Expert-Approved Tips for Establishing Your Wedding's Color Palette
There are many things to consider as you choose a color palette for your wedding, including the time of year, whether it's a daytime or evening event, and where your celebration is taking place. On top of that, you'll also want to think about which colors you and your fiancé love, as well as which hues help evoke the mood you want your guests to be in during the party. Still, the process of choosing a wedding color palette doesn't have to be complicated.
We talked to Kristy Rice of Momental Designs to find out the best way to establish your wedding's color palette (and pitfalls to avoid).
Related: How Many Colors Should Be in Your Wedding's Color Palette?
What should couples keep in mind when choosing their wedding colors?
Rice says one of the biggest mistakes couples make when choosing their big-day color palette is attempting to be too literal. "A standout décor plan is about mood and experience, not a perfectly orchestrated use of matching colors," she explains. Her advice? Avoid being overly specific and commit to a color direction instead of a strict palette that must be followed. You'll get a more nuanced décor scheme and a more interesting design in the end.
How should a couple plan a color palette around a season?
Be subtle. "Seasonal palettes can easily become cliché if not executed thoughtfully," Rice explains. "Surprise is one of the most powerful factors in design and can go a long way in ensuring your event is long remembered." Tying the knot during the winter? Instead of going with a green-and-red holiday palette or an icy blue snow-inspired palette, try to channel the vibe of an upscale ski resort. Soft fabrics, rich plaids, and comfortable furniture will help you bring that vision to life.
Simply put, says Rice, "Don't be so literal that nothing is left to the imagination."
What are some common mistakes couples can avoid when choosing their wedding colors?
It's easy to go overboard when choosing a color palette, but Rice says you should avoid selecting too many hues. Instead, she suggests selecting just two focal colors and letting accents become established naturally. Rice also suggests carefully discussing color palette options with your wedding planner, should you be hiring one. Coming up with a solid plan early on makes future decisions—around everything from the stationery to the flowers—so much easier. "A strong color plan can help the planning process become even more efficient as time goes on," she explains.
Do you have any tips for creating "wow factor" with a color palette?
Are you feeling adventurous? A color palette can evolve as event day unfolds. Never underestimate the wow factor that a chameleon color palette can have. You can start subtle during the ceremony and gradually get deeper and moodier throughout the evening. "Liken it to a standout song that starts subtle and continues to build in its variety of instruments, intensity and pace," Rice explains.
Just remember to choose a color palette you love.
Don't let anyone push a color palette on you, no matter how elevated or beautiful they say it will be. In the end, the colors seen throughout your day should be ones you really love. "There are many things to take into consideration when deciding what your wedding's color palette will be, but the most important thing to keep in mind is whether or not you are happy with it," Rice says. "You will be looking at pictures from your wedding day for the rest of your life, make sure you are choosing colors because you truly like them, and not because they are trendy or what you think your wedding should look like."
