With spring’s pastels popping up all around us, soon to move into the full-bloom of summer, one thing that can be said about the “in” colors of the warmer seasons’ bridal palette this year, is that color itself is in.
In most areas of the U.S., the past winter has been a tough one, in more ways than one–not only have there been long, dark months with harsh weather, but the economy is casting bleak gray shadows over the sunniest of skies. What lifts the spirits and says happiness and new beginnings like color–and lots of it?
This season’s colors are intended to do just that, with the hottest new palette being oranges, tangerines and peach shades made even sunnier when mixed with yellow, from soft to bright. It’s hard to keep the sunshine out of that picture, even if the weather does try to rain on your parade.
Another hot color is fuchsia, especially striking paired with another of the season’s “it” colors, a vibrant spring green. Since green is present in some form in the foliage of almost all flowers, this intense shade partners well with nearly any color–and is actually showing up frequently as replacing traditionally-colored flowers in decor schemes, with green hydrangea bouquets or centerpieces standing out lushly against the color of bridesmaids’ dresses or table linens.
Unusual palettes of mixed but complimentary blues are being seen in bridesmaids’ gowns (”palace blue” is working its way into the color vocabulary), contrasting with a pop of strong color (red, yellow, orange, fuschia–even the “hot” green if you prefer to keep your colors cool.)
The combination of chocolate brown with ice cream colors like pink, lilac or seafoam green continues to be popular, as does aqua, with or without accompanying “Tiffany” theming.
As always, a strong, rich, darkish red is a favorite for summer; it can be very formal and elegant without introducing an additional accent color, usually against white table linens and a white (not ivory) gown for the bride.
If you’re a very traditional bride who’s known what color she wanted her wedding since she was eleven years old, consider punching up baby pink, lavender or lilac with a shot of today’s bright spring green in your bouquets or with your table napkins–the results will be livelier while still on the delicate side. Blues get an unexpected bang with orange-shaded accents (think turquoise and coral, or midnight blue with orange poppies). If you were always leaning toward a pastel yellow wedding, consider upping its wattage with a sunnier shade, and accenting with hot green or oranges–or both.
Don’t be afraid of color, especially this year. If you tend to be color-conservative, remember that just a small but visible touch of an accent shade can often tie together the loose ends of a color combination, sparking what may have been lackluster into a mix where all the components come to life.
04.18.09
