The purpose of choosing colors to base the wedding around is that it ties everything together visually. Many bridal magazines will suggest choosing two colors that complement or contrast each other. But professional wedding coordinators will often not stop at two. Choosing two main colors is just the first step. Choosing secondary colors ensures more control over the overall look of the wedding.
Unless every single surface is decorated in one of the two colors there will be secondary colors in the wedding, and unless they are consciously chosen they may just happen and not end up creating the look that is wanted.
How to Choose Wedding Colors
The easiest way to choose colors is to go to the nearest paint store and look at the paint chips. These simple little cards make it easy to see favorite colors next to each other and play with the different shades.
Using the paint chips, work with complementing and contrasting colors and find something that creates the atmosphere wanted for the wedding. Or perhaps represents the personalities of the bride and groom, or defines their relationship style- passionate, flirty, fun-loving, adventurous etc.
Understanding the Color Wheel
Unless the bride or mother of the bride is an artist, the color wheel may seem a mysterious entity not to be understood by mere mortals. That is not true, the color wheel is very simple and can be understood easily by just remembering a few basics.
Red, blue and yellow are the three primary colors. Orange, purple and green are the complementary colors. These first six are the most basic version of the color wheel. Black and white are the presence of all color (black) and the absence of all color (white) in painter's terms. These two colors will complement any of the colors on the color wheel in every shade. Also don't forget the complementing metallics, silver and gold.
Every color on the color wheel has a contrasting color directly opposite, here is a list of all six colors with their contrasting color for inspiration.
- Red - Green
- Blue - Orange
- Yellow - Purple
Those are just the basic colors. When looking at the paint chips it is easier to see the different variations and shades.
Dynamic Color Combinations
Sometimes the answer to creating a dynamic color combination is to contrast a warm and cool color, such as a sunny yellow and a navy blue. Or chocolate brown with teal. Or perhaps a melon green with coral.
Once the first two colors have been selected feel free to choose the secondary colors that were talked about in the first paragraph. This can be as simple as choosing white, or ivory. Choosing these colors consciously will ensure that the end result has been considered and that the bride will be happy with how her wedding actually looks. This color (or colors) will often be the color of the table cloths and other mundane items that actually cover a lot of space in the end result. For such a wide coverage of visual space a little thought towards what the color should be is warranted.
Choosing the colors may seem like a small thing, but it is the element that sets weddings apart from each other more than anything. Choosing a strong combination of colors will tie everything from the bride's bouquet to the wedding cake together, creating a look that is picture perfect.
Rachel Thayer - Rachel has had an inquiring mind ever since she started reading at the age of four. Quickly devouring every book in the house and moving ...
