’m trying to keep pink at a minimal. I just can’t seem these colors in my mind though. I’m a visual girl and just can’t seem to find any beautiful pictures that I love! HELP!
ashley, this is a suggestion. Pick 1 color for the bridesmaids, like wine. you carry a pink bouquet with a “hint” of pink in other decor, not much just enough. this way you an have your pink. use a fall pink with more of a rosy color ( google image antique pink rose). you can have your reception in a 2 color floral scheme. bring in the colors say pale yellow with orange centers with other yellow flowers and add wine flowers.
Loop Events: Yellow ( click on 7th daisy for pic, this is the bm bouquet)
in pictures i posted the pink one is the brides bouquet, the dress is bm color, and the floral arrangement is the centerpiece. i studied it carefully and it looks heavenly! i hope you love it. but dont forget to check out the bm bouquet for the complete look. it was flash so it wouldnt post and i couldnt find it anywhere else. personally, i do like the yellow and white color scheme( you will see the pic right beside bouquet in link below too.)the leaving the mixed colors in the bouquets, it will make it much more elegant.
*Bridal Bouquets (look at everything here, they have alot of color schemes for this!)
thank you! After discussing things with my fiance last night, we are going to do brown dresses and the boys will be in khaki suits. Now I can pull in fun fall colors with the bouquets! Thanks for the ideas!
I love the color of the color of the bridesmaid dress and the bouquet!! I want these exact colors but i’ve been having a really hard time finding the bridesmaid color. Can you help?
jessica, which color or pic are you referring too?
the bm color bridesmaid dress and fall pink flowers.
hi jessica!! the dress is here…
*Style: jh5772
the color is burgundy. i would say you could search and buy online but its not recommended especially since the colors vary a great deal. some may look more red, some may look more purplish wine. the burgundy in the pic used to be so much easier to find!!
jcrew.com has some dresses but they look more red to me.
i found this:
*Donna Ricco Off Shoulder Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
*Tadashi Flyaway Front Silk Dress
*Maggy London Chiffon Dress with Sash
*Nicole Miller Square Neck Satin Dress
*Maggy London Beaded Crinkle Chiffon Dress
if you need any xtra help let me know!!
Hi stacy!
Thank you so much for the links. I love the colors but I feel like something is missing…. I think I would like something more dramatic/bright with the colors. do you have any suggestions?
jessica,
it seems i lost this comment you sent. i hope you are still checking in. are you still wanting dramatic colors?
Great Info. Thanks!
heh brides, anyone out there planning a cinco de mayo wedding? i have found the most beautiful board. i will post it here and also over at the cinco de mayo (mexican) wedding theme post (with advice for this gorgeous theme)here at favor ideas. i hope you enjoy this board as much as i did!!
here is the link…
*Mexican Wedding
I am having a terrible time choosing wedding colors. I am getting married on August 15, 2009 in Houston, TX. That time of year is the height of summer. I am trying to decide whether to go with Canary Yellow & Charcoal Gray, or Charcoal Gray & Candy Pink. My bridesmaid’s skin tones range from a caramel color to a dark chocolate. They also vary in size from a 6 to a 20. I want something that is different and that won’t be seen at every wedding. But I also want something that won’t look dated in the future. Please help me choose a color scheme. I’m also open to suggestions. I’m getting down to the wire and freaking out a little bit.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
cissie, it would be best to pick a day and have your bm try on yellows and pink and grey. i think grey and pink would be my choice because it is more timeless, i love that you are using charcoal grey. Be careful of yellow against your bm skintones, it is recommended to stay away fromt this color, since it doesn’t compliment. you will find it hard to pick a solid color to go well with all skintones. i think a elegant medium grey dress might compliment(if you have lighter bm dresses than the mens tux/suit, do not fret, it will blend beautifully even giving a subtle contrast;different shades of one color(monochromatic) looks unbelievable together!! i hope some of the links and pics i provided give you a visual that will help you determine your colors. Again i would visit a store and let them try on colors to finalize my choice!! by the way congrats!!!
*Board #333: Pale Pink and Cool Gray
*Fuchsia, Gray, Yellow
*Board #258: Grapefruit & Gray
Thank you very much for your help.
I just recently got engaged and we are thinking about having the wedding next March. I really like the deep purple or plum but I can’t think of any other color to go with it..!!! I need some help!!!
But I really don’t have to use those colors I just want something that looks springy
teedra,
lots of green is a great spring combo, easy to work with, and easy to find what you need. lavender and green is an amazing combo as well. a beautiful wedding combo would be use different shades of purple from light to dark, this is one option. i think it would be amazing to have bm in the darker shade and have bouquets in lighter shade. it makes for a beautiful contrast. tulips are a great flower choice but check with your florist on the prices they tend to be pricey. wisteria is a fab choice! you cant beat its beauty. that could be your theme. lots of greenery tied into the decor. your bm could also wear a shade of green(see which looks best with skintone) with the purple bouquets. go to theknot.com and check out wedding photos it will bring you to wedding details by color. look at both purple and the gree. also look at real weddings under spring. you will see lots of beautiful ideas. definitely head over to stylemepretty.com and in search box look up nole’s wedding (you will be glad you did it is fantastic!!)
here is a beautifully simple wedding…
*A Beautiful Outdoor Wedding
Help!! I cannot decide on a color scheme for my june 09 wedding. it is going to be at night, under white lights and white paper lanterns - on a ranch in Norco, CA. Any suggestions Ladies??? I want romantic meets ranch/country…..
angela, hi! wow this is gonna be a beautiful combo. i just love rustic elegance. all white wedding with wooden containers and other wooden accents would be beautiful. i think i have a great wedding you need to see. it has the whites, lots of greens, burlap beige and lots of white(which you already have) personally i think its breathtaking and i just ran across it by accident. I think this is your colors,i think it had your name on it!
tada!
*Color Palette - Whites
*Real Wedding by James Abel, II
*Real Wedding by James Abel
angela, her is a better link to the second post…
*Real Wedding by James Abel
angela, i meant it had the yellows. i think this wedding will give you everything your looking for. it has an stunning color scheme and will show up at night! i love this so much i think hands down this is one of my favorites. put your bm in soft yellow or green. you could even put them in black or brown dresses and it would be ideal. like romantic classy meets rustic charm. consider some homestyle goodness, like a dessert table with downhome appeal ( i am from the south so we have assorted everything, we just cant make up our minds, there is so much food but we have a tradition (which is sometimes used as a wedding favor here) to bring home a food plate(even if its just desserts) that is where its at!! its the norm down here. hope you have a ball planning this wedding! good luck!
Stacy,
Thank You SSSSOOOOOOOOOO Much!! It is exactly perfect. I have chosen this color scheme and now everything is falling into place. Ideas are poppin’ all over the place.
hi.. i need help. i will getting married aug this year. my theme coulour is silver blue but this is during my reception only. while during the wedding mass i will be wearing all white… plz give idea for my evening gown, flower, reception decoration.. thanks a million. by the way my wedd theme is fairy tale
fenelly, why not wear a beautiful silver or blue dancing dress? something you can wear again and again? pair with silver shoes. i would go classic silver and blue with white flowers(these can have a touch of pink in the center) roses is a must.
*Fantasy Fairytale Wedding in Blue, White & Silver