How do I decide on wedding colors?

Your wedding colors are the single most unifying characteristic of your wedding details so you’ll want to give them a lot of thought before making a final decision. Choosing the right color scheme for your may seem overwhelming, but if you relax a little it can be a lot of fun. The key is understanding the relationship between colors -- and we promise, it’s not as complicated as you think!

Getting married outside? You could play up the forest-green or fall foliage colors of the site. Or opt for seasonal inspiration: Go bold and bright in the summer to match the vibrancy of the sun, or use whites and burgundy in the winter for a romantic wonderland feel.

Pick one general color first -- say, blue -- and then start thinking about shades and tints (aqua, robin's egg, navy) or other colors to accent it with. To choose an exact hue, visit a fabric store or neighborhood paint shop and collect swatches or chips of colors you might want to use. This will help you get specific, so that when you decide on green you'll know exactly which shade of green you’d like -- and how to convey it to all of your vendors.

Selecting complementary colors is up next. Stick to colors of the same intensity, such as lavender and baby blue rather than royal blue with tan. If you can’t just pick one set of colors, consider using different color palettes for each aspect of your wedding (ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner); but choose one consistent color to keep things from looking like a children’s book.

Sep 27, 2009