Chocolate Brown Weddings
But now, it's like the most visible Hilton heir: Paris — just Paris. Everyone knows who you mean.
Chocolate Brown is the color that fuels any number of high-flying color schemes. It's the go-to hue, whether it's a fall wedding that needs a touch of naturalism, or a fresh concept by a "design progressive" bride armed with a Gocco press, a bucketful of Etsy bookmarks and shelves groaning with artisan papers.
Alas for the chocolate-tigued, that's a migration not likely to happen — at least not soon. The world's still crazy-in-love with chocolate, and all its savory cousins: coffee, mocha, tan. Its hoped-for heir apparent, steel gray, has made inroads ... but has yet to take the wedding world by storm.
And that might not happen right away, because among the neutrals — unlike gunmetal gray! — chocolate brown is warm. Inviting. Feminine, even.
Pair it with just about any imaginable pastel or bright tropical hue, and you've got intimate, instant chic.
How to Get Down With Brown
But later on in the craze, we started to see new hues: butter yellow, lime or apple green. And that original pink got bumped up to sizzling fuchsia. We saw ultra-warm pairings like salmon, peach and burnt orange take their cue. So did aqua and teal.
As royal purple and eggplant colonized the pages of Vogue, they too started flaunting their charms against a field of chocolate brown. So did lavender.
Now, cutting-edge weddings interweave brown with fire-engine reds, copper and oranges, adding exotic touches like pin-tucked linens and fringe. Sometimes, you see brown with burgundy, a dark but elegant pairing ... and sometimes with crisp, patterned black and white.
Beautiful Byways
To most eyes, it's the warm and 'poppy' colors that meld best with chocolate brown. Still, there are blessed exceptions. Cool sage and brown launches the ultimate West Coast palette, especially with twigs or branches, bamboo, palm-leaf, handmade papers and other natural materials.Also down with brown: monochromatics like champagne, khaki and cream. All this adds up to a Tuscan vibe that's positively royal. Just add dabs of gold, olive or brick.
Designing Brides
Everyone knows the traditional wedding: tulle, rose and shasta daisy affairs infused with lavender, pale yellow and other blushing hues.Then, you've got naturalistic weddings — keyed to the blazing hues of a New England hillside in fall.
Here, you see all those sassy, style-infused hallmarks of modern events: patterns (paisleys, damasks, moroccan or henna-style, just to name a few!). And bright chunks of contrasting satin ribbon.
Then, you see cakes stacked in 'gift box' designs, or flaunting quilted, embossed or hand-painted fondant, ribbons, or graphic accents (polka dots, swiss dots, art nouveau swirls or preppy stripes, anyone?).
And modern centerpieces look sharp in this setting: think trays full of wheat grass studded with gerber stems. Or clear cylinders filled with 'drowning' florals and topped with a floating candle.
Papers are uber-important, too. As for invites? Spunky and graphic, if not outright letterpressed in some swanky coastal atelier.
In other words, chocolate brown weddings really are all about detail.
Dialing Up Table Details
Because brown functions as a neutral and can be dark in quantity, this wedding offers the perfect excuse to mix up table linens and centerpieces. Drape some tables with chocolate brown linens and others with cream or mocha, alternating overlays.Then, for focal points, mix up your centerpieces in color and style. If your colors are pink and brown, work in some pale green and peach blooms to add depth to your palette. Use higher centerpieces on some tables, lower on others, and simple lanterns or hurricane lamps on still others.
Funkified Florals
Want actual brown blossoms in your bouquets? Take a look at chocolate brown cosmos, hot chocolate mini-callas, or sultry leucadendrons, to name a few: all of which look fabulous with cream mini-callas or green orchids. Fiddleheads are another super-stylish accent.
For bridesmaids in brown, monochromatic cream bouquets in a tight posy style are simple but stunning.
Over-the-Top Touches
As always, a candy buffet looks terrific in a color-popping wedding like this one.For fun photo ops outdoors, hand your bridesmaids some super-bright parasols in your alternate color and ask them to pop 'em. They'll look like free-wheeling flowers in pics.
And here's one fun last idea for chocolate brides: liven up your bridal attire with a pair of bright heels to match the theme: fuchsia, teal, or lime green!
Talk Back!
Tell us about your chocolate brown wedding. What's got you stumped? What gorgeous designs have you found, or created?
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Hello,
My fiance and I are getting married next fall (setting up a date on Tuesday!) and are looking at having a chocolate brown wedding. I thought originally that I wanted to pair it with coral, then I thought about a really vibrant aqua or teal color instead. Now I’m seeing some of the combinations on here (ie the brown paired with both fuschia and orange/coral) and I’m starting to feel like I’m back at the beginning–not knowing where to start with colors at all. I don’t know what to do!!!
Kirsten, here are some links i will be right back with suggestions.
* Floral Arts Bahamas ( check out everything it will show you many gorgeous ways of incorporating colors)
* Something Aqua, Something Brown
* Board #229: Hot Air Balloons and Polka Dots ( this is what i am envisioning except in your colors)
* Raspberry and teal inspiration board
* Reader Mailbag! Orange & Brown ( see how the pool water and flowers pop against brown)
* Teal & Peach Wedding
* Martha Stewart: Fire & Water
Kirsten, this is what i see, i dont know what pics posted so i will try and resend them. would look fab! when you go to floral arts website click wedding xtras) scroll til you see wreath backed chair) have candles floating in aqua water with natural brown rocks (from wal mart or hobby lobby) in bottom, have coral and creamy white flowers scattered at base of cylinders. have favor boxes of brown with white ribbon setting on each place setting or brown and white programs and brown napkins. i wuld definitely keep my table scheme brown and white and add the other colors in the centerpieces. bm in brown carrying coral flowers, you carry mostly white but with a few coral flowers in bouquet. wedding party wear brown. have aqua wedding cake and vases of floating candles in aqua water or aqua glass grouped here and there. can also incorporate brown containers holding rose petal cones at door for departure. this wedding will be beautiful!!
* Aqua and Coral (light orange) wedding colors??
* Palm Beach Coral & Silk wedding flower package (ebay - what i see for your bouquet with girls carrying solid coral)
Hi my name is Paola Gonzalez.I’m getting marry on July 31-09 we planing to have our wedding with the Dark Brown but we don’t know which color will be the best combination for the brown i have a hard time with this please help me out we like the champagne,ivory.or white please let me know anything…Thank you so much God Bless you……….
hi paola, congrats! oh i love brown with any of those colors!
* Real Wedding by Oh How Charming!
* Wedding Decor Chocolate and Lime
(just scroll for all pics on arrows at this website above, like shown, your flowers should have tinges of color on them instead of all perfectly white)
sorry, paola pics didnt post but all of them are on picasa website.
here is a link i love!! check out both boards!
* Stationer Inspiration Board: Checkerboard
Hey ladies,
I am getting married June 2009. I have changed my colors so many times that my fiance keeps getting upset at me. The last colors I was planning on using were ORANGE AND FUSCHIA, but just a few days ago, I went over to go see my wedding coordinator and she had a table set up with Chocolate brown and Fuschia, and I loved it. I thought it looked more elegant. But if any of you have any pictures that you could share with me, I would really appreciate it. I’ve tried looking for pictures on the internet, but havent had any luck.
Thanks ladies.
yvonne, why not pair both orange and fuschia with brown? both will be complimentary and beautiful!!
* Wedding Wedmesday: Pink, Brown, Orange and Yellow Engagement Dinner
( i know this isnt the right colors but in your shades look how beautiful it can be, with bm in brown dresses. and have brown tablecloths the flower colors would pop!!
* Vegas, baby!
here it is used. its gorgeous!! i hope you love it!! just keep in mind table your wedding planner set up and add bits of orange in the flowers. keep in in flowers only. that way the brown and fuschia will be the main colors. wow this is gonna be amazing!! post pics of your wedding later!! good luck!!
yvonne, one more pic…. let me know what ya think!! and if ya need more help!
* Uniquely Chic Bouquet / Boston Blooms
ALL BRIDES, CHECK THIS OUT, 2 CHOCOLATE WEDDING THEMES DONT PASS THIS UP!!!
* Cherry-Chocolate, and Cherry with Minted Cream
i’m getting married in just a few months. (feb. ‘09) my colors are chocolate brown and strawberry pink. i’m thinking of something like a “sweet” theme. i’m gonna have a cupcake wedding cake and a candy buffet. although the centerpieces have me stumped. help!!! thanks in advance. -leslie
leslie, loving the colors scheme.
See:
* Lime - Strawberry Wedding ( centerpieces like this would be great!!)
* Sweet 16 Centerpieces ( i personally love the lollipops wedding centerpieces!!)
i actually love this for your wedding better than flowers. and i love the tags attached it really does look elegant!! whoi would of thought!! just have your sweet theme and candy buffet as normal then carry the centerpieces to the table, its guaranteed to wow and be remembered and make them smile, that way you have “sweets” all over the room!! hope you like it!! and i really hope you go with this, its not that common and your wedding will stand out!! smile!! let me know what you think!! plus this is soooo inexpensive and easy with major impact!!!
stacey,
thanks. i will most definitely go with the lollipop centerpieces. if you can think of anything else, please do…lol. thanks so much.
oh, one other thing…..do you think it will look tacky ‘cos the groom will be in complete army uniform. i know it doesn’t go with my color scheme. any advice is much appreciated.
leslie, this has been such a dilemma for military brides. but no it wont his uniform will be fine, it will blend and stand out the way it suppose too. i tell military brides to go with what they love ande let the groom wear his honorable uniform. i am sooo glad your going with the lollipop centerpieces, it fits. wont look tacky the blue will compliment the brown. it will be fine!! but if you do want a little blue in wedding have another candy color, tie off your bouquet in a blue( something blue) i promise it wont be overkill.(plus i am sure some of your candy will have some blue)
* Raspberry and teal inspiration board
( not exactly your colors but see how it works here?!?) love it. remember just touches or have ribbons with the brown pink and blue in it. also add blue in cupcakes etc. you just might love it!!i hope his suit is blue!! and not green( if its green then you will have enough greenery and the colors will be fine to tie it in)
* Post Pink
* Pink & Brown
* Bubblegum Wedding
to add more pizazz to the cupcakes make the icing fluffy swirled with edible glitter. ( like in pic)
write back if you need more help!!
HELP!!!! i am getting ready for a wedding on may 30th of 2009. I haven’t really picked my colors but am looking at Merlot red, Burgundy or brown with a contrasting color like lime green, pink or an off white. I love spring and that is why I chose that date. Im kind of looking for a spring theme. I am requesting help with flower ideas and bouquets. I also need reassurance that the colors i have mentioned will go with the season….. thank you
hi lori, this wedding will be a beautiful chic springtime affair. put girls in brown and guys in brown and deep taupe or brown suits. keep it to roses and orchids with fresh greens everywhere!! have reception in brown linens with green napkins on white plates etc. centerpiece of the red roses, orchids, and amranthus. it will be sure to wow!!
See:
* Lime Green & Red
OK So I finally deide that I am going with Chocolate brown and Red as my colours. My Bridesmaids will be wearing red. The Groom, best man and groomsmen will be wearing Black tuxes. The question I have is Should I stick with red vest and tie’s to match the dresses? Or should I have them wear brown vests and tie’s with a red flower pinned to them??? I fell that I should bring in the brown into the attire as well as the decor??? Help!
either would work. but i like the black tux with brown vest and red bout. will look sophisticated!! Check out Just Got Back from Santa Barbara … (wow!!)
if its to dark for you have simple creamy white linens like below. brown containers with red flowers tie brown into napkins. add brown curly willow like decor to the centepieces for more brown, add greenery. youve got something gorgeous!!
I am planning a wedding for september 09, and I saw a wedding dress that is midnight night lavender. any ideas of what colors the BMs could wear, before I saw this dress, I was going for chocolate/sage/aqua/ or lavender for their dresses and a champagne color for mine? Any ideas will be helpful.
Hmmm … just FYI for anyone else wondering, here’s a maggie sottero in midnight lavender. I was curious what that would look like.
wow, this the dress, its different. what do you think
I’ve noticed that some brides are wearing red or blue gowns. I like the fact that it iis different from the traditional white and ivory. purples, browns, and black are my favorite colors. again my orginal idea was for a chocolate dress/with accents of aqua,sage, and or lavender and for my dress to be a champagne color.
OK, this is just me and I’ll think about it more, but I don’t see why you have to depart from your favorite colors at all. Choc brown, lavender and champagne is a gorgeous color scheme, perfect for fall. This is a sumptuous dress so I’m imagining a fairytale, ballroom setting (you need some sparkle on the tables with that dress). Bridesmaids in choc brown with lavender sashes. I’ve seen some gorgeous weddings with these colors so I’ll look for a few pics. Also, I’m reposting a board from earlier with some of these colors.
Also, I personally love the departures from white gowns. I think it injects a lot of personality and European and Australian brides have been doing this for years!
Thank you Dawn!!
Denise also check out Eric & Mary: A Purple Wedding Dress, a Pink Ring & a Locket — what a beautiful couple, and she looks fabulous in her dress!
Hi im new at this!! my bm’s are wearing chocolate brown with pink sashes we decided on suits instead of tuxes but i really wanted black suits but i cant figure how to tie the brown with the black any ideas?….and if brown suits are the only way should my fiance where black. or brown like the gm’s? … im soooo lost 8O PLEASE HELP!!!
thanks
kim=)
Hey Kim! I work at a bridal store and something that looks nice is a tux that we have that is black but has a brown stripe in it. It is very classy. Just thought I would let you know what is popular there.
i saw a suit somewhere. but the black and brown does look good. the suit that i saw was black with brown tie to match the girls brown dresses. hope this helps!! i would go with this, it looks fab. with a pink bout.
I agree. Black and brown are fantastic together!!
I really like the dark chocolate browns with black too but here’s a lighter brown that looks hot with black!
Hey Kim, I am having the same problems, I want my husband to be to wear a black tux but the girls dresses are chocolate brown and pink. I am lost as to what the men should wear along with my husband to be. Any ideas and if you have any pictures please pass them along to help me out. Thanks alot and good luck to all the brides to be.
Joanna :-)
joanna, just go with the same brown and black tux add a matching pink bout. if you like you could have the groom in simple black with black vest. simple is key here that way it wont be to overpowering!! good luck!!
My colours are mainly chocolate brown and gold. The plan at the moment is Table decor - brown tablecloth with ruffled gold overlay in centre of table - flower centre pieces. Ivory chair covers with gold tie backs. Its a garden wedding in very hot south africa in October 2008. Please assist me URGENTLY to make it more colourful. wat do u think of adding oranges. Wat shd the BM’s wear something that goes well wit decor - I can’t think anymore….help help help!!!!!! any other ideas welcome ASAP thanx. (My dress is ivory)
Nya…I would def add some orange and maybe a yellow gold color it will blend nicely with the godl and brown. You coudl scatter small pumpkins on the tables or gourds. Also try to carve a pumpkin with your initials in it and place on the place card table.
thanx lori, some great ideas…..WAT ELSE? lol
i have now chosen browns, golds, oranges, yellows, reds, ivorys (sunset colours). I dont think brown dresses wil be ideal. wat colour wld be nice that is sunsetty. two BMs. and wat about grooms men? my hubby to be wants to wear choc brown suit!
all help welcome…thanx
Hi Nya,
i am lookign for a brown tux for my hubby to be. The tux line called after 6 has a nice chocolate brown tux. Your groomsmen may look nice in khacki with brown ties and shoes…what do you think?
Glad I could help.
the GM will be in black suits with chocolate brown waistcoats and cravats, ivory shirts. with sunset coloured buttonholes (boutonnieres) …….this is hard work !!!!!
Anoth problem is that I cannot be there to see and plan in person, so my relatives r doing all the running around until i get there. Iv just been told they dont have brown tablecloths only white. So they suggest white tablecloths with gold and brown overlays. overlay material is oganza(chiffon) and they suggest alternating the colours on each table. chair tie backs will be gold and brown alternated on each table……i welcome opnions from u all
I am getting married next month. Our colors are Chocolate brown, Champagne, and Ivory. My maid of honor is wearing Champagne, my brides maids are wearing mocha and my flower girl is wearing a dress just like mine is white. Groom is wearing a black tux with white vest, groomsmen are wearing champagne vests. My linens are Ivory table cloths and ivory chair covers with chocolate brown sashes and napkins. Centerpieces are tall dark brown branches with crystals and candles. What do you do for flowers???
I am planning a wedding for next September and my colors are Canary,Truffle, and Ivory. My bridesmaid gowns are yellow, the junior bridesmaids are wearing truffle, and the guys are wearing ivory tuxes but I am not sure what color vests they should wear (yellow or truffle?) and whether or not my maid of honor should wear an ivory gown or tuffle. What do you all suggest?
I am looking for a chocolate brown tux. has anyone rented one? If so where from? thx!
Hi Lori, My groomsmen will be weary chocolate brown also. I am going for the darker, more espresso, brown so for me it was IMPOSSIBLE to find a tux in that shade. I decided early on to go with suits so we found some great ones at S&K and Men’s Wearhouse. However if you are looking for more milk chocolate brown tux, only a few companies do rent those….I guess they are not as popular! MW Tux, President Tuxedo are two that had them. Also, I found a great one from Jim’s formal wear called “Parisian”. Also try Cape Fear Formal Wear. The only disappointing thing would be that sometimes I would find the tux on the internet and then go into the store and that particular store would not have it. So from experience, even if you find what you want with “jim’s formal wear”, call the local store to verify they have brown tuxes before you make the drive!! Godd luck:P
I am planing my wedding for May 9 and i love the idea of using the brown and pink/fuchsia color combo…thank for the pics and great ideas..
My bm’s will be in chocolate brown for my wedding next year, no idea what the men should wear!!! Help!!!
nicole i’m getting married next year too and my bm are also chocolate brown. I’m getting married in Lanzarote so it suited us better to buy the suits for the men as renting would be too dear. We have brown trousers and gold waistcoats and ties from debenhams, plain cream shirts and brown shoes. Worked out about €100 per person, much cheaper that renting for 2 weeks and they can wear the trousers and shoes again. Good luck!
I am looking for a chocolate brown, taupe color scheme and I see it in my mind but, I am finding very little help in the area of flowers that will contrast and favors. Also, I need to know if it is necessary to have the groomsmen tux’s matching the color scheme or can there boutonniere make all the color difference? I also want to note that we have booked a yacht for the reception and ceremony, so there are limited things I can do that will be lovely on the open seas. HELP ME PLEASE.
Thank you,
Jackie
Jackie, you can do bright white as your “accent color” for flowers and favors, this look is very old-world Tuscan, and timeless. Or pick a third color that really pops, and this will make your decisions so much easier. You don’t say the time of year, but bright orange is great for fall, or try fuchsia, or a fresh bright green.
The groomsmen will look great without having to match exactly. Put them in black tuxes with taupe waistcoats/ties and it will be very harmonious.
Another thing you can do is concentrate on greenery for your tables, which done right can be more wind-resistant than flowers and look exotic and wonderful against your brown palette. HTH!
I am getting married in October in an outside wedding with the reception at a historical mansion in SC. My colors are burnt orange & chocolate and my theme is “warm, southern elegance”. My BM will be in Burnt orange tea length dresses from Lynn Lugo and my groosmen in chocolate tuxes. How do I keep my wedding and reception warm, southerm and elegant without looking to much like Halloween with my color scheme?? Help!!:((
Towanna, I have some thoughts for you! Too many, hope you have a cup of coffee! Let me try to distill down my ideas of what makes a classic southern wedding & how to work that w/ your colors.
Colors … To me the classic southern wedding layers neutral upon neutral, so you see creams, ivories, champagnes, all layered and combined. Modern wedding colors pop and contrast … but southern classic softly blends. In addition to all these warm neutrals I’d think about adding antique gold to your palette in places like sashes, bouquet wraps, aisle runners, stationery. Nothing could be more southern, or farther from halloween. Also, I’d let muted "earth" shades like salmon, sage, peach creep into florals.
Look how warm and classic all this is, no danger of your guests thinking they’ve stumbled into a gothic ball.
The south is about nostalgia, celebration of the outdoors, and a casual aristocracy. For the outdoors part, think mason jar lanterns, hand fans, iced tea and lemonade, parasols, cozy old trees with hanging ribbon.
Texture is all-important, it’s really the heart of this style. Work from with very subdued colors, then add texture (e.g. lace wedding gowns with broad satin sashes — aka Monique Lhullier’s iconic "Miranda" dress — or ivory gowns with pearl buttons, silk or chiffon floral detail like above). Look at neutral and stunning linens like the pin-tucked ones shown above with those chocolate brown runners. Cakes in ivory or white with incredible detailing, like the romantic cherry blossom style above or the regal paisley/cameo version. Other textures to brainstorm: lace mantilla veils or birdcage netting, hydrangeas and peonies, taffeta layered BM gowns or silk dupioni with gently contrasting underlays.
Most of these pics are from brides.com. This also draws heavily on Snippet & Ink, see especially her boards Amanda & Matt and Peachy Keen. Lovely work. I hope this gets you started, to me, as much as I love mod, there is nothing to rival the southern wedding for timelessness.
I am having a wedding 10/4/08 am trying to go with chocolate brown and white starfish…beach fall wedding. Ideas or pictures to share with me??????
I just got engaged and am beginning the planning process for an October 2009 wedding. I love the look of either a soft or bright yellow paired with chocolate brown and since it will be a Florida wedding I think that should be ok in October.
I want the BM’s in yellow knee length dresses but no clue what the guys would be wearing. The problem is that my FH does not like the look of the khaki or brown suits but I dont like black and brown together. It is going to be a semi-casual, outdoor wedding. I was kind of going with a southern, country chic type feel (reminiscent of homemade cookies and fresh squeezed lemonade). I am looking for advice either with other options for the guys to wear with that color pallet or another option for the chocolate brown to pair with yellow and still get the same feel. I appreciate any help/advice!!
Anything that might go with a little brown latte?! You all have such great ideas I love it!!!
Kel
I am sorry I meant to say a “lighter” brown!!
Hi Kelly,
I had a heard time finding the combinations you were looking for in the lighter mocha brown and the gerbera daisy red and orange from pics off the net. I really like the combo though and think it would look great together. Here are a few pics I found. I hope some of these help for inspiration. If you would like to see a bunch more, please email me at: conniesthomas@hotmail.com-and I will send them to you.
more mocha pics…
some more….