Author: Sydney Forbes
Images:
Jennifer Wahlbrink
Meghan Lee Harris
The Paper Elephant
Ashton Gonnering
Jake Anderson
Christy Tyler
Choosing your wedding colors is one of the biggest decisions to make when starting to plan your wedding. They help create the mood and atmosphere, and feeling of your entire day. It is also a great starting point since decor, florals, and attire coordinate with it.
Start with your big picture wedding vision. Ask yourself, what mood would you like you and your guests to feel. Romantic, Elegant, Timeless, Colorful, Modern, or Cozy? These are just a few of many words you can use to describe your day. Pick one or a few words and make them the center. A helpful idea is to start a mood or Pinterest board centered on the word(s).
For a romantic feel, blush, champagne, and soft pastels pair great to give off a soft romantic vibe. For elegance, think black, ivory, and gold to provide the chicness it calls for. Colorful is more flexible, where any color would work with bold and clean contrasts. Modern is trendy, and what we have seen the most is lots of greens paired with ivory and white.
Next, consider your venue if you have it picked out or are planning to. Depending on the space, it may already have a certain vibe or colors. For example, brick, wood tones, wallpaper, lighting, and existing decor can all change the way that certain colors or vibes are perceived. Your colors should complement the venue, not compete with it.
Trends are great inspiration, and if that is something you’re looking for, there are lots of examples you can find for your mood board. If that is not your thing, choosing colors you will love for years to come is important. If you like one color and a specific trend, mix and match! For example, the something blue trend goes great with whites, greens, gold, silver, or any color you would like. It is all in your hands, and ultimately there is no right or wrong when it comes to your day.
Think about the season your wedding date is set in. Pastels and fresh greens go great with Spring. For summer, choose bright colors or tropical tones. Fall pairs well with warm neutrals, burgundy, and rusty colors. Winter is the perfect season to bring in jewel tones and icy shades, or maybe even a Christmas palette with reds and greens.
If you already have one color in mind, pick supporting colors that fit well together. Your primary color is the one that will stand out the most. Bridesmaids dresses, florals, stationery, or table decor are all big elements of this color. Accent colors are the supporting colors that add depth and personality to your palette. They help highlight it without overwhelming it. For example, if your primary color is dusty blue, you may pick a blush or sage green color to pair. Finally, neutral tones help balance everything out. Ivory, white, champagne, taupe, beige, or even black can create contrast. Another thing to consider is that most florals have greenery, and leaning into that green color ties things together beautifully.
Finally, the last part is to see how these colors work together across all details. This includes things like dresses, invitations, florals, tablescapes, signage, and lighting. It is much easier to make decisions on colors when you consider the big picture and what may or may not flow together.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your palette simple but unique to you. Instead of choosing six bold colors, stick to the main one, add one or two accents, and a neutral. This creates a polished look that flows beautifully together without feeling like everything is the same color. At the end of the day, choosing your wedding colors is all about creating a celebration that feels like you. Select a palette that makes you happy, reflects your personality, and helps bring your dream wedding to life.
