Choosing The Perfect Text Color For Your Wedding Invitations

Choosing the right colour for your wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding planning process. The colours you choose will set the mood for your event and evoke the emotions you want your guests to feel. While there are no rules about what colours you can use, certain colours are traditional or romantic. You could opt for a classic combination like black and white, or something more playful like orange and green. You could also consider the season in which you'll be getting married, the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses, or the theme of your wedding.

Choosing text colour based on the wedding theme

When it comes to wedding invitations, colour is an important aspect that can help set the tone and mood for the event. Here are some tips for choosing text colours that complement the wedding theme:

Choose colours that match the wedding theme and venue:

The text colour should ideally tie in with the overall wedding theme and venue. For example, if the wedding has a rustic theme with natural browns and dark reds, consider using these colours in the invitation design. Similarly, if the wedding is taking place in a ballroom with glittering gold details, incorporating gold accents in the text can create a cohesive look.

Consider the season:

The season in which the wedding takes place can also influence the colour palette. For springtime weddings, pastel shades and colours like orange and green, reminiscent of the season's rebirth and growth, can be a perfect choice. In contrast, deep jewel tones like ruby red and emerald green may be more suitable for a winter wedding.

Think about the bridesmaids' dresses and flowers:

The colour of the bridesmaids' dresses is often considered the primary colour of the wedding and is used as a base for other details. Choose a text colour that complements this primary shade. Similarly, the colour of the flowers in the bridal bouquet and centrepieces can inspire your text colour choices, ensuring a cohesive and well-thought-out design.

Opt for traditional or romantic colours:

Traditional paper colours for wedding invitations include beige, light grey, ivory, and white. These neutral shades provide a classic and elegant backdrop for the text. When it comes to ink colours, black, dark grey, brown, gold, and silver are considered traditional and romantic choices, with black being the most versatile and legible option.

Add metallic accents:

Metallic accents, such as gold or silver, can add a touch of glamour and elegance to the invitations. These colours are also a great way to highlight important details or create a sense of contrast. However, keep in mind that metallic inks often require professional printing to achieve the desired effect.

Keep it simple:

While it's tempting to incorporate multiple colours, a simple and cohesive colour palette is usually more effective. Stick to one or two main hues and a neutral shade to help blend everything together. This ensures that the text remains legible and visually appealing.

In conclusion, when choosing text colours for wedding invitations, consider the wedding theme, venue, season, and colour palette of other wedding details. By using colours that complement and accentuate the overall theme, you can create elegant and memorable invitations that set the tone for the special day.

Selecting colours that complement the wedding venue

When selecting colours for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the emotions you want to evoke and the overall theme and setting of your wedding. The colours you choose should complement the venue and create a cohesive experience for your guests. Here are some tips for selecting colours that will complement your wedding venue:

• Start with a base colour: Choose a primary colour that reflects the core theme of your wedding. This will be the most prominent colour in your palette. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you may choose soft blues as your base colour.
• Add complementary colours: Select one or two additional colours that complement your base colour. These can be used for accents and highlights. For instance, if your base colour is soft blue, you may choose sandy neutrals or coral as complementary colours.
• Consider neutrals: Neutral colours such as white, cream, grey, and black can help balance and tie your colours together. They are especially useful for text and backgrounds to ensure legibility and aesthetic balance.
• Use colour theory: Familiarise yourself with a colour wheel to make informed decisions about colour combinations. Complementary colours, which are opposite each other on the wheel, offer vibrant contrasts, while analogous colours, which are next to each other, create harmony.
• Keep readability in mind: Ensure there is enough contrast between your background and text colours. The information on your invitations should be easy to read at a glance.
• Theme consistency: Your invitation colours should align with the colours you plan to use in your wedding decor. This creates a seamless experience for your guests.
• Apply your colours strategically: Use your base colour for major elements like the invitation background or main text. Apply your complementary colours to details like borders, RSVP cards, or envelope liners. Highlight with neutrals to ensure legibility and balance.
• Sample and experiment: Collect fabric swatches, paint chips, or other coloured items to see how they look together. You can also use online tools to experiment with different colour combinations and visualise the result.

Remember, there are no strict rules when it comes to colour selection for your wedding invitations. Let your invitations reflect your personal style and be a creative expression of the joy and beauty of your upcoming celebration.

Using colour to evoke emotions and set the tone

When it comes to wedding invitations, colour is a powerful tool to evoke emotions and set the tone for the event. The right combination of hues can create a sense of harmony, elegance, or playfulness, reflecting the couple's personality and the atmosphere they wish to convey. Here are some tips on how to use colour effectively to achieve the desired tone for a wedding invitation:

Traditional and Romantic Colours:

Traditional wedding invitations often feature neutral and elegant colours. Beige, light grey, ivory, and white are classic choices for paper, providing a relaxing and understated backdrop for the text. White, in particular, symbolises innocence and purity, making it a popular option for weddings. For the ink, black, dark grey, brown, gold, and silver are traditional choices. Black, for instance, pairs well with almost any colour and offers excellent legibility. Meanwhile, gold evokes warmth and richness, perfect for formal invitations with gold ribbons or braids.

Romantic and Playful Colours:

To create a soft and romantic look, pastel shades, including light blue, lavender, and pink, are ideal. Pink, especially when combined with black or grey, adds a touch of romance, charm, and playfulness. Red is another romantic option, symbolising passionate love, happiness, and celebration. These colours are perfect for springtime weddings, representing rebirth, growth, and new beginnings.

Colour Combinations:

When selecting colours for wedding invitations, it's essential to consider the overall combination and harmony. Stick to one or two main hues and a few secondary colours, including a neutral shade to blend everything together. Metallics like gold or silver can be excellent accent colours, drawing attention and adding a touch of glamour.

Analogous and Complementary Colours:

For a demure and understated invitation, opt for analogous colour combinations. These are groups of two to five colours that lie next to each other on the colour wheel, creating a soothing effect. In contrast, complementary colour combinations, which are colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, energise viewers and are perfect for bright and playful invitations.

Seasonal and Thematic Colours:

The season and theme of the wedding can also influence the colour choices. For example, complementary hues of orange and green are ideal for springtime affairs, while deep jewel tones like ruby red and emerald green suit winter weddings. A rustic wedding might feature natural browns and dark reds, while a beach wedding could incorporate sherbet hues.

Personalisation:

The wedding invitation colours can also be tailored to the couple's preferences. The colour of the bridesmaids' dresses is often a starting point for the primary colour, with other details like groomsmen's ties and bridal accessories following suit. The couple's favourite colours or shades that are in season during their wedding month can also be considered.

White and Neutrals:

White is a traditional choice for weddings, symbolising purity and new beginnings. However, there are variations like bright white, ivory, and champagne to choose from, ensuring consistency with the wedding dress and other details. Neutrals like black, grey, navy, or brown/tan are also essential to consider, especially for the groom's and groomsmen's attire.

Metals:

Don't forget to choose a metal as part of your colour scheme. While some couples opt for the metal colour of their wedding rings, others may select metals that complement their chosen neutrals. For instance, silver pairs well with grey, gold with brown, and rose gold with warm colours.

In conclusion, colour plays a pivotal role in wedding invitations, setting the tone and evoking emotions. By carefully selecting colours that align with the couple's personality, theme, and season, you can create a cohesive and captivating invitation that leaves a lasting impression on guests.

Combining text colour with the right paper colour

Traditional and Romantic Colours:

When it comes to traditional paper colours for wedding invitations, neutrals such as beige, light grey, ivory, and white are often chosen for their understated elegance. Beige, for instance, offers a warm and relaxing tone, while ivory is a pleasing classic, softer and more nuanced than plain white. White symbolises innocence and can create a crisp, spring-like feel when paired with light or pastel inks.

For text colour, black is a versatile and elegant choice, pairing well with almost any paper colour and offering excellent legibility. Dark grey is a softer alternative, while brown conveys warmth, honesty, and earthiness. Gold and silver inks, on the other hand, evoke warmth and richness, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. However, gold, silver, or other metallic inks require professional printing to achieve the desired effect.

Romantic paper colours often include pastel shades, particularly light blue, which is ever-popular and creates a soft, romantic look. Lavender and pink are also charming choices, with pink ranging from playful to romantic, especially when combined with black or grey. Red, a symbol of passionate love, happiness, and celebration, can also add a bold and vibrant touch.

Colour Combinations and Accents:

When combining text and paper colours, it's essential to consider the contrast between them. If your invitation includes colour photographs, carefully select paper colours that complement the images. You can also opt for a traditional paper and ink combination and add accents in colours such as dark blue, deep purple, turquoise, or forest green.

For a simple and cost-effective DIY approach, use basic white or ivory paper with black ink, and embellish with a ribbon or other decorative elements that match your wedding colours.

Seasonal and Thematic Inspiration:

The season and theme of your wedding can also guide your colour choices. For springtime affairs, complementary hues of orange and green are a lively choice, while golden stars on a dark blue background capture the magic of summer nights. Autumnal weddings might feature hues of falling leaves, such as dark red, burnt orange, and green. Deep jewel tones of ruby red and emerald green are perfect for a winter wonderland wedding.

The venue and its colours can also inspire your palette. For instance, a rustic barn wedding might feature natural browns and dark reds, while a ballroom setting could glitter with gold accents. If you're having a beach wedding, consider shades of blue and sandy neutrals.

Creating a Cohesive Look:

Your wedding invitations set the tone for your special day, so it's important to create a cohesive look. Your chosen colours should tie in with your wedding narrative, including the bridesmaids' dresses, groomsmen's ties, venue flowers, and other decorative elements.

When selecting text and paper colours, consider the overall impression you want to leave on your guests. Think about the emotion you want to invoke and the design details you want to preview. The right colour combination can capture the mood and style of your wedding, from elegant and formal to playful and whimsical.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, when combining text colour with the right paper colour for your wedding invitations, consider traditional and romantic colours, seasonal and thematic inspiration, and the overall impression you want to create. Don't be afraid to add accents, such as metallics, to draw the eye and create a sense of glamour. Most importantly, choose colours that reflect your personal style and the unique theme of your wedding day.

Adding an accent colour to the wedding invitations

Adding an accent colour to your wedding invitations is a great way to introduce your palette to your guests and create a cohesive event. There are many ways to add an accent colour to your wedding invitations, from the text to the envelope. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Invitation Ink Colours

Have your invitation printed in coloured ink or make your names and headers stand out in your main wedding colour. Digital flat printing allows for endless colour options, but if you opt for specialty printing like letterpress, you will need multiple printing plates for each colour. So, it is recommended to pick no more than two colours for letterpress printing. You could also use gold or silver ink for a glamorous and distinguished look, but these will require professional printing.

Coloured Card Stock(s)

Choose coloured card stock instead of traditional white or ivory. You can print your main invitation on coloured card stock with white, black, or foil metallic stamping, or keep the invitation traditional and print your insert cards on coloured card.

Belly Bands

Belly bands are an affordable wedding embellishment that can add a pop of colour to your invitations. They are paper wraps that go around each invitation suite to hold the insert cards together.

Ribbon

If belly bands aren't your style, you could tie your invitation suite with ribbon instead. Luxurious velvet, silk, organic torn cotton, or modern satin—there are many ribbon styles to fit your wedding aesthetic.

Envelope Liners

Envelope liners add sturdiness to your envelopes and are a budget-friendly way to add a pop of colour. You can choose a solid hue or a fun pattern.

Pockets

Pocket folds are booklet-style folios with a single interior panel for the invitation and a pocket for insert cards. Back pockets are a modern twist, with the main invitation on the front and the insert cards tucked into the back. They come in a variety of colours and are a great way to include your wedding colours.

Wax Seals

Wax seals add a timeless and nostalgic touch to your invitations and are an easy way to subtly incorporate colour.

Patterns

Adding colourful patterns to your invitation design can be playful, but be sure to use them in moderation to keep the overall design sophisticated. Think watercolour splashes, paisley prints, florals, greenery, stripes, and even Moroccan patterns.

Envelopes

Coloured envelopes are a great way to make your invitations stand out. Envelopes in a soft hue, vibrant colour, or modern black will have your guests excited before they even open them.

Paint Pens

For a DIY option, you can use a paint pen to add metallic accents to your invitations. Gold or silver paint pens can be used to trace along borders or highlight floral centres for a stylish, modern look.

Remember, your wedding colours should capture and evoke the mood you want for your wedding. They should also tie in with your wedding narrative and harmonise with each other. So, have fun choosing your accent colours and get creative with your wedding invitations!

Frequently asked questions