The floral arrangements you choose for your wedding ceremony and reception will be important accessories of the events. And knowing how to pick your wedding flower colors is key. But before you start selecting individual blooms, think about how guests see your wedding.
I’ve often said that guests “see the forest before the trees,” meaning they look at the overall room way before they look at any of the specific details. And when looking at the overall room, what most people notice first is COLOR – then later they’ll notice arrangements and individual flowers.
Before you consult with a florist on the details, decide on what colors you want for your wedding. That way your wedding colors and flowers will help to create and enhance the look you want for your wedding.
Below are some things to consider before choosing your wedding colors.
How To Pick Your Wedding Flower Colors
1. Your Ceremony and Reception Venues
Look at the locations for your ceremony and reception.
• What colors are on the walls?
• What are the rules and guidelines from your church or ceremony site? Do they specify size and/or placement?
• What kind of lighting is available? If there are lots of windows and you are planning a daytime ceremony, pale colors may wash out. In dimly lit evening weddings, try to use warm colors like red, orange, and yellow. Warm colors are said to reflect light better, while cool colors like blue, purple, and green tend to recede into darkness.
2. What effect do you want to create with your colors?
Do you want your wedding colors to contrast (more dramatic) or blend (more sophisticated)?
• If you want drama, color theorists tell us to use complementary hues. Complementary colors are the most contrasting color pairings as they sit opposite each other on a color wheel, like red and chartreuse green.
• If you want a more subtle and sophisticated atmosphere, experts say to consider analogous colors. Analogous colors are sequential and sit next to each other on a color wheel, like red-orange-yellow (using a basic 6-color color wheel).
• Or you can choose a monochromatic color palette. Some people may think, “oh no, won’t it look boring and one-dimensional using only one color?” Not at all, as monochromatic colors are variations of one color, such as pink, red, and maroon (pick one as your main color, and the others as accent colors).
If you don’t have a clue where to start, go to a hardware store and look at paint samples. Collect samples of colors that you like.
3. What is your desired wedding style?
Always consider the style of your wedding when selecting blooms. If you are planning a casual country event, you will want to bypass formal elegant orchids or calla lilies. On the other hand, if you are planning a formal black-tie event, you will want something other than daisies and sunflowers.
Wedding Flower/Color FAQs
• Do wedding flowers have to match wedding colors?
While the colors of your wedding flowers don’t have to exactly match your wedding colors, they should complement and coordinate with your color scheme. You do want them to look like they go with the same event, after all.
• How many colors is too many for a wedding?
Many people say a maximum of three colors (one main color and two accent colors) is ideal, and that using more than three colors will look “like a riot.” But it really depends on the overall look and vibe your are going for, AND what colors you are using.
• What color is best for a wedding?
I could say blue, pink, or purple, as they have been popular wedding color choices for decades. But. . . the real answer is quite subjective, as everyone has their own feelings, thoughts, and opinions of what color(s) they like.
Therefore, determining the best color for your wedding depends on what colors you and your partner like, as well as the points we talked about above (the color scheme at your venues, the effect you want to make with your wedding colors, and the style/vibe you want for your wedding).
What did you pick for your wedding colors and flowers? Did any of the above tips affect your decision? Let me know in the comments below!
Photo Credits:
Multi Colored Floral Arrangement – Felix-Mittermeier.de from Pixabay
Color Wheel – Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Reception with Pink Flowers – Pexels from Pixabay
Roses and Baby’s Breath – annca from Pixabay
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for fun ideas, or need help with your wedding plans? Contact me today at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!