Color Palette Questions – A Tropical Venue
Here is our next reader question…
I’m writing to you with sincere desperation…. I am getting married in December on the 29th 2008. Due to the cheap deal, we are doing a winter wonderland theme so rich royal blues, light blue, whites, purples and a punch of royal red. Inspired by a previous design board you had posted about “Jewel tones.”
The huge issue is that it is 100% a tropical outside venue, it has huge waterfalls everywhere which look like and feel like you are in Hawaii. So, you see the dilemma? I am also incorporating feathers and diamonds into my floral arrangements since it will do with the winter wonderland glamour feel……
Everyone in the bridal party is nagging and telling me how tacky it will look due to the tropical venue….Can you please help me?!! I’m at the point of canceling everything and eloping!
Any ideas for this bride as to how she can “marry” the two styles?
Abby’s Answer…I think that we would need to see the venue to really make sure that it all works, but generally speaking, I don’t think that you should force a style upon a venue. I am a big believer that you should allow your natural surroundings to dictate the style of your wedding. In this case, I loooooove the idea of using peacock features and bringing in a deep ocean teal to the palette. Add that with deep raspberry and golden yellows and you would have a beautiful, holiday inspired (but beach appropriate palette).
Bring in accents that help to define the style…an array of berries tucked into floral arrangements, flowy white fabric, beautiful lanterns of various sizes. Little touches will help to marry the tropical surroundings with a warm, romantic Winter wedding.
15 Comments about “Color Palette Questions – A Tropical Venue”
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Well, first I would say to breathe. You can do any color combos you want as long as they "fit". Just be deliberate and sparing with the red and purple using blue toned versions of each perhaps. Try using tropical flowers in those colors to bring in both the colors and the tropical feel while using the blues and whites and as your neutrals. I think it would be really pretty!
Don't know if it'll work, but hopefully its a good start? Good luck!
I know you have the winter wonderland theme, but I think a great way to incorporate the jewel tones with the tropical setting is the peacock feather. The peacock themed weddings I have seen were absolutely amazing. I have seen a couple of peacock feather details on inspiration boards here also. The venue sounds lovely with the waterfalls, so I am sure that your wedding will be amazing!
Alright...
So here is the thing... your venue needs to reflect the design and vise versa. You can't throw a ton of snow on a palm tree and call it Alaska, ya know? I think that if you are set (and bound by contracts and deposits) to the venue then it is time to embrace the space in all its glory...
Living in Florida, I often am asked to design weddings in the winter which still have to battle the 80-something degree temps and sago palm-lined landscaping.... When this happens, I like to keep the palette white... very very white... with lots of textures and a touch of green here and there... it keeps that pure, winter feel without clashing with the surroundings. If you absolutely love the jewel tones, then go with them- but nix the light blue. I think that your money is better spent on warming it up with darker tones in exotic orchids and flowers.... with touches of gold for that wintery-feel. Winter is different depending on climates. When I lived in the Northeast, it was all about snow shoes, the chill off the coast, and snow miles high. When I lived in the mid-west I remember hot chocolate, warm pies, and fires aglow. Here in Florida, it's the smell of burning wood, dreary grey skies, and eggnog-cocktails. Perhaps you should ask yourself what winter at your venue would look like... what winter on an exotic island would be... and then translate this accordingly.
I love the peacock idea. Its fun, and yet it incorporates all that you're looking for!
I would stick to robin's egg blue or light blue and a nice fuchsia instead of royal red and purple. You can also have white orchids with purple hues that have a tropical feel but also have a crisp white for winter. You can include different types of berries that could be tropical and wintery as well. You can have a tropical theme but keep it in white. For example, white seashells, white ornaments (fish, seahorses, starfish etc.) And don't underestimate the power of crystals (an alternative to diamonds). A string of crystals can be magical, festive, and tropical. If it's not too hot you can even have a nice ice sculpture.
Good Luck!
I looked up the phrase tropical winter wonderland...there is a white orchid with purple and yellow dots called winter wonderland...but I also found this vintage postcard.
http://www.whatsbuzzin.com/popup_details/christmas_cards/wonderland_popup.html
And while this probably won't solve your design issues I would make it more fun and playful it's winter and yet it's tropical and have fun with it rather than fight your space. If you fight the space too much it will feel off. The one cue from the postcard I like is the use of ornaments and I don't mean christmas per say. Jewel toned glass and sparkle and lots of candles and fairy lights can convey winter wonderland and not feel heavy or out of place in your setting.
Any chance we could see a visual of your surrounding area?? Hey, even Hawaii has "winter" even though it may not be like in Minnesota or anything. Do as you wish. What about just using sprigs out of the peacock feathers instead of the whole feather? I'm in LOVE with that aqua blue right now. Deep blue, royal purple, and burgundy is beautiful together, then use the light blue and silver as accents. For decor, you do have to remember to play off your facility.
I would consider only using 3 colors. Check out the color wheel to determine what is opposite of royal blue. I would stay with lots of white or silver, some royal blue and maybe a touch of red. So far as the island venue, you will need someone who is more of an expert than me. Several comments above had very good suggestions. I wish you the very best. It can get frustrating!!
To elaborate on my "sparkle, glass, candles and lights" comments
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/glow-and-behold?lnc=a489cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=lpg_holiday¤tslide=0¤tChapter=1&chapterCounter=1&lpgStart=1&adnumber=1#lpg
of course in your colors not the ones shown.
I was also thinking that light shimmery fabric would also not convey a heavy out of balance feeling like a velvet would.
You can probably pull off this palette: I've seen a lot of upscale resorts play the "shades of blue and pure white" palette in a tropical setting with a lot of success. To keep it from clashing, I'd go with items with a lightweight texture: a flowing muslin canopy, linen table runners, paper lanterns, organza or silk or even cotton bridesmaids dresses instead of stiff satin, maybe with matching paper umbrellas. I'd also use just a hint of red to keep things lively.
Another option would be to go for a Mexican-inspired combo: saturated shades of sky blue and bright red, with paper flowers and papel picado, luminarias and strings of Christmas lights. It wouldn't do for a very formal affair, but it could be very festive and fun. Just be careful not to thread the fine line between "inspired" and "themed".
Guess where peacocks are from?? India, where it is warm and tropical. Embrace the colors and the venue and tell everyone else that they can have a say for 500 bucks a piece. Put that money together and buy yourself a trip to a tropical winter location.
Check out the nov/dec 2006 Veranda magazine cover. It is all blues, whites and creams there is a lot of white coral and white sea shells and the cakes and petit fours are to die for! http://www.dallasaffairescakeco.com/Press.htm
Can anyone send me the link to this “Jewel tones” post on the design board? I can't seem to find it. It sounds beautiful though
A tropical winter wonderland.........what immediately comes to mind is using dry ice to create a mystical wintery feeling along with crystals - everywhere. They even come in the shapes of snowflakes and icicles! Send photos of your venue. I think we are all dreaming of the possibilities on this one!
This are great color choices.