How to choose colours for your wedding flowers
This is THE question to consider when you are starting to plan your wedding flowers. Once you have this decision in the bag everything else is made much easier.
With a cohesive colour theme you can choose your dresses, your stationery, how to decorate your venues but most importantly your flowers! Your choice of colours for your wedding flowers set the mood for the day, so you want to get it right.
But do you know how to choose your wedding colours?
Gone are the days of meticulously matching fabric swatches to flower colours. In these times your colours should serve as more of a general guide for the feel of your wedding day.
Do you want to create a timeless, romantic setting with neutrals and pastels?
Or do you want to opt for a colourful, bright floral scheme for that fun, relaxed feel.
Just in case you have no idea where to start, here’s a “how to choose a wedding colours for your flowers guide” especially for you!
Hopefully this blog will answer all your questions and help to guide your way.
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Consider the season you are getting married
Why not look to mother nature for a little inspiration?
Some colour combinations lend themselves to certain seasons more than others.
For example, Autumn weddings are the perfect time to use colours like burnt orange, yellow, and deep reds. You could add a touch of rustic charm with accents like bronzed leaves, seasonal berries, grasses and perhaps some wheat. These simple additions create a bridal bouquet that truly represents that season. If you want to use these colours for a spring wedding choose colours brighter, fresher tones and stay away from the berries and leaves.
(That's not to say that you can only use certain colours during certain seasons; if you have read any of my previous musings you will know I embrace the - ‘Your wedding. Your way’ mantra.)
What vibe do you want for your wedding day?
Your wedding colours have a huge impact on the mood for your wedding day.
If you are thinking of a timeless, classic theme for your wedding day then your flowers should reflect this with soft, neutral tones.
Consider using dark, rich, jewelled tones for a more regal affair.
For a fun, lively atmosphere, you should include colourful, eye-catching colours that mirror this feeling.
Sit down and speak to your partner, think about the style and atmosphere you want your wedding reception to have, whether it's relaxed, glamorous or something in between and choose colours that put you in that mindset.
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Consider the venue you are getting married in
You have booked the venue of your dreams. It is a bare, blank canvas, you can create your dream wedding scenario, assembling all your colours and theme from scratch and you can do whatever you want to do.
Unfortunately, not all venues are like this and this is something that you must take into consideration. You want to choose colours that blend into the surroundings and do not compete with them. If you choose your wedding colours without thought, they may clash badly.
Rather than fight with the colours in your venue work with them. Highlight accents that you like instead of hiding away from them.
Bride carrying colourful autumnal bridal flowers. Image by Fox Photography.
Colourful autumnal bridal flowers. Image by Fox Photography.
What colours do you like?
This might be an obvious point but it really is the most important aspect of this process.
As you choose the colours for your wedding flowers remember to pick what YOU love. The colours should be an expression of your personalities. Do you have a signature colour?
Take a look inside your wardrobe and around your home, what colours do you surround yourself with? If you select the colours that you love in everyday life for your wedding flowers, the likelihood is that you will still adore the flowers when you look at the images a decade down the line.
So, what colour clothes do you wear, what colour is your bedroom, what about your favourite shoes or coat? Use this colour family and don’t worry about everything being too matchy-matchy, a tonal colour palette often looks more sophisticated. This will help you achieve a wedding scheme that feels beautiful and natural without worrying about everything matching perfectly.
You buy colours that you love the most so incorporate them into your wedding, I always say, it’s all about YOU.
Brides' reaction to her colourful bridal bouquet. Image by Chris Norton Photography
Bridal bouquet with lots of beautiful colours. Image by Chris Norton Photography
Don’t follow the herd
This point run aside the point above.
Like all things, wedding flowers and colours follow a trend. Did you know, every year there is a Pantone colour that is THE colour to use? For the year 2023 the colour was Magenta, 2024 it was Peach Fuzz, 2025 is Mousse.
Fashions come and go, if you do not care for trends, remain classic and timeless and once again BE YOU! Go personal and do you love?
Don’t go TOO colourful
Now this is a tricky one because I believe you should have the wedding flowers YOU dream of and in nature all colours work together. If you look at a wild flower meadow all those beautiful bright colours sit in harmony, pinks and blues, oranges and red. But remember your eyes need to rest. Too much colour can be blinding and distracting.
Balance is key. If you have your heart set on many wedding flower colours, have moments of calm. Pair a bright colour with a neutral, muted one; incorporate nudes, pastels and greys. Something I like to do when designing bright and colourful wedding flowers is to opt for tones that I would describe as in-between colours. Choose cranberry instead of bright red or coral instead of a more intense orange. A good florist will be able to guide you.
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Don’t overthink it
It's easy to get caught up in the idea that you have to have a strict colour scheme, but if you're feeling the pressure, remember that your wedding palette isn't the be-all and end-all.
As long as YOU love what you choose you can’t go wrong.
In short my advice is, go for what defines you and what you love. Take the season and venue into consideration but choose your own “best colours.” It really is all about what you’ll always love. And don’t forget to try and have fun during this planning phase, it really is the most exciting time.
So what do you think? How to choose colours for your wedding flowers can be tricky, I hope this blog has helped.
If you want more help with planning your wedding flowers I have a page dedicated to answer your questions here.
If you would like to discuss your wedding flowers get in touch here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne-Marie, the face of Petal Power
Hi! I'm Anne-Marie, Petal Power is me!
I run my weddings and event floristry business out of my studio in Creigiau, Cardiff, South Wales.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog.
If you want even more prettiness take a look back at my page. You will find information on the latest beautiful weddings I have been lucky enough to be a part of.
Also, you can keep up to date with essential advice, craft ideas, my favourite seasonal wedding flowers and more.
You can find out more about me and my work here.
Anne-Marie xoxo
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Bride carrying her wedding flowers at Gileston Manor
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