Color sets the mood. The right colors in your home can create a calming oasis, the right colors on your clothes can bring out your best features. What about the colors of your wedding?

We’ve often wondered where these color palette “trends” come from year after year. Some seem to last two months, yet others are classic and never go out.

For 2020, the color is Pantone’s classic blue:

Which is quite different from 2019’s color, which was Pantone’s living coral:

If you’re trendy and like to follow these guidelines, there are hundreds of palettes already put together that will make a lovely statement. And because there are hundreds, it can also give you a massive headache.

Maybe you have no interest in what the color of the year is (um, me?!) and your Pinterest board is full of many lovely colors and you don’t know where to start.

Here is some help!

• Look at your setting and season. Are you getting married at a rustic stone property in June, a woodland setting in October, a winter wonderland in January? Clearly all three of these have their own flavor and colors that will lend perfectly to them, regardless of what is trendy. Think about your venue, the season, and get inspired that way!

• Think about the mood you want to set. For instance, you may want to have a small wedding reception, but still want glamour. This can definitely be done and in a striking way with the right palette. Metallic colors lend beautifully to this! Or maybe you want soft and romantic. Fire engine red may not be your best choice to set that mood, but it would be a perfect color to display a classic love story full of passion and emotion.

• If you’re so inclined you can look up what each color means and maybe be inspired that way. Maybe one of these colors really represents your relationship and you can build around that as well.

• Always consider at least one nature color so your flowers can blend.

Once you have an idea of colors, choose your favorite as your base. That color will be used predominately throughout your wedding. Then you will want to use the other 2 to 3 as coordinating accent colors. These can be either contrasting or neutral which ever you prefer. Your maids, flowers, linens, invitations, and possibly even your cake will have these colors as well.

If you are having trouble picking additional accent colors, consider ombre or gradient colors in different shades of your favorite, or neutrals that tie everything together.

Choosing your colors is an important part of planning your wedding! Put some thought into it, and be sure it makes sense to you. Enjoy the process!