Fit for a Queen: The Purple Theme
Purple has always had its passionate admirers, not least among brides.But we're likely to see plenty more purple for years to come, as fall layouts and intrepid designers taught us to love its many charms.
Of course, it's difficult to use a single word like 'purple' to describe such a broad range of colors. Much more so than with colors like pink or yellow, purple comes in dramatically different hues and moods.
Rich, Royal Purple
On the dark and sophisticated end, there's royal purple, suitable for low-lit ballrooms and floor-length gowns.
Royal Purple's ideal for formal events.
Exotic Orchid
Then, bringing a completely different feel to the table: orchid. Feminine yet not untraditional, this suggests flirty frocks on bridesmaids under a tropical sun, or a garden affair that slowly unrolls over an enchanted afternoon.
Purple's at its flirtiest in its Orchid or Heliotrope hues.
Red-Leaning Purples
Purple's lighter shades that lean toward red have a more playful, romantic feel, reminiscent of sangria-fueled fiestas. And the pinker purples look as striking as petal pink when you pair them with fresh shades of green.
Nature's Blue-Purples
But choose a purple that leans more toward blue, and you've got the perfect excuse to indulge in armfuls of hydrangeas ... and a great country-casual feel for your wedding (think wide-open fields and apple trees, farmhouses, porcelain sinks and powder blue.)
On the blue end of the spectrum, purple gets an ultra-romantic and fresh country feel.
Purple's hardly a shy color, though. And in its most saturated forms, it can almost spin out of control. So for bridesmaids gowns or table linens, look for less vivid shades ... or just go ultra-purple with the sashes and runners.
The best foil for purple overall? Often, it's lots of diamond-white, which makes purple look crisp and tailored. Plus, other near-neutrals do just as well: try a deep chocolate brown, charcoal gray, or shiny platinum.
Chic, energizing Aubergine's a favorite of fashion editors everywhere.
Talk Back on Purple
What flavor of purple captured your heart? How did you possibly decide between its many personalities?And did you always love purple, or did fashion's recent collections inspire you to give this classic hue a second look?
And I absolutely love pearls! I would love to incoporate them somewhere!
Im having my reception in January(second week) in Puerto Rico, and im having a hard time picking out colors!! I really like dark purple, gold, dark red,light pink, beige. Im all over the place! Please help!!
Xnanet,
Do you have a venue link, so I can see what colors work best? Thanks!!
Hi
Imgetting married in December 2012. My colours navy blue, sky blue and silver do you think deco wll look nice, what flowers can I use please help, crystals and pearls I real like them.
Nontuthuko,
Actually white carnations tightly bunched would look amazing with this. They are becoming a “hot item”. You could consider hanging crystals centerpieces or clear vases with pearls or diamond confetti in water with floating candles. I google imaged winter wonderland wedding and there were loads of beautiful ideas also google image blue and silver weddings for even more ideas.
Look at this…
Blue and silver crystal decor…
I think aubergine with light blue (no green in the blue) is a delightful color combination for a Fall wedding!
Hello Stacey
I have been following this space for eva. I need ideas for a purple and gray wedding
Quassi,
Since silver is pretty similar, gonna give some ideas there too…..
canandaigua finger lakes wedding
pink and gray
purple & gray seattle wedding
Hey stacey,
im getting married on the 17th of December 2011 but till now i havent chosen a motiff. im contemplating on lavender and matt gold combination.. would it look good on a morning wedding? id love to hear from you. thanks
Shazzy,
Lavender and gold is a beautiful combo.
Look at some of these…
purple and gold
crown weddings
palos verdes wedding
rhode island wedding
Shazzy,
This is beautiful, can be suited more for a Dec. wedding but wanted to mainly show you the colors in the weddings….
More lovely pics …
Shazzy,
I did a previous board for a bride but in rose and gold, check it out you could easily see how lavender could work…
Another I did using a golden yellow flower for the “gold”….
Hi im getiing married in july next yr, my colour theme is silver & lavender.
Im looking at putting my older bridesmaid in silver and my younger flowergirls in lavender, will this work ?
Eliza,
Yes this will work out very nicely as long as it suits the skintones.
beautiful wedding…
Hello,
We’re planning to get married August/September, but we’re really wanting the colors to be purple and blue. I would like a light purple and blue and I don’t think it really goes. What do you think?
Jody,
Purple and blue are excellent colors together!!
* see this
* and this is perfection…..
Jody,
* More fun approaches ..
* and this
For more of a garden feel….
* this and also this
I’m getting married in August 2011 and my colors are royal purple, red and bluish violet. Very regal and rich. I love the way these colors go together! The bridesmaids will be in purple dresses, but I need help finding just the right one. I’m looking for tea length. Any ideas?
Heather,
Check out Davids Bridal, Alfred Angelo, Jim Hjelm, etc. Also Dessy ( they have a large selection of styles). If you need more options go to the Brides website( magazine) and look under bridesmaid dresses for a designer list.
Hi, i am getting married soon and my colours are purple and blue and pink.So am wondering if you can help me on how to pull off the combo of this three colours as i absolutely love purple and my fiance likes blue.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks in anticipation.
Chic,
* some floral ideas
* this is pretty
Chic,
Just let me know what shades you both like. If it were me I would use navy blue with bouquets of purples,blues, pinks. Would be nice. Use white linens and navy napkins with these color florals.
* look at the purple and blue only, this is seriously pretty
* this is beautiful.
Very helpful infomation. I am getting married on December 17th, 2011. I like the color Sangria from David’s Bridal but I am having a hard time figuring out what colors to pair it with. The color is between a purple and pink (I love the color). Help me out. I am getting married in South Florida at the Killian Palms Country Club.
I am getting the Cuidamar Reception Room the link is below.
grandsalonreceptionhall.com
Denisse,
I personally think * something like this would be beautiful, it compliments the venue.
The color of the dress in the board is wine but sangria is so close it would be stunning. Just amtch the orchids to the dress. Another option is a sage green and cream with the sangria( like in bouquet pic posted)
Stacey,
I absolutely love this picture of the three girls! By chance do you know where you found that picture or who the designer of that dress is?? I love it!!!
Shannon,
They are from Davids Bridal.
* here is one style
* here is the second dress
Shannon,
*the third looks like this one with a added sash
It could also be bridesmaid separates.
OMG…so happy I found this site! Im am getting married 12-10-11 in south florida at a country club. I want to do a deep plum color and a burnt orange/mango color, and possibly a wine color. Thinking fallish colors! I want manzanita branch and crystal centerpieces with some flowers. BM in plum…But dont know how to pull everything together! I am set on plum linens but am not sure if that will be to much! AHHHH….Please help!
Jennifer,
Can I see a link to the country club so I can see what compliments the setting.
Jennifer,
I think the plum linens may clash with the venue. What about using champagne linens with shades of plums, burnt orange. It would flow very well. With the branches and crystals.
Jennifer,
* look at this beautiful wedding
* look thru all of these gorgeous weddings
* pewter linens would most likely be my choice. Plums and burnt orange compliment so well. Think about adding cranberry to the mix.
* this woud be perfect!!
Thanx Stacey….I really like the champagne linens idea! I want it to feel very earthy witha splash of colors!
My husband and I are renewing our vows at 10yrs which will be 07/05/2012..we are already planning because we want a big wedding this time, the last one was small…it was beautiful but small. My colors are purple and white, in honor of my mother, she passed away this year. Her favorite color is purple. I am still looking at many ideas…I am having a blast
I remarried my exhusband in 96′ we used amethyst/white/gold and it was an absolutely awesome combination have fun with the color purple
My favorite color is purple but I also love the colors of fall. Is there anyway I can combine these two color pallets?
Claire,
Of course! It is a common color in fall.
* look how purple can be used.
* this wedding is beautiful, and shows how well the color scheme goes
Claire,
* here ya go. A wedding in purple and autumn colors. Of course these colors coudl easily be set on champagne linenes for more pop.
So once again I have changed my colors for the wedding 11-05-11. They are now Wisteria and Lapis both shades of purple. I am however having trouble coming up with favor ideas. Any suggestions?? I know I have over a year but I would like to do most of this DYI, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Liz,
Are you having a theme? If so what is it? You could always have favors according to the theme. I usually suggest something edible. It is the most used favor.
I’m not really sure on a theme, but Two hearts, One Love is pretty much taking over. I was thinking maybe heart shaped candies or something like that. Also any suggestions on centerpieces would be greatly appreciated. Thanks~Liz~
Liz,
I like the heart shaped candies, great favor.
* here are some pics/ideas
You could keep it simple with an array of purple florals.
* this is very pretty
hi how can i mix royal purple, chocolate and gold together? do they work together?… those are the colors i want to use for my wedding…pls do u have any suggestions?
Julie,
Sure!! Can I get a look at your venue to see what colors need to be where. Also what color were you wanting the bridal party? There are different ways this can be done to give a gorgeous effect. You could have purple linens with brown napkins, gold programs with brown writing, gold and purple design around the napkins ( like a beaded napkin ring), etc. Or you could use gold linens with a colored runner.
Hi, anyone have any ideas for a pick/purple wedding? Do you think its do able?
Sandra,
very doable!
* some weddings
* more weddings
I’m getting married December 18th, 2010 and I’m still stuck at my colors && I’m leaning towards purple, blue, && silver but I’m unsure of wht tones to pick && who should have on what color meaning the bridesmaids && Groomsman.
I would appreciate some suggestions.
Lesly,
Can I get a look at a pic or link to your venue? Also skintones of the girls.
I have picked those same colors! I’m going with a plum purple which will be the colors for the bridesmaid’s dresses and corresponding suits for the groomsmen. It will also be quite prevalent in my flowers as well. My other color is a bright royal blue which will be used to accent in many places where the plum color is. I’m also wearing royal blue satin shoes with my dress that I’ve had since I was in my sister’s wedding (so they are my old and something blue!). My last color is silver which accents my dress via beading and will be the color of my groom’s tie. All the men in the bridal party will be wearing silvery-grey suits (not tuxes). A silver ribbon wraps up my bouquet and the three colors, plum, royal blue, and silver, all meet up on my reception tables/reception.
Suits look similar to this: http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_46497+0027764_-1
Dresses this color: http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/64998/L2056i.jpg
Royal blue like this: http://www.cheapchaircovers.com/_images/ProductIcons/SatinLarge/Satin_Royal_Blue_jpg.jpg
Another way you could do it is have the bridal party wear blue as the main color (for their dresses and ties) or even silver.
Congratulations and best wishes!
Hello all! I am getting married Nov 12, 2011 which I know is a ways away, but I am having the hardest time coming up with a color theme and how to use it. I LOVE the color purple and I was wondering what colors to accent it with for a winter wonderland theme. Thank you so much!! I am so lost.
Cherice,
Oh purple black and white are gorgeous together. For a winter wedding it would be perfect.
* here are some pics using purple in winter weddings
Cherice,
Also try weddingwire.com ( photos) category and color.
* this is beautiful
Cherice,
* more of the link above
Cherice, I’m also doing a winter wedding next year – I know, tons of time, right?! – and love the color purple. I’ve always liked richer colors as well as the sparkly diamond white or silver tones typically associated with winter, and I think we’ll be going with deeper purples and reds (kind of wine colors) to give it a “warmer” feel in contrast to the sharp, bright snowy white. If you want more of a winter wonderland feel, though, what about a bluer-toned purple, coupled with white/silver or ice blue?
Just thoughts!
Hi Stacey!
I was hoping you could give me some help…my wedding isn’t until 7/27/2011, and we’ve picked the venue (outdoor). My colors are also dark purple, black, with a little white for contrast. My dress is white with a dark purple sash, my MD is dark purple with black sash, and my BDs are going to be black with a dark purple sash. Other than that, I need help with the bouquets, centerpieces, invites, cake, tuxes, decorations…everything! Please help!
Rhiannon,
* some pics
* more pics
Rhiannon,
* more ideas. I love the calla lily in cylinder vase
I’m looking for ideas for centre pieces and table favours for a friends weddiing that I am planning… Her colours are shades of purple, but living in Zimbabwe it isn’t easy to come up with easy ideas that are cheap. We’ll be doing it all ourselves.
Tanya,
* lots of pics
* more pics
Tanya,
*more ideas
* love this one
Tanya,
* here is another one that would be super easy.
Tanya,
* rose petals
Tanya,
* great lil’ article
I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for Centerpieces for the tables??? I really dont want a whole lot of flowers or candles. I found one a while back but didnt save it and cant find it again. My wedding is August 28th and we are on a budget so we are making the centerpieces ourselves. Our colors are Eggplant purple and Silver with white and lavender accents. Please help……..
Rachel,
Have you thought about using favors as your cenerpieces?
* pics
Could you describe the centerpiece pic you had? I might be able to find it.
Brides,
I made a board with purple as main color for a fall wedding. It is more on the exotic place side.
Hi
I am getting married october 2, 2010 and I already ordered my bridesmaids dresses which was suppose to be purple but when they came in they were extremely dark almost black the purple was so dark and my original colors were purple and lavender but now the dresses are so dark I dont think the lavender will go with the dark purple any more its too late to change the bridesmaid dresses so i need another color to go with the deep deep purple. The only problem is my maid/matron of honor alredy ordered there dresses also but there not in yet (which there’s is lavender) im hoping i can go back to the store and change the lavender color before the dresses come back. I just dont know what to do. Also i alredy have some lavender decor also not too much though. I just need a little advice
Ashley,
Not to worry. lavender will contrast beautifully against the dark purple. I wouldnt change anything. you could just add dark purple callas to your florals or leave it with the lavender.
* see how the lavender looks against the eggplant. very very nice
Ashley,
another thing you could do is do is run with a monochromatic purple theme by adding different shades of purples and lavender in the florals. It would be easier to change the florals then the dresses.
* like here( see how nice it contrasts?)
Ashley,
* or here
* especially here
Ashley,
* the florals here are stunning.
If you could post a pic of the dress or find one online ( color) Iwould be happy to take a look. I am thinking they sent a eggplant or plum shade? your wedding colors will be gorgeous. Actually I would have suggested lavender against a darker purple. Let me know what ya think!
i like the idea of doing different purple shades of floral
Ashley,
This dress is beautiful I have used it for inspiration before. Hands down lavender would go very well with this dress.
I agree, the dark purple with the lavender will look very pretty. I am in a wedding in June, and the color is lavender, and we were originally going to have the MOH & bride wear the lavender while the rest of the bridal party wore a darker purple. I think you’ll be fine!
Ashley,
Im getting married August 28th,2010 and our colors are Eggplant purple and silver with white and lavander accents. I think the different purples compliment each other. Besides if you leave the colors as you already have them no one will notice the dresses being darker. Just make sure the guys’ purple match which ever you are trying to match. I agree with Stacey dont change anything maybe add a third purple or another medium/bright color to accent the 2 purples. I bet it will be beautiful!!!
hi Im getting married on oct 10,2010 and i really like deep purple and burgundy colors…my wedding reception is at the golf course…can you pls give me any ideas on how do i my colors for receptions, favors, invitations, centerpieces and bridesmaides? i can also do purple and silver…pls help..i want something really elegant but not too much…thanks
Hazel,
Could I get a link or pic of the venue? are you wanting just a 2 color scheme?
I might have a wedding youwill love. It is not to much cause this bride wanted simple and elegant. you may have to sign up or log in ( free). then to make search simple just google search the knot michelle and tennyson it will bring you straight to it.
* LOVE this.
hi stacey, thanks for the reply, here is the link to the website… http://www.sierralakes.com…it‘s in the ballroom of the golf course. i can do more than two color scheme…i really want deep purple…can you pls tell me what other colors would be nice with it…for example, what would be the color of my bridesmaid dress, and invitations? colors of the flowers, favors and linens, centerpieces? im just so clueless…pls help…so desperate..thanks
hazel,
I think the link of the real wedding above would be perfect in this venue!
What about champagne and deep purple?
* WOW! look at this!( I really LOVE this!) you get to focus on your deep purple.
Hazel,
* look at some of these
Hazel,
* here you can search weddings by the color
Let me know if there are any here you like and we will go from there. I really love the WOW! link. I think with the way it is designed and the colors with the girls in that purple would look amazing. You could have gold and white invites to go with the gold and white favors. Or even put the bm in champagne. the florals would pop against it. then have the guys in black tux/suit with champagne vests/tie. That wedding just “fits” the location better than any style I have seen.
hi…do you think the deep purple/plum would go with burgundy with accents of silver? i really like burgundy and purple…but do you think this would look nice?
hazel,
* here is a board paired with greyish purple and is very beautiful
* real wedding
Hazel,
* here is a wedding board
I also made you a board. I put the girl in burgundy red instead of purple but you could do either one and be fine. Even silver dresses. Just whatever looks good on their skintone.
omg…thanks so much for all your ideas…i think i will go for the burgundy/purple with grey accents…thanks so much….
alright i have another question…my bridesmaids are wearing purple (they call it grape) it is a little bit darker than a normal purple but is still bright. The dresses have a lilac sash on them. I am trying to think of what color bouquets i should do. I think that if I do all purples it will blend with the dresses too much. I want my bouquet to be all different shades of purple. I was thinking possibly doing pink flowers with some purple in it for the bridesmaids. I also thought it might be cool to throw in some orange. Any ideas????
Beth,
What is your color scheme? you could do the purple and orange that would look nice also think about purple and green. If your having an all purple wedding and your carrying different shades of purple. You could consider having a all lilac bouquet against theirs. the light and dark will contrast very nicely. Or have them carry white with lilac ribbon.
Hi,
Can you please help me? I’m getting married in December 2010, my colors were originally black,yellow&white. But I’ve recently fallen in love with purple and am thinking of going yellow,black&purple. Please let me know if U think it could work? Also advice me where I can use what color.
Thank U.
Ntombi,
Do you have a link to your venue? or a pic?
Hi!
I’m getting married Sept.4, 2010 and need some help with decorating. My colors are Sangria (shade of purple at David’s Bridal) with Silver accent. Sangria is hard to find. What types of flowers or centerpieces should I use. Should I use white chaircovers with silver sashes? Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Nita,
* this is very nice. add silver favor boxes or white and silver.
* or something like here, I LOVE this
* the rest of the wedding, wow this is gorgeous!!!
* pic idea
This is amazing! add pops of silver.
I think using shades of grey with the silver and accent in sangria would be a huge impact!
hello Nita – let me know what you decide because I am going to be doing Sangria and Gold next year on September 3, 2011 :) would love to hear ideas
I fell in love with the picture of the purple dress showed in your comment, can someone tell me where can i find it?? Thanks
Hey stacy,
I really need your help. i amgetting married in September but can choose my colors beteen brown and pink or plum and silver. I know I want my centerpieces with those branches that I have seen used on WE in the wedding episode. ANY SUGGESTIONS would help
Rhonda,
What about about your venue? What are the interior colors? That will usually help with the color scheme.
Ok, so i have chosen dark purple and light purple for our wedding colors. My bridesmaids have all chosen purple dresses with light purple sashes that are all slightly different. I want to spice up the reception some and I am not sure how to do it. I dont want to have to be overwhelmed with purple. I was thinking about possibly doing zebra print and purple runners. I dont know how else to make it fun…any ideas????
Beth,
Hi! Oh yeah! I love the zebra print idea. That would definitely look amazing with purple!
* ideas
* more ideas
* whimsical