Month by Month: Wedding Themes and Colors for Every Season
Here we try to do just that. Granted, these are just suggestions ... and they don't take into account destination weddings, or seasons outside of North America, for that matter. Not to mention: a grandly-decorated venue is a blank slate you can transform into anything, any time of year. And some of these themes and colors are really fine for year-round use, though we didn't want to repeat them over and over (Black & White or Fifth Avenue Aqua being two examples).
But all disclaimers aside: if you want 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.
What'd We Miss?
We know this list is hardly exhaustive... there are plenty more themes and color schemes tailor-made for autumn or spring. Why not share some of your favorites below?
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hello guys. love to read your conversations here.
especially stacy, u have brilliant ideas.
can i just ask your ideas on what is the best wedding motif for april (summer) or august/october (rainy season) that is formal and will be held on the afternoon til evening on a garden?
coz i saw pictures that their motif is bloody red or royal blue (the colors of my choice) with guys wearing tuxe and its quite dark (frightening) heheheh.
suggestions please. thanks a lot guys. il wait for your reply.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
101010,
thank you for the compliment, would be happy to assist!! motif…meaning theme? and i didnt quite understand their motif is bloody red or royal blue? is that the venues? i look forward to your response!!!
I want to get married on sweetest day 10-17-10 can I have silver bridesmaids dresses with pink\fushisa flowers?
stepha,
of course!!! i did put to together a lil’ mood board to show how it would look with brown…….
Dark blue what months is okay to use this color?
Lisette,
you can use this, actually, all year round. blue is great isnt it! i love it in weddings. when is your wedding date?
Okay ladies I need major help/advice. I was to be married this saturday 10/17/09 but a month ago we moved the date forward to 2/6/2010. So the problem is I am now pretty much starting from scratch all over again. So my main concern is which colors are appropiate for that season. Also i’m in San Antonio , Texas and the wedding is indoors. Will be waiting for your assistance. Thanks Alot
jennifer, do you have a pic so i can see the venue location to see what compliments it and the style. and some colors and style you lean to yourself. thanks!!
I do not but will see if i can get the pics asap.
Stacy,
So I have not been able to get any pics of my venue. Sorry I know it makes it a bit difficult, but what i’m trying to do is the following. I want my wedding decor/feel to me simple, elegant and comfortable. I will have at between 400-500 guest. I also am on a very tight budget and have some sponsors. So basically i’m a bit confused/lost. SOMEONE HELP
jennifer,
that is okay. once i get a look at your venue i will be able to see what colors will be best. i can also take a look to see what type of decor it will or wont need. you said you wanted comfortable; warm colors such as reds, oranges, etc. will be cozy where blues and greens give a bit of peace and tranquility to the guests.
*color tips*
*more tips
i would take the word comfort and build my wedding around that. you said your wedding date will be in feb. did youwant a winter theme? if you have a link to the venue i can go take a look. looking forward tohearing from ya!!
Off the top of my head: white fairy lights and greenery, mixed with simple white roses. i am thinking all greenery centerpieces cause it just looks sooooo magical, especially with candlelight. you cant beat it for its ability to withstand anything, its simple but has lots of statement, use in simple glass or silver containers. have falling elegantly over side. and the best part? it is soooo budget friendly!! keep the main flowers like white roses to the bouquets only. more tradition? have a white bouquet wrapped with blue satin ribbon. girls in ice blue. guys in basic and classic black suits or tuxes. have cake in ice blue with white roses cascading down side. overhead beams? tuck greenery on beams and wrap with twinkle lights. flowergirl in white dress with black sash. if you dont care for black, brown is just as gorgeous. whimsical? have fabulous favors! like fun heart shaped lollipops with trailing satin ribbon on each place setting. will give the hint of romance and nearby valentines day.
jennifer, here is a wedding board i made using the colors i suggested.
Stacey,
I really like all the ideas and I was also thinking of doing a winter theme. But the color I was thinking about is like a golden/tan color along with whit or vanilla color. The centerpieces i’m thinking sqaure vases with a bundle of roses and candlelight surrounded by it. Let me know how u picture that? Thanks alot
Jennifer,
Oh yes! that would be beautiful. you could use gold/white; champagne/white, tan/white.
*gold and white
*centerpiece
*real wedding
*gallery
*white wedding
Jennifer,
*more ideas
Jennifer, After looking at your color scheme and the locations( San Antonio) I thought how neat would it be to have a color scheme based on a gold/white theme and a color famous for the Texas/Spanish culture using spanish gold, champagne, and white color scheme. I made a board to show how it looks. It is nothing more than white with a range of golds from light to dark shades. Hope you like it. I thought you could use your rose centerpieces and add either short stems of curly willow or icy branches( from a craft store) into your roses and votive centerpieces.
Hello Jennifer and Stacey! Sorry to bump in on your conversation, but I love the ideas you’ve been playing with. I too am having a very difficult time finding the right theme my wedding. Mine is March 29 and that screams spring wedding, but - I’m in Michigan and it still snows here til mid April most years. So I’m really confused. This will also be a renewal ceremony for my husband and I. Our first wedding was very tiny (I didn’t even have a dress and we only have one picture from that night). After being at my cousin’s wedding on October 25, we both realized how much we missed the little things like our first dance, photos, him seeing me for the first time in my dress. So, we decided to the wedding I always dreamed of this time ’round.
So, to get to my point… I need help! We’ve narrowed it down to 2 locations for the ceremony/recption combo, both owned by the same mgt. co. I’ll post pics in the next post. Some of the colors I like are…
All Shades of Pink & Red
Champagne & White
Black & Brown
Navy (in small doses)
Lime & Peridot Greens
Thanks for any help ladies!
kelly, cant wait to see your venue pics and i will locate ideas and colors for ya!!! look forward to hearing from you!! and thank you for your compliment!!
Thanks! But I’m having trouble getting pics. Their website wont let me save them. But I’ve been thinking and I was led by a google image search to a collage you did of cherry blossoms and such after I found a picture that expressed exactly what I was feeling. The picture was of a blooming cherry blossom branch with snow on it. This is even more special given I spend a lot of time as a kid playing under one of these trees that grew in my back yard!
So, here is what I have going, but not sure how to pull it together….
Lots of cherry blossom branches, rich dark brown, rich (but not hot) pink, and peridot green, and ivory instead of white for my dress.
kelly,
hi, i love those ideas very much. if you give me their link i will head over and take a look.
*here is one pic
* something like this would be beautiful with vases of cherry blossoms mixed with icy branches and then scatter frosted votives on the table.
i am thinking rich luxurious looking linens and napkins. maybe silk.?
all brides,
i made 3 boards, 2 for the winter/christmas season and 1 for halloween. i chose to go masquerade theme wedding for the halloween board and kept it classy.
Hey everyone! I’ve seen some great ideas here and was hoping that I could get some help as well. I’m getting married on 8/21/10 at a winery/B&B overlooking the shores of lake Erie. It’s the 2nd wedding for both of us, so everything is a bit more casual. I’m looking at an ivory strapless dress with a high-low hemline and the guys are wearing dark khakis, white shirts and ties. My fiance and two of the bridesmaids are fair skinned red-heads. So, the following colors are out: yellow, sage, pink, orange, red and any pastel. I was looking at mocha, but I think it may be too much neutral with the guys in khaki. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
kelli,
have you thought about green? or a gorgeous shade of purple?
*you will love this very helpful link!!
my suggestion is to take your bridesmaids to a store and see them in the different colors and see whcih one makes them glow and feel very confident and beautiful.
Hi Kelly….I dont think it would be alot of contrast. I actually attended a wedding where they used three different colors and the combination looked great. They used Chocolate Brown (Mocha), Gold and Beige…so it might give you an idea.
Stacy and Yvonne,
Thanks a bunch for the advice. I wish I could take them all out to try on different colors, but I have three bridesmaids in three states. So, I’m sending them out with ideas and cell phones (to send pix). What do you all think about a darker brown (truffle) for the bridesmaids dress with sage accents to lighten it up a bit? Or, I was also thinking about going with the truffle dresses and, since it’s August, go with wildflower bouquets in bright and bold summer colors.
Kelli,
i love the solid dresses with the wildflower bouquets. the dresses could more easily be worn again. another idea you could do is tell them to pick the shade of brown that looks best on them. the contrast is really pretty when all grouped together. it will make them very pleased, cause then they have a dress to wear again. also they it they will pick out what suits their body type. david’s bridal has truffle and other browns in mix and match that way they can choose and still look uniform and polished.
Hello Stacey and all….I am getting married in the winter of 2010…not sure of the date yet, but was thinking of a WINTER WONDERLAND theme. I kind of picked some colors, but wanted to know what you guys think, and if you guys have any pictures that you can share with me….The colors I was thinking would be Antique Blue, Silver and Champagne/Gold. Please let me know what you guys think! I would really appreciate it.
yvonne,
wow! i really like that you are using both gold/silver paired with the blue.
*pics
*boards
*more pics
*blue winter wedding
yvonne,
check out this real wedding. look at the floating roses with rhinestone in center. could you imagine those trailing down long tables and evergreens mingling around the bases?
*love this!
yvonne,
*here is a reception with your colors
Oh my God…..this reception is beautiful!!!!! Overall, thank you for all your help. I got to check out all the other links. They gave me a very good idea of what it would look like. Thank you
Hi, I’m picking colors for my wedding—we wanted to go with the colors of our birthstones (march&june)—thus we were thinking about doing like an aqua, light purple, and white!!!
The wedding will be in the summer of 2010 and we haven’t picked a site yet….Any ideas with these birthstone colors and pictures maybe!!!
A
ctually I’m thinking more of aqua blue, purple orchid, and white….however I dont know who should wear what as far as the bridal party!!
My birth month is June and the birthstone is pearl but alexandrite (which is the shade of purple) is the alternative stone and His bithstone is the aquamarine-for March…
bride2010,
i would take my bm and let them try on shades that would suit them best with their skintone. you may find a shade of purple light or dark that would be better. that would be the purple i went with.
*aqua and purple wedding
*real weddings
*here are teal and purple just so you can look
*tiffany blue….
*wedding boards and pics
hi… i’m from the philippines & our wedding is on april next year.. im thinking of turquoise & aqua blue as my motif,.. what can you say ? plz help or any suggestion? its a church wedding & a beach reception. tnx very much..
Hey my fiance and I were planning on having a June wedding so we decided to go with red and aqua blue (mermaid at DB) but then we decided to change the date and get married in March. Will these colors still work? Also I was planning on using stars as my theme, will this still work too? Thanks :)
meg, oh yes!! it will go!!
*wedding boards
*real wedding
*more pics
*star theme
thanks Stacey!!
stacey and everyone,
what do you think of these two colors together? My wedding is sept 11 2010. we had to move it back a week because getting married on the beach labor day weekend was not happening and the place I want to have my reception was not available. The colors are Turquoise and periwinkle blue.
Stacey,
hello there, do u have royal blue and gold color theme sample?
thanks. I dont know how to make combinations.thanks
angel,
*royal blue and gold
*blue and gold boards
*blue and gold
angel,
i made you a board!!!
hi stacey, how abt royal blue and lilac. What do u thhink?
do u have sample of the pics?
thanks. ure such a great help
baby,
hi i was limited to pics but i did make you a board, i hope ya like it!!
i thought it turned out a very nice color scheme!!
*here is some examples, colors may vary
baby,
*thomas and erickas wedding
thanks alot. we are hesitant at first. thanks. wer enlightened
sister/s,
i have decided to use royal blue and lilac.i need ur suggestions for what color will i use in the tables and chairs. only white/blue?Its an indoor wedding.
and im petite bride.what veil do u suggest? thanks alot
angel,
it kinda depends on the colors in the venue. can you tell me what color that is? that way i can determine if you need white and blue or a neutral table with your flowers in blues and purples, white napkins etc. cant wait to hear from you!!
angel,
*tips
We’re having a March wedding (3-13-2010), and have started the whole planning process. We are thinking about doing crimson, gold, and cream as our colors, but we are so unsure. We tossed doing navy about but figure it would be too dark for March. We definately want crimson because we are both HUGE Alabama footbal fans. But we don’t know what else to put with it because of the time of year. Do you have any suggestions for other colors, bridesmaids, and maybe flowers, etc.? Our theme is very casual.
I should also add that I love fall colors but don’t see how it could tie in with the season or the venue. I don’t have a picture, but the church were getting married at has hunter green carpet (yuck!) with white and pale blue green walls seperated by a chair rail.
christy,
you can always have a aisle runner to hide some of the green carpet. have you thought about crimson and champagne?
*here is a red casual wedding setting, they used alot of greenery with the red and it worked perfect, would for your venue also!
i saw this setting and it took my breath away. i am assuming that the blue walls are very pale almost white, if so, i wouldnt worry about that. this pic has hunter green chairs and they used red for everything, it is beautiful.
*evening wedding picture
i didnt know what shade the hunter green was, some look more teal while others are more green.
* this is nice ( you could use more red)
*okay i found this one and said wow, fall colors with a spring time look. THIS would be perfect, every thing about it!!it would solve your color dilemma with the green and pale blue. christy this would be super nice!
*beautiful
*real wedding
*another real wedding
i got these weddings from theknot.com where you can sign up free and go to wedding photos which will take you to photo galleries.
Thank you so much! I absolutely love the crimson and champange!
Hi… I am planning a wedding end of May. I am visioning a garden ceremony and indoor reception. As far as colors I was thinking teal, and tan. Any suggestions on what color schemes look good with teal? Any suggestions on the floral and linens?
Thanks,
Simran
Oops… I forgot to mention I’m in Seattle, Washington. May weather is typically nice but with any season or month Washington State in unpredictable.
Simran.
oh there are some really pretty colors that go with teal.
*teal wedding boards
*teal and orange
*teal and pink
*real weddings
*perfect palette teal
*project wedding
*perfect! teal and yellow
i would look thru the garden or garden pics and see what color the flowers are that bloom and pick one to compliment the teal. though i do love teal and pale creamy yellow! just beautiful
* this is stunning
*the knot
*another real wedding
Thank you so much!! Very helpful!
I need some help big time in choosing the colors for my wedding! My wedding is going to be in early August, in Michigan. So it’s the end of summer, not really fall yet. The wedding will be outside next to a pond, near the woods. The reception will be at the same site, except for indoors. I really love earthy tones. I was thinking brown, green or blue, and gold or oyster. But I don’t want it too look to “springy”. I was thinking of using the metallic colors more as accents, not really as main colors. But I don’t know what shades of brown, or blue, or green to use. And I don’t know if I should use blue or green or both! I just cannot seem to figure out what is going to work! Any ideas?
help. I am getting married on sept 4 2010 on the beach and I can not decide on colors. We have gone from baby blue and white, to lavendar and baby blue, royal blue and baby blue and now we are talking about dark purple and royal blue. any suggestions what would be better at the beach? No reception place picked out yet. Just got engaged and started panning.
hi mary,
nice talking again!! i made you a board over at the purple site in royal blue and purple. i hope you like it. i have been pretty sick so i am just now getting to some posts. i made the board late last night. i think the purple and royal blue would be stunning. however if you were looking to simplify even more blue, white and khaki are perfect for the beach!
*blue and white beach wedding
*blue beach wedding
i also wanted to show you blue and green just in case….
*beautiful
*beach tablescape
here is seafoam and white…
*beach chic
i know you were leaning toward blue but i HAD to show you this beauty!
*OMG! (you could put the bm in royal blue with tangerine bouquets)
*baby blue wedding
Hi everyone,
My groom wants a blue/navy blue color and I want pink..what is beautiful navy and pink or navy and cherry pink?
Any help or ideas? can you pls show me some inspirational board or design maybe of bridesmaid dresses?
Tnx tnx much..
junebride,
navy and pink is what i would pick. gorgeous and failproof scheme.
*navy blue and pink wedding
*wedding boards
Stacey,
Thank you so much. Now I will just stick to the original motif..Navy Blue and Pink…any suggestion for the color of our mothers dresses? That would match for our wedding motif?
Tnx!
junebride,
just have the mothers choose a blue or a shade of pink even champagne or grey. something that would compliment. the only exception is they are not suppose to wear the same exact shades as the wedding colors.
Thank you so much Stacey..your such a big help to all of us..
Hi, My name is Mandy, my older sister is getting married May 26th 2010 and I am helping her with favors and colors, she really likes the sunset theme, do you think a orange and pink theme could be good? And by any chance do you have any ideas on wedding favors that wouldn’t cost that much?
hi Mandy!
sunset theme how beautiful!!
orange and pink will look gorgeous.
*bouquet
*pink and ornage wedding
*wedding board
*real wedding
Hello! I am considering aqua/tiffany blue for my evening wedding July 10, 2010. The venue I have picked has a lot of greenery, white twinkle lights, white chairs, and an option of white, ivory, or black tablecloths. I have seen the venue set up with the various linens and the black ones look the best. My fiance agrees.
Here is a link: http://grandloft.net/
I think I want the overall color scheme to be aqua/silver/black.
So….what do I do for bridesmaid dresses and flowers?
Also…it is still several months away and the MOTB and MOTG are asking what to wear. Any ideas?
Kim,
have the girls in aqua or black whichever they feel most comfy in. then have a simple clutch of white flowers with matching ribbon. for the mothers a simple shade of blue(except aqua) will be fine, also silver or grey would be very nice. now if the bm wear aqua and you dont mind the mothers wearing a black cocktail dress then that is also an option. they can wear aqua heels with the black if they choose. overall with this color scheme i would consider white florals thruout.
Kim,
oh yes! i completely agree with the black linens. i would do the black and white colors as main then add accents of aqua. consider adding aqua ribbons around black dresses also, if the bm decide they want to wear black. which they may since it is so practical and wear again friendly, with or without the sash
*real wedding
hi there, im here in the phils and im getting married on march 2010.
we are thinking of royal blue as color motif.wat shade of purple will it march? i love both colors.
do u have pictures?
angel,
nice color scheme!
*wedding boards
*more blue and purple
*project wedding