The Meanings of Colors in Weddings
When brides are struggling to pick colors at the beginning of the planning process, one thing they wonder is, what do the colors "mean?" What vibe do they give off? What traditions and sensibilities are they grouped with?I'm going to try to answer that. Given, some colors stay pretty stable from year to year, while others shift along with the bigger fashion upheavals. And despite their close ties to the catwalk, some hues have a meaning and feeling all their own when it comes to weddings.
Diamond-White. When brides around the world think "Western wedding," they picture this. Ever since Queen Victoria, bright diamond-white has enjoyed strong associations with purity and the privileged, but these days, white may have (a lot) more to do with modernity. This is the same breeze that brings us minimalist Calla bouquets and lace-free-zone Vera gowns.
Ivory. Ivory is elegant, old-world and soft-spoken. Ivory speaks of hand-polished silver and ironed linen. Or in Economist-speak, ivory is New York's Brooke Astor to Leona Helmsley's scarlet.
Champagne. Refined and traditional, rich and conservative. A gentle look with a slightly vintage feel.
Lavender. Soft, dainty and ladylike, this color often appears in weddings that hark to the past, with traditional-looking cakes and florals.
Pale Pink: The lighter shades of pink speak to happiness, playfulness, and a sense of fun, not to mention a special fondness for love's super-sweet early years.
Hot Pink. Energized, "girl power" hue with an almost-punk edge. Think Gwen Stefani, and as possible accents, black, brown or vibrant green.
Red: Passionate, dramatic, and dripping with desire, this romantic hue hints at deep lows, higher highs, and a triumphant peak (which of course coincides with the wedding). Often paired with crisp white and black in gorgeous toiles or other classic patterns, and sure to show up in tandem with tons of rose petals. What else? 1) It's no coincidence that Longoria-Parker's red wedding took place in Paris. 2) You're a chocolates and champagne kind of gal. 3) When the wedding's over, he'd best not forget your anniversary.
Coral: In weddings, this color often has an indie vibe. It might have a Latino, East Indian or Caribbean feel, or just a strong designer foundation. You see it show up in fresh pairings like coral and rust or coral and teal, or more conventionally, with chocolate brown, pink or yellow.
Going to a coral wedding? Don't be surprised to see a bit of mendhi on the bride's hands, paisley patterns, custom stationery courtesy of a hotshot graphic designer, luscious linens with lots of shimmer and tassels, or cinnamon-chocolate truffles. Oh, and don't forget to bring me.
Yellow: Optimism, cheerfulness, a strong appreciation for friendship. Yellow is 100% angst-free. It's also Martha Stewart's signature color, so yellow often goes hand-in-hand with that clean, grounded New England look, with lots of buttery porcelain and handmade papers.
Gold: Lavishness, luxury, warmth, tradition. As platinum continues to make inroads in the jewelry world, "yellow gold" is more of a statement than ever. Think Louis XIV, "The Sun King," warm Italian weddings, and unstinting shows of abundance.
Aqua: Fun-loving, fresh and vibrant. A favorite of beach brides, especially tropical ones, and an anchor for poolside weddings. But aqua shows up in plenty of other places, too. It's a favorite paired with chocolate brown for brides who want a fun and modern palette, and aqua and pink aren't uncommon.
Royal Blue: Grand, traditional, and casting an eye toward an idealized past. Evokes ballrooms, Cinderella stories and happily-ever-after. Often combined with a paler blue, yellow or gold.
Navy: This ultra-classic color signals a preppy wedding. Often paired with mint green or dusty orange, and loads of crisp white, this color puts tradition first, and adds a certain masculine gravitas to the palette.
Purple: Purple has strong, historical associations with royalty, especially in sacred contexts (think: Lent's purple to mark the royal approach). But thanks to lots of shakeups in the fashion world, purple's taken on a whole new life, and become challenging and mysterious, glamorous and grown-up, and ever-so-slightly Euro star, especially when paired with other complex hues like charcoal or even black. Rock this latter look with feathers, brooding florals, and few Goth-Edwardian touches.
Silver: Restrained wealth and glamour, sophistication. Silver says, "I can afford it, but prefer not to flaunt it."
Gray: Modern, understated, retro-informed and sleek. Lately, gray has deposed champagne as one of the hottest neutrals in weddings. Bridesmaids in gray with deco-rhinestone buckled sashes look up-to-the-minute ... and stunning. Pair with wheat or heather for the ultimate urban, slightly Swedish palette.
Chocolate Brown: So everywhere, it's hard to pin down, but chocolate brown is the cornerstone to most of today's modern palettes: brown with pink or aqua, or increasingly, coral, mint green or purple.
Green: In weddings, green reveals a modern sensibility, and often comes with inventive, non-traditional florals (think green button mums or wheatgrass). Thanks to the increasing volume of eco-talk, green's also a prominent hue at environmentally-conscious weddings. Lime green + hot pink says "pop princess." Olive or bright green combined with black & white looks downright regal, in that new-millenium way.
Black: Sophisticated, mysterious, assertive or even nostalgic, black shows up when couples have strong opinions about design. Black might lend a clean, graphic look to the wedding, or show up in evocative, Victorianesque forms, such as black Callas and rooster-feather collars.
Legions of black-draped bridesmaids continue to make a showing from summer to winter, with more attention to detail than in seasons past (contrasting sashes, more elaborate hemlines, or bouquets designed to pop against a black background).
Hello shay,
my boyfirend proposed 2 weeks after new years.
he is currenttly back in kuwait and finishing his last 5 months of deployment. i am currently planning and getting ideas as our wedding is still quite far away (july 6th, 2013) i would feel much more at ease if i could have this all put together before they even need to be done! (stress free bride? haha ) anywho, i want a military wedding, my fiance will be in his dress blues but i want our wedding to be sophisticated, sensual and fun all at the same time. i have no idea where to start with colors. HELP?!
Hi Stacey,
Thank you so much for your wonderful site! My fiancee and I plan to get married this Sept and we love pink and I’d also like to incorporate gold into it. Do you think it’ll work? Thanks!
Brad,
pink and gold are wonderful colors together! Could I see your venue link to make sure the colors work well? Thanks!!
In the meantime google image pink and gold weddings also google image pink and gold wedding receptions for loads of visuals.
Always a stunner..
This too…
Thanks Stacey! I’ll send you a link of the venue as soon as we find the right one! thanks for the help!
Hi I am feeling a bit unsure about my colour selection for my upcoming wedding. I am Jennifer Hudson complexion and so to are my bridesmaids. My colour scheme is PEWTER, Sunbeam (David’s Bridal colour) and Marigold. My bridesmaids bought an all Sunbeam shade knee length bridesmaid dress
now I am unsure about the colour combination…….I am now confused as to how to tie in the groomsmen /grooms attire colour with the decoration of the wedding set in a very beautiful but green garden…….
PLEASE HELP
Kalifa,
I like the sunbeam color, its pretty. I would have the guys in grey. Then pull in all white florals with a touch of pale yellow and lots of greenery. Add candlelight.Love, LOVE this…
This may help
Pretty
Google image yellow and gray weddings, there are tons of nice pics and ideas.
Hi there!
Im having an indian wedding in September. And the night before i want to use yellow silver and white. would that do on it’s own, or do you suggest to add a touch of a brighter colour?
Terisha,
Your color scheme will be beautiful on its own.
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Source 4
Hope these help, the yellow and silver looks wonderful.
Hi! I need help picking out colors. I think I’ve narrowed it down to black/white, royal blue and red. Our venue has a lot of gold and I was wondering what color would pair well with gold. Also, our wedding is march so I’d like to stick to the darker colors.
Thanks.
Ven,
Could I see a link or pic to your venue? It will help give me a idea of the best color.
Sure!Here it is.
http://glenisland-harbourclub.com/photos.html
I’ve also attached a pic but there are more pics at the link.
Let me know if you have problems with the link
Ven,
I am not sure royal blue would be the best choice. My personal fave is using red and gold. I think it would really accent the venue. I think this color scheme is enough for the setting without competing with the scenery. Another color that would work is mixing red and fuschia and accent with gold.
This would look nice…
(10th pic or 3rd row second pic, the red roses with surrounding floating candles)
Nice
This too
Here is a real wedding that has the black, white, red, it is pretty in the setting…
You may like this…
Source One
Source 2
Dear Ms. Stacey,
I really need your opinion, Im getting married by Sept.08,2012. I like Purple,Gold,Light Pink, Lavender,Red for my motif but its so hard for me to choose one>which color suited on that month of September&color which lucky color of mine.Im a Cancerian&my bf is Virgo.plss I need your help.Venue of our wedding inside in a hotel(the structure same like old hotel in london)but actually im getting married in the phils.The name of the hotel is Hotel Camila 2 in Dipolog City area-Philippines maybe you can search also for your reference in the google website.thank u & i am waiting w ur reply at soonest.. tc & gb!!
Elvie,
I looked at the grand ballroom( margarita hall) and thought something like this would work…
THIS would be absolutely stunning…
have uplighting in purple and change when the band plays for a more upbeat feel
Pretty
This color scheme would work, I would use champagne linens instead…
Here is another wedding…
Nice….
Wedding Part 2
Wedding Part 1
These would also work, may give some ideas…. Source
Source 2
Source 3
Dear Ms. Stacey,
Nice morning w u!
I refer green w lavender combination and also green w orange..which one is best?what do u think?Im year of d rabbit ang my bf year of monkey is this 2 colors suited for us?sept 8,2012 our wedding date is this a good date to get married? waiting ur reply.. thank u!
My boyfriend proposed to me on Christmas
I was overly excited.! Although it’s early I believe in getting things done ASAP so me and my bestfriend are slowly but busily at work in planning. I immediately fell in love with the colors Lilac and Green. Haven’t picked a date yet but it shall be in the springtime of 2013. I really don’t know how to choose themes or anything. Someone please help.! Im young and in need 
Shay,
Congrats!! I know you are very excited to begin planning. Lilac and green are gorgeous together but I always recommend securing a venue before determining the color scheme or a theme. Many brides have chosen color schemes and themes only to find out the colors and the theme decor clash. For example: A renaissance theme would not work in a 50′s style room or vice versa. While your colors/theme may compliment perfectly or can be mixed in, you will need the overall setting to make a final decision. Securing your venue can begin immediately, because some places have a wait list and you will want to grab the season and date you want or see what they have available. Hope this helps! After securing your decision, please write back and we can begin the idea process!!
Thanks.! And yes I am very exciting about planning
For my venue I was thinking about a simple traditional church wedding but my dream is to get married outside in a gazebo. I think I’m leaning more towards the gazebo wedding 
So could you help me with a theme for the wedding/reception.?
And the gazebo setting is in a Country/Golf Club.
Shay,
Could I see the venue link or pic to be able to best assist? If it were me and your wedding will be at a gazebo, then I would go with a garden theme, especially since you have always dreamed of getting married outside. A theme is optional but if you choose, your wedding theme should be a reflection of you and your future spouse but also compliment the setting. Is there a fave song, era, movie, place, you both love? That could be a theme. Look at this gorgeous wedding…
Add a little more green and you have a garden chic wedding, this wedding also has a tad of vintage appeal like 20′s glamour.
This also has a gorgeous garden appeal with a bit of fun…
WOW.! Those are really nice.! The place I’m looking at doesn’t really have pictures on their sit but I’ve been out there and it’s very beautiful.! But I do have one picture..it’s a picture of the clubhouse..Hope it helps..
Shay, thank you for the pic! It is very beautiful. I would go with a garden setting but look at this site. It has quizzes to help narrow down your style.
This is a more woodsy approach which has a great sense of classy to it…
Very nice…
Something like this would be a stunner…
Gorgeous…
Pretty…
Once we get your style narrowed down we can get the details finetuned. Look at your closet, house decor, etc. to see what you lean to the most. It is the first clue to your style.
VERY VERY NICE.!
I think the garden theme would be more logical. I love the idea of something bright and natural.
Shay,
I am glad you liked the ideas!! I google imaged Purple Garden Wedding and there are loads of ideas!
THANKS ALOT.!!
Hello Shay,
That is my name as well :)
I got engaged on 08.21.11, & i have to agree it is a working progress planning a wedding.
We have not picked a date yet either, but we did find a venue. We are going to get married in a theater. The one we found has the cathedral ceilings, greek columns and everything else beautiful you can imagine! (cuts down on decorating costs) It took us a while to figure out that idea, but you should try thinking outside the box! (a few ideas we had was library, boat, backyard bbq)
The main reason we have not picked a date yet is because alot of times when a couple changes their mind about getting married, or for whatever reason they call the wedding off, that date is now discounted!!!
Which means more money for everything else you love!
Just an idea for you! Hope this helps!
Also you should check out theknot.com
It has been amazing in helping me plan!!!
Btw, Love the color theme!
~Shay #2 :)
Hey Shay! (lol)
I LOVE theknot.com.!!! It is very very detailed and it’s helping me as well.!
and I LOVE your idea for your wedding.! Very creative and I’ve never thought about something like that.! 
and Thanks 
the color theme is our favorite colors together and it’s very relevant to my favorite season (spring) which is what Im aiming for the wedding. Just don’t have an exact date.! Thanks for your help 
AND YAYYYYYY TOO US SHAY’S FOR BEING NEWLY ENGAGED 
(lol)
Hello
My wedding is in April. Do you think red, black & white or silver will be good colors for that time of the year?
Monae’,
Absolutely. I would add accents of silver in the silverware, silver vases, etc. For loads of ideas google image red black white wedding.
Look at this beauty…
I am getting married next year, i am thinking of pairing royal purple with zebra print for the wedding reception. Is it a good idea, how best can i pull it off. i will be happy to receive any suggestions such as flower colors on this matter. thanks
Sarah,
Could I see venue link to see what would work best?
Real wedding
wedding cake
Tablescape idea…
pretty..
Replace damask with zebra print...
real wedding cont..
You could zebra ribbon for bouquets, zebra print wedding cake, You could wear zebra print heels, have zebra print ribbon or motif on your invites etc. Consider a zebra table runner.
Hi, I’m getting married in July 2012. Can u help me pick the colors..? my fiance likes orange.. and i like everything but I dont know what suits best.. Appreciate ur thoughts.. :)
Hannah,
Could I see your venue link, so I can see what will work best? Thanks!!
hi! i like purple color but not definitely that purple,it can be a lavender..will you suggest me other color of violet that is more look like a live color of violet..my wedding is february 2012,do you think the color i want is good for the next year?
Jocelyn,
Any shade of purple is good for anytime of year. You could easily go for monochromatic color scheme, light to dark shades of one color.
Like here..
or this...
beautiful and would be perfect…
Hullo, i will be getting married in May 2012 but to date, i have no idea what colors to go for. I want to have a regal romantic themed wedding. Any advice given to me to help me make up my mind will be highly appreciated. I love blue and black and he is a blue person, but i do not want to use these obvious colors. Ideas for a wedding in the tropics would be of great help!
Ethel,
Do you have your venue yest? If so do you have a link so I can see the best color scheme for the setting? Thanks!!
Hullo, the venue we have zeroed down on is an amphi theatre – so it will be an outdoor function, and the base color i am looking at is a ‘reddish maroon’ or ‘maroonish red’ –
. Still havent gotten the right name for that color. Any ideas 
of colors that can compliment it will be very welcome. So far, its gold that has crossed my mind, but it would be nice to have a third color.
Ethel,
What about adding a shade of purple?
I am in love with this wedding…
Another color to add to burgundy is a shade of pink….
google image burgundy and pink for tons of ideas and pics. Also google image burgundy and purple weddings.
you may like this…
Nice
Had to show you this…
Thought you might like this…
or this…
This is fuschia but I love this…
( google image fuschia and gold weddings, you may like those as well)
Like this
Love this…
Hello ma,
My wedding is in April 28,2012 and my colour is gold orange and olive green but don’t know how it will be combined for d trains, groom, GM, bouquet, cake and decoration. Its indoor and dark environ.Plss help me with the combo…. God bless you for putting smiles on ppls faces. I await your reply.
Iyawumi,
Thank you so much for your sweet words.
Look at this…
If it has a dark environment you will need plenty of light or uplighting. Dark settings usually call for light colors, so they will show and not fade into the background and show in pictures without looking grey or black in pictures.
If it were me I would think of using champagne linens and then use colored florals…
One example
Some pics here are gorgeous…
I would also use champagne gold linens instead of brown to “lighten” the dark venue. Use gold chargers, olive napkins. Or you can use mostly gold on the tables with votive holders with gold rims, white candles, then pull in orange and green centerpieces and maybe add some branches in the mix….
This is beautiful
Hello, I’m gettin married in August 2012 were getting married in San Diego on the beach. My favorite color is burgundy and his is blue. I would like to wear a colored wedding dress. Do you think those colors are not nice for a beach wedding? I don’t even know were to start so everything can come together the flowers, dresses and so on!!!
Maria,
I would use the colors that I loved. Think about mauve orchids with a few burgundy thrown in would look wonderful. Look at this wedding, it doesn’t have the burgundy but you can easily see how it would work.
Like here
This is beautiful
This too
And a board I had on hand…
http://www.polyvore.com/burgundy_blue_wedding/set?id=39741992
I am getting married in May of 2011. I am struggling with the colors and haven’t ordered dresses yet because of it. I have been thinking about a bright green with a pink or purple accent. Do you think that is too bright? I’ve also kicked around chocolate brown as my accent color but it seems that everyone is having that color and I’d like to do something different.
Jean
Jean,
Could I see your venue link or pic, so I can be sure of the complimenting colors?
Sandra,
Could I see your venue link or pic? I can suggest the best colors to compliment. And also what are both of your fave colors? Sometimes it is best if you each pick a color and see if it compliments your setting. Are you having a theme, you could make your fave colors your theme. Also when are you getting married and what colors are in your home and your clothing? What colors do you both lean to the most? When the couple cant agree on colors, I usually suggest the above questions. (Also black and white or Chocolate brown and white or ivory are failproof. Do you have a fave place you love to vacation or want to go? What about tying colors of the spot to your wedding plans.) It helps narrow down the color process and is fair to both.
Using royal or cobalt blue themes in my wedding in May, what other colors can go with this like flowers for instance. I want a Walle and Eva wedding topper to but having a really hard time finding one. Any suggetions?
Jennifer,
Some ideas for your cake topper….
( you know this could easily be DIY too, just take a wedding cake topper base like this or anyone you can find that you can easily take off the bride and groom. Then attach your Wall-E and Eva figurines with a glue gun. Voila.
See this …
Or you could take the figurines and attach a veil, tiny bouquet, and top hat and just sit them on your cake with optional other flowers.
Your colors depend on your venue but for cobalt/royal you could do green or pink. I personally love the green, it compliments. Since those shades of blue are bold, a more neutral or lighter,softer color balances it out too.
Look at this wedding
Another …
Last one …
For more looks do separate google image searches on cobalt blue weddings then royal blue weddings( it will give lots of pics. You can see what you are drawn to the most. If the colors work, the above wedding with the yellow( if you dont like bright yellow use pale yellow with the blue). It gives it that wedding look but works with your cake topper really well. Here is the link again….
Oh, and finally take a look at this
Let me know if any of these help, if not we will look for more ideas. Also what does your venue look like?
I’m getting married in May 2012…I’ve picked Hot Pink and Chocolate Brown as my colors and am wanting to do a Vintage 1920′s theme with it but am struggling on ideas in how to tie the two together any suggestions?
Christie,
You could easily do something like this, love the feathers….
THIS is awesome….
( I would have the girls in brown with the hot pink bouquets and feather boas in the decor, or feathers. Love the props in this wedding and the program fonts etc.)
Christie,
Rural theme….
another …
Could easily use hot pink roses in this setting…. (see part one and part two)
Here are a few more weddings I think you might like:
style me pretty 1
style me pretty 2
100 layer cake
green wedding shoes
Hi,
i;ve secured a lovely inside venue for my wedding and id like a colour which goes with green (i havent decided which shade of green yet). Any great combinations you would suggest. My wedding is in December
Marcy,
Could I see the link or pic to your venue? I can see which shade or combo will work.
My wedding will be in April 2013. I haven’t chosen a theme or colors yet. I live in Miami. Any ideas?
Christine, have you secured your venue yest? If so that is the best place to begin when searching for colors. That way you will know what compliments. If you have a link or pic I would be happy to check it out and look at some possible color schemes. Also dont be afraid to throw in some fave colors to see if they will compliment as well! look forward to hearing from you!
Christine,
P.S. Will you be married on the beach? If so you could have that theme or a nautical theme like this….
Miami Chic…
More Miami Chic
I haven’t exactly chosen a venue, but the wedding ceremony is taking place at a small church. As far as a venue for the reception goes…I’m undecided. It’s sort of hard for me. My fiancee and I are both in college, so that takes most of our time and money. We both plan on splitting wedding costs.
=/
Christine,
When you secure your venue, please let me know so I can see what will work and not clash in the setting. It is not to early to secure a venue, some are popular and have to be reserved sometimes a year or 2 in advance. For themes you can look at the venue, it may have a unique or historic quality about it, your personal tastes such as fave colors, fave flowers, seasons, a special place you both love, hobbies, etc.
Christine,
P.S. I would love to help any way I can in narrowing down colors, ideas, decor, etc. If you are on a budget there are many options. I would sit down with my fiancee and establish a budget first and staying within the budget. Knowing this will help you search places. Sometimes all inclusive venues are best. Are you having a intimate wedding then the small church may be perfect to also hold your reception. Having both wedding and reception in same venue saves money and time. Other areas to save is sticking with one type flower in one color, it gives more of a lush feeling according to celebrity wedding planners. Two colors are ideal in a wedding especially failproof colors like black and white or navy and white or champagne. If you decide to use all white florals, you are already one step ahead and pairing them with a classic neutral color is a perfect combo. Even aqua with white makes impact. I have a couple sites I want you to look at….
Very nice…
another one
another pretty white wedding
This is one of the most beautiful weddings and ( diy friendly) that I have seen..
Elena,
I am getting married in Feb 2011, and I am just having a reception. I would like for my colors to be Ivory and Pistachio green. Would those be fitting colors for the month that shares Valentines day?
Teara,
Oh absolutely! Green and white or ivory is the failproof color scheme year round.
( this is very nice)
Love the reception tables in this wedding….
You may love this one, look at those reception tables.Simple, beautiful, elegant…
I chose white and yellow as my main colors for my wedding in September. Do you think this is suitable for garden wedding in September?
Elena,
Oh yes, this color scheme will be perfect for then. it will compliment any fall foilag appearing as well. If it were me I would think about a slightly deeper yellow instead of a pale or pastel yellow, like in sunflowers…..
* black yellow white
* modern yellow white tabletop
Elena,
This is beautiful…
If you went with sunflowers, then that would be the only type flower you would need! Saves dollars too!!
my colors are truffle brown and a canary yellow. my date is december 3,2011. do you think those colors will blend nicely for that time of year. how can i decorate with those colors.please help!!!
jess,
Those colors are great…..
another …
i prefer royal blue with silver or white to mauve and white. Can i please have the meanings for the above mentioned colors?
Justina,
Royal blue-loyalty, honesty,grand, traditional, evokes happily ever after. Blue has long beenthe traditional wedding color for dresses, before white was popular,which goes back many years, even to biblical times. it represents faith also.
White-purity and innocence,true pure love,peace.Cleanliness, virtue.White is crisp, clean, luxurious.
Mauve-shades of purples are associated with royalty and bygone eras. Nostalgic, romantic.Delicate, considered precious in nature. Grace, elegance.
justina,
check this out….
this blends the colors with white linens, I thought it was beautiful.
Justina,
Search by color here….
…loads of great stuff!
Please i need something very simple but cute with blue and white with silver colors or mauve and white. Any suggestions?
Hi! i am getting married in Feb 2012 and i have a a couple of colour ideas in mind either black and white or yellow, orange and white. i just wanted to know what the best summer colours would be as im also thinking a beach wedding? any opinions would be fantastic !!