How to choose wedding colours for your 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 wedding colours for your 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 matching fabric swatches to colours. Instead, your wedding colour choice 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 a colourful, bright colour 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.
Timeless, neutral colour wedding flowers bouquet. Image by Ryan Welch Photography
Consider the season you are getting married
Of course you don’t have to follow any advice at all and if you follow me or have read any of my previous blogs before you will know my mantra is: Your wedding. Your way.
Having said that if you are looking to mother nature for a little inspiration some colour combinations lend themselves to certain seasons more than others. That's not to say that you can only use certain colours during certain seasons, I would say the trick is how you style them.
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 bronze leaves, seasonal berries and 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 those colours in brighter, fresher tones and stay away from the berries and leaves.
Wedding flowers bouquet in cream, lemon and blue tones. Image by ALS Photography
Wedding flowers hand tie in cream, lemon and blue tones. Image by ALS Photography
Hand tie wedding bridal bouquet in cream, lemon and blue tones. Image by ALS Photography
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.
Think of using dark, rich, jeweled tones for a more regal affair.
For a fun, lively atmosphere, you should include colourful, eye-catching colours that mirror this feeling.
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.
Consider the venue you are getting married in
Hopefully you have chosen the wedding venue of your dreams and the venue is bare, then you can do your magic by assembling your colours from scratch and do whatever you want to do
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 not compete with them. If you choose your wedding colours without thought, they may clash badly.
Rather than clash work with the colours in your venue. In your table centrepieces highlight accents from the venue that you like instead of hiding away from them.
Colourful autumnal bridal flowers. Image by Fox Photography.
Bride carrying colourful autumnal bridal flowers. Image by Fox Photography.
Colourful autumnal bridal flowers sat in a vase. Image by Fox Photography.
What colours do you like?
This might be an obvious point but it really is the most important aspect of the decision making process.
As you choose the wedding colours for your flowers remember to choose what YOU love. The colours should be an expressions of your personality. Do you have a signature colour? Take a look inside your wardrobe or around your home, what colours do you surround yourself with? If you choose the colours that you love to use in your wedding flowers then the likelihood is that you will still love the flowers you have chosen a decade down the line.
So, what colour clothes do you wear, what about your favourite shoes? Even the colours in your makeup box and your kitchenware.
Chances are that you buy colours that you love most. Incorporate them into your wedding because, as I have always said, it’s all about YOU.
Pastel shades of summer wedding flowers. Image by Imagine That/Studio27
Bridal wedding bouquet in pastel summer shades of summer. Image by Imagine That/Studio27
Bridesmaids holding their wedding bouquets in pastel summer shades of summer. Image by Imagine That/Studio27
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 creams, ivory, nudes and grays too. Also, 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.
Bridal bouquet with lots of colours. Image by Chris Norton Photography
Bridal bouquet with lots of beautiful colours. Image by Chris Norton Photography
Brides' reaction to her colourful bridal bouquet. Image by Chris Norton Photography
Don’t follow the herd
Like all things, wedding flowers and colours definitely follow a trend. Every year there is a Pantone colour that is THE colour to use, for the year 2023 the colour is Magenta. As we all know fashions come and go so if you do not care for trends, the goal is to remain classic and timeless and once again BE YOU!
Rather than work with trends that you don’t care for, go personal. What do you love?
Wedding flowers in neutral colours. Image by Kate Adams Photography
Bride holding her bridal bouquet wedding flowers in neutral colours. Image by Kate Adams Photography
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 to pick the exact hues, remember that your wedding palette isn't the be-all and end-all. Yes, your wedding colours will inform a lot of your other decisions but use them as a guideline instead of a rule.
Rather than focusing on two or three of your favorite colours, perhaps opt for a colour family instead, such as shades of soft pinks or classic neutrals. This will help you achieve a wedding scheme that feels beautiful and natural without worrying about everything matching perfectly.
Actually a tonal colour palette often looks more sophisticated than a matchy-matchy one, so don't stress about getting every detail colour perfect.
So what do you think? I hope this blog has helped you how to choose wedding colours for your flowers.
In conclusion 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.
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
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
This gallery area is linked to my Instagram account where I post all my latest weddings, projects and news. I would love it if you follow me.
See you there!
ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?
I have created a page just for you.
It’s only natural that you have a load of questions when planning your wedding flowers.
Some of the most common questions that keep cropping up I have already answered. You will find this page helpful; to read more CLICK HERE
I have written so many blogs, take a few moments and have a good look.
But if you are wondering exactly what is involved when you book your wedding floral designer you can read more here.
Bride carrying her wedding flowers at Gileston Manor
I still have some availability for this year and next year. If you have booked your wedding date get in touch to discuss your wedding flowers.
I look forward to speaking to you.