How to choose your wedding colors and never look back

Jan 12

After the euphoria of saying “YES!” simmers down a bit, it is quite common for people to wonder what comes next. They begin googling everything: Where to find the right dress; How to decide on a photographer; Reasons to pick an all-inclusive package; How to choose a wedding venue… It’s enough to make your head spin. While you have probably already been cruising on Pinterest, let us help give you some direction when deciding on your wedding colors.

First things first

If you’ve just gotten engaged, the FIRST thing you’ll want to do is choose a wedding venue. Take a look at this blog post for some helpful insight on that decision. Once you know where you’ll be spending your special day, you can begin to look at color schemes and décor themes. If the venue of your choice is a renovated warehouse or commercial property, chances are the backdrop will lend itself to an array of colors everywhere on the spectrum, however, consider that softer colors like dusty rose or pale yellow might not be enough of a color pop. If your venue has a more natural feel to it, all of the softer, muted colors will fit in just right, while some more audacious colors may be overpowering if used too heavily.

‘tis the season

If you have chosen a venue, you’ve had to choose your wedding date. Maybe you read the previous paragraph and nothing jumped to the front of your mind, but you can look to the time of year for inspiration. While we have seen Cinderella blue in the fall and crimson in the summer, it is a very common practice to choose wedding colors according to the fashion show Mother Nature hosts every season. You are probably not having a hard time thinking of colors you associate with spring, summer, fall, and winter. Here are a few color trends we have noticed:

Spring- Think about what flowers bloom in the region of your venue and draw inspiration from them. A quick google search can tell you what is blooming at that time of year. We think pastels are perfect for spring weddings. The earth is waking up from the slumber of winter and flower colors are a bit muted, though they tend to be lighter versions of primary colors: light blue, blush pink, lavender, pale yellow, pale peach. It is also wonderful to use a lot of that bright, verdant green that characterizes spring foliage.
Summer- This season feels like vacation even when you’re not on the beach. The days stretch out much longer, it’s easier to stay up late… It might be hot and sultry outside, but cool colors still abound. While spring lends itself to more of a pastel palette, summer livens up even more! Light and bright colors like turquoise, coral, bright yellow, bright pink are very popular choices.
Fall- Who doesn’t love a fall wedding? This season brings to mind the rich, vibrant colors of changing leaves, warm days, cooler nights, camp fires, cider, and s’mores. We love the contrasts of this season, when it is common to pair some tan and taupe with a dark red or vibrant green. Generally, we see a lot of the deeper, warmer colors like brick red, chocolate brown, gold, and a variety of deep greens since these are colors that can be found in nature.
Winter- Something magical happens in winter: the light changes. We are not talking about daylight savings time. Nobody likes that. We’ve noticed that the light becomes clearer and brighter versus the warmer light in summer and fall. It also seems that the colors have been leached out of the earth from the grass to the top of every deciduous tree. But color still abounds, you just have to know where to look. Find inspiration in evergreens, berries, sunsets. It’s really hard to beat a sunset in the winter when the skies are devoid of the stage hogging cumulus clouds. Jewel tones can really POP with the crystal clear light winter brings.

PSA: We know, we know. . . You can wear white after labor day now. Keep in mind that just because certain colors are traditionally associated with certain seasons does not mean you must use them in conjunction with the season of your wedding. We promise that if you love it, there is a way to incorporate it!!

self-awareness

To thine own self be true. We have all heard that phrase, and its wisdom is timeless. The same idea applies to wedding colors and themes as well. Do you or your fiancé have a signature color? Do they clash or contrast nicely? If there are colors you know that the two of you are consistently drawn to, you might have part of your equation right there! This wedding reflects two really special people and their unique style, so make sure to be inclusive in this decision. Since the color palette you choose will be visible in everything from flowers to invitations, bridesmaid dresses and napkins, you will want to make sure the colors you choose are complementary colors. Some grooms and groomsmen might object to the vest color for their tuxedo ensemble being lavender or blush pink. If your partner objects to wearing the signature color, be ready to suggest a color that accents it well. A color wheel is the perfect assistant to help you know what brings harmony or discord to the palette of the day.

inspiration at home

Looking around your home is probably very telling to visitors. The colors you love tend to magically show up there. Kidding of course. There’s no accident or magic here; just careful shopping and planning by you yourself. Your best friends probably even contribute to your décor because they know what you like. Maybe you inherited your grandmother’s vintage pressed glass, or your father is a craftsman who made a large of charcuterie boards you’d like to use at the wedding. Do you want special items to be a focal point carefully woven throughout the room? These uncommon keepsakes can lend ALL SORTS of inspiration when planning the palette.

phone a friend

This tip comes laden with a caveat that we want you to take seriously. Even your most well-meaning friends can quickly usurp your planning, so choose wisely. If you have a not-too-overbearing friend with really good taste, test out your ideas on them. Oftentimes our friends know us better than we know ourselves, and you are likely to find that your best friends will help you be true to your wonderful self.

relax

When everything is said and done, do you really want to spend the planning process stressing about colors? As with most decisions, when you finally settle on something just own it, sit back, and relax. Queue “Don’t Stop Me Now” and sing along. Time after time after time we try to advise our couples to lighten up throughout the months of planning . Consider what the whole purpose of your wedding day is: To celebrate the beautiful love you have found with your closest friends and family. That’s it! There IS a correct way to plan a wedding… The only rule in that playbook is that you let yourself enjoy process.

Take a tour with us here at Ramble Creek and you’ll see why the soft palette of our venue and the variety of natural beauty on our property are the perfect inspiration and backdrop for weddings in every season. Allow our wedding professionals to walk with you through the planning process and we’ll ensure you have a beautiful and enjoyable experience from start to finish.