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!
I’m having my chocolate brown and ivory wedding in November, i am still to meet with the decor lady but im thinking maybe i should add a bit of yellow to brighten it up a bit. What do you think? I hope it works out. I’m still looking for chocolate cakes decorated with vanilla, any suggestions?
I think the yellow would be very pretty
Tshegofatso Matsheka,
Yellow would be a great accent color for brown and ivory, as long as it goes with the venue.
http://www.polyvore.com/walkin_in_sunshine/set?id=48146590
http://www.polyvore.com/brown_yellow_silver_wedding/set?id=25469232
http://www.polyvore.com/brown_with_yellow_marrying_my/set?id=19502618
If you google image chocolate wedding cakes there will be loads of pics.
I am having my vow renewal my main color is brown of course and I’m
Deciding on pink or fuschia when I say the word pink people cringe but I don’t want the pink colors to clash if there are centerpieces flowers etc
YT,
Brown and pink is GORGEOUS together.
Google image pink and brown wedding also google image brown and pink wedding reception
Real wedding…
Part 2
part 3
part 4
nice…
another nice pic
love…
hot pink…
great ideas..
nice…
If you’d like I would be happy to look at your venue pic or link and see what would work best.
Ok thank you this very helpful I’m still trying to decide on a venue as soon as I find one I like I will send pics
am planning for my wedding and i don’t know the colours to choose between chocolate brown and orange or chocolate brown and pink.please tell me the right colour to choose.
Nikky,
Could I see your venue link or pic so I can see the best compliment? Thanks!
dat means u can’t tell me which is one is ok between cholocate brown and orange OR chocolate brown and pink, ok am Chocolate in complexion while he is fair at least u can still use dis to answer my question.
Nikky, I think the brown and pink is perfect for your concerns. Have you thought about using all three colors?
hi my sister in law is getting married on december 15, 2012 and ur colors are red, gold, and chocolate brown. Her ceremony is on the beash and at a hotel and her reception is at the same hotel but on a terrace overlooking the ocean. im having trouble coming up with ideas for both the wedding decor and the reception decor. Can u please help me
Shaina,
Can I get the link to the venue?
In the meantime look at this table. I think this would be amazing…
Top two pics…gorgeous….
http://www.polyvore.com/chocolate_cranberry/set?id=14297161
beautiful…
Part 1
Just use all red florals, pale gold linens,brown chargers, and other brown touches.
beautiful….
This may work really well. Bridesmaids in chocolate with red bouquets, then carry the red and gold into the hotel setting….
http://www.polyvore.com/romantic_red_gold/set?id=44157232
Could you tell me the bridesmaid dress colors, table linen color, etc.
my wedding is planned for November 2012,my favourite colour is brown, my fiancee’s favourite colour is lime. Can anyone help, do you think we can actually use both?
Tshegofatso Matsheka,
Brown and lime or any shade of green is actually a very popular color scheme. Look how stunning some of these pics are..
Look at this real wedding…
For more pics google image brown and lime or brown and green wedding. Either one of these searches will pull up loads of ideas.
ma sister would be getting married in march and am going to be her chief brides maid but don’t know what to were cos er color is burnt orange with chocolate brown.
ayokunle,
Use the best color for your skintone….
Usually brown dresses work very well with orange bouquets. It has a beautiful contrast. Another color could be champagne with brown sash, orange bouquets. For pics google image brown and orange bridal party.
Hello, my wedding is in July and I’m using chocolate brown and teal. I would also like to use peacock feather but not sure yet. I’m also trying to decide on a general theme for my wedding but can’t think of a good one. My reception will be at the botanical garden so i was thinking of Enchanted garden as my theme but it’s been used many times before. do you have any ideas on a theme i can use. thank you so much
Samantha,
Why not let the peacock feathers be your theme…like an exotic destination. It will fit into a botanical setting perfectly!
Some examples One
Two
Three
wow, thanks Stacey, Never thought of using the peacock as the actual theme. I only though of using it as an accessory. I really like your idea. Thank you very much
I am getting married 09/01/12. I want my colors to be choco brown and some shade of green. I am getting married in the South so chances are it will still be hot. What shade of green would be best for the bridesmaids…i want them to be as comfortable as possible. Any help is appreciated. Also i can’t seem to find cute yet non expensive invites…should they be green or brown
Roro,
Here are some invitation styles..
I think going with brown and white or brown and green would work well. For the shade of green, I would first look to the best shade for the girls but having them in brown with green bouquets would be awesome and have beautiful impact/contrast. Some examples….
Here is a link for best colors for skintones, the right shade of brown can be universal as well as rewearable….
Roro,
* try this back yard wedding
* pretty herb centerpieces