Ask Abby
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.
Color Palettes Questions - Peach or Orange?
Another reader question….I’m getting married in April 2009 and wanted to use orange and white for my wedding. However, after changing from a white dress to a different colored dress — the official name of the color is shell — I’m wondering if the bright orange is still a good choice. I was thinking perhaps a peach color might work better but I’m at a loss. Any ideas?
Here is a pic of the dress that this reader has chosen…
What do you think…does orange still work as an accent color or should she move more towards a peach hue?
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Abby’s Answer…I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I love the idea of bringing in peaches AND oranges to compliment the shell color of her gown. I do think that using just orange would be stunning, but I am also a big proponent of varying the hues within a palette to add a sense of dimension.
I will say though, that it kind of depends on the style of the wedding. If this bride is going modern, orange should be the primary hue. Clean lines using calla lilies, contemporary place settings, sleek vases and such. If she is going more romantic, I think that peach should be the hue…
Bride on Rebecca Thuss, Flowers and Centerpiece on Wiggy Flowers
Either direction is going to be gorgeous with that incredible dress!
Color Palettes Questions - Gold and…?
A question from reader, Amanda…I’m getting married at the Newton White Mansion May 9, 2009. My wedding is at 7 PM with ideally an outdoor ceremony and then we will move inside into an all glass atrium at the back of the house for the reception. I know I want to incorporate the color gold (the chivari chairs that come with the place are gold) but I’m trying to determine the rest of the look. I know I want something very classic. I like to describe the idea of my wedding as Italian meets Gone with the Wind and I want a very simple, elegant, romantic feel to it. Despite the time of the wedding, I’m not wanting it to be black-tie.
What do you guys think? Any ideas for a pretty, romantic (but not super-formal) color palette that incorporates gold?
Abby’s Answer…I found these gorgeous flowers (see below) on Modern Day Design’s site and thought that they were the perfect inspiration for this palette dilemma. I love the idea of using a mix of peaches and creams, accented with natural greens and even deeper browns. All of those hues. are a perfect compliment to gold and will only add to the elegance and richness of the venue…
Color Palettes Questions - An Accent For Navy and Sage Green
It’s been so long since we tackled color palette dilemmas…and I thought it was about time! Throughout the day, I am going to be posting questions from readers who are having some color issues with the hopes that you guys can give your feedback and advice! At the end of the day, I will update with my own tips!
Let’s get to it!
From Ashley…I have finally decided on the colors of the bridesmaid dresses, navy which is accented with a light sage green sash. Now, I really would like to include an accent color to add a little more flare to this color palette. I was thinking something along the lines of pink…but I am beginning to think that pink may be way too many colors. I am tossing around the idea of ivory or white as the third and final color for our wedding palette. Is this an appealing color palette or should I stick with the simple two color scheme of navy and sage??
Abby’s Answer…Okay, I have to agree with the comments that suggested varying the hues of the navy and sage, rather than bringing in a different color. There is just something so clean and refreshing in a navy and green palette and if you bring in different hues, the palette will seem rich and textured…
Dress by Bluefly, Flowers on Brides.com, Table Setting on Rebecca Thuss, Ribbon by Jamn Glass on Etsy, Invitations by The Lettered Olive
Here is an issue that so many brides and grooms struggle with…the music!
Question 4: We are having a non-religious ceremony on the beach with about 125 guests. The attire is formal and for the most part, the ceremony will be pretty traditional. The only thing left to plan is the entrance music for the parents/grandparents, the bridesmaids and for myself….I want something that is beautiful, but not over-the-top wedding (ie. no “here comes the bride”). We are completely stumped and not sure where to begin. Any suggestions of great wedding music that isn’t too wedding-y?
Any tips for this bride-to-be?
To Veil or Not To Veil…I get this question a lot from readers, so I thought I would weigh in and see what you guys thought!
Question 3: I am wearing a vintage style dress (Pronovias design Castor which you can see on their site) with the high necked jacket and the low v back. I have shoulder-blade length straight hair and had originally planned to wear it in a low bun at the nape of my neck with a large ivory silk flower to one side as the allegra one illustrated here.
However, I’m starting to think that I won’t be a ‘bride’ without a veil… My Mum says that as I’m getting married in a barn in a cocktail dress, it’s not necessary, and it will detract from the dress, but I’m not sure.
Can you or your readers suggest a solution? Do any readers have anecdotes about wishing they had worn a veil or deciding not to and feeling ok about it? I thought a little 1950s blusher might be a solution but fear that with the high collar, it will all be a bit busy around my face…
What do you guys think? Any tips for this bride-to-be?
Our next question comes from a reader who is looking for some creative groom gift ideas…
Question 2: My fiance loves sports (personally plays golf, but loves them all) and is an
avid gambler. He’s not a fashionista so things like cufflinks are out. I want to
get him something meaningful and clever and not resort to getting him a Wii or
something like that.
Any fun ideas for this reader?
