How to choose your wedding colours

This year, the Pantone Colour Institute predicts that the reigning colour at weddings will be tangerine. The last time we saw this hue so popular was in 2009, when wedding decor ran the gamut from burnt oranges to vibrant tangerines.

In 2010 there was a new-comer - the colour turquoise. At that time, it was all the rage for turquoise to be paired with chocolate brown or for a more vintage, retro effect it was combined with red or yellow. It was also popularly paired with burgundy or black for more of a modern flair and drama. The turquoise craze was followed by a pinkish-coral colour in 2011, that Pantone dubbed “Honeysuckle.”

Here’s a guide to selecting a colour scheme

1.    The location of your wedding could be a beginning point in choosing your colours, for example, if it will be held in a rustic setting or outdoors, you may choose more earthy colours to complement it. However, if it is in a hotel ballroom, you can select colours that would match with the existing décor that’s in the room.

2.    The theme of your wedding can also guide you about colour selection, for instance, if you have chosen a “nautical” theme, you can go with navy blues, crisp whites and bright reds, or if you have selected a “tropical” theme, you can choose oranges, pinks and yellows.

3.    When selecting a colour, always consider the mood you would like to create or as we say locally, what’s the “vibe” of your wedding? This is where you get to determine the mindset you would like to set for your guests – for example, ethereal and romantic? Trendy and modern? Remember that the more vivid the colours you select, the more upbeat and dramatic your wedding’s mood will seem. Colours like red, purples, oranges and yellows set a mood of fun and lend excitement. If you select milder, more muted or metallic colours, these will lend themselves to a more elegant or sophisticated ambience.  

4.    Start an inspiration board – use a bulletin board or even a paper folder and save magazine clippings or photos that inspire your wedding colour choices. Visit your local fabric stores or hardware stores and watch the paint charts, to see what colours or prints catch your eye. Then ask for swatches, so that you can add them to your inspiration board to help with your decision-making. Another great idea is to show your inspiration board to your florist, your cake artists as well as your decorator.  This will help them get a better sense of how you envision your wedding’s décor.  If you want to explore virtual inspiration boards, you can visit www.pinterest.com

5.    Choose a primary colour and one or two secondary colours. It may not be a good idea to select more than three colours because it will make your wedding palette look confused.  

6.    Be open to more unusual colour combinations or trios such as:

·         Blush pink and grey

·         Gold and teal

·         Gray, yellow, navy blue

·         Fuchsia, black and turquoise

·         Black, white and yellow

·         Plum, chocolate brown and yellow

·         Aqua, teal and yellow

·         Coral, kiwi-green and ivory

And lastly, when selecting your colours, always be yourself and don’t be afraid to break with tradition. Your guests will be delighted by a wedding that is not the “same old!” Go back to http://www.trinidadweddings.com