Chocolate Brown Weddings
Once upon a time, 'chocolate brown' went by a variety of names in bridal world: cocoa. Espresso.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!
We are getting married next fall. We are thinking about having eggplant dresses with gold accessories for the bridesmaids. The groomsmen will be in chocolate brown tuxes. Will this match okay? We plan to accent with lime green, gold and ivory. Our reception will be decorated very natural, with lots of twigs and ivory candles.
Brooke,
Yes this will work.
* here is a real wedding with a plum and brown just to show you how well the “colors” can go.
I am having a wedding in September and my colors are brown, green, and orange. Are these going to look good together? I want the wedding to have a fall feel but also be modern and would like to use green apples in some way. The flowers I would like to use are gerber daises, kermit mums, and roses. Any suggestions would be helpful. thanks
Sarah,
* something like this, you could add green apples floating in the cylinders.
* this would work very well, still adding apples either as favors on place settings or in taller cylinders
So I am needing alot of help and i am seeking the help from this link, because i love the look of Brown. I am getting married in 2012 in March. I need an idea, am i doing the wrong color for March? Please help me…
Trista,
Not at all. What other colors do you lean to for an accent? or jsut brown and cream or white? What does your location look like? and what type of wedding do you want?
When you said brown I immediately thought of this simple but beauiful pic.
* here
Trista,
* more pics
can someone show me some pics of table decor. I am also having a dessert table how do we set it uP? thanks
Leasa,
* pics
* how to
For table decor try:
projectwedding.com
weddingwire.com ( photos by category and color)
stylemepretty.com
theknot.com ( once logged in click 5000+ photos)
hi…
my wedding will be on december….
my motif are lime green,gold and dark brown,what do u think?will it look nice?any suggestion?
charity
Your colors sound absolutely beautiful!
im getting married on december..my motif will be lime green,yellow and gold…what do you think?will it look nice?or lime green,gold and dark brown?thank you…
Charity,
* the ribbon in the pic looks more brown than black. Isn’t all this gorgeous!
* wedding boardI actually love it.
Charity,
*WOW!! you could add more of the green for it to really show up.
Charity,
* real wedding
Charity,
*and this
Charity,
*yellow and green
thank you stacey..i really appreciate it….
is it possible if i will include in my invitation the ceremony program?
Charity,
* tips
Programs for any event should be in a place when guests walk in.
hi stacey…
im freaking out about my invitation…what do u think the best color for my invites,like the envelop and the invitation itself,since i have these motifs….thank you
Charity,
Which colors were you set on?
green/yellow/gold
or
green/brown/lime
You know you could easily do a simple brown and ivory or white color scheme pulling in yellow and green centerpieces and adding gold rimmed stemware or gold rimmed/etched votive holders. White or cream programs with gold writing, brown with gold writing invites in cream envelopes. Simple/ all brown invite would be classic with a updated look.
thank you stacey…
i set on lime green/chocolate brown/gold
what do u think?
Charity,
Love it! It is a great color scheme. Champagne gold would look really nice.
Hi there,
I’m getting married this december here in the Philippines. I am so torn with three color combinations, i really love green and brown will it be fine if i also add color pink? Is it a nice idea if my secondary sponsors wear brown, bridesmaids wear green and flower girls pink?Please help me with some ideas. thanks!
Shiela,
Yes pink would be nice against brown and green.
* loads of pics tolook at
pink and green florals look fantastic against brown dresses. Since you said green and brown, It would be better to use this as your primary colors adding pops of pink. If the bm are gonna be in green, then have the flowergirl in brown with a pink or green sash or even a beautiful patterned sash of pink/same shade of green or pink dress with green sash. Then pull in the secondary sponsers in the brown. This way it wont be to many colors and will have a flow. Another idea is to have brown dresses and green sashes on bm, and secondary sponsers in solid brown.
Shiela,
* real wedding
How do ya’ll think the colors of brown, light blue or turqouise, and cream for my wedding colors… in my mind it looks pretty but i haven’t been able to see any pics of all of the colors together…..?
hannah,
* some pics
* more pics
hannah,
* with turquoise
* with tiffany blue
thats the exact same colour decision ive just come to!! but i cant find any pictures of the lot together!!
I am having my 25th wedding anniversay in November my colors are choclate brown merlot and gold. I have not a clue how to put it together LOL HELP I want an elegant but simple decor for the tables
Leasa,
What color is your bridesmaids wearing. I will put together some ideas with the dress as a base point.
Leasa,
OOPS! Didnt mean bridesmaids. I meant what color linens are you using. If I could get a pic of the venue I could see how to put it all together.
Off the top of my head I am thinking chocolate linens, gold chargers, merlot napkins( wrapped with chocolate satin ribbon), merlot roses surrounded by clear glass or gold etched votives. Does the venue offer standard color linens, if so what color? Also this is a rich elegant color scheme, yet it could go rustic if you shuffle some items around-bring in some rustic touches. Which style were you leaning too?
leasa,
* this is one of my fave tablescapes. Nothing to it and it is budget friendly too. Dont have to worry about floral centerpieces and the candles can be reused later ( so no waste there) look closely, it has your color scheme, light gold ribbon could wrap the brown programs.
Thank you so much! this sounds great. The Venue does not offer linens just tables and chairs but the place is really nice and its new. I will try to get you a picture of the inside. thanks again, Leasa
I am trying to figure out what to do for centerpieces for my wedding in June 2011. My colors are chocolate brown and baby blue.. Any ideas ??????????
Randi,
* some ideas
I would go with white flowers which always look good with the color scheme or white candles. If you didnt want to go the white centerpiece route, you coudl always use blue hydrangeas. If your wedding is rustic, you could look to vases of brown branches and surround with votives. More elegant use bunches white roses or tightly packed carnations. If I could get a look at your venue I might be able tosee what type and color it needs; also what color will yur linens etc. be?
My venue is an outdoor ceremony at my family’s farm.. Everything is outside!!
Randi,
Since your being married on a farm, why not go with rustic pails (brown metal) filled with blue and white hydrangea. Or blue mason jars full of blooms or mason jars full of candles only.
* mason jar centerpieces
Randi,
* love this
Randi,
* I love this on many levels!
* here is a silver pail of flowers.
Randi,
* LOOK at this wedding bouquet at the first wedding posted
Be sure to check out their blog ( archives by month). You will be stunned by the beauty of these rustic weddings!
hi
im getting married and my colours and chocolate brown and either a bright yellow or a pale yellow and i was wondering if you could give me suggestions
thanks
Candace,
* here are some pics to look at
Candace,
You coudl also use both shades of yellow in your florals paired with the chocolate brown. That would give another great contrast.
Candace,
* here is a real wedding I think your gonna love
Candace,
here is a board I made for you.
I am getting married June 25 2011 and going with baby blue and chocolate brown for my colors. It’s and outside wedding so I am wondering what color of flowers I should go with? Any suggestions?
Randi,
* white flowers would look fantastic.
* or pale yellow
Randi,
You could even take cue from the wedding cake colors at top of this page and use blue flowers on white linens with brown napkins.
Hi, I am getting married this July and it’s going to be an outside wedding. We were thinking of brown and white for our color theme. The wedding is not going to be formal. But I don’t know what to do with the brown and white for flowers, decorations. Should I add another color in the color theme. Should I add reds and blues since we will be getting married the day before July 4th???
Christina,
Brown and white is absolutely gorgeous!
* pics
Christina,
* with green is isamazing
Christina,
*THIS is a fave of mine, if pic doesnt show scroll on centerpieces to ref# 1862
Hi Christina,
I am getting married October of next year, and my colors are Royal Red, Milk Chocolate, and Ivory. It’s hard finding flowers to go with the chocolate theme. My advice is to maybe stick to white roses. The are very elegant, and will compliment your appearance even more.
I would use rich deep shades of red roses to go along with the chocolate and ivory scheme.
We’re planning our wedding on december 2010. I’m choosing my motif color if it’s either chocolate& gold or chocolate&turquoise. Which is best combination?
Thnks in advance.
Jo anne,
It depends on the venue. If you could get me a link or pic I would love to take a look and see which colors work best.
Hi i would like some favor ideas, Im having browm table clothes with the light olive green kind of green apple color in the square one, but i started having a lots of silver details like on the invitations, and stuff. any suggestions or ideas for favor, the center pieces will be tall and have flowers andgreen and brown colors… I’m kind of lost and time is running so fast
Rocio,
I always recommend something edible whether it is jordan almonds or a great silver tin of fudge. It is a chance to let guests taste something the bride and groom love.
Im getting married in June and I was using brown and green , but suddenly i start using a lots of slver accents is that ok ?
do you think is that a good combination do you think its going to look nice ?
Rocio,
That sounds beautiful! Silver is a perfect accent.
* brown and green pics
* this is a winter wedding with your colors
i am getting married sept 2011. our colors are chocolate brown and kinda an aqua blue (pool blue davids bridal). im not sure how to do our flowers to coordinate with our colors. have any suggestions???
Stephanie,
* here are some pics
* more pics
* personally love the simple elegance of using white flowers with these colors
Hello Stephanie…I’m getting married April 2011. I have chosen the same colors you did and I have the same problem. I’m thinking I will just do all white flowers because I don’t want to paint my flowers. Maybe you could do the same. I have looked at a few all white flowers wedding. It looks nice and elegant.
my wedding is on sept. 2010 and i’d like to use chocolate brown as my accent for gold themes.. is it possible and perfect combination? kindly show me some pictures that have an accent of chocolate brown for gold.. and aside for chocolate brown what else can be combine to gold and chocolate brown? also im thinking what should be the colors of my boquet? also the bridesmaid gown is gold with an accent of brown show me some pictures of it.. the reception will be garden around six in the evening what can be the designs for that.. pls some advise.. thanks in advance..
Katie,
Do you like bold colors or lighter colors. You could go either way here for a september wedding. I have seen chocolate, gold and ivory done very nicely or I have seen all or one fall shade added to these colors. A fave of mine is brown red and gold or brown burnt orange and gold. The bm gown do you have a link to a pic?
Katie,
Another color you could use is varying shades of peach from light to dark.
Katie,
* here is burgundy and a golden fall yellow
* these colors would be GORGEOUS!
Hi there! I’m having my wedding this fall and my color is purple, and chocolate with some green accents. I’m thinking about a garden theme since I’ll be having my ceremony at a garden. My bridesmaids will be wearing chocolate brown dresses and do you think purple bouquet would look okay with chocolate brown dresses? If so, what shade of purple would you recommend? (dark purple, lavender, and etc) Any pictures?
Winnie,
I think one of these shades would work, so it will show up. Love your color scheme!
* pic
* look at this, it would work very well
Winnie,
* lavender is gorgeous! this one is my fave
* or lilac
Winnie,
* again here is lilac, yeah this is beautiful!
ok i think i have narrowed it down. I am doing brown and either gold or lime green as my accent color, not completely sure yet.
Brittany,
Brown and green is gorgeous together! You cannot go wrong with this failproof color scheme.
* brown and green pics
* reception pics
Brittany,
* here is brown with gold
Hi
I am getting married on July. Its an early morning wedding. My colours are sage and chocolate brown. The girls are wearing sage but I have difficulty in chosing a colour scheme for the boys. please advice
Yetto,
I would put them in simple chocolate with sage ties.
* brown and sage pics
If they dont want to wear that consider taupe.
* like here
* Like here
Yetto,
* here are some tan ones
Yetto,
Last you could have the guys in black and cream or white. It doesnt look out of place since the balck tuxes go with everything.
* look at this real wedding done like this
thanks very much stacey, you really helped
My daughter is getting married in Sept. 2010. Her dress is white, and the bridesmaids are wearing long David’s Bridal gowns in watermelon. She has chosen chocolate brown as her other accent color. We need ideas for the table decor at the reception and pictures if possible. Thanks!
Tammy,
* here is one table pic
* pic 2
Tammy,
* this is very beautiful
Tammy,
* here is the winner! isnt this first set of pics beautiful!
Tammy,
* just found these, upclose shots of the decor
My wedding is june 2011 and im having the guys wear either white or ivory tuxes and my dress will also be either ivory or white and the bridesmaids are going to wear brown dresses but im not sure about the flowers. Pink is so original and blue is not as classy as I want it but I dont want it to be boring. Any suggestions?!
Brittney,
The venue is a perfect place to look for complimenting colors. Also what is your fave color? That could be a base to find florals.
What about lime green? Its timeless yet trendy and pops!
* like here
Brittney,
*Fuschia is gorgeous with brown!
I have (175) 20×20 inch chocolate brown polyester linen napkins in EXCELLENT CONDITION. They were only used once. Will be selling all of them for 100.00. Email me @ ms.quanda21@yahoo.com if interested and include your zip code so I can give you the best possible shipping rate. Thank you!
is the napkins still for sale
hie ,well am havin a problem with getting chocolate brown ,so we have decided on the cerise pink and silver as our wedding colours….do the colours match??????
i need help with how the groomsmen would be dressed as well as the bridesmaids. 
Nkamo,
What about grey? It looks amazing with pink. So does navy blue or black.
* pink and grey
* pink and black
* pink and navy is my favorite with grey coming in 2nd
i am getting married in October 2010,and i have chosen my colours as chocolate brown and cerise pink.My bridesmaids would be wearing cerise pink dresses and a bit of chocolate brown ,however we have a dilemma with what the grooms men would be wearing……
Nkamo,
I think the guys would look great in chocolate! Cerise is a bold color so chocolate would anchor it well. Pairing a bold color with a neutral gives balance. If you can’t get them to wear brown then consider taupe or tan tux if it is more a daytime celebration or warm climate then tan would be a great look.
* like here
* this is sharp
Hi i came acroos ur info and i did my wedding a year ago and the guys had tux from menswearhouse and the best men was wearing a black tux with pink tie and vest and the regular guys were wearing a brown vest with brown tie black tux. my girls had a brown dresses with pink satches. and the flower girl had pink dress with brown satch.
Hey! Im getting married Oct 10 2010 and yeah-my colors are chocolate brown orange and thanks to my fiance he insists we use deep blue or royal blue yea that color totally throws everything off but im making it work- try having your girl yes brown and pink and have your guy use the same brown and and another color of his choice you have 1 dominate color and 2 different personalized colors.
Our colours are brown, red, orange, gold and purple (I know tons). The girls are wearing different colours – like the old rainbow style – one redi, brown, orange and purple. The guys are wearing brown tuxs with vests to match each of the girls.
Table linens will be brown with orange/red/gold/purple accents (i.e. napkins, flowers, candles).
Hello Michelle!
Where did you find brown tuxedos? We are getting married in July and we cannot find anywhere
Thank you!
you can get brown tuxedos at mens wearhouse. I’m highly considering them b/c our colors are chocolate brown and turquoise. We have already gone and picked black, but I think I want to go brown as well.
Hi Michelle,
It’s great to hear what colours you’re having. We are having brown, cream and a dark purple and some people have been put off the mix! When is your wedding and do you have any photos/or potential pictures you could show?
Thanks,
Sarah
I have seen all colors except Red with Brown. I am getting married in October 2010 and I am having a deep red with satin brown. I think it will be beautiful!! Any ideas?
Emmer,
* pics
* real weddings
* receptions
* even more pics
I’m doing the same colors for my October wedding as well. I’m thinking about incorporating some vintage gold for some added warmth with lots of dim, romantic lighting.
I am also doing choclate brown with a very dark red. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Christy,
* some pics
* real weddings
* more pics
good day! we are planning to get married by october 2010, aside from the venue which is in philippines, i dont know where to start in planning, as currently we’re in dubai…appreciate if anyone can help me coming up for color to match & wedding theme?
i believed once we decided for theme or color, we can start thinking about the invitation style, souvenirs…etc 
thanks & have a great day ahead!
lorelei,
Gorgeous venue! You will need light colors here. It will show up againt the venue decor best. Also simple is key, since it is ornate( esepcially the reception area). The sky is the limit on your colors since it is a neutral area. I do love thewhite in this setting it just goes hand in hand with all the lighting. Think of candlelight colors in candlelight there are ranges of apricot,amber, deeper oranges, corals, pale yellow. You see something different each time. Not fond of those colors? then pull in your fave color and pair it with white. I recommend a 2 color-color scheme. It will be simpler and streamlined in the venue.
lorelei,
* this is what I am thinkingas far as colors
hi stacey,
thanks for the prompt response. the color combination you gave me is awesome! (though i have to discuss with my husband to be). but i like the hot pink & apple green combination (my mom told me that its very usual), my fiance told me he is thinking about like charlie & the chocolate theme, but i guess if it will be brown, it may not be that visible at night since it will be a night event.same as lavender color. Thanks again for the proposal…
Godbless
Hi, I am getting married next year Jan in South Africa on my parents farm. High summer. Although am thinking mainly whites and creams, I would like crimson red and apple green accents. They are good colours for the farm but not sure if it will be good for a wedding. We’ll be in a marquee and the garden is huge and green… what do you think? I envisage long tables, white table cloths and chair covers, possibly a cream overlay of some sort then a green apple at every place with their name in silver on crimson card in a piece of wire stuck into the apples. I have an enormous family so will propbably have 6 (gulp) bridesmaids though they won’t have any duties really, its just to honour them. I don’t want it to be too matchy so thought 1 could be in turquoise, another in crimson, apple green, royal blue, berry purple and chocolate brown. We could all have bouquets of red roses and silver shoes… what do you think? Could it work? Or not???? Would appreciate your honesty!!!!
Have added a photo of a tent where they use the green and red colours beautifully…
Thanks Cara
Cara,
That is very pretty using those colors! I think with the girls in different colors with the red would work very well since you are using a colored but still neutral decor. I love it!! The bm will too because they can choose something that flatters their skintone.
Thanks Stacey,
I really appreciate that! Sometimes you just need a bit of encouragement:-)
Cara