From the great Southern movie Steel Magnolias, I will always remember one of my favorite quotes between Shelby (Julia Roberts) and her mom M’Lynn (Sally Field). Shelby says, “Pink is my signature color.” To which M’Lynn replies “The sanctuary looks like it’s been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol.”
That quote will forever make me smile and also brings me to the subject at hand, choosing your wedding colors. The first and foremost thing that every bride needs to remember is that no matter the season, rhyme, or reason just about anything goes. Do not shy away from color because you don’t think it is fitting for that time of year. My only warning is to make sure the colors do not clash with your venue. Many times in places such as hotel ball rooms and country clubs they will have carpets in red and gold or other colors that stand out. If that is the case you might try to compliment the colors instead of picking something like yellow and lime green. Embrace your color of choice and run with it. There are always ways to incorporate the colors you love into your ceremony.
Here are a few tips if you are completely stumped about choosing wedding colors.
The way I decided on my wedding colors is I took an idea from one of those decorating shows. I found an item in my wardrobe that I loved and when I wear it makes me feel beautiful. I based everything around one dress. This is really hard to believe because I have a lot of clothes and especially love dresses! However, I have a black and white gingham dress that I have always referred to as my party dress. I have worn this dress to several weddings and events over the years. This dress has also been passed around among friends becoming very popular. With that being said, I decided to buy fabric and have all the bridesmaids dresses made so they too could have their very own party dress. So the idea for a black and white wedding was put in place.
Photo credit: BigHugeLabs.com
Another really fun way to choose colors is to use a palette generator. The website allows you to download a photo and it will generate what colors are in the photo. I put the following photo which I took last year in Kauai and it gave me the colors in it. The colors were all obviously in the pink family but I was amazed at the names for all the shades of the colors. This is a really fun way of coming up with wedding colors if you are completely stumped!
If you are really dead set on getting the exact perfect colors for your wedding you can always consult a color wheel. The best way to use the color wheel is as follows: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel are complementary. Colors which are next to each other on the color wheel are analogous. Lastly, colors that are varied in shade but within the same tone are monochromatic. The picture of the flower had tons of monochromatic colors.
If you are still completely in a quandary here are some of the latest colors in wedding trends for 2010. According to getmarried.com monochromatic colors as discussed earlier will be very popular. Black has also made a comeback (which I never knew classic black was out) and bright colors and metal tones will all be popular. Here are some gorgeous color combinations.
Monochromatic: This is such a pretty color combination with the varying shades of green and yellow.
Photo credit: MQ Photography
Bright Colors: I love the shade of orange. It can be bright in the spring and summer and more subdued and natural for the fall. Here are two gorgeous orange combinations. It is amazing that the same color can look so completely different!
Photo credit: Halberg Photographers
Photo credit: www.youandyourwedding.co.uk
Those are just a few ideas for color and ways to find them. Take my advice and make it your own. Wedding colors are simple so go with your instinct. Always remember in the words of Shelby in Steel Magnolias “My colors are blush and bashful” or as M’Lynn (Sally Field) put it “Your colors are pink and pink” make them special and unique to your wedding!
Wedding Website: taylorandkatywedding.com
Katy Kelly lives in New Braunfels, Texas with her fiancé Taylor, chocolate lab Boudreaux and golden retriever Berkley. She loves being outdoors, cooking, baking, do it yourself projects, hosting parties, reading and traveling. She has a degree in Journalism from Baylor University and has worked in sales since graduating. Katy is in the midst of planning her dream wedding. Throughout this experience, she has uncovered her unknown passion for everything weddings. She is excited to share creative ideas, fun projects, unique incorporations and other great ideas she has found along the way.