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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 »

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  1. Jessica
    February 5, 2012

    Hi,
    I was hoping to get some help with my wedding colors. I want my bridesmaids to wear champagn dresses, with red, burgundy, lilac, blush colors in their bouquets. I would like my table linens to be champagn but I’m unsure what to do with my center pieces. I do want a candle lit reception. Here is the link of my venue. http://www.thegallery-houston.com/?/page/a4c5/gallery/0/
    Our ceremony will be in the outside courtyard, so I’m hoping you can help me with floral and candle lit decor for our ceremony and reception. My wedding will take place inNovember 2012.
    I would greatly appreciate your help with my colors.

    Thank you, Jessica

    Reply
  2. afya
    February 2, 2012

    Hi Stacey,
    which is the best combination for wedding colours, coral and wine or coral and silver.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • stacey
      February 2, 2012

      Afya,
      It depends on your venue. Do you have a link or pic, so I can get a better of idea of the best color scheme. Also coral, wine, and silver also looks good together.

      Reply
  3. MW
    February 2, 2012

    Stacey -
    Please help! I have finally found a venue. http://www.carlhouse.com and am having an Easter wedding Sunday April 8, 2012. I am love with everything..I’m thinking the bm’s will wear either black or grey and have the flowers be pops of colors.. either purple/pink/green. I love the grey/pink look i’ve seen at some weddings, but i think in this venue the green/white with splashes of purple might look best. Please check out the venue and let me know your thoughts. I’ve loved some of the other ideas you’ve posted but want to see what you would have in mind for my venue. Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Emmy
    February 2, 2012

    Hi,my wedding is comin up lata dis year,n am contemplatin on d color combination dat wud b perfect.my fiancee’s color is grey.mine is lemon,burnt orange.pls hw do I combine dis colors or cud u suggest for me.tanks

    Reply
  5. tk
    January 31, 2012

    pls help access this combination, a wine colored bow tie on a gold colored shirt, with a grey colored suit.
    Or
    a black colored suit, a gold colored shirt on a wine colored bow tie……
    ur advice will be apreciated

    thanks

    Reply
    • stacey
      January 31, 2012

      tk,
      I would go with the black tux with a champagne gold shirt or light gold shirt and wine tie. It will look more classic.

      Reply
      • tk
        February 1, 2012

        thanks stacy, really apreciate this.

        Pls, do you have any other nice combination, cos the decorator will be making use of gold and wine colors for the hall, and secondly te bride is wearing a cream like color wedding gown.
        pls….

        Reply
        • staceyleah
          February 1, 2012

          tk,
          Do you mean for the venue hall decor? Or the attire? You can google image search burgundy and gold wedding for loads of beautiful pics.

  6. Cyndie
    January 30, 2012

    HELP!!!! We are getting married in November, 2012. We have chosen a barn as our venue (www.sunrisefarmllc.com)and I can not decide if I want to have the ceremony outside in the heated tent with chandeliers or inside the barn and descend the staircase. The reception will be in the barn either way. I can’t decide on colors either! I love the look of Apple red, Ivory and Black. I also love Deep green, ivory and black. My dress is allover Ivory lace with crystals, it has a satin champagne colored underlay. What colors will work for a simple, elegant, slightly vintage ceremony???

    Reply
  7. Edwina
    January 26, 2012

    Hi, my wedding will be August 4, 2012.. Time is ticking fast and I can’t decide colors at all. I think I like deep purple with pops of yellow and white. But, with all the color combos I can’t make a firm decision!! HELP!!! Wedding will be outdoors at the reception site Www. Thevillaborghese.com . Any ideas? Thanks.

    Reply
  8. AR
    January 25, 2012

    Hello,
    I am getting married in November 2012 and am struggling with colors as well. I like to think of myself as a fairly neutral person with a little “pop.” I am planning to have a bouquet similar to this: http://www.charlestonmag.com/weddings/feature/a_rose_by_any_other_name so my color palette is fairly wide open. Any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated!

    Thanks so much

    Reply
  9. Ashley
    January 15, 2012

    Hi-

    Can you please help with color ideas for a beach wedding. We are getting married in October right outside of our beach house. Im stuck.

    Thank You

    Reply
    • staceyleah
      January 16, 2012

      Ashley,
      Could you tell me the colors you both like, also what color is the exterior of the beach house. Settings are important in determining colors. Since your wedding will take place in October on the beach, fall colors can be used but dont have to be. Fall beach weddings differ from traditional fall settings. Blues, greens, purples, etc. Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Amanda
    January 5, 2012

    Im getting married in May 2013. We cannot decide on colors!! We can’t agree on anything and can’t decide what looks best. We are having the ceremony there in an outdoor pavilion, the website does not have photos of that yet though. Please Help! :D

    Reply
    • staceyleah
      January 5, 2012

      Amanda,
      Could I get a link to the site.I may be able to find some pics. When looking for colors, find something that compliments the setting. In this case, ask him to pick some colors he likes and you do the same, then I can search for ideas and begin narrowing down color schemes that will work. :D

      Reply
        • Stacey@FavorIdeas
          January 6, 2012

          Amanda,

          Form looking at the site, it has natural colors which is a plus because you can use pretty much any color you want. The pic that I saw of an outdoor pavilion has a clock and some lamps. Concrete slab covered with metal roof. Since you both are having trouble with colors, have you thought about a wildflower wedding? have the guys and girls in the color that you both want them to wear, then add wildflowers everywhere. It would really suit the setting. Google image wildflower wedding to see if this is something you may like.

          Gorgeous….

          Real Wedding 2

          Real Wedding 3

          Real Wedding 4

          Real Wedding 5

          More outdoor weddings…

          Let me know if something stands out to you, do you both have any fave colors?

        • Amanda
          January 7, 2012

          The pavilion on the site is not the one. They recently just built a new gazebo. We’re going to look at it Monday. I do like the wildflower idea. He likes the burnt orange but I think it’s to fall. One of our favorite colors is red.

        • Stacey@FavorIdeas
          January 7, 2012

          Amanda,
          Actually one of my first thoughts was red. This would not only be easy but stunning with wildflowers. You know you could have red and orange, the key is to use shades of peach, apricot mixed in with the burnt orange, adding some white. It would work beautifully, especially against the rustic setting. The season is important but the setting is most important. Flowers are just less expensive when in “season”. For instance, beach weddings in winter or fall would have “different” looks than traditional winter or fall weddings due to the setting. So you can definitely go with what you love( red and orange) Look at this wedding to see how these colors can work…

          This would be perfection in your setting, just add deep red bridesmaid dresses or keep the shade of plum like here…

          After looking at the wedding, depending on the flowers, it could easily carry spring or summer wedding. It has a light airy feel.

  11. Zephyr
    January 1, 2012

    Sophie,

    We are getting married Sept 2, 2012 and I’m having trouble coming up with a color scheme that I like. Our reception and ceremony are at the same place: http://www.harmonyridgelodge.com. If you click Weddings and then the September wedding pics you’ll see how the gardens will look at that time. We have the whole lodge for the weekend so it is going to have a family reunion type feel to it. It will still be warm and summery. Our ceremony is out on the lawn until the pagoda and the evening reception is going to be in the apple orchard where there are lights strung through the trees. We both have a slightly modern sense of style, and want colors that can be summery, romantic, warm and still have a slightly unexpected, hip look to them. Help?

    Reply
    • Stacey@FavorIdeas
      January 1, 2012

      Zephyr,
      There are many colors that will work beautifully. Alot depends on the time of day your wedding will take place. Evening or night wedding colors, would be best geared toward lighter colors. Daytime weddings in this setting anything would be nice. Do you have any fave colors? Are there any particular colors you lean too?

      This is beyond gorgeous…

      And this…

      Pretty

      And another

      WOW!

      Reply
  12. Tamara
    December 31, 2011

    Hi, I am getting married in June 2012. I know my colors, but I have only been able to find really one picture (which was my inspiration) that showcased those colors. I am wondering if you know where I can find more pics of this color scheme: lavendar, sage green, and a pop of orange or tangerine. I do not know if I want lavender or sage as a dominant color yet, but I have noticed there are more lavendar bridesmaid dresses available so that might become the dominant color by default. Anyway, any help you can lend would be great. Also, do you think this color scheme is a sound one?

    Reply
  13. Carol
    December 15, 2011

    Hie
    I dont know if my colour combination makes sense at all.i was suggesting lime,orange and gold, how best can they come out?

    Reply
  14. Emmanuel
    December 7, 2011

    my wedding is in April 2012 and i was thinking i could get help suggest beutiful colours for the day for venue decoration as well as for both families; you know how these things go in Nigeia (Families of the bride choosing one colour and groom choosing thiers)? My wife chose Army green and gold but not sure if that would do.
    Also, could you help me with general tip on getting my dressing colour combination right; the man is really poor with colour combination

    Reply
    • Stacey@FavorIdeas
      December 7, 2011

      Emmanuel,
      Can I see a link to the venue? It will help with choosing the best color scheme suggestions. Thanks!!

      Reply
  15. Petronella
    November 17, 2011

    Hi!

    I am getting married next year september 2012 i had 5 colours for my bridesmaid. i want each wearing her colour wich are as follows: lime, lemoen,baby pink, baby blue,soft lilac. assist me there is no combination on this colours since i dont know what i want for the colour for the grooms. please help!

    Regards Petronella

    Reply
    • Stacey@FavorIdeas
      November 18, 2011

      Petronella,
      The best way to do this, is to have all one color florals and bouquets or have each bm carry the same color bouquet as her dress. For the The guys would look good in a classic color like black or charcoal. Have the their boutonnieres matching the dress colors. The groom wears white bout., the Best man in lemon bout., and so forth. For lots of great picture examples google image rainbow bridesmaids then rainbow weddings.

      Reply
  16. irish
    November 11, 2011

    hi! I just want to ask if you have any idea about 2012 color of the year.. I’m getting married this march 2012 and still we dont have any theme yet.. thanks!It will be a big help! more power! :D

    Reply
    • Stacey@FavorIdeas
      November 14, 2011

      Irish,
      I am thinking you meant the colors trends of 2012. Here are some good reads…

      It appears teal, purple, grey,and coral are gonna be at the top of the pile. Followed strongly by bright colors. The most happening combos will be a bright color paired with a deep color example: charcoal with coral. Colors that have contrast with each other…navy and orange, yellow and purple, and pink and green is gonna pick up speed. Gone are the safe color choices. Looks like honeysuckle is gonna top the charts again and be hard to knock out of the seat. It is a gorgeous cross between Hot Pink and Melon Pink. If you like, I would be happy to look at your venue to see what would work, if you have any fave colors let me know, I can see how they would suit the setting. Thanks!! ;)

      Reply
  17. Sophie
    October 30, 2011

    Hey Stacey,

    I’m getting Married in November 2012 and I’ve had this vision in my head of the color scheme, but I don’t know how well it would work, so I was hoping for some advice on the subject. I was envisioning dark turquoise, either a slightly paler or a redder orange shade and ivory/black as the neutral. I figured that as my dress will be ivory, that having flowers that color to counteract the bright, powerful hues would be beautiful, but now I’m just not sure. I want to have my bridesmaids in the turquoise color, floor length dresses with orange and white bouquets.. Any other ideas to help a girl out? It would be a life saver (:
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Stacey@FavorIdeas
      October 31, 2011

      Sophie,
      Could I see your venue pic or link, so I will know what shades to suggest from your color scheme. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Sophie
        October 31, 2011

        This is the ceremony venue. We haven’t figured out the reception venue yet.

        Thank you!

        Reply
        • Stacey@FavorIdeas
          November 1, 2011

          Sophie,
          Your color scheme will work nicely with your ceremony venue. When you get your reception venue, let me know. I would feel safer seeing it and know the colors will compliment your setting. Thanks a bunch!!

        • Stacey@FavorIdeas
          November 1, 2011

          Sophie,
          I am thinking turquoise bm dresses will work regardless, but want to make sure, the flowers will be the one to look at as well.

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