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Writer's pictureClaire Sluss

How to Pick Your Wedding Colors

With almost unlimited combinations, choosing wedding colors can be overwhelming. If you're feeling stressed here are some tips and questions to ask yourself.


During What Season Is Your Wedding?


A certain season does not have to dictate your colors but it can narrow things down if you need want it to. Here are the color palettes that come to mind for each season.


Spring: Pastels and light colors like pinks, blues, and greens. See my Colorful Hydrangea Wedding design for inspiration.

Summer: Brighter hues or even neons like in my Bright & Bold or Tie Dye weddings.

Fall: Earth tones, neutrals, or colors that go with the changing leaves.

Winter: Jewel tones or icy colors both fit the season beautifully.


Where is Your Venue?


The setting can provide its own backdrop for you to work from whether you are outside or inside.


Beach: Draw from the ocean, the sand, and tropical flowers.

Garden: Greens, pastels, and whatever flowers will be in bloom.

Whether in a ballroom, barn, cabin, or museum, pay attention to the walls, carpet or flooring, available linens, artwork and choose complementing colors.


Have You Chosen a Wedding Theme?


I am big on wedding themes but I know for many, the only theme is the color palette. If a theme is your speed, you may find you have a built in color scheme.


Baseball, Football, or Hockey: Use your team's colors!

Carnival: You'll probably want bright, fun colors.

Bridgerton: This show has a distinct color palette for each family.

Cherry Blossom, Daisies, or Dogwood flowers: Almost any flower can give you colors to base your Big Day around.


Do You and Your Future Spouse Have Favorite Colors?


Did you and your spouse-to-be meet in college? Maybe you can incorporate your school's colors (without the collegiate vibe- that would be a theme)

Do you have a color you tend to wear?

In your home what colors do you paint or decorate with?

Here are some Pinterest boards I've made that are very color-based: Pink, navy and pink, lavender, yellow, blue, white. (There will be more in the next section)


Pick a Color Family: Jewel tones, metallics, neutrals, muted, pastels, neons


Maybe thinking of just a few colors is too much, but a color family is right up your alley.


Jewel Tones: Sapphire, ruby, emerald, amethyst.

Metallics: Champagne, rose gold, silver, gold.

Neutrals: Tan, beige, cream, white as seen in this fresh linen & cotton design.

Muted colors like in my rattan wedding or aptly named muted fall wedding.

Pastels: Think of a child's unicorn dream or Taylor Swift's Me! music video. This iridescent wedding is all of that.

Neon: When I first think of weddings, neon colors aren't first on my mind. But this 90s/early 2000s vibe wedding is so fun and nostalgic.


Research Trending Colors


There is no shame in Googling "trending wedding colors (insert year you're getting married)" and borrowing from the experts. You may even find that vendors are most prepared to deliver what you're looking for if you pick a current trend.


Consult Pinterest for Palettes


I am great at pairing two colors together but I find it much harder to match four or five colors. If you type "wedding palette" into Pinterest you'll find ready-made swatches that perfectly complement each other. These pins will often have inspiration in the form of flowers, bridesmaid dresses, table settings, and stationery.

 

Wedding colors determine so much of the wedding day. Figuring this out early on can really help get the ball rolling. Do you have any more tips for picking a color palette?

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