Choosing Your Wedding Colors: A Guide for Designing Brides

There's no question: choosing wedding colors is one of the earliest, trickiest tasks a bride has to cross off the list. You can't even talk your florist until you've worked this out.

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.

Home Decor

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.

Pink & Champagne Wedding

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.Seasonal

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.

Purple Green

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.

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, tell us about you ... then post away!

3,096 Responses to Choosing Your Wedding Colors: A Guide for Designing Brides  Add a New Comment »

  1. Tinu

    Will light pink and wine or maroon or burgundy be a good wedding theme??? i want light shades of pink and dark shades of red….will this work?

  2. Stacey@FavorIdeas

    Brides,
    Some new boards for Valentines Day Themes!

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Brides,
      You will notice the spheres are DIY and made of string. Just wrap string around a inflated balloon, brush a glue mixture onto string and when set, deflate ballon and pull out of an opening. SOOOOO budget friendly!!
      Need more of this swoonworthy decor? Head on over to *this link

      • Stacey@FavorIdeas

        Brides,
        My apologies, I meant fabric stiffener. I have seen a glue mix used before though. :D

  3. Mariel

    I’m having a butterfly theme too for the wedding. Is that ok?

  4. Beatriz

    Hi Stacey,
    I need your help. Getting married November 2011, having a destination wedding at a resort in Dominican Republic. I know that I want my bridesmaid to wear a brick color dress. I like brown, I’m unsure of other colors to combine it with, very confused. Help!!
    Thank you!!!

  5. Rondonlyn

    Stacey,

    I ‘m getting married Aug 27, 2011. I wanted fuschia to be my main color and I was thinking about chocolate. The bridesmaids will wear fuschia. My dress is white and the I have table linen and chair covers that are white. So do you think fuschia, white and chocolate would look good together? If not what color besides black could I use?

  6. Mariel

    Hi! My wedding will be on June 18, 2011 and I’m having a huge problem with my color theme. I love red but my matron of honor suggested lilac sheer and golden yellow. Can you help pls? thanks.

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Mariel,
      Not a problem, with those colors in mind-can I see your venue? I always urge brides go with what you love-it is your wedding day! :D While taking ideas is very nice, it is always best to do what is in your heart. Stick with the red if that is your faveorite color!!! ;) Also what are some other colors you like?

  7. Jackie

    Hello all I am in need of advice, I am planning to be married in October 2011 I am from N.Y but I am doing a destination wedding in Florida. I do not know if I should stick with the normal fall colors that I am used to like the rust, or oranges or do what’s normal for a beach wedding. Does any one have an idea ??

  8. Jane Allen

    Hi Stacey,
    I am having difficulty settling on a colour scheme for my wedding in June 2011, mainly because my venue has a strong red patterned carpet which I feel I have to coordinate with.

    This link shows a short slideshow of pictures of my venue:-

    This link is the dress I have chosen:-

    As the dress is champagne, I thought perhaps champagne chair sashes would be a good idea as I feel anything else (other than white) would clash with the carpet. See this link:-

    I have 2 bridesmaids, they are both pregnant so they will need empire line dresses. This is the dress I was thinking of:-

    My fiance made a picture for me (link below) to try to choose the colour of the BM dresses, but I’m not really that keen on any of these colours (I got the colour ideas from searching for what colour matches champagne) which is why I’m now back onto raspberry red/claret:-

    The only problem with claret is that my mother is trying to persuade me it’s old-fashioned and I should have a ‘more modern’ colour. But out of all the colours that I’ve read go with champagne, it is my favourite.

    Thanks in advance for your help
    Jane

    • Jane Allen

      Here are all the missing links probably not in the same order as they are suposed to be but they will be self explanatory.

      I hope they work this time!

      * apple slice Dessy gown

      * Barton Grange hotel

      * Ballroom pic

      * Benjamin Roberts gown

      • Stacey@FavorIdeas

        Jane Allen,
        Beautiful. Claret a old fashioned color, not at all. It all depends on the decor you use. I personally think if you did a black, champagne, claret wedding it would look so amazing. With all the red in the carpet- it may be “alot” with the girls in red too. That is my only concern. I think another color would be needed here in addition with the red and champagne. I saw the raspberry mentioned and that would be a great contrast.
        * look at the red, champagne, (a touch of black wedding)

        • Jane Allen

          Hi Stacey,
          Thanks for your advice and those links, some good ideas and lovely flowers. Hopefully you can view the photo link I have put in below – this is my ‘mood board’ that I have been putting together. I wanted to avoid black due to its severity and assocation with funerals (but it does look good in those links you provided), I have decided on pink as another colour which I can use as a main colour with champagne on the tables. So the only red would be in the BM dresses and in some flowers (oh and let’s not forget that carpet!). I wanted the BM to wear a colour not too pale and not too dark. My mother now likes the berry colour for the dress (the purpley dress in the picture). But she will be OK with claret too. The groomsmen will wear dark grey.

        • Stacey@FavorIdeas

          jane,
          Could you repost the link? thanks!!

  9. Amber

    hey, i’m getting married july 2012. i need help finding the right color scheme as it will be a military wedding, marine corps to be specific. i dont know which way to go with this. i like certain colors but then feel that they clash with the dress blues the groom and groomsmen will be wearing. help!!

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Amber,
      What are the colors youlike and also what colors are in your venue?

  10. Fadiela

    Hi

    My engagement dress is midnight blue with silver beading. The thing is, I dont know what colour decor to use. I really dont want us to match the decorations and at the same time, don’t want it to look completely out.

    WHAT DO I DO? What colours besides white, silver and turquoise can I use to compliment our outfits. My husband to be has decided to wear grey

    PLEASE HELP!!! Engagement in 2 weeks time!!!!!

    Thanks

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Fadiela,
      I would actually go with white decor. It would look the best. Keep it simple and elegant. May want to add a touch of pink in there or yellow in the decor. Let me know what the palce looks like that you will be decorating.

  11. Jules

    Hi,
    My friend is getting married in July. She wants dark violet, dark brown and silver. Is that a good combination???? …. Were looking at finding colors for the bridesmaid dresses but can’t decide what to do. She doesn’t really have a theme. The ceremony she wants outside and the reception indoors. A simple wedding.
    Can you help give us an idea, please?

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Jules,
      Sure! Can I get a pic or link of the venue?

      • Brittany

        I’m getting married october 1st 2011, it will be on the beach but im having trouble deciding on colors do you have any ideas

        • Stacey@FavorIdeas

          Brittany,
          There are loads of colors that work. Whites, blues, greens, sunset colors. It depends on what your after and the colors you like. Could you tell me what colors you like and we can work from there. :D

  12. Marianne

    Who can help me out?!
    I am getting married, July 21st in Hawaii.. Ceremony is on the beach the reception indoors. I definitely want peach but I need a more plain color which goes with peach.
    and what to do with my bridesmaids dresses? I don’t want them to be just peach.. Any ideas?

    I hope someone can help me out :)

    I added a picture of our reception site :mrgreen:

  13. Tara

    Hi,

    I’m having my engagement part sometime in the fall next year and my wedding in the summer of 2012. I’m having a bit difficulty with the color schemes for both these occasions. I want to wear baby pink on my engagement night so I know I will use this color for my decor. The problem is that I want to use baby pink, silver and white for my wedding decor. Should I use a different accent color for my wedding? Thanks.

  14. Stacey@FavorIdeas

    Brides,
    Two new boards. One is a Holiday Getaway in the Mountains. The other mimics those paper chains we made as kids, except using ribbon. Perfect for the sweetest, most fantabulous outdoor soiree ever!

  15. Tosan

    Hi, am getting married on the 13th of August 2011, am really struggling with my colour scheme… What do you think of olive green/ champagne with a hint of fushia pink… Eventhough it’s a summer wedding I think olive green might still work… What do u think?…pls pls help, and if you have any colour ideas you think goes pls let me know…. Thanks… The venue is Civic suite, Wandsworth town hall…

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Tosan,
      i actually think the colros would work and show up very well. Using the green and champgne as the base with fuschia pink flowers.
      * like the florals here, use creams and touches of green/fuschia

    • nikki

      hi there!

      i think olive and champagne will go very well! not too sure about the pink mind you, but its your day!!!

      im getting married august 2011 and my colours are turquise,white and silver. i am playing around with light peach too, but still undecided.

      hope i helped a little!

    • SM

      hi tosan I am having the same problem!! I really like the light green and champagne look as well. I am struggling to find another “accent” color because neither of us care for pink. I think your colors sound great…Especially with the fushia, it will still create a summer feel. Any ideas for an accent color for a light green and chamagne/cream color? Any advice is MUCH APPRECIATED!

  16. Melissa

    I need help!! My wedding is planned for Oct. 22, 2011. It’s an evening wedding and so far I’ve picked out a deep purple and black but everyone is saying the two dark colors shouldn’t go together. Any suggestions on a color to go with dark purple??

  17. Fadiela

    Hi Stacey

    I’m having my engagement at the beginning of December 2010 and i have chosen the colours black and cream with a touch of gold. Could you please show me some pics with these three main colours?

    Thanks alot!

  18. Sophia

    Hi
    I am planning my wedding for August 5, 2011 but i am having a hard time with color combination. i also want to encorporate the trent for 2011 and my favorite colors are purple, apple green and aqua blue……any suggestions if i can use these colors…..

  19. Cherish

    We are getting married June 18, 2011 outside. Our colors are dark navy blue and fuschia. I love the fuschia gerbera daisies. My MOH is wearing a navy blue dress. We are having difficulties with the centerpieces and cake? Do you have any pictures? Thank you so much for your help.

  20. Shakina

    My wedding will be on 9/24/2011 and I am having the hardest time with colors and picking a theme… I am a big fan of all shades of blue, chocolate, cream, burnt orange and platinum. I am really stuck on what colors I want to have.. I am open for suggestions..

    Thanks

  21. Stacey@FavorIdeas

    Brides,
    Just made this…..

  22. Marcie M

    Hello! I’m getting married Aug. 20th 2011, as of now I’m all over the place with a theme and color scheme for a small, romantic, evening wedding. August is on the border of Summer/Fall here in the south and I want something that goes with the romantic evening theme. My favorite color is pink!! but I’d only want to use it as a “pop” color like for the flowers or something! My dress will be ivory so I was thinking along the lines of a chocolate brown or mocha for my dark color (although Im not sure if and brown would go well together) with either cream,champagne,burgundy, or lavender. PLEASE ADVISE

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Marcie M,
      Evening weddings do well with lighter colors so they will show up well, unless using great lighting. Pink and brown look wonderful together. Lavender has the tendencey to look “grey” in a evening wedding. So I would choose champagne. It looks amazing with pink and brown.
      * pics

      If I coudl get a venue link or pic I could see which colors would work well. :D

  23. Heather

    Hi, I am planning a wedding for mid April (no set date yet). So far I have 2 colors picked out and they are white and pink ice. I think I want everything to look sparkling, so I am aware there is no color called diamonds, but if there was, I would use it lol. I plan on using rhinstones in it as well. I am having a hard time picking a 3rd color. I was thinking of silver, but I think it may clash. Do you have a sugguestion for the 3rd color? Please help! Thank you.

  24. Tee

    I love your ideas i was wondering what would look good withe pink and chocolate not sure of what color pink i just love that color i want to add other colors just having a hard time deciding on what goes together, please help me thanks!

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Tee,
      Actually a two color scheme of pink and chocoalte is beautiful on its own. For more “color” why not use brown with an array of pinks? from light to dark.
      * some ideas

  25. Stacey@FavorIdeas

    Brides,
    Here is a new board!!

  26. kaycie

    I am having an indoor wedding next July, and I love the idea of yellow as one of our colors. For the other colors, I am thinking shades of teal and turquoise, but my fiance wants kind of a strawberry pink. Any thoughts? Also, what about neutral accent colors? Chocolate brown and cream, maybe? Thanks!

  27. Cristy

    Hi. I’m getting married in October of next year. I had thought about brown, pink, and ivory but I would like to incorporate a fall them (pumpkins, leaves, etc.) Should I change my colors or just add some? Our theme is vintage and classy.

  28. nancy

    Can u help me… i want an indoor wedding with red decorations…

  29. Danielle

    I want a rainbow themed wedding w/ bold colors (turquoise, pink, purple, yellow, green), but I do not want the colors to overpower the wedding or look like a clown festival hit my wedding. I still want a fun, elegant feel to my wedding. Is this possible?

  30. Lisa Vera Yartey

    Hi Stacey,
    My wedding will be coming on early next year, but do have the same problem with which colour to use. I already have orange in mind but still contemplating on which two colours to add. I do hope you can be of help. Thanks!

    • Stacey@FavorIdeas

      Lisa,
      What does your venue look like and your theme or style that you like?


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