George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet daunting task. One of the most important initial decisions is choosing a wedding colour palette. This decision will help solidify your theme and make it easier to bring your vision to life in a cohesive way. It will also influence other aesthetic choices, such as your wedding vibe and decor. A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two main colours, then select one to two secondary colours, with at least one being neutral. You can then add an accent colour to be used sparingly throughout your event. The number of colours in your palette can range from two to five, and they should coordinate well with each other. This decision should be made based on your personal preferences, the season, and the venue. It is important to choose colours that you enjoy and that reflect your style, rather than simply following trends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colours | 2-5 colours |
| Primary colours | Red, blue, yellow |
| Secondary colours | Neutral colours like white, ivory, beige, grey |
| Accent colours | Metallics like gold, silver |
| Venue | Consider the colours, features, and architecture of the venue |
| Season | Spring, summer, fall, and winter have their own colour palettes |
| Mood | Classic, refined affair: neutral shades; Festive bash: bright pops of colour |
| Colour combinations | Analogous colours (adjacent on the colour wheel); complementary colours (opposite on the colour wheel) |
| Flowers | Consider if the desired flowers are available in the chosen colours |
| Inspiration | Current wedding trends on sites like Instagram or Pinterest, colour wheels, and other couples' weddings |
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What You'll Learn
Invitations and save-the-dates
Wedding invitations and save-the-dates are an opportunity to excite your guests and give them a glimpse of the celebration to come. While there is no requirement to include your wedding colours on your invitations, it can be a nice way to hint at what guests can expect on the day. For example, if you're having a holiday wedding, you might use green and red for your save-the-dates, and then incorporate dashes of the same colours in the invitations.
If you're set on a colour scheme for your wedding and want to include it in your invitations and save-the-dates, then go ahead. It's your wedding and your stationery, so let it reflect you as a couple. You can use coloured paper or card, coloured text highlights, or pretty floral prints in your chosen colour scheme. You could also use colours that reflect the season, like greens and pinks for a spring wedding, or yellow, deep green, and light taupe for a summer wedding.
On the other hand, if you haven't finalised your colour scheme or want to keep it a surprise, you might prefer to use neutral colours for your invitations and save-the-dates. White or ivory invitations are elegant and sophisticated, and you can make them stand out with details like letterpressed text and luxe cardstock.
It's worth noting that save-the-dates are usually more casual and playful than formal wedding invitations. They often include a photo and give guests a heads-up about the date and location of the wedding, but you might not have all the details finalised yet. So, if you're still deciding on your colour scheme, you could focus on choosing colours that reflect the overall vibe or theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rural wedding in a barn, you might choose earthy tones instead of glittery, formal invitations.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose invitations and save-the-dates that you love and that reflect your personalities and style. Your guests will appreciate the opportunity to get excited about your big day, and they won't mind if the colours don't match the wedding decorations exactly.
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Flowers and bouquets
Seasonality
Some colour combinations lend themselves to certain seasons. For example, autumn weddings are the perfect time to use colours like burnt orange, yellow, and deep reds. You could add seasonal berries, grasses, and wheat for a rustic charm. For spring weddings, you might want to choose brighter, fresher tones, like parrot tulips, which come in a huge range of colours, from soft pink to the brightest coral. Summer is the perfect time for playful, vibrant, lively palettes, like citrus tones of yellow and orange, or sunflower yellow. For a winter wedding, rich, deep tones like marsala could be a good choice.
Dress colour
If you're wearing a white dress, you can't go wrong with a classic white bouquet. White flowers symbolise purity and innocence and go with all dress colours. If you want to add a bit of colour, you could add a collar of dark green leaves to make the bouquet stand out. If your dress is coloured, you'll need to put more thought into the colour of your bouquet. You could go monochromatic and use flowers that are shades of your dress colour, or you could choose a complementary colour. For example, if your dress is red, you could have a bouquet that is predominantly green.
Venue
Consider the venue and the overall vibe you want for your wedding. If you want a timeless, classic theme, your flowers should reflect this with soft, neutral tones. For a regal affair, consider rich, dark, jewel tones. For a fun, lively atmosphere, choose colourful, eye-catching flowers.
Personal preference
Your wedding flowers should be colours that you love. What colours do you wear? What colour is your bedroom? Choose a colour family and create a tonal palette that looks sophisticated.
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Table linens
The key decorative elements you plan to use can also guide your linen colour selection. For instance, if your decor includes wood, pairing it with neutrals creates a natural and clean look. If you’re leaning into colour, consider pairing dusty blue tablecloths with rose gold chair covers or adding a mint green tablecloth for a soft touch. Accent colours can be used in small doses, like on napkins or runners, to mix in bolder shades without overwhelming your setup. You can also include these colours in your wedding arch backdrop, table settings, or floral arrangements.
It's important to remember that your table linens should complement the rest of your decorative details. For instance, if you want your centrepiece to stand out, make sure the linen and centrepiece don't compete with each other. You can also use your table linens to draw attention to intriguing colours or design elements of your venue. This could be done by treating your table linens like highlighters, using them to emphasise certain colours or features.
Finally, don't be afraid to mix and match different colours and patterns to add visual interest to your reception tables and make them stand out. Just be sure to plan so that the colours you choose complement each other.
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Bridesmaids' dresses
Choosing the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses is a very important task, as it can influence the rest of your wedding decor, including flowers, tables, and even lighting. It is also a key focus on the big day, so it's essential to choose a colour you really love.
A good starting point is to consider the seasonality of your wedding. For example, bright tropical hues work well in summer, pastels are perfect for spring, warmer tones channel the colours of autumn, and rich jewel tones are best in winter. The location of your wedding is another factor to consider. For a beach wedding, you might want to choose a shade that will stand out against the white sand, like fuchsia or orange. If your wedding is taking place in a forest, neutral-coloured gowns may be a better option, as they won't clash with the surrounding greenery.
You should also take into account the different complexions of your bridesmaids and try to find a hue that suits everyone. One way to do this is by incorporating different tints of the same colour, such as powder blue, navy, and cobalt. If you'd prefer to stick to one shade, opt for a universally flattering colour like dark teal or maroon.
For a sophisticated and elegant look, consider champagne-coloured dresses, which offer a subtle hint of sparkle and warmth. Beige dresses are also a versatile and flattering option that complements a wide range of themes and settings. If you're looking for something more traditional, you can't go wrong with classic black dresses, especially for an upscale hotel wedding.
Finally, don't forget to think about the length and style of the dresses. Long dresses can be perfect for a festive Christmas wedding, while short dresses may be more appropriate for a summer celebration.
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Venue and decor
When it comes to your wedding venue and decor, colour is an essential element that can transform the space. The right shades can evoke emotions, set the mood, and create a stylish and cohesive look. Here are some tips for incorporating your wedding colours into the venue and decor:
- Consider the venue's architecture and natural surroundings as a source of colour inspiration. For example, a beach wedding could incorporate shades of blue and sandy neutrals, while a vineyard wedding might feature sunflowers and lavender.
- If you're having an indoor wedding, ballrooms offer a blank slate for dramatic colours like red or vibrant blue, or timeless neutrals like beige.
- Use your wedding colours in your floral arrangements. Work with your florist to select blooms in your desired hues and create texture and depth by incorporating flowers of different shapes and sizes.
- Table linens and chair covers are another way to showcase your wedding colours. Consider using bold or subtle shades that complement your overall colour scheme and add visual interest to the reception space.
- Lighting is a powerful tool to highlight your wedding colours. Use coloured lighting to wash the walls or create a warm glow throughout the space. Clever lighting effects can also be used to spotlight specific decor elements.
- Don't forget the small details! Signage, invitations, and even the wedding cake can all incorporate your wedding colours.
- For a romantic and intimate atmosphere, warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows are a perfect choice. Vibrant shades like fuchsia, royal blue, or emerald green will infuse energy and excitement into the venue, while cool hues like blue and green create a serene and elegant ambiance.
Remember, your wedding colours should reflect your personal style and preferences, so don't be afraid to get creative and make it your own!
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Frequently asked questions
You should have anywhere from two to five designated wedding colours. You can choose one or two main hues, then select one to two secondary colours, and one to two accent colours.
Think about your wedding venue and the time of year. Consider the colour wheel and colour theory, and whether you want a classic, refined affair with neutral shades or a festive bash with pops of bright colours.
Your wedding invites don't have to match the rest of your wedding, but doing so ensures a consistent theme from start to finish. It's not necessary to choose only two colours for your event, so your flowers don't have to match either.
Picking your wedding colours should be fun, so enjoy the process! It can be helpful to look at current wedding trends on sites like Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Remember to stay true to your own design sense and choose colours you enjoy.
There are many popular wedding colour combinations, including romantic dusty rose, warm terracotta, cool blue and navy, and pastel tones. For a Halloween wedding, shades of orange, cream, and gold are a gorgeous choice, while a Gatsby-themed wedding shines in gold, black, and silver.
