Reds and Pinks

The combination of red and pink can create a rich and warm atmosphere.  It is the symbol of love and passion.

Oranges

Light oranges are warm and inviting.  It will give you a fresh summer feel.  Just be sure to use the darker oranges conservatively because it can become too overwhelming and dark.

Browns

Because brown is a neutral color, it can work well with any colors.  If you have an autumn wedding, you can combine browns with oranges or reds to create the fall season look.  Try not to use browns alone because it can become too boring.  Add an accent color here and there.  I’m a fan of colors.

Yellows

Yellows work very well with greens and oranges.  The citrus burst effect creates an upbeat, lively environment for your guests.  Just try not to use neon yellow unless you’re planning an 80’s theme.

Greens

Green is perhaps one color that almost everyone likes.  Using any shades of green especially soft sage is a great main or accent color to any event because it can go with almost any other color.

Blues

Because blue is a cool color, the mood will be calming and soothing.  Think of the sky and the ocean.  Isn’t that what zen is all about?  This is definitely one color that can go an extra mile for you.

Purples

Many people are afraid of the color purple because they are not sure how to use it.  In apparels, purple will work well with all skin colors.  When using purples in decors, try combining it with different shades of blues and even pinks.  Green will work beautifully because they are complementary colors but be careful not to make your wedding look like a Mardi Gras celebration.  Try a darker purple with a lighter green or vice versa.  The contrast can be bold and daring.

So, should you choose your favorite color and go from there or should you choose a color scheme that will express the best mood for your reception?  Well, it depends and there are a few factors for you to consider.  You should definitely take into account your favorite color first but also think about the time (season) of you wedding and also what kind of mood you’re trying to achieve.  My favorite color is pink and my wedding was in May so it definitely works.  In addition, my wedding ceremony was outdoors with a beautiful garden landscape.  With shades of light to medium pink accented with light green, it was romantic and lively.  Pink and light green were the perfect choices.

But if your favorite color is burgundy and the wedding is in the summer, perhaps that might not be the best choice.  Why?  Because burgundy is a deep rich color and it is more suitable for fall / winter weddings.  So does that mean you should not use burgundy, your favorite color, for our wedding?  Not necessarily.  You can certainly use burgundy in your wedding but consider using it as a secondary color.  You can tone down the color by using coral, sand, or a neutral yellow.  This will give you a more earthy, natural feel and will be better suited for a summer wedding, for example.  Or if you’re into bolder contrasts, add shades of light to medium blues to make it cheerful.  However, before you make up your mind on the color scheme, you should gather color inspirations from magazines or collect paint color swatch cards at your local home improvement stores.  Even your own closet is an inspiration too!  But, you definitely don’t want to experiment with colors on your wedding day.

Style Me Pretty, The Knot and Brides are great websites to look for inspirations.