10 Wedding Color Tips | The Ultimate Wedding Color Guide
Color. Simply put, it's the single most important unifying feature when it comes to the look of your wedding day! So then it probably doesn't come as a surprise to you that a lot of people find that selecting the right wedding color palette can be a bit overwhelming.
But if you think about it, it's a whole lot easier than you think. And guess what? I'm here to help! The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color palette is really about understanding the relationship between colors. And no, you don't have to be a color wheel expert to figure it all out. Simply find a starting place and then let your intuition guide you. Here's how:
1. Let Your Location Inspire You
photo credit: Laura Murray Photography
But if you think about it, it's a whole lot easier than you think. And guess what? I'm here to help! The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color palette is really about understanding the relationship between colors. And no, you don't have to be a color wheel expert to figure it all out. Simply find a starting place and then let your intuition guide you. Here's how:
1. Let Your Location Inspire You
When deciding on a wedding color palette, the one thing I always recommend is that you consider the reception space. For instance, if you're having a seaside wedding, the natural choices are calming colors like blue. And, in contrast, if you're marrying in a big fancy ballroom with green and gold carpets, fuchsia and lavender details are just not going to work. (no matter how hard you try).
2. Let the Season Be Your Guide
Mother Nature should never be forgotten. Especially if you plan for an outdoor wedding. A color may work year-round, but barely-there hues like beige can appear incredibly washed out for during those Winter months. Doesn't make or break a color, but definitely something you should consider before deciding.
2. Let the Season Be Your Guide
Mother Nature should never be forgotten. Especially if you plan for an outdoor wedding. A color may work year-round, but barely-there hues like beige can appear incredibly washed out for during those Winter months. Doesn't make or break a color, but definitely something you should consider before deciding.
photo credit: Laura Murray Photography
3. Do a Little Research 
Become aware of color combinations that you are attracted to, whether it's color ideas you've discovered on Pinterest or while flipping through a stack of home or fashion magazines. You'll find that there really is color inspiration to be had almost everywhere you look! Once you find a few favorites, be sure to jot them down.
Become aware of color combinations that you are attracted to, whether it's color ideas you've discovered on Pinterest or while flipping through a stack of home or fashion magazines. You'll find that there really is color inspiration to be had almost everywhere you look! Once you find a few favorites, be sure to jot them down.
4. Swatch & Compare 
Now that you have a few favorites in mind, to choose an exact hue, I recommend visiting a local paint shop. Collect swatches or chips of colors you might want to use. Trust me it really does help you visualize things. And this will also help you get specific, so that when you decide on blue you'll know if it's navy blue, royal blue, slate blue, or powder blue. Looking for something hand held that you can take to all of your vendors? Be sure to check out the Pantone Wedding Color Fan Guide - A guide to all the hottest wedding colors. And most importantly, it enables you to easily communicate your wedding colors to vendors, florists, and your bridal party!
5. Choose Your Primary Color
After you've compared your favorites to one another, decide on the colors that you're leaning towards most and go ahead and let yourself start dreaming of the possibilities. For example, let's say I decide that I want a purple wedding? Now that I've made that decision, it's time to start thinking about the different shades and tints within that color's spectrum. For example, are you leaning towards a darker shade like eggplant or towards a lighter shade like lavender? Typically Spring and Summer are reserved for the lighter shades and Fall and Winter work best with the deeper, more saturated hues.
6. Determine the Mood
5. Choose Your Primary Color
After you've compared your favorites to one another, decide on the colors that you're leaning towards most and go ahead and let yourself start dreaming of the possibilities. For example, let's say I decide that I want a purple wedding? Now that I've made that decision, it's time to start thinking about the different shades and tints within that color's spectrum. For example, are you leaning towards a darker shade like eggplant or towards a lighter shade like lavender? Typically Spring and Summer are reserved for the lighter shades and Fall and Winter work best with the deeper, more saturated hues.
6. Determine the Mood
Figure out what emotions you want your celebration to evoke. A peaceful, relaxing retreat? A upscale, romantic affair? A fun and exciting, high-energy party? A modern fete? Now think back to the color that you're considering as your primary color. Does it evoke the sort of feeling you're hoping to communicate? If not, it might be best for you to go back to the drawing board.
7. Consider the Lighting
Let's be honest. Lighting can make or break a space. And it definitely ties into the whole mood thing. I recommend that you talk to your event designer or lighting expert about how to best transform your space - especially if that space includes lots of white walls. Tip: Soft shades like pink will warm up a space without overpowering it.
8. Consider the Big Picture
And last but not least, don't forget about the big picture. You have a bridal party to dress, remember? And so just because you love those romantic and ethereal blush tones, doesn't mean that it will be super flattering on all your attendants. What's pretty on paper, can't always be pulled off as picture perfect in reality. Are you confident that the colors you're considering will work with all aspects of your day?
9. Ask Yourself How?
Now that you've considered the big picture, it's time to start determining the ways you will incorporate your palette into your big day? How will you actually incorporate those colors into your big day? Will you add color to the tables with your florals? Will you have your custom napkins made to match? Maybe a seat cushion to coordinate?
10. Can You Find Items to Purchase?
If you can start imagining exactly how the colors you're considering will actually be used, congratulations, you're well on your way! But before you go ordering that mint cake, make sure that you're able to find other items in those colors that you like that will match or coordinate with your overall palette.
Tip: just because you've chosen a color palette, doesn't mean that it's super easy to locate coordinating decor. So keep this in mind before making your final decision. You don't want to get stuck with a color palette that proves to be too difficult to work with.
Need help getting started? Simply click a color swatch below. They don't call this the Ultimate Wedding Color Blog for nothing ;) Happy planning!
Click a swatch for more wedding color ideas
And be sure to check out our inspiration board collection {HERE}.
And be sure to check out our inspiration board collection {HERE}.
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Chrissy Arpie Ott
Chrissy Arpie Ott is the founder of The Perfect Palette. Since its launch in 2008, The Perfect Palette has been the go-to color resource for couples who dream of a unique, creative and colorful wedding day.
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