Picking your wedding colors is one of the first and toughest decisions to make when you begin the planning process. It can be overwhelming to decide with so many choices, colors of the year and wedding trends to consider. With a little research though, you’ll be able to make a fitting decision in no time!
The color theme of your wedding is the foundation of your bridesmaid dresses, your flowers, decorations and the vibe of your special day. Start your planning process on the right foot by considering your favorite tones, your venue, the formality of your wedding, and the season you’re getting married in first. Check out the following four ways to choose the perfect palette, so you can make your special day even more colorful!
1. Pick your wedding colors by the season.
Spring
Spring is one of the most popular wedding seasons — a time when both fashion and flowers are in full bloom. This is a great time of year to forego dark shades and use bold colors in your wedding, from bright magentas to poppy blues and full bouquets with a variety of combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment with multiple colors for your flowers, wedding party and decorations. If you gravitate towards the brighter end of the spectrum, consider spring your creative canvas. Think vivid and variety when you choose your palette.
Summer
Summer’s warm temperatures and long days make neutral and pastel palettes work wonders. Keep your wedding party cool by avoiding dark colors that will make them sweat. Opt for lighter, beautiful shades like mint, peach and earth tones like soft creams, beachy tans and light greens. As a bonus, these delicate colors will also make your wedding feel brighter and lighter. We have a guide for surviving a summer wedding if you are going this route and are curious!
Fall
Fall is the ideal backdrop for bold, dark colors and more neutral tones. If you savor dramatic reds and deep navy’s, use fall’s cooler weather and beautiful change in foliage to bring out the best in your wedding décor. Consider mixing neutral tans and ivories with dramatic deep contrasts for a chic pairing.
Fall weddings can get a bit chilly — remind your guests to bring extra layers in case the weather is colder than expected!
Winter
Winter can be a surprisingly beautiful time to utilize color on your wedding day, especially with the backdrop of snowy surroundings. Aim for crisp blues and deep greens and reds to tie the knot. If you’re feeling a bright vibe, mix in subtle soft pinks and yellows with plenty of greenery. You can’t go wrong with classic black and white paired with neutrals if you’re aiming for an understated winter palette, too.
2. Choose colors that fit the style of your venue.
Indoor
Appropriate tones can vary wildly when it comes to indoor spaces. If you’re getting hitched in an upscale hotel, for example, it’s probably better to go with a more elegant, classic palette than bright pink and yellow. If you’re getting married in a beautiful vintage house, you could utilize more colors depending on the style.
Outdoor
Almost any color scheme works with an outdoor venue. Consider the landscape and any visible structures that may contribute to the scenery of your wedding. If you’re getting married under a beautiful tree, for example, a variety of bright florals can work just as well as neutrals. Beach weddings can make the most of blues, yellows and pastels. Think of any ponds, fields, rivers, bushes, gardens, and backgrounds, and let them help you hone in on the perfect palette.
For brides set on an outdoor wedding, a stylish short wedding dress is a chic way to keep cool & be fashionable on a hot summer day!
Combination
If you’re planning on having an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception, or vice versa, consider bringing the colors of nature indoors. Maybe your outdoor space has vibrant wildflowers that you can replicate in your reception coloration. Could the shades of seashells from your beach wedding be used? Or could perhaps the evergreen trees you are getting married under lend their hue to the greenery of your table decorations? Be creative and take inspiration from your venue’s outdoor colors to shape those that characterize the interior.
3. Select colors that suit the formality of your wedding.
Casual
A casual wedding opens the door for limitless color possibilities. Do you want your wedding to have a fun bright energy, a relaxed vibe, or a more contemporary feel? Keep your options open and let your imagination run wild. Any and all palettes can make a casual wedding wonderful and unique.
Semi-formal
A semi-formal wedding calls for more organized choices. Aim to pick between two to three primary colors to keep your wedding décor from looking too busy. Build off of your primary picks with transitional shades in the same color group and add neutral tones to accent if you’re choosing bright tones.
Formal
Color should be subtly and tastefully placed in formal weddings. Try picking multiple shades of a primary color and then add accent and earth tones for a classy, clean look.
Black Tie: The fanciest of weddings calls for refined and elegant color pairings. Choose classic tones with subtle hints of a vibrancy to make your wedding look as polished and chic as possible.
4. Explore color palettes that represent you as a couple.
Think about you and your fiancé’s favorite colors and how they can come together. Does he/she love being in nature? Aim for earth tones and subtle tints. Does your bright, bubbly personality gravitate towards yellow? Are your closets filled with reds? Think carefully and honestly about what shades bring you joy in life and translate that to your wedding.
If you’re still feeling like you don’t know where to begin, here is a list of questions to ask each other to help pinpoint your perfect wedding palette:
- Which color makes you think of me/us?
- Are certain shades associated with my/our style?
- When you were little, what were your favorite colors?
- Do any colors make you feel happy?
- Are there colors you associate with love?
- What is your favorite color to wear? What’s your favorite color that I wear?
- Which tones are the most prevalent in our home(s)?
No matter what palette you go with, remember to pick shades that make you and your future spouse (not your friends and family members) happiest. Let your colors set the tone for one of the most memorable days of your life.
Once you’ve decided a color palette that meets your needs, it’s a good idea to explore some unique ceremony decorations to spice up your big day even further. Also, if you have comments or suggestions for other readers, please post them below!
