Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but creating a colour palette for your big day can be fun and exciting. A wedding colour palette is a combination of colours used throughout your wedding, from the invitations to the flowers, cake, and decor. It's important to choose colours that reflect your personal style and set the mood and atmosphere you want to create. Whether you're going for a romantic, elegant, or playful vibe, the right colour palette can help bring your wedding vision to life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colours | 2-5 |
| Colour combinations | Complementary, analogous, triads, monochromatic |
| Venue | Garden, chapel, seaside, rustic barn, outdoor, warehouse, loft |
| Season | Spring, summer, fall, winter |
| Mood | Romantic, warm, elegant, mysterious, fun, lively, timeless, understated, relaxed, glamorous |
| Colour wheel | Yellow and violet, blue, blue-green, and blue-violet, red, blue and yellow, taupe, ivory |
| Inspiration | Trends, fashion, interior design, art, nature, flowers, fruits, stationery, lighting, glassware, porcelain, linen |
What You'll Learn
Consider the colour wheel
When creating a wedding colour palette, it's important to consider the colour wheel. This can be a valuable tool in your wedding planning process, allowing you to experiment with some classic colour schemes.
Colours that are opposite each other on the wheel are considered complementary, such as yellow and violet. Colours that are next to each other on the wheel are analogous, like blue, blue-green, and blue-violet. Three colours that are evenly spaced on the wheel are triads, for example, red, blue and yellow. You can also create a monochromatic colour scheme using gradients and tints of a single colour.
Each scheme creates a cohesive starting point for any spectrum of colours. You can add neutral colours like white or tan to bring sophistication to your palette. A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral. Finally, choose a fun accent colour, such as gold or silver, to use sparingly throughout.
When selecting your wedding colours, it's essential to keep basic design rules in mind. Not all shade combinations work well together. Try choosing a primary colour and experimenting with different combinations until you find one that suits your vision.
Your wedding colours will be the anchor for your big day's décor. They will drive the visual components of your wedding and ensure everything looks on-theme and cohesive. Therefore, selecting your colours should be one of the first décor-related decisions you make.
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Complement your venue
The venue you choose will help establish the overall tone and theme of your wedding. The decorations you select can elevate it from something ordinary to a truly special place for your biggest moments.
If you've already chosen your venue, try to select colours that complement its existing features and architecture. For example, delicate pastels can lend a romantic feel to a garden wedding, while elegant white and beige can illuminate a cosy chapel. If you're getting married by the sea, cool blue tones can evoke serenity.
If your venue's existing decor is largely neutral, like a rustic barn or an open field, you have more freedom to make things your own with your colour palette. Try to have pictures of your venue on hand so you can compare colours more easily.
The season will also influence the overall feeling at your wedding. Using seasonal colours is an excellent way to elevate your wedding decor, especially if your venue is outdoors. Soft pink is beautiful for spring, and cool blue tones can be refreshing for summer. Warm reds, yellows, and oranges can set the mood for autumn, or rich burgundy could set the tone for winter.
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Take inspiration from trends
Taking inspiration from trends is a great way to spark ideas for your wedding colour palette. Sites like Instagram and Pinterest are a goldmine for discovering beautiful colour palettes and decor.
For instance, jewel tones are a popular choice for couples seeking a truly elegant wedding theme that fits any season and almost any location. Jewel-tone colours are richly saturated hues named for gemstones, including amethyst, citrine yellow, sapphire blue, red, purple, and emerald green. This combination exudes timeless elegance and simple glamour and is a perfect choice for couples planning a black-tie event.
Another classic and elegant combination is black and white. The contrasting hues symbolise elegance, balance, and the union of opposites, adding a touch of refinement and glamour to the celebration. This versatile palette allows for endless creativity and customisation, making it ideal for couples seeking a chic and stylish wedding ambiance.
If you're looking for something more colourful and vibrant, consider the combination of red, lavender, pink, and white. Red brings passion and energy, while lavender adds grace and tranquility. Pink enhances the romantic vibe, and white offers purity and balance. Together, these colours create a beautiful, harmonious palette that exudes charm and sophistication, perfect for a romantic or garden-themed wedding.
For a more modern take on wedding colours, consider the 2024 trend of bright and bold hues. This includes colours like pink, orange, blue, and lavender/purple. This trend breaks away from using colour as mere accent tones, instead infusing it into various elements like linens, paper, bridal party attire, and florals.
Finally, don't be afraid to incorporate metallics into your wedding palette. Metal tones are easy to incorporate into your special day through accessories, decor elements, and ribbons. Popular choices include champagne, rose gold, and glitter gold, adding a touch of glamour and sparkle to your celebration.
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Consider the mood you want to create
When it comes to choosing your wedding colour palette, it's important to consider the mood and atmosphere you want to create. The colours you choose can have a huge impact on the vibe of your special day.
If you're going for a fun, lively atmosphere, opt for eye-catching colours like bright pink, turquoise, red, or yellow. For something more timeless and understated, basic tones like navy blue, black, ivory, and metallic silver or gold are a safe bet. If you're after a romantic setting, pastels such as dusty rose, mauve, and powder blue are a great choice. These soft, delicate colours pair beautifully together and create a bright, ethereal, and luxurious look. For a dramatic, regal effect, layer dark jewel tones like emerald green, burgundy, and navy.
The colours you choose can also be influenced by your personality and the things you and your partner enjoy doing together. Is there a colour that speaks to both of you and feels representative of your love? Or is there a particular wedding style you're passionate about? Consider these things when selecting your colour palette to create a celebration that truly reflects who you are as a couple.
Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your colour palette. While there are design principles you can follow, like using a colour wheel, ultimately, the best wedding colour scheme is the one that will bring you the most joy on your big day.
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Consult the colour wheel
When creating a wedding colour palette, consulting the colour wheel can be a valuable tool. The colour wheel can help you experiment with classic colour schemes.
Colours that are opposite each other on the wheel are called complementary colours. An example of this is yellow and violet. Choosing a complementary colour scheme can create a cohesive starting point for your palette.
Colours that sit next to each other on the wheel are called analogous colours. An example of this is blue, blue-green, and blue-violet. Analogous colours are similar but offer enough contrast to create a sophisticated palette.
Three colours that are evenly spaced out on the wheel are called triads. An example of this is red, blue, and yellow.
You can also create a monochromatic colour scheme by using gradients and tints of the same colour.
When choosing your wedding colour palette, try selecting a primary colour, such as red, blue, or yellow, and experiment with different combinations until you find one that you like. You can also add neutral colours, such as white or tan, to bring a sense of sophistication to your palette.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by thinking about the number of shades you want to include. Wedding planner Chanda Monique Daniels recommends a maximum of five colours.
Think about the style of your wedding, the season, the venue, and the mood you want to create. You should also consider your personality and the things you and your partner enjoy doing together.
Colours that are opposite on the colour wheel are complementary, while colours that are next to each other are analogous. You can also create a monochromatic colour scheme using different shades of the same colour.
Look at your venue, your invitations, your dress code, flowers, and greenery. You can also use a mood board to collect inspirational photos and ideas.
While your colour palette is important for creating a cohesive theme, it doesn't have to be strict. Use it as a general guide rather than a rule, and don't stress about getting every detail colour-coded.
