Emily: I'm not sure how to choose my colour scheme...
“
Every time I sit down to start planning my wedding, I get stuck on the colours – I feel
confused as to what direction I want to head in, and I like so many different things.
Emily - Confused bride
Establishing your theme and colours is such a fun and creative part of wedding planning, but don’t let the whimsy of it all fool you – it can also be tough! You love pinks but your partner hates anything too “feminine”, you hate bright colours… but there was that one wedding
you saw on Pinterest… Suddenly you’re stuck amongst a myriad of colour combinations and ideas. Sit down, take a deep breath, and try these tips:
use Pinterest, magazine clippings or even a floder on the computer
1. Mood Board
If you haven’t already done so, start a mood board. Use Pinterest, magazine clippings or even a folder on the computer. This gives you a “birds eye view” of what colours you naturally gravitate towards and you should definitely see a common theme or two emerging.
But maybe you and your partner have very different design preferences? Great! Do a separate mood board each with no peeking allowed until you both have a well developed board put together. Once you swap boards make sure that you observe what your partner has put together with a non- judgmental eye. Spend a week, on and off, looking at your partner's board and see if there's anything that starts to appeal, or that you can at least compromise on. You may be surprised what the two of you can agree on afterall!
2. Wardrobe Review
Take a look at your wardrobe and home; what colours have you used there? What colours look good on you, and bring about positive feelings in you? I’d be willing to put good money on the fact that the girl who decorates her house with bright, block colours will not be the girl who chooses to have a black & white-themed wedding.
Ask friends and family; what colours do they associate with you and your spouse? What have they seen you/him wear that they thought looked great on? Your wedding should reflect you as a couple, so it makes sense to choose colours that the two of you wear well!
Think about the things that stood out at the weddings you've attended
3. Wedding Reviewer
Take note of what have you noticed about the colours used at weddings you’ve attended. Did you like the pale blush of the bride’s bouquet, or the baby blue theme throughout the dessert table? Maybe you loved the luxe feel of the gold cutlery or the romantic look of deep red? Jot down even the tiniest of details because you never know what idea it might become.
Also jot down what you didn't like, sometimes our preferences are defined as much by what what we don't like, as what we do like!
4. Rule it out
Make a list of colours that you just plain do not like, even if it’s not directly wedding-related. For example, I’m getting a bit sick of seeing so much grey and black when it comes to interior decorating; suddenly we’re all living in minimalist grey and black houses and wondering why we’re feeling a bit down? I’m also not a big block colour person either when it comes to weddings or interiors – you’ll see me use a lot of warm neutrals, whites and gold accents. Sometimes half the battle is seeing what you don’t want, which can make what you do want all the more clear.
Take the time out to mood board, Pinterest surf and to take a good look at what you love as a couple
Choosing your wedding colour scheme can be a daunting and overwhelming aspect of wedding planning. But it will contribute so much to the overall aesthetic and feel of the day, so don't be afraid to put some time and thought into it. Take the time out to mood board, Pinterest surf and to take a good look at what you love (and can compromise on!) as a couple. You will be rewarded with a beautiful wedding and some truly great wedding photos!