Ask Abby
This next Dear Abby was titled “Color Choice Disaster” so I think that our bride really needs our help!
Q: Our color palette is basically apple green as the domineering color with blush pink and light turquoise as the sub colors. I knew I should’ve picked less colors, like two instead of three. Right now I’m so confused in the mixing and matching of all three together. First of all, what do you think about the color palette? Do you think I’ve picked too many colors? If so, what would be your suggestion? It’s 3 months away from the wedding! 
What do you guys think? Too many colors?
A: I have to say, I agree with many of the comments that you need a foundation color. It would ground your palette in a way that these lighter colors simply can’t. With that said, I also think that you can look at this palette in a couple of ways. If you want a variety of light colors, make sure that you vary the hues and add in elements with pattern or texture (vintage teacups with prints on them, great patterned napkins, bouquet’s filled with multiple colors) otherwise, your overall look will run the risk of seeming somewhat bubblegum-ish.
When I was playing around with your palette, I was really drawn to the two shades of green, paired with the pink. It’s kind of preppy chic, which I love. I struggled with the blue. So, my thought it is this…
What if you used your varying shades of green as your foundation colors…letting deeper greens sit next to lime greens. Have your maids in a great pink dress, with gold strappy heels and a bright white and green bouquet. Bridesmaids make for FABULOUS decor so although the palette might seem predominately green and white, the accent of the girl’s dresses will add a lovely splash of color…
Pink dress by BCBG, Ring Pillow on Soiree Charleston, Green Leaves by Rosenow, Table Numbers on Soiree Charleston, White Flowers on Soiree Charleston, Pink Invitations by Peculiar Pair Press, Cocktails on Soiree Charleston
Also remember that some colors can come rather creatively…if you’re having your wedding outside, the blue of the sky or the ocean will provide a beautiful accent color that goes with just about everything. You can bring in greens and pinks through the cocktails that you serve. Hope this helps!
Honestly, my first thought when looking at all those colors together was a baby shower. I guess I would just have to see them together with photos...I'm sure someone will come up with a great inspiration board.
I agree that an inspiration board would be helpful here. I think the colors can definitely work in the right proportions (green bridesmaids dresses and peonies tied with a blue riboon, perhaps). You can do it. Technically, my colors are pink and gold but I'm throwing in a bunch of other colors as well. A bit shabby chic meets Marie Antoinette, if you will.
These are actually really similar to my colors - except I have one more - brown! Everyone tells me I have too many colors - but I think that as long as I don't get too carried away and try to incorporate them EVERYWHERE.
I have an inspiration board that I put together.. I don't have the proper credits but the pictures are either from Style Me Pretty, the Knot, or Weddingbee />
http://www.flickr.com/photos/icygracy/2340874353/ " rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/icygracy/2340874353/
These are actually really similar to my colors - except I have one more - brown! Everyone tells me I have too many colors - but I think that as long as I don't get too carried away and try to incorporate them EVERYWHERE.
I have an inspiration board that I put together.. I don't have the proper credits but the pictures are either from Style Me Pretty, the Knot, or Weddingbee />
http://www.flickr.com/photos/icygracy/2340874353/ " rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/icygracy/2340874353/
Love your inspiration board, Grace! I think you are right that as long as the colors aren't ALL used in EVERY possible application, it will work beautifully. I especially love how the invitaion suite has three different color cards.
I agree with Cyd after seeing Grace's inspiration board. Also, the darker brown kind of anchors things. Maybe there's a darker/lighter neutral that can be used to break up all the colors you have.
These do seem a little Easter-egg like at first, but I agree with comments above that a darker color (brown, black, or even navy) could give you another dimension. I think it's the shapes and use of the colors that are more important - using these colors in various ways (retro, modern shapes to antique, vintage designs) can really change the affect. One bride on weddingbee is using several colors, and she is definitely pulling it off.
Another color concept is to think of them as a color palette, rather than a set of matchy-matchy colors. I'm using antique pinks and golds, with caramel, browns, and ivory... but it's not the actual colors that I've been matching, but the feel of the colors.
What about this for inspiration:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/haleygilman/inspirationboard.jpg " rel="nofollow">http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/haleygilman/inspirationboard.jpg
I think that color palette is really nice together. I am having a very similar dilemma (although my wedding is 13 months away and I'm using the bright, rather than pastel, versions of those colors). I'm set on using bright orange and pink gerber daisies as my main flowers with bright lime green accent flowers in all the bouquets ... which made me freak out about what color bridesmaids dresses to pick. I thought another bright color would be way too overboard and a little obnoxious and was also worried that the flowers would get lost against the dresses. So I think I've settled on navy dresses -- a color that looks good on everyone and is also muted enough that it won't overshadow the bright colors in the bouquets. So that's an idea ... if you haven't already picked your dresses. If you have, then maybe go more muted with the flowers. Like give your girls all white bouquets with just a couple hints of color?
I also saw these pictures on the Coren Moore website that might help you: http://www.corenmoore.com/weddings/hotel/09.html " rel="nofollow">http://www.corenmoore.com/weddings/hotel/09.html />
http://www.corenmoore.com/weddings/hotel/15.html " rel="nofollow">http://www.corenmoore.com/weddings/hotel/15.html
I'm also wondering ... what does everyone think about navy dresses next to black tuxedoes? Is that going to clash?
Not too many colors! The key is to avoid using them all equally, but to have some clear 'principal' and 'accent' colors. Such as apple green linens and bridesmaid dresses, and mostly pinks for flowers with some green with some sky blue accents. Bring in the blue subtly, like on the invitations/placecards/favors. OR collect lots of mismatched blue vases and use them to cluster different pink flowers on the tables. I also thought of this wedding by Artfool: http://artfool.com/portfolio/portfolio-floral/press/mw2008-win3/mw2008-win3-11.html " rel="nofollow">http://artfool.com/portfolio/portfolio-floral/press/mw2008-win3/mw2008-win3-11.html />
I thought they took a relatively busy, pastel color palette and executed it with style and cohesion.
I always feel like a group of pastels like that needs to be grounded by something a bit warmer, like a rich brown or the color of the season, gray. Adding something like that to your palette will make it seem more sophisticated. I would maybe limit the colors to one or two and add the gray into your paper products or table settings at your reception.
Thanks so much for all the responses so far! I haven't read all of them, but i'm just so excited! I feel much better now :)
The inspiration board is wonderful!
The wedding inspirations are so helpful (and beautiful!) - I wanted to add a note about bridesmaid gifts. My daughter was looking for something truly unique for her attendants and we stumbled across this page on the web: http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/giftmenusc.htm ." rel="nofollow">http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/giftmenusc.htm. > So many unusual choices - my daughter decided on luxury bath accessories for her maids, and they loved them. Just wanted to share if anyone else is looking.
I love this dress and the color, and I want sort of like the same model but in a different color (Cream) can anybody tell me were I can find it(CHEAP).
I would like to create a wedding scene. Is there any place you can go to have a particular scene created for your wedding? I guess what I'm asking is, I want to create a wedding scene for a wedding are there production companies that do that sort of thing?