One of the decisions you’ll need to make fairly early in your wedding planning is what your wedding colors should be.

You may be asking, how important is selecting a color scheme for wedding planning? Do we have to choose a wedding color palette? Our answer is, no, it’s not an absolute requirement, but it is highly recommended.

As Cindy Sanchez Lark of Detaille Weddings and Events in Connecticut told Wedding Wire, picking wedding colors provides couples with a blueprint, so to speak, for planning decisions about clothing, signage, your wedding reception table linens, floral arrangements, wedding stationery—even your signature cocktail. A wedding color palette helps pull everything together.

“I feel as though a wedding color palette gives everyone some direction and boundaries,” she said. “The most beautiful events are always those where there is cohesiveness in color, starting with the save-the-dates, which is the first glimpse of what the wedding will be like, to the thank-you note mailed after the fact.”

If you find the idea of selecting your wedding colors a bit daunting, don't worry. You're not alone. Couples stress about getting their color decision right, knowing that it will influence so many other decisions to come.

With that in mind, we've put together some color palette trends and tips to help you create the right color scheme for your wedding day.

Assigning Roles

A wedding color palette generally includes main colors, secondary colors, and accent colors. Wondering how this works?

Your main colors will be like leading actors in a movie. They might, for example, be the color of your invitation envelopes, bridesmaids' dresses, and most prominent flowers in your bouquet.

Your secondary colors will play supporting roles, such as smaller flowers in your arrangements, or an element in your groomsmen's outfits.

You also will have accent colors, which if we’re continuing this movie metaphor, would be like famous stars who make a cameo appearance. We only see a little of them compared to the rest of the cast, but they make a big splash. When it comes to your wedding color palette, accent colors might be used for shoes, linen borders, or napkins.

Pick Colors That Will Play Together Nicely

Your favorite colors may be beautiful individually, but when you put them together, not so much.

Wedding color coordination should be one of your considerations as you select your palette. To prevent jarring color contrasts we suggest selecting a couple of main colors for your palette, along with two or three complementary secondary colors that include at least one neutral. You also should consider an accent, maybe a metallic gold or silver, to use strategically.

Generally, hues of the same color go well together, along with combinations of warm and cool shades, and combos of vibrant colors with neutral tones. Cool colors include shades of blue, purple, and green. Warm colors are reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows.

Don't Be Overly Cautious

While you want to prevent your color combinations from clashing, you don't want to limit your wedding color scheme choices, either.

Then, as Tarrytown, New York-based event designer Michelle Edgemont explained in a recent blog, you run the risk of creating an equally unappealing effect.

“Choosing too few colors for your wedding color palette will create a really flat, almost boring, look to your decor," Edgemont wrote. "Say you love yellow and gray. Those are your wedding colors. All you’ve done is buy everything that is either yellow or gray. Suddenly, your wedding looks way too matchy-matchy without any depth to the decor.”

Trends This Year

Some of the more popular wedding colors in 2023 include dark shades of green, gold, navy blue blush pink, dusty pink, neutrals, and browns.

Wedding Motif Combinations

Rather than selecting colors, some couples are building their palette around a central wedding motif like "boho chic" or "woodland fairy tale." These motifs guide the color scheme in a cohesive direction. A boho chic wedding could feature bright jewel tones with intricate embroidery accents. Meanwhile, an enchanting woodland palette may use deep greens and laurel mosses paired with natural wood elements.

Most Common Wedding Colors

While unique color combinations can look beautiful and make a statement, there are still several classic color palettes that remain the most popular choices for weddings year after year:

-White and Blush: An elegant combination of crisp white and soft blush pink exudes timeless romance. White flowers mixed with blush bridesmaid dresses and table runners is a fail-proof pairing.

-Ivory and Gold: Ivory represents purity and pairs gorgeously with glamorous gold accents. Creamy ivory flowers paired with gold charger plates and Chiavari chairs make for classic luxury.

-Red and Black: Striking red and classic black prove a bold, dramatic pairing. Red roses combined with black linens and a black tuxedo evoke vintage Hollywood style.

-Navy Blue and Silver: Navy is a rich neutral that allows metallic silver to shine. Navy suits complement shiny silver jewelry and tableware for a polished, nautical vibe.

-Green and White: Lush green foliage and flowers popped against a clean white background feel fresh and natural. Great for garden weddings.

Use Your Wedding Venue as a Starting Point

Are you looking for some wedding color inspiration? Has looking at different wedding themes left you feeling overwhelmed?

The indoor and outdoor spaces where your wedding will take place could be a helpful place to find good wedding color combinations.

Maybe you’d like to select hues that complement the decorative features at your wedding venue, from decorative pieces in the ballroom to window treatments.

Walk around the wedding venue grounds. Inspiration for your wedding palette could come from flowers blooming in the garden or from a key element in the landscape like a fountain, a majestic tree, or a water wall.

Look to Your Wedding Theme

If you have a wedding theme in mind, it could be the key to selecting your wedding colors.

With a Harry Potter wedding, for example, you can always go with some of the colors associated with one of the four Hogwarts houses.

A Gryffindor color palette would be shades of red and gold. A Slytherin color palette would include green and silver; a Ravenclaw color palette would be shades of blue and bronze; and a Hufflepuff color palette would include shades of yellow and black.

One popular theme this year is the whimsical garden wedding. With this theme, potential wedding colors could include shades of lavender, mint, magenta, blush, pale pink, blue and yellow, and peach.

Colorful Table Decor

Don't forget about using color on reception tables to complement your wedding palette. Tablecloths, runners, napkins, and centerpieces present lots of possibilities for embellishing with main colors, secondary colors, or accent shades.

Some eye-catching tablecloth color combinations to consider:

-Pink tablecloth with purple napkins

-Navy blue tablecloth with coral napkins

-Green table runner with white tablecloth and blush pink napkins

-Gold tablecloth with red and green plaid napkins

-Black tablecloth with metallic gold charger plates and silver napkins

Mix and match colored linens from your wedding palette for a cohesive yet vibrant reception tablescape. Layer patterns and textures as well, like combining a sequin tablecloth with satin napkins. Don't be afraid to get creative! Your table decor offers lots of real estate to showcase your signature wedding color style.

Seasonal Suggestions

If you’re having trouble selecting your primary colors, you might be able to draw inspiration from your wedding season.

Spring Wedding Colors

Lovely colors for spring could include earthy neutrals with accents of green; dusty blue; warm combos of pink, orange, and white; and bright pink.

Summer Wedding Colors

If you’re planning a summer wedding, for example, shades of orange, light pink, green, and blue can help set the tone.

Or, if there’s a summer flower you’ve been hoping to incorporate into your bouquet, like irises or orchids, you can use its color as one of your primary choices.

Fall Wedding Colors

Ideas for a fall wedding might include burgundy, mauve, pink, red, forest green, navy blue, gold, or maroon.

Winter Wedding Ideas

If your wedding will take place during a winter month, your optimum shades are cool, deep colors. Look at jewel tones like ruby red or emerald green. Other options include neutrals like black, white, and navy.

Unique Color Combinations for Weddings

Choosing the right color scheme for your wedding can be tricky. While classic combinations like black and white or red and gold are timeless, you may want something more unique for your special day. Here are some unique color palette ideas to consider for your wedding:

-Green and beige: One unique color combination gaining popularity is green and beige. The earthy tones pair nicely for a natural, organic wedding aesthetic. Different shades of green can be mixed with neutral beige in flowers, linens, and stationery.

-Yellow and Teal: Another unexpected pairing gaining popularity is vibrant yellow with refreshing teal blue. Together, the colors exude fun, playful energy for an upbeat event. Yellow tulips mixed with teal table runners and napkins keep guests smiling all night.

-Sage Green and Dusty Blue: A soft pairing like sage green and dusty blue evokes a romantic, vintage vibe. Accent with cream and white for a light and airy feel. These colors are perfect for a garden or farm wedding.

-Peach and Navy Blue: Bright peach has a cheerful, fun flair and navy blue is a bold accent. These colors are vibrant and eye-catching together. Peach bridesmaid dresses pop against dark blue groomsmen suits.

-Lavender and Gold: Regal lavender and shiny gold make an elegant and luxurious combination. Lavender flowers paired with gold flatware and accents give off glamorous Gatsby-style vibes.

-Mint and Coral: For a fresh, beachy aesthetic, try mint green with pretty peach coral. These playful pastels feel tropical and summery.

-Pastel Pink and yellow wedding colors: Soft pink and buttery yellow are a cute combination with a sweet, playful mood. Pastel pink bridesmaid dresses and yellow floral arrangements make for a bright, springtime pairing.

-Purple and grey wedding colors: Rich purple and silvery grey together create an edgy yet glamorous modern look. Purple calla lilies mixed with grey linens lend drama and sophistication.

-Orange and Plum: An unexpected pairing, plum and burnt orange can make a striking statement. Orange flowers glow against plum bridesmaid gowns for drama and flair.

Modern Wedding Colors

While white and pastels remain wedding staples, many contemporary couples opt for bold, vibrant color palettes for a striking celebration. Jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and amethyst lend rich, regal style to weddings.

Metallic accents including rose gold, copper, and gunmetal inject modern elegance. Neutrals like black, gray, and taupe paired with pops of color create a chic, neutral canvas. And shades of purple from lilac to violet provide a mystical, romantic vibe. Recently, bright, energetic hues like coral, yellow, turquoise, and fuchsia have become sought-after statement colors for the most playful, fun weddings.

Whatever palette reflects your personal taste, vibrant modern hues are an ideal way to make your wedding photos pop.

Be True to Yourself

As with many of the wedding planning decisions ahead of you, there's no need to stress out about making the wrong choices. Yes, some colors complement each other more than others, but really, the main goal is to select colors you love: hues that reflect your style and the tone of the wedding you're planning.

If you want your wedding colors to showcase your love for romance, your flair for the dramatic or whimsy (hot pink, anyone?), or any other number of qualities, those are the ones you should select.

The Bell Tower on 34th is one of the leading modern wedding venues in Houston and the surrounding area.

Contact us to learn how we can help you create an unforgettable event.