- Do you or your fiancé have a favorite color/shade?
- Do you have a favorite flower or a significant flower as a couple? Were the first flowers he gave you a bouquet of roses or daisies?
- Does either the ceremony or reception site have strong colors? If you are choosing a hall with a heavy burgundy and gold motif, a color scheme of lime green and magenta may not work.
- What season will your wedding be in? Some ideas for the seasons: Winter - deep colors (like blues and purples); Spring - pastels; Summer - vibrant bold colors; and Fall - autumn tones (red, yellow, orange and brown).
- What type of atmosphere would you like to create?
Regal - gold, champagne and cream
Romantic - pink, brown and ivory
Chic and urban - red, black and white
Fun and daring - turquoise, coral and beige
Is there one color you are in love with but don’t know where to go from there? Try using a color wheel to help complete your color scheme.
Some artistic strategies to consider:
Monochromatic: different shades of one color. A monochromatic color scheme tends to produce a very soothing effect. If you love pink, try different shades paired together (blush, rose, magenta or fuchsia). This will give you a variety of color by still keeping a cohesive look.
Analogous: colors next to each other on the color wheel. We’ve worked with fall brides that have chosen red and orange for their colors. This color scheme produces a rich but soothing effect, and is quite elegant.
Complementary: colors located across from each other on the color wheel. These colors are so different that they tend to set a bold and lively look. Some examples are turquoise/coral, lavender/canary yellow, and blush and sage green.
Some other tips to consider
Choose colors you are comfortable with – just because the trend is going toward bold colors does not necessarily mean that’s what you should choose. Look at colors within your home or your favorite colors to wear.
Try not to choose too many colors. Stick with two or three choices to keep the look of your day consistent and pulled together. You may want to choose one primary color and one or two accents.
Use white or ivory to soften up a color combination and use black to make a color palette feel more sophisticated.
It’s okay to have different color schemes for different spaces throughout your day. If it would be more complementary to have pastel pinks at the church for the ceremony, bright vibrant pink and green on the patio for hors d'oeuvres, and then a mix of both at the reception – that is completely acceptable! You can treat each space like a separate party – it will keep your guests guessing throughout the night.
Try visiting fabric stores or paint stores to compare shades of colors you like. This will help you get specific, so that when you decide on green you'll know if its celadon green, Kelly green, sage green, or lime green.
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