Franklin Dean
Choosing a colour palette is one of the most important initial decisions when planning a wedding. While there is no rule on the number of colours that should be included in a wedding palette, it is generally recommended to choose between two and five colours to ensure the palette is cohesive. Some couples opt for a tonal colour palette, using a few shades of the same colour, while others create colour schemes with more than five colours. The chosen colours should complement the wedding venue and the couple's style and can be used throughout the event, from the bridesmaids' dresses and bouquet to the table linens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colours | Anywhere from 2 to 5, though there is no limit and it can be as many as you like. |
| Colour inspiration | Local art galleries and museums, colour combinations, nature, venue, season, vibe, current trends, etc. |
| Considerations | The mood, feeling, or aesthetic you want to evoke, how well the colours go together, and how they complement the venue. |
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What You'll Learn
How to choose a wedding colour scheme
Choosing a wedding colour scheme can be a fun but challenging task, with so many colours, shades, and tones to choose from. Here is a guide to help you select a colour scheme that you'll love.
Get Inspired
Start by gathering inspiration and ideas for your colour scheme. Consider visiting local art galleries and museums, or browsing images of your favourite masterpieces online. This will not only provide you with colour combination ideas but also give you an understanding of how light and shadow work with certain colours. Pay attention to the emotional impact the art has on you and how the colours make you feel when displayed together. Think about the experience you want your guests to have on your wedding day and how the colours can contribute to that.
Consider the Venue
The venue of your wedding can play a significant role in choosing your colour scheme. Consider the colours, features, and architectural accents of the venue and how your chosen colours will coordinate with them. For example, a wedding by the ocean might draw inspiration from the surrounding blues and greens, while a wedding in a venue with rich, jewel-toned walls might call for a soft and elegant colour scheme to balance it out. Nature-inspired palettes can also be a great option for outdoor weddings, allowing the natural surroundings to tone down bolder colours.
Choose a Colour Family or Season
Using a colour family or seasonal colours as your North Star can be a helpful starting point. For instance, you might choose pastel colours for a summer wedding or deep jewel tones for a fall wedding. You can also draw inspiration from the current wedding colour trends, such as using the Pantone Colour of the Year as a base for your palette.
Pick a Range of Colours
A good baseline range for a wedding colour scheme is anywhere from two to five designated colours. While you can certainly choose just one colour, having multiple colours adds dynamism and interest. Having a cohesive colour palette throughout the event creates a sense of unity and makes everything from the tablescape designs to the floral arrangements come together beautifully. It's important to find a balance between your main shades and supporting shades to make the primary colours stand out.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
While there are classic colour pairings that work well, don't be afraid to experiment and personalise your colour scheme. Unconventional palettes can be a unique way to make your wedding stand out. Consider pairing traditional colours with unlikely shades, like blush with jet black and midnight blue, or incorporating a range of shades within the same colour family, such as various shades of blue.
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Popular wedding colour combinations
There are no rules when it comes to deciding on a wedding colour palette, and couples are free to choose as many or as few colours as they like. That being said, it is recommended to have a minimum of two colours—one main colour and another as an accent to break up the first colour. Some popular wedding colour combinations include:
- Black and white, with silver and pink accents.
- Blush and white, with black and midnight blue accents for a bold and contemporary affair.
- Green and white, with gold accents.
- Blue and white.
- Mauve, tan, navy, maroon, and cream for a late summer or fall wedding.
- Purple, peach, green, and pink in varying tones and textures for a spring wedding.
- Dusty rose and sky blue for a garden-inspired wedding.
- Navy and tangerine for a summertime wedding.
- Peacock (dark teal) and champagne, with soft butter yellow accents.
- Lapis (deep purple) and pewter, with vibrant green accents.
- Chocolatey brown and cherry red, with black and white accents for a November wedding.
- Dusty blue, inspired by the stone accents of the venue.
- Dusty rose, with sky blue accents.
- Shades of soft green and blue, peach and pink for a spring wedding.
- Sage, French blue, pale pink, gold, and cream for a romantic, classic combination.
- Pastel yellow and green for a spring wedding.
- Mauve, powder blue, and hints of yellow.
- Blush and cream, with shades of blue and cooler-toned pink for a summer wedding.
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Using nature as colour inspiration
There are endless colour options for weddings, and you can choose as few or as many as you like. A good baseline range is anywhere from two to five designated colours. If you're looking to nature for colour inspiration, there are many options to choose from.
Take cues from the season your wedding is in. For instance, if you're getting married in summer, you could opt for a vibrant colour palette with bright shades of magenta and berry. For a winter wedding, white is synonymous with snow, making it an excellent choice. You could also play with cool purple hues such as heather purple with grey accents.
If you're having an outdoor wedding, the natural surroundings will help tone down colours that feel too powerful. You could also use the natural surroundings as inspiration for your colour palette. A waterfront celebration could incorporate shades of blue, white and green. If you're getting married in a forest, you could use shades of green, brown and terracotta.
Flowers and greenery are an obvious way to take inspiration from nature, but you can also use wooden signs or arches to evoke the rustic, sturdy quality of trees. Draping fabric or tablecloths can evoke flowing waterfalls, and lantern lights can become dreamy, flickering fireflies.
If you're looking for a soft and delicate palette, Bridgerton-inspired pastels might be a good option. Lilac and gold is another beautiful combination, with soft lilac creating an endearing look and bolder shades of purple adding a touch of passion. Sunset terracotta, with warm yellows, reds and oranges, is another warm and earthy option that's perfect for late summer or early autumn.
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How many colours are too many?
Deciding on a colour palette for your wedding can be a fun but challenging task, with so many colours, shades, and tones to choose from. While there is no definitive rule on how many colours are too many, the general consensus is that couples should aim for a cohesive colour scheme that complements the wedding venue and theme.
A good starting point is to choose a minimum of two colours, with one main colour and another accent colour to create a dynamic and visually interesting palette. Three to five colours are commonly suggested as a flexible guideline, with one or two main colours and the rest as supporting shades. This range allows for a cohesive look without overwhelming the palette or the guests.
However, some couples prefer to go bolder with more vibrant and saturated colours, especially for outdoor weddings where the natural surroundings balance out the powerful hues. In such cases, a palette with more than five colours can work well, creating a unique and personalised aesthetic.
Ultimately, the number of colours chosen depends on personal preference and the desired vibe or atmosphere for the wedding. Couples should feel free to experiment and break design rules to create a palette that reflects their style and tastes.
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Wedding colour palettes for different seasons
While there is no limit to the number of colours you can include in your wedding palette, it is recommended to cap it at five to save trouble. Here are some colour palette ideas for different seasons:
Spring
Spring is a wonderful time for a wedding, with an abundance of colours to choose from. Pastels, soft neutrals, and bold contrasts are perennial favourites. Consider pairing pink and orange with shades of white to complement. You can also combine soft pinks and baby blues for a fresh colour palette. For a tried-and-true colour combination, pair warm hues of white with pops of mint green. Blue is also a popular choice for spring, especially light or dusky blues. If you want to add a feature colour, peach is a great choice. You can also include jewel tones, such as emerald hues, pairing them with bold white for a contemporary and clean look.
Summer
Summer wedding colours usually involve the brightest and boldest palettes, with vibrant hues taking centre stage. Draw inspiration from nature and sunny days with colours like blue, yellow, orange, pink, and green. A classic pairing is blue and white, which works for various themes, from beach weddings to formal garden ceremonies. For a tropical-themed wedding, consider hot pink and shades of green. If you're looking for a more neutral palette, incorporate pampas grass, rattan accents, and gold or bronze details, perfect for a beach wedding. For a summer wedding on the cusp of spring, you can include colours like lilac, pale yellow, coral, and periwinkle.
Fall
Fall is a popular time for weddings, with the changing leaves and cosy ambiance providing inspiration for your colour palette. Burgundy is a popular choice, mirroring the changing foliage. You can also mix it with other warm tones, such as cranberry and peach. Terracotta, a burnt orange with a hint of brown, is another warm and earthy shade perfect for fall, especially for boho aesthetics. Bring in colours like tan and marigold to complement terracotta. If you want to give your fall wedding a tranquil feel, consider teal, a greenish-blue hue, pairing it with navy and emerald. To match the vivacious hues of the season, include red in your palette, with red roses adding instant romance. Amber, a yellow-orange tone, is another seasonally appropriate shade, working as a foundation for a nature-focused celebration.
Winter
For a winter wedding, it's easy to gravitate towards classic colours like berry red and evergreen. However, there are many other shades to choose from, such as navy, powder blue, teal, plum, dove grey, and sequined pewter. A rich evergreen shade can be paired with accents of pale pink, blue, and gold for a lively and festive atmosphere. If you're looking for a frosty palette, consider blue hues like snow white, sapphire, and baby blues. A combination of charcoal and evergreen feels both elevated and modern, and you can add silver and crystal accents for a sophisticated touch.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no rules about how many colours to use in your wedding. Some sources suggest that a good range is between two and five colours, but you can use just one or many more.
It's important to have a cohesive wedding colour palette that is seen throughout the event to create a sense of unity. You should choose a number of colours that leaves your colour scheme feeling cohesive.
There are endless possibilities for colour combinations. Some classic combinations include green and white, black and white, blush and white, and blue and white. You can also take inspiration from your venue, the season, or a particular theme, like a romantic Halloween wedding in shades of orange, cream and gold.
