Choosing Your Wedding Colors: A Guide for Designing Brides
- Sussing Out Your Style
- Destination: Home, Sweet Home
- Your Secret Romantic Style
- The Gown's the Guide
- Adjust for Geography, Venue and Season
- Essential Color-Choosing Tools
- Color Schemer
- Sherwin-Williams Color Generator
- Big Huge Labs Palette Generator
- Make a Mood Board
- Making the Most of Your Choices
- And They Lived Happily Ever After ...
- Chime In!
- Comments (3096)
And even if you're getting the cake from Ron Ben-Israel, he's not going to ask you whether your wedding theme draws elements from 14th century Venetian court dress ... he'll ask you about your colors.
A mere generation ago, planning the wedding was a lot easier. It expressed your social class, and your parents' tastes. Even if they had particular ideas, the market couldn't offer much in terms of individual design. But these days, your wedding expresses your personal style in a way it never has before. Translation? The pressure's on!
Sussing Out Your Style
Some brides can solve the color question without thinking too much about style. They might have a life-long love for purple. Or, their venue might have strong hues they need to coordinate with. Or, when they picture their wedding, they already see their bridesmaids awash in certain colors. Easiest of all: sometimes they already have a theme in mind.For others, it's not that simple. Still, you can quickly pin down the styles that get your heart beating almost as fast as your fiancé does. Does Martha Stewart's relaxed, preppy look command your undying devotion? Do you pray you can someday actually subscribe to H&M magazine? Did Vera Wang's modern, moody Bolshevik collections incite heavy breathing? This gives you some major clues.
Destination: Home, Sweet Home
Still, even if you don't consider yourself a fashionista or a Martha devotee, all's not lost. Instead, let's turn our eyes back to home and hearth.Many brides aren't just looking forward to a wedding, they're also buzzing with anticipation over the dream house they plan to share with their beloved. And in the process of hunting down this love nest, most spent lots time mulling over their personal style. What did you picture in your mind's eye as the right setting for your new life together? A rangy colonial with a gabled roof? A warm, log-sided farmhouse with a wood stove in the kitchen? Or did you dream of finding a downtown loft bursting with recessed lighting and monochromatics, and flip through the new IKEA catalog to pick out your cabinets?
Or consider: do you dream of filling your home with antiques you can pass down to your children? Look to seasonal-inspired color schemes and ballrooms. Plan to drape your bedroom ceiling in yards of mosquito netting? A fairytale wedding drenched in candelabras, gold braid and gauzy swags might fit the bill. Collect exotic objects from all over the planet? Try an art museum for your setting, and a sophisticated or daring palette.
And if you're one of those eclectic types who pairs Amish rocking chairs with aboriginal artifacts, use this old designer trick: think of the last bit of art or furniture you bought to spruce up your house. That tells you what's on your mind lately.
Your Secret Romantic Style
So, you know your domestic style is Eclectic Contemporary. Congratulations: that means you're holding a black-and-white wedding with chartreuse accents and ostrich feathers in a huge SoHo loft, right?Hold it: not so fast. Why? Because many brides have a special romantic style that exists in a universe by itself. You might be thrilled picking out Art Deco style spaceships for your pendant lighting. And yet, when it comes your wedding, you might picture something a lot more traditional.
So even if you're the most fashion-forward girl on the block, take a moment to consider whether your wedding vision doesn't actually go back in time by few hundred years. You might secretly harbor a special place in your heart for New England autumns, Victorian elegance, English cottage style, or even timeless fairy tales. And if that's true, rest assured you've got plenty of company.
The Gown's the Guide
But how do you tell if this stylistic gotcha's operating in your case? Here's the secret: go get your dress.For many brides, The Dress is a journey that starts with many preconceptions, but ends in the unexpected. Finding the dress is usually a case of recognizing it once you've tried it on, not knowing ahead of time what you'll wear.
And once you've found it, the dress will offer some big clues about your Romantic style. Captured by a demure ivory gown covered in Alençon lace, with a button-back closure? Start your search with pastels and neutrals that suit a 1930's vintage or feminine garden wedding. Fell hard for a sleek, diamond white v-neck that's all about the lines? Investigate the crisper, more playful palettes we see today, such as black and white, aqua, bright pinks, lime green and corals.
Adjust for Geography, Venue and Season
Now that you've unearthed your personal style, it's time to look outward. If your style's traditional, for example, start with a hotel ballroom. If you want a strong seasonal feel for fall, try a rustic barn. Cultivated gardens go well with traditional, Martha-esque tints. Tents weddings are a blank slate: you can make them as classic or brazenly modern as your heart desires.Geography, too, plays a role in your colors. Tropical affairs in the blinding sun are often showcases for the brightest hues of all: coral and orchid, for example, or aqua and orange. Evening white-tie affairs in New York City? Not so much.
Many brides are in the middle, and want to weave in at least a seasonal hint. Fortunately for them, most seasons have palettes both traditional and modern. For example, a classic summer wedding might feature cornflower blue or sage, where a modern one draws on fuchsia and lime green, or orange, pink and black.
Even flowers help set the style. For example, a profusion of pinks in a bouquet of roses and peonies says English cottage. Mini-sunflowers and chrysanthemums says New England country. On the other hand, the color blocking in a hand-tied bouquet of purple callas is strongly modern.
Essential Color-Choosing Tools
Now you've got a style in mind, let's get to the art of actually picking colors. Here are a few can't-miss tools.Color Schemer
You'll need to create a free account, but this wonderful site has user-created palettes aplenty that you can search by keyword. Once you've registered, hit the "search schemes" button and enter words that fit your vision, like "fall,""garden," "sunset," "winter." Or free-associate with adjectives like "nautical," "peaceful," "modern," "preppy" or even "trendy." We promise, you'll be hooked.Sherwin-Williams Color Generator
Hit their site, and choose "FIND COLOR." Click on any color that draws you, and you'll automatically pull up two accent colors that complement it. Cool.Big Huge Labs Palette Generator
Have a photo on your hard drive that seems to capture your wedding's heart and soul? Upload it to a palette generator, which will kick out most of the main hues involved. Unless you're on the beach, use one of the more neutral, calming colors as a primary (e.g., use it for bridesmaids or table linens), and the more nervous, high-energy colors as accents (use these in table napkins, chair sashes, ribbons, and some of your flowers.)Make a Mood Board
Once you've narrowed down some favorites, start grabbing photos (for your own personal use, of course). Make a special folder on your hard drive, and save photos that seem to fit the colors, setting and season you're going for. If you've got any photo editing software, start putting them together in one big image. This will tell you more than thousands of words how your look will play out.
Making the Most of Your Choices
Now that you've got your colors, how can you really make them shine? A problem that plagues some brides is an oversized fear of chaos. Although it's simple, most weddings aren't at their best when the groomsmen's vests and ties exactly match the bridesmaids' gowns, which in turn match the bride's sash.So, choose your colors wisely and stick with them, but strive for designing more than matching. Brown and ivory are neutrals when chosen thoughtfully, so use their many shades for a sophisticated, monochromatic look. If the bridesmaids wear mocha or persimmon, the men will look great in chocolate brown. And even if the flowers call for a palette of orange and yellow, let a little green or cream sneak in for dimension. Check for too much of a good thing: when the entire wedding party wears matching brown or black, the effect can be overpowering.
And They Lived Happily Ever After ...
When all's said and done, you're sure to have a great feeling about your colors, and how they fit your personal style. Even if the scheme you hit on isn't "I've loved that all my life!", it might be "I never would have thought of that, but I love these together!"Picking your colors is a journey, just like finding the dress, or knocking all those planning items off your checklist. But hitting on the right colors, theme and setting for the ultimate expression of your own Romantic style? That can be the pleasure of a lifetime.
Please help. I am getting married in Aug. 2008 so far my only definate color is hunter green. I want some kind of blue, but not too dark since the green is pretty dark. I don’t know of any other colors that could possibly go. Please help, any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks
HELP…I need some help with my colors. Ever since I can remember I have always wanted a ‘DARK CHERRY’ and chocolate wedding. But my other half and I are having a hard time figuring out what time of year would best fit. PLEASE HELP
Hello!… My name is KiKi… I am having the ‘HARDEST’ time trying to find some combinding colors for my upcoming summer wedding (July ’08)… I’m really LOVING the colors Fuchia and Mauve (Pink) But my fiancee’ is a “True -Blue” man…. So far We’ve both agreed on Aqua and Turquoise blue…. Im trying to find a way to combine both colors or choose a color in between the won’t be to bold for me or to feminine for him….. Does any one have ANY suggestions??!….
Hi…okay I am having an April wedding and my bridesmaids are wearing cafe color (it is a little darker than champagne) I bought them mocha color wraps; however, now I think that may be too dark…mocha is like a light brown color…I think my colors are horrible now and it is too late because some of the girls have two-toned dresses…what do I do to fix this…what kind of flowers/decor could help make it pretty??
Depends on what color pink, “Poodle”, in my opinion. I am also having chocolate brown and pink for a september wedding. My pink will be a darker pink w/ gold accents….I think if its a pail/light pink, the silver will complement it better. Hope that helps!
My wedding in early June and I’m having a very formal wedding. I was thinking of having the color black for my bridesmaids dresses with thick hot pick bows around their waist. Some people say black is absolutely out of the question because its depressing. What do you think?:-?
I am getting married and my colors are choclate brown and pink. I am thinking about using silver as an accent color or would gold be better?
hello devon, gold is regal and goes with most, if not all, colours, and for an august wedding, i think its purrrrrrfect. here are possible second colours – apple red, green (olive, clover), burnt orange, brown, purple, blue (turquoise), white.
My wedding isn’t until end of August 2009…. But i want to get a color scheme ready and am dying for gold to be in it. and if not gold, then something alittle lighter such as bridal rum. But i want another color to go along with it and can’t seem to match up the perfect one.
Andy ideas or suggestions would be fantastic!!!
Thanks!!!
HELP! we are haveing a traditional church wedding in October 2008. Hes a US Marine and wants to wear his Dress blues along with his groomsmen wearing there dress ups as well. we can’t seem to find colors that match with the blues and don’t clash with them. we are open to ANY ideas!?!?
Hi,
My wedding is in Jamaica in the summer of 08. Trying to pull together looks for bridesmaids and groomsmen. I have a theme of a vineyard in my mind. Some deep purple, lavander, pale greens, etc. I want everyone including myself and the groom to be cool and look fabulous!! My dress should be traditional, but beachy at the same time. Oh, and by the way…. Yes, I’m still wearing white…:P:P:P haha.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!!
Thanks.
Hello Melody, Thought this would help: They do make chocolate brown tuxedo’s, it’s a new trend…I don’t know if you’ve ever seen them but definitely check it out. I was still searching for a location for my wedding recently when one location was setting up for a wedding. My fiance and I saw the wedding party taking pictures…All groomsmen in chocolate brown tuxedo’s while the women wore ivory..it was pretty classy…Anyway hope that helps
Ok so I need help! I’m helping my best friend plan her wedding while trying to plan mine too!!! I need some feedback about our schemes.
Mine: I really love black! Although others think it is a bad omen, I find the color to be the epitome of class. I thought about pairing the black with gold, ivory/tapue and a deep red. The only other color that I would consider besides black is chocolate but I’m so confused as to what color tux the guys should wear (black/brown…I don’t know about that). FYI, my wedding is in the Fall.
BFF: Her and her guy are torn between a deep red and silver (him) and deep red and champagne (her). They are getting married July/August. Since both accompanying colors are fairly natural, its hard to choose and hard for me to help. :-?
hello elizabeth, a yellow and purple combo is adorable. kudos. i think the girls should have purple dresses, gold sashes and gold high strappy sandals. you are probably wondering where’s the yellow at, well its in the rest of the ceremony, and you could have it in their bouquets (a posy with white, yellow and purple flowers or all yellow tied with a purple ribbon) or in their hair piece(s) or make the sashes a pale yellow.
hello prisca, its a december wedding and you love red and gold, which is a very lovely combo, you can use these two alone or even make it a 3 tone combo and add lime green. other combos you could also pick from and i am using with your own favourite colours: shades of blue with a touch of silver, red and white, choc brown and gold (i personally won’t use this for a december wedding though, i vote for bright and cheerful), pale blue and choc brown, orange and choc brown with or without a touch of gold, turquoise & celadon (a pale green),red and champagne/beige, turquoise and choc brown….if i think of anything else id buzz you.
Im having so much trouble with choosing the colors!! I have purple and yellow in mind!! And the centerpieces would be glass vases with lemons and purple flowers in the water with a nice flower arrangement on top of the vase. But im having trouble with the girls dresses should the dresses be all yellow and a purple slash but with what color shoes??
Dang I need help. Call 911!!!
hi Roli, we love blue , gold, silver ,red , chocolate brown and obviously white but i can’t come up with any right combinations . Any other colours are also welcome. Can anyone please help?
hi, ive read some of the dilemmas and opinions…im about to attend a garden wedding and im a secondary sponsor (lighting the candle specifically)…im wondering what jewelry would match the motif? my cousin’s motif are chocolate brown and peach with a bronze sandals…i cant choose between silver and gold…thanx
Hey everyone! Just stumbled across this site and you all have some great advice! I’m getting married in October 08 and having second thoughts about the colors I have picked out. Advice would be great! My colors are Cream, Burgundy, and Deep Royal Purple. Am I headed for disaster?
::D I need help planning my wedding, it might be in late april or early may
hello prisca. i’m nigerian and live in my home country. there are a lot of colours on this site that will fit any brides’ wedding in any part of the world. you have mentioned colours you don’t like, but none that you do like. lets know what you do like and we can provide nice colour combos/themes for your to consider. you could start with you and your partner’s favourite colours.
hi my wedding is coming on in December 2008. I’ve got a problem deciding on my wedding colours because, the colours or pictures shown here are mainly on white people but i’m black and it’s sunny and hot here in my part of Africa. I also don’t like pink or purple. Can you please help me. Thanks
rachelle
those were my exact colors. Bridesmaids in chocolate brown with chocolate brown sashes and MOH in chocolate brown with champagne sash.
For the groomsmen we found DKNY ties that were champagne and had thin brown stripes to wear with their own black suits. Groom wore a black tie with a ivory pattern on it.
I had also found a vest/tie combo online at http://www.thetuxshops.com but my groom vetoed vests. I still love the champagne vest chocolate tie combo.
hi i am gettin married next yr n we want to use tha colors marroon n gold or silver. i was wonderin if yall had any ideas or any websites that can help me decide. thanks
hello rachelle, here’s an idea – black suit, champagne waist coat, choc brown tie/cravat, ivory shirt.
my wedding is july, 2008. my bridesmaid dresses are coral and the maid of honor is kiwi. what are good colors for the groomsmen to wear? Ivory or black. my dress is ivory.
Hi, I’m thinking of having chocolate brown as the color for my bridesmaids’ dresses, with my sister (matron of honor) in champagne. I’m wondering what color others have or would use for the groomsmen suits. Any ideas? Thanks!
Under the section “The Gowns The Guide”, it has a picture of the dress that is a purplish color, with a pink, and orange. I would like to do those colors for my wedding, would you be able to tell me exactly what they are? Thanks!
hi ijeoma, i went for an indoor wedding a few months ago where orange, chocolate brown, pale yellow, gold and ivory were used. it was simply adorable. i never envisioned such a combination and found it quite appealing. I suggest you ask your florist/decorator to put some flowers/fabric in these colours together so you get a feel of it. I didnt have my camera and couldnt take pictures at the time.