I get so many requests for help in choosing color palettes…it seems like so many soon-to-be’s have a hard time bringing colors together that work and that make sense aesthetically. For example, you may love orange and chocolate brown, but when brought together, you realize that they have a close resemblance to candy corn at Halloween.
So today, I wanted to start a series of posts that I am going to do on choosing color palettes for your wedding. I absolutely love the two that I have chosen for today and think that they are perfect for a Spring or Summer wedding .
First is Navy, Yellow and White…
From Left to Right: Vera Wang, Z Gallerie, Abaete, Antony Todd
This color combo is your quintessential summer palette…perfect for a beachy wedding in Miami, at the Cape or Nantucket. I really like using preppy colors in a super sophisticated way, so if you choose a look like this, make sure to infuse elements with a modern feel so as not to seem so themed.
The second palette that I am LOVING is done with various shades of bright pink…
From Left to Right: Artfool, BCBG at Saks, Photo by Oh How Charming!, J Crew
These colors are just perfect for a fun, Spring or Summer garden wedding. I love that there is such a contrast between the pinks and the natural elements of an outdoor wedding. Plus, the white of the gown really pops which is never a bad thing!
What are your current favorite color palettes? I would love to hear from you!
Comment by julianne on 27 April 2007:
i love bright pink! i am hoping for pink and pale green or even bright green. i envision candy green with pink sashes for the bridesmaid dresses! i love the pink/green bouquet up there!
Comment by Emily on 27 April 2007:
I love the idea of navy & hot pink… I’d love to hear about anyone who has used this scheme or see some of your ideas. The Yellow & Navy idea is great - I love that cabana from ZGallerie
Comment by kristy on 27 April 2007:
we’re having a pink and green wedding too! our bridesmaids dresses are bright kelly green ones from jcrew and then everyone is carrying shades of pink and green flowers. at the reception, it’s reversed with the main color being a raspberry pink for the tablecloths and then shades of green flowers for the decorations. my dress is bright white and i will be carrying bright pink flowers with hints of green and white.
Comment by tyffaknee on 27 April 2007:
I’ve been thinking navy and yellow! Though, I’m also trying to get some red in there (good luck in Chinese culture), without looking too crayon box. Right now, I think for the church portion, bridesmaids will be wearing navy blue dresses, and carry yellow bouquets. I think I want my bouquet to be light red/dark hot pink, because it really pops against the white dress, however, will I look mismatched? I’ve got some time to think about anyway - wedding is a year and a few months away…
Comment by PJ on 27 April 2007:
I love the combination of bright pinks for a spring or summer wedding - but what if it’s a formal affair and not a garden party? Would those colors still be appropriate?
Comment by Bridget on 27 April 2007:
We’re doing robin’s egg blue and chocolate brown for our beach wedding. I love the combination; I think it’s so elegant. We had a pretty unorthodox method for choosing our colors: we played around with stacks of t-shirts at Old Navy until we found a combo we liked!
Comment by katie on 27 April 2007:
‘m all about the pink. that’s my plan for my wedding. hot pink or light. or a combo of both. hopefully i’m having a beach wedding in hawaii with a reception back here in minnesota in the backyard… tropical hot colors!
Comment by abby larson on 27 April 2007:
I think that if you do navy/yellow/red, you really need pink in there to soften up the primary colors. Sounds like you are right on track with your bouquet. I looooove navy bridesmaid’s dresses. You could do mixed bouquets with pink, red and yellow. I think that would look gorgeous.
And as for bright colors at a formal event, I think that it is a great combination. A white dress, hot pink flowers and a great oscar de la renta black tux. So chic! Bring in modern elements, rather than frilly and feminine…orchids would be a beautiful touch to this look.
Comment by Erin on 27 April 2007:
I love shades of pink and orange together, but I can be hard to get the right tones. I would love for you to show how to do it right.
Comment by Kelly on 27 April 2007:
We’re doing navy, white and khaki. The more british khaki from J. Crew. Simple. Somewhat nautical.
Comment by Marisa on 27 April 2007:
Chocolate brown and champagne, with blush and ivory accents….very classic I think!
Comment by Lauren on 27 April 2007:
I am finding myself really inspired by orange, a color I once found awful! I imagine a really lush orange tamed by deep pinks, possibly all the way into magenta and purple to cool the heat of the pink and orange. I don’t know though, the idea of purple and orange in the same grouping is a little scary. Do you think it could be done successfully? I’m wanting lots of depth and lushness. Really I just imagine hits of orange amongst deep pink, red and purple. Is it possible to have wedding colors based on a feeling for color (love for color and texture) rather than a couple specific colors? So curious what you guys think. Hope its not too late on a Friday afternoon to hear what you think!
Comment by Abby on 27 April 2007:
I think that the pink/red/purple/orange combination sounds completely lush and gorgeous. I would be careful to use flowers that don’t have a distinct shape, but rather just kind of flow into each other…thinking Hawaii or some beautiful tropical place as inspiration.
Comment by Anna on 28 April 2007:
I’ve been thinking of using aqua and red, but feel it might be too dark for an August outdoor wedding, especially against black bridesmaids dresses. I’m starting to think pink might be better choice than red, but would still like to incorporate blue in some way. Any ideas?
Comment by Pencils on 29 April 2007:
Hey, I’m trendy! The colors for my June 3rd wedding are navy, pale yellow, and ivory. Ivory because I’m wearing an ivory gown, otherwise I would have gone with white. The last year or so I’ve really started to love yellow as a color–not for me to wear, as I look awful in it, but for the home, or, for my wedding. We’re having yellow roses, I bought gorgeous pale yellow frosted votive holders, and a lot of my paper goods, such as the placecards and programs are in Paper Source’s “butter.” The cakes (yes, having more than one cake) will be at least partially yellow. The bridal party is wearing navy, except for the flowergirl in “buttercream.” My bouquet will be cream Vendela roses tied with a gorgeous vintage wide navy ribbon. I think it’s all going to look amazing!
Comment by Lacey on 29 April 2007:
I absolutely LOVE that JCrew pink dress. I need to save up some money and lose a little weight so I could wear that!!
Comment by Erin on 2 May 2007:
I am using the colors pink, green, and ivory but in a softer way than previous posts. The bridesmaid dresses will be a sage green with ivory sash, and they will carry pink bouquets. We will have light pink table runners with tons of candles and floating candles/rose petals on the tables. The chair covers will have sage green sashes.
Comment by Helen on 6 May 2007:
And here was me thinking that my idea of navy and white (with mismatched wedgewood jugs for centrepieces) or sage green and coral pink were unusual and striking.
Turns out I’m just too tapped into the zeitgeist for my own good!xx
Comment by Heather on 8 May 2007:
I am really into navy & yellow right now. I am not preppy, by any means, but there is a way to pull off these colors in a modern & trendy way. However, a color combo that I think is fabulous is pool blue & red. You don’t see it very often, but when you do it’s so striking!
Comment by Melissa on 12 May 2007:
I love your color ideas. I am obsessed with the yellow Abaete dress - and actually want to get it for a wedding I am attending this summmer - do you know who carries it??
Comment by hollydolly on 30 May 2008:
I really want Navy bridesmaid dresses and hot pink to go with it for the flowers or something. We are struggling to find navy dresses and what to put the men in to match. navy suits and pink cravat? or grey? not a clue! x
Comment by Laa on 13 July 2008:
I’m doing navy bridesmaid dresses. I want to do pink accents, I’m not sure what flowers to use for their bouquets though.