The saying goes that well begun is half done. Pick out the right colors for your big day – and you will see how everything will start shaping up just marvelously. Whether you plan exchanging vows for spring, summer, autumn or the snowy season, colors are essential. The scheme you settle for should harmonize not only with the weather and the mood of the participants, but also with the surroundings.

Decide from the beginning which of the major wedding styles suits you best

Roughly, all marriage themes fall into one of the following groups: vintage events, classic receptions and modern nuptials. Obviously, typical vintage palette hardly ‘marries’ very well with an ultra-contemporary background and vice versa.

There are transitional cases when it can be difficult to state categorically where a wedding belongs, but with most of them the main idea is clear. Try to understand whether you are a modernist, a classic-minded person or have a heart for retro and shabby chic.

Vintage colors

Vintage-styled weddings have gained in popularity over the recent years. Their tonal scheme is kind of ‘diluted’. Shabby chic nuptials are fashionable. They are adored by people who love quaint ‘worn-out’ look, nice and faded. One of the favorites is the dusty rose. An occasional bright splash can be a clever twist.

Choose light muted hues – warm or cool – for the sunny period. If you schedule the ceremony for winter, it is recommended to go for darker nuances – let us say, deep spruce green, purple-red, with copper or brass replacing gold.

Actually, it is almost a rule of thumb that retro-styled weddings use weathered metal textures in place of golden and silvery. Well, you may experiment with silver, but leave alone pure gold: it is rather traditional.

Retro palettes are suitable for rustic weddings. When you plan your ceremony in the countryside, you may consider these possibilities.

Modern colors

The contemporary-themed wedding is cool, in every sense of the word. It uses more bluish tones, probably, than other marriage styles, including neon blue, electric blue and other vibrant shades. Contrasts are starker than in the previous case.

White and magenta are one of the hot combinations. Throw in a few suitable colors – such as purple or turquoise – and you have a perfect festive combo for any reserved or minimalistic location.

A couple of bold youthful tones help to create a merry atmosphere. Carrot-orange and indigo, purple and salad-green or similar duos look good against contemporary backgrounds. Do not be afraid to go eclectic, especially if you wish to make a statement: it is trendy.

Traditional colors

Somewhere in between modern and retro comes the conventional event. It is associated with a pure white bridal gown – hence the ‘white wedding’ term, which stands for ‘traditional’.

The groom is supposed to be dressed in black or dark, although alternatives are possible. No one follows any strict rules today, unless it is a religious ceremony. However, conservatively minded people would prefer a restrained palette without glaring tints.

The basic black and white theme is safely touched up with gold and silver, the classic wedding colors. It is elegant, and you can hardly go wrong if you decide on this alternative.

Two more classic options for any nuptial are pink and blue. Try to match pink with say, grey. It is not trite, but classic and yet it allows you to stay within a formal context. Using different shades of pink – bright and light – is also correct. Royal blue, baby blue, sky blue, etc. ‘marry’ with either gold or silver – just remember the Disney Cinderella’s ball gown.

A few considerations to bear in mind:

It you have settled for the venue, choose a scheme that will enhance what is good about the location.

Mind the season. Spring and summer call for light and radiance, in the fall and winter the mood assumes richer and darker nuances.

Ask yourself, what impression you would like to make on your guests. Are you open-minded and liberal or sophisticated and fancy? Do you feel for a touch of nostalgia?

Do your homework: research current wedding trends, watch nuptial photos with different solutions, read up on matching and clashing hues.

Put together an arrangement with the colors of your choice and take some snapshots. Show the photos to other people and ask what they think.