You’ve dreamed about your wedding and the colors you wanted use since you were a little girl – or maybe only since he slipped that pretty ring on your finger. Either way, you most likely have some strong feelings about the color palette you want to use for your wedding. That’s great! Or maybe you’ve outgrown your sparkly rainbow phase and want to explore some other wedding colors. Now’s the time to do it. (And also, I’m glad we’re having this talk!) Do you have a theme? What’s the difference? To put it simply, your color palette creates a cohesive wedding look, while a theme encompasses your decorating style. In order to make decisions about invitations, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, etc., it’s wise to choose your wedding colors and a wedding theme as early as possible.
Create Your Color Palette What if you don’t have any particular colors in mind? Or maybe the colors you thought you wanted don’t really work with your venue. No problem! This is all you have to do:
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Pick two main colors.
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Pick two or three accent colors.
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Mix or match patterns that incorporate those colors. (Don’t worry – you can add this in later.)
Voila! Your color palette is done! Ok – it’s not always that easy. Let’s back up a little. If you’re really not sure which direction to go, it’s time to find some inspiration. Get Inspired There are many sources of color inspiration, and those sources will vary by bride. If you’re not sure where to start, try these ideas and see what grabs you.
- The color wheel. Complementary colors and neighboring colors work well together.
- Your closets and drawers. No, we're serious! What colors do you love to wear? What jewelry metal do you prefer?
- Favorite vacation destinations. Are you drawn to the warm colors of a beach or the cool colors of a ski resort? If you are drawn to warm colors, check out this Living Coral Pantone Wedding. For cooler colors, this dusty blue wedding color palette for some inspiration!
- Your venue. Play up part of the decor already in place. Sometimes it’s easier to work with the colors already in place rather than against them.
- The season. Fall weddings can easily incorporate the warm colors of leaves while spring weddings look pretty in pastels. But remember – those are not hard and fast wedding fashion rules. You’re the bride and you can have pastels in the winter if you want to! If you do decide on a wedding in the warmer months, this Rustic Outdoor Wedding has some awesome ideas including stunning florals and greenery.
Determine Your Theme So what’s the deal with wedding themes? Do you really need one? The answer is no - you don’t need a wedding theme. However, if you are doing most of the planning and decorating yourself, it will help make some of your decorating decisions easier. Grab this free Wedding Decoration Checklist download to make sure you have everything you need. Having a clearly defined wedding theme will keep you focused during your wedding planning, while also helping you communicate your style with vendors and others who are helping with your wedding preparations. Themes represent the style you want to convey and can be as broad as "modern" or as specific as "vintage typewriters" (How fun would that be for two writers getting married?!). It’s all about your vision for your big day. Some common themes include:
For example, if you are looking to have a boho themed wedding, this Boho Ethereal Wedding can give you some great inspiration.
Need help narrowing down your theme? Take a good look at the weddings you've been pinning. (We know you’ve been pinning wedding ideas like it’s your job.) What do they all have in common? Do they have similar color combinations? Are they mostly casual or black-tie receptions? Are the ceremonies mostly indoors or outdoors? By taking a look at the pins you’ve saved, you’ll probably notice a pattern emerging that helps determine both your theme and your color palette. Also take a look at these Pinterest organization tips so your boards are all organized and ideas are easy to access! Go With the Flow What if you’re just not a matchy-matchy girl? Relax, it’s ok. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that you have to follow a strict wedding color palette, and of course everyone and their cousin will ask you what your colors are. But guess what? Not every part of your wedding has to match perfectly. It’s your wedding – mix it up if that’s what you want, and create a look that makes your heart happy. Buying neutral colored accent decorations are a way to get everything to flow together. A few items that work well would be this White Candle Holder Set, White Cake Stands and some White Rose Votive Candles.
You’re well on your way to choosing your wedding palette and style, but with eleven months to go, make sure you’ve tackled your guest list and selected your venue as well. Ready to ask your friends to be in your wedding party? Use these tips.
Follow our Month-by-Month Wedding Planning Guide for more tips for every phase of your planning process. Feeling crafty? We’ve handpicked our favorite DIY wedding projects too! For more planning help download these free wedding planning printables.
Article written by: Heather Clark
