This is our first Dear Abby in weeks, and I must say…it’s a pretty good one! Reader and future bride Nicole, is struggling with a clear color palette for her upcoming September affair.
Q. I’ve put together the attached inspiration board, but I’m having trouble coming up with a palette that works for this time of year- on the cusp of summer and fall. I’ve been pondering sage green, lavender, with touches of ivory. I was considering brown as a neutral at first but I’m just terribly bored of seeing chocolate brown at weddings. I’m open to any and all palette suggestions, however.
Some details:
-The wedding ceremony is at my family’s church, where my parents were married and I grew up. The church was rebuilt about 7 years ago, and the space is amazing. Photo on the board. The ceremony will be at 2pm, a full mass.
-The reception is at a country club, founded by GE employees in 1900 (http://www.edisonclub.com). The cocktail hour will be on the terrace overlooking the golf course, and the reception will be in the ballroom.
-My engagement ring is an antique, 1930s, and we’d like to carry over some of the ring’s charm into the wedding, with a timeless feel to the event.
I would love for all of you to take a stab at this, then I will let you know what my ideas are later this afternoon! Thanks everyone!!
Comment by Danielle on 27 November 2007:
It seems that you are so very close to nailing this one… I have to agree with you on the brown- I think that the venues you chose have enough brown and green anyhow…all of your details make me feel that this will be a very rich and warm atmosphere…
My suggestion is to embrace this, and mix the warmth of summer hues with the deep saturation of fall colors… and do a palette that is full of lavender/butternut squash/coral- the softness of the lavender mixed with the intensity of the butternut squash and the varying sprctrum of corals would acheive a very “vintage” yet modern look- and would allow you to play in the purple/pink/orange/yellow families… and I think that this would really compliment the ivory and dark woodwork already in place….
Good luck- and be sure to stop back in and let us see how it all turns out!
Comment by melanie on 27 November 2007:
click my name for a color palette. it’s basically derived from the photos you provided. i think it definitely ties in with the summer-into-fall time of year. instead of chocolate brown, what about a craft-paper brown? you can make the dark color a dark green… just some thoughts! good luck!
Comment by Salty on 27 November 2007:
I had a vintagey feel to my wedding and I used plum, apricot, gold and ivory as my colors. The plum is almost a neutral–very deep dark purple and is a great alternative to chocolate brown. I used apricot and ivory flowers with gold ribbons. It looked really old-fashioned and pretty! My wedding was in November so we also included hints of spicy orange which played off the apricot, but was not necessary.
Comment by Lynn on 27 November 2007:
From looking at the board I see an amber colored gold and ivory as the neutrals. The trick would be to get the green and lavendar to be on the warm side to go with the gold and ivory. Usually green and lavendar tend to have blue undertones where gold and ivory have yellow.
When stuck I suggest a trip to Home Depot to stare at the wall of paint chips. Pick out the ones you like and see how they look together, then carry the chips with you when you shop for other wedding things.
Comment by Elizabeth on 27 November 2007:
I love the idea of using a darker purple and mustard yellow together for a fall/late summer event - it isn’t classically fall so you won’t feel odd using it in September, and the venue colors of greens and browns work so well with it.
Here’s a post on that color scheme for you to see a board:
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2007/11/27/mustard-and-eggplant/
I love what you have put together already - it will translate so well into whatever scheme you choose!
Comment by Emily on 27 November 2007:
I think gray would be a great neutral to the violet and sage green — or even to the others mentioned above. Gray is a very up-and-coming modern color, and I think it could lend itself to vintage/shabby chic as well.
Comment by Nicole on 27 November 2007:
i am loving the suggestions here– thanks so much everyone! i am brimming with inspiration right now
i just wanted to add some attributions as well:
1. the knot– we’ll probably do candle centerpieces– budget friendly and you can’t beat the glow. 2. reception venue- Edison Club, photo by Patrick 3. The Knot (i adore these flowers) 4. I can’t remember where i got this. If you know, tell me and I’ll give credit where it’s due! Anyway, we could do something simple like this for cocktail hour tables, maybe in vintage juice glasses? 5. Knot bio Still considering the trolley in place of a limo. 6. The wedding photo project, I’m thinking of ways to do something like this on the path to the terrace, which people will take between the cocktail hour and the reception. 7. Martha Stewart Weddings- I don’t care much about the cake- just something simple and classic. oh, and delicious. 8. Christ the King Church– my church, where the ceremony will be. photo courtesy of architect James Hundt 9. Allforyourwedding.com love this- so much cuter than the brides pulling the groom across the cake against his will… 10. Wikipedia- Morning wear 11. Working on figuring out where I found this, but I love this wish tree. 12. Anne Ruthman Photography 13. gown on flickr 14. Martha Stewart Weddings— placecards like this using moocards for the tags? 15. Anne Ruthman Photography- still pondering inexpensive centerpieces… 16. The Knot- wedding programs.
Comment by Anne on 27 November 2007:
Love the board Nicole! It looks like you’ve received some excellent ideas! I think the gold & greens with an accent of lavender seems to be speaking to me through the images you’ve created. Thanks for the link on flickr- glad my images could be a source of inspiration!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/intermittent/2068005556/
Comment by Nicole on 27 November 2007:
hmm… i thought i’d be able to link the photo information included in the attribution above. if you click on my name it will take you to my flickr post of this board and you can find the links there. thanks!
Comment by Liz on 15 January 2008:
So I think we’re having the same wedding. My date is August 24th…also on the cusp of summer and fall. Also, I’m getting married in the Catholic church I grew up in and the reception is overlooking a golf course.The cocktail hour room has high ceilings and a mahogoney bar.
I’ve decided on sage green…that’s the color of my bridesmaid dresses but not sure what color to pair with it. I, also, like the lavender, with touches of ivory, but I was also thinking maybe a rose. Or do you all think that wouldn’t be complimentary?