Month by Month: Wedding Themes and Colors for Every Season
Still at the start of your wedding planning process? Ever wish you had a guide to help narrow down the themes and colors that really suit the time of year you're holding your wedding?Here we try to do just that. Keep in mind: a grandly-decorated venue is a blank slate you can transform into anything, any time. And some of these themes and colors are great for year-round use, though we didn't want to repeat them over and over (like Black & White or Fifth Avenue Aqua).
But if you're here for some great color combination or theme inspirations for January, June, or anything in between, read on!
March, April
If your climate cooperates, this is a wonderful time to celebrate spring's earliest bursts of color, flowers and delicate life forms: Lilies of Valley and Shasta daisies, daffodils and tulips, butterflies and dragonflies. Brides are instinctively drawn to pastels like lavender or yellow, whimsical and romantic pairings like red and pink, or combos with a modern bent like pink and lime green. A monochromatic look using all shades of pink is also totally spring (and stunning).Some popular themes for spring? Cherry Blossom, Butterfly, and Irish or St. Patricks, to name a few.
Also, popular spring color combinations that double as themes include Aqua Blue (Fifth Avenue Style), and Pink & Green.
May, June, July
Summer brides sometimes complain that they can't find any summer themes, besides the usual beach or garden. Not to worry though: there's more here than you might expect. Summer also offers some of the most brightest, most energized palettes for brides who aren't afraid to play it modern. Contemporary picks include orange and fuchsia, green and hot pink, black against any kind of eye-popping-color, and chocolate brown and pink (or aqua).Favorite themes for summer are numerous, but here are just a few: Garden, Daisy, Enchanted Forest and Victorian Garden, Beach, Starfish, Hawaiian Luau, Preppy/Nautical and Poolside. Don't forget Patriotic or Baseball, Fairytale or Asian Garden, Polka Dot or 50's Retro, and South of the Border, Rustic Country or Western.
Color Themes for the warm summer season include all kinds of Green, Cornflower Blue, Orange & Fuchsia, Black & White Toile with summery accents like yellow or pink, Aqua Blue (beach style), and the lighter purples, like orchid or Aubergine.
August, September, October
The colors alone bring this season near to the hearts of many brides who can't imagine tying the knot any other time of year. From russet to pumpkin orange and cinnamon to vanilla, the scents and famers' market decor of an outdoor Autumn wedding makes a setting like none other (not to mention the awesome photos!). Another plus: the grapes are ripe, and it's time to celebrate a brand-new season of wine.Popular colors for this time of year include latte, mocha and chocolate brown, rust orange and burgundy, hunter green and gold. Nature-minded themes are all the rage right now, including New England Harvest, Harvest Modern and Halloween, "Perfect Pear" and Apple, Tuscan and Wine Theme, Herbal and Rustic Country. Chocolate Brown also amounts to a theme ... one that suits the season to a 'T'.
November
November's long been a sticking point for brides who want to stay close to nature, but aren't huge fans of the bright, brassy colors of autumn. We've try to address this dilemma with our new "Fields of Gold" page, which pays homage to the natural world and November's subtler palette of creams and golds. For more urban, indoor and delectably chic approach, seize on this time of year for a 1930's Retro / Art Deco Theme, with its November-friendly palette of gold, ivory, sepia and black, and its oh-so-apt nostalgic feel.
December, January, February
Friends and family are stuck inside, desperately hoping for a romantic diversion. Which is why this time of year's about making big, elegant gestures: going back in time, playing with lighting levels, indulging in romantic fabrics and heavy molding ... in short, transforming an ordinary interior into a portal to another world. Favorite colors for this time of year include ice blue, silver and white, gold, red and green, metallics paired with black, ivory on white and vice versa, and all the shimmery jewel tones.Top themes that fit the season include those with a pale palette and opulent look, such as Calla, Parisian or Versailles, or those with a holiday feel, such as Christmas, Victorian Christmas, Winter Wonderland, or Diamond or Crystal Theme. Of course, Valentine's Day is a natural for those marrying in February, but the bold red and white palette works just as well for any other deep-winter setting.
Finally, maybe it's the Oscars, or just a need to cut loose after too many dark afternoons, but there's no better time of year to hold an Old Hollywood or even Vegas theme wedding.
As for color themes that suit this time of year? All-White, Regal Red, Black & White, and Royal Purple make good options.
I am having trouble picking colors. I’m getting married July 30, 2011 and I originally wanted a blue, cream and silver wedding, but now I’m leaning towards blue, cream, and accent brown. Is brown to dark of a color for a July wedding?
Johnesta,
Brown and blue are perfect together! Even for a July wedding.
* pics
Hi
we are getting married 4/30/11 in northern ca. we have chosen dark purple for the bridesmaids and grooms black tux no accent. My thought is to add lilac and green in the reception, boquets etc to have contrast for the dark purple. the venue is a country club with vista views that surround….what do you think of the purple, black and lilac? thanks
Cynthia,
Could I see a link or pic of the venue? I do love the shades of purple with the black, it looks amazing and would be great contrast.
* some pics
I’m getting married Feb. 26, 2010. I’m thinking pink and brown but i really want to do like orange and a brown or tan. what do u think will look better?
Samantha,
I would go with what I loved. It also depends on your setting/venue. Do you have a pic of the venue? What about pink, orange, and brown?
* look at this stunner!
* more of wedding
* last part
Samantha,
* orange and brown
* real wedding
Hello,
We’re thinking yellow,teal, and brown but we aren’t for sure. Our other choice is sage green and plum.
I’m the maid of honor for my sisters wedding and she’s having it
october 2011. But we’re confused on what colors to choose.
Misha,
What does the venue look like? Sage and plum looks very nice together.
* some pics
* purple and green
* yellow teal and brown
I am planning my wedding for October 22, 2011. I am looking for a color scheme. Can you help me with this? Thanks!!!
I forgot to add! It will probably be outside in a field. I want contemporary fall wedding…thanks again
Heather,
What colors and type of wedding do you like? That would be a great starting point for a color scheme.
I am liking the golds and browns. I’m just not sure the flowers etc. to put with it. I don’t want old fashion country type flowers. I love roses.
Heather,
* look at this board, you could submerge orange roses
* look at this reception
heather,
I fell in love with this concept the first time I saw it, and now all over again. Add simple votives and you have something very unique.
* check it out
I think I have decided either to do! Chocolate Brown, Yellow and Ivory; or Chocolate Brown, Tiffany Blue and Ivory; or Chocolate Brown, Gold, and Ivory! Which one do you think for October of 2011?
heather,
I would go with the brown, yellow, ivory. It would be so pretty for a field. yellow shows up very well outdoors. Google brown and yellow weddings for pics.
* real weddings
Thanks so much! I have decided to go with that. It is so pretty those colors together. Thanks for the help!
Hi, I am getting married on July 24 2011 at The Merion in Cinnaminson, NJ in the skylight room. i will also have uplighting in the venue depending on my wedding colors.
I want to have a romance theme wedding and I do not want the colors to be dull. I am having a really hard time coming up with my wedding colors
I really like the color purple with maybe gold as an accent color, or burgandy and gold. OMG I am soooo lost
…. any suggestions, if you have any gorgeous combinations please advise.
Thank you sooooo much
Thank you.
Suki,
* this is beautiful and wuld really pop with fuschia or purple uplighting
Another thing you coudl do is burgundy aand purple with gold accent.
* wow this is beautiful! the purple linens with purple uplighting really showcases the white blooms
*THIS is sooo romantic and bold without being too much
Suki,
* gorgeous! Dont want so much pink then add some purple or burgundy to it.
* this is nice
HI, I’m getting married sept. 2011 and having trouble picking out colors, i was thinking about a light blue like pool(davids bridal) with a silver, then i was thinking of a darker blue greenish color with the silver? what do u think look better?
Michelle,
Both are very beautiful. I would have my bm try on each of the colors to see which one looks better with their skintone. Then choose. Teal or turquoise will give you a bit richer look where pool can give a lighter more cooler look. Usually like a bling theme wedding would have.
Hi, i am getting married on 27 Aug 2011, i was thinking of wearing green and yellow(mild colors) do you think these colors will blend well.
Linda,
Green and yellow are amazing wedding colors. You said you wanted to wear them?
* pics
* more pics
Hi, we are planning a wedding for my daughter mid to late August and would like a good color scheme to go with it. The place we ar looking at is Hazlwood in Los Gatos California. Any ideas would be great! thank you
Sally,
The venue is gonna be pretty neutral. So any color your after would go. Are there any colors your daughter is drawn to the most? Is she wanting a wedding theme cause that will help with color schemes too. I personally think a white wedding would be gorgeous. Maybe bring in one other color.
* look at this ( this color scheme with lots of white, would stand out beautifully with all the green). The bm could be in a rewearable classic neutral color with peachy orange bouquets.
Hi!
I am getting married on
April 16, 2011 
, at the Logan Temple in UT (my fiance and I are LDS) and am thinking about doing a deep rich purple and lime green? Are those okay colors for that time of year?
Thank you!
Amanda,
Very nice color scheme!
* some pics
What colors are your venue? Reception venue?
Hi Stacey!
I need help with colours. My favorite colour is blue and i would love to use that with champagne and one more colour…any suggestions? I’ve included a pic of the venue, it’s a little outdated but its an older classy building. There are now chandeliers all over the room, the carpet is a lighter colour and there’s old wood surrounding the room. Any suggestions on colour scheme? your input would mean a lot! This wedding is going to be a formal classy wedding if that helps, not sure if blue and champagne would go well…
Janina,
If you wanted to go with blue and champagne it would be fine. I would go with touches of blue hydrangeas, mixed with purples, and reds. Set against champagne linens. Then have the girls in a elegant blue shade with purples and reds in bouquet.
Doyou have a venue website I could look at? I might have some ideas. Also what shade of blue were you thinking?
hello….im planning to get married on august 2011..garden wedding do you think silver and gold are good combination for that month…?for you what is the best motif for that month…?pls…give me some good idea…
LynLyn,
Oh silver and gold is great. I love this concept actually. Could I see the venue where your wedding is. For a motif you could pick an item that is in the garden. You coudl even go with a simple flower motif on all yur invites etc. Or an outdoor setting on your invites. What were you thinking in terms of silver and gold? BM dresses etc. Also pairing one or the other with white is beautiful. For gold think about champagne. It looks amazing.
i nid to view colours so i can get a theme for my wedding am contepleting lime green but amd not sure hw ro mix it with the guys
Promise,
Try these sites…..
theknot.com
stylemepretty.com
bridescafe.com
* here is lime green
Could I see your venue, I can find some colors that coudl work.
I am getting married in Saratoga Springs, NY July 23, 2011 and I am so lost on wedding colors. Let me know what you think I should do with this venue.
Thanks!!!
http://www.dancemuseum.org/rental-gallery.html
Kaylin,
What a beautiful venue. It is neutral, so you could go with the colors you love most. Could you tell me some colors you like? It would be a good base to start with. Or the style of wedding your after.
I dont know, I was thinking eggplant, gold, and maybe lime. I don’t know if thats to much. I feel so lost.
Kaylin,
Oh that sounds so beautiful!
* here are some pics
* more pics
Hi, I’m getting married end of August 2011 @ the castle in delran,nj.it was supposed to be sept of 11 but we had to change plans. The colors I originally choosen were fern, brown, and champagne (davids bridal) being that were having a garden ceremony in ast rather than sept. Do u think the colors are still suitable?
Elena,
Absolutely! I would go ahead and use this color scheme. beautiful colors!
Goood thanks!! One more quick question. What color flowers should I use for the bridesmaids bouquets as well as my bouquet. I was thinking a rustic look. But I want something to make the colors I’ve choosen pop.
Elena,
If the girls are weraing champagne then green bouquets would pop. It stnads out so nice against brown too. Google green and brown weddings there will be tons of ideas!
Hi
Im getting married June ’11, originally it was Oct ’10 but Financially I couldn’t pull it off, My Ideal Colors are Marine Blue, Silver and White… are those ok still? or will it burn up 
my wedding party? becuz I live in Tx. And I need a Idea for My Grooms party, I dont want a Tux, I was thinking like a fishing shirt or silk polo, I say that cording to my husky men in the party… Idk >< I need help, also .my venue for the wedding wont allow anything be hung on the walls any alternatives??? images of weddings in those colors?
thanks
Jennifer,
I live in Louisiana so I understand the heat issue. I woudl think about having the guys in grey, it is lighter and will be great for June.
* not exact colors but close
* this may help
Jennifer,
Do you have a pic of the venue? I would concentrate on the tables and around the room.
* look at this
Hi Stacey!
My wedding is set on 2.26.2011.
It is still in the winter, but MORE close to March.
I still don’t know what colors to use!!
My BM dresses are long and black.
Please help!
Carol,
Loads of colors can be used. It depends on the color your love and the location can also help with picking colors. Do you have a pic or a venue link?
Stacey,
I am doing a May wedding with a tiffany blue and bright yellow color scheme and am having trouble dressing my bridesmaids. The MOH is a viberant redhead, and the junior bridesmaids is a pale blonde. The groom will be dressing in black and blue, so I don’t really want the dresses to be yellow. Any suggestions of something I could dress the bridal party in? Any help would be great!
Sherrie,
They all should look great in tiffany blue.
* Look at these tips
Thank you Stacey,
One more quick question, will it matter if the groom and groomsmen are in tiffany blue vests and the bridesmaids are in tiffany blue dresses with bright yellow daisies?
Thanks Again!!!
Sherrie,
Not at all. Actually that is what I was envisioning in my mind.
* ideas
* more pics
Thanks Bunches Stacey! That helps out a lot!!
I’m getting married in June, 2011. The original date was October, so I was pretty set on having wine or a deep plum as the color, but I’m not sure if these fit with a late spring/early summer wedding. What do you think? I really need advice on this one.
Kelly,
It woudl be beautiful!
* check out some combos with eggplant or plum
Great, I’m going to do some shade of plum then. I found a purple/orange inspiration board and fell in love with it! http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-color-flowers-go-with-lapis-dark-purple (under #8)
With the flowers, I’m thinking white daisies for the girls, and orange daisies for myself. The orange will pop well against my dress.
As for the groom (no tuxedos for groom/groomsmen), I’m thinking dark khakis and a white shirt with a white tie and an orange daisy boutonniere. For the groomsmen, I’m thinking dark khakis and a white shirt with an orange tie and a white daisy boutonniere to match the girls’ bouquets.
Kelly, love it!!
hi stacey! my wedding will be on april 2011 in church.. until now i didn’t decide yet my wedding motiff. it will b summer in philippines. i’m thinking of light lavender, pink, yellow & apple green together. what do u think & please advise me. thanks!
Stacey,
I’m getting married on 9/10/11 and we’re starting the planning process…. can you say stressful? Anyways, it will be in Sept., but early so it’s not really autumn yet and i don’t want to do the normal autumn colors (falling leaves and what not). I was thinking Marine for the bridesmaids dresses (Davids Bridal) with gerbera daisies in bright yellow….maybe. Something upbeat and fun, but i’m really not a fan of pink, which feels like it totally limits my options. If you have any suggestions on color combinations, I would truly appreciate it!!!
Andi,
Can I get a look at your venue? I love the marine and yellow a great combo!
* some pics to look at
Hi Stacy, i be having my wedding in november 2011. i have chosen lime yellow and red. could you please suggest what should be the base color for the bridesmaid dress and what shade of red would go along with lime yellow.
Suzanna,
I would use a deep red or a burgundy red. It is more universally flattering.
* Mara & Tyson
* Loren & Matt
Suzanna,
* last one
* real wedding
Some of the weddings have orange but you coudl do a golden yellow instead.
hi..just dropped by here, and im still confused for my color on my wedding..
im getting married by january 2011..my favorite color is green, what kind of green is the best for me, and do i have to use any other color to make my wedding perfect?,please help me..
thanks in advance.
Nheri,
It depends on the location setting to the color scheme that should be used. Green is very versatile. Pair emerald with champagne and you have a classic and elegant color scheme. Do you have a link or pic to your venue?
Im in love with Grey (light or dark/charcoal) brides maid dresses but I think when we do decide to pick a date it will be in the summer. I really didnt want any other color. Would Grey still be ok during the summer?
Lauren,
Absolutely! It is becoming a new classic!
Hi,
I am getting married in early December 2011. I want to have pink, peach and orange colors for my wedding. My bridesmaids will wear different colors. Do they go well together?? Any advise or colorboard?
Me,
For a December wedding, yes you can have them in different colors but it would be depending on their skintone as the shade you would need. In my mind I could see an elegant rich peach, pink, and a subtle elegant orange. Orange is very hard for alot of bm to pull off, but it doesnt mean it cant be done. When you said your colors the first thought I had was elegant black or brown dresses even champagne then using the colored bouquets. Have the guys compliment accordingly. Let me know waht you think or waht shades yur after and I can pull some ideas. Pink is always a great choice because it gives the skin a healthy glow which is perfect for the winter skin-which can appear dull and dry. Just some thoughts.
Here is the first picture that I saw with red black decorations
Charily,
Gorgeous!
I’m having a fall wedding (October 2011) and i’m having trouble picking colors! I don’t like the typical fall colors…red, orange etc. I was thinking navy blue and a brighter pink. What do you think? I’m not sure if these colors are right for a fall wedding….
Natalie,
Perfect! Just make sure it fits in the setting. Google image navy and hot pink wedding for some ideas!
:wave: Hi! Love ur blog! :) i’m having a Garden Wedding at the month April next year. How could I make it a Spring Theme even if the event would be at sunset? I chose the shades of lilac & dark gray violet together with some shades of carrot orange to compliment the sunset mode.
Is it fit to a Spring Theme Sunset Garden Wedding?
Chris,
Absolutely!
* some pics
* more pics
Chris,
* look at this beauty
Hi Miss Stacey.
Thanks for all the links! Really gorgeous! It increases my excitements when i looked at the pictures =)
now i can say that our planning is clear enough to tell what we want our wedding theme & motif to be. thanks a lot for your help! :)
hi
I’m planning on getting married between september- december 2011. But I’m having a huge problem choosing the colors. I would love to use black but really don’t know if match it with red i saw some pic with this combination and it cought my attention. other color combination i love are Chocolate and lime gree or with fuschia. i thought this was easy but not all. What would you recommend…thanks
Charily,
It depends on your location colors. Do you have a link to the venue? Or a pic?
im having a march wedding… i really want to have the colors purple and royal blue together but i don’t know if those colors are right for a spring wedding…ive seen blue and yellow.. but its not my favorite.. any sugestions of how to use the colors i want??
Carmen,
These colors are nice for a spring wedding.
* real wedding
Carmen,
* here is another
* look at these shades
Brides,
Here is some new boards for fall.