Choosing the right colors for your wedding will help to set the tone for the day. Think about it, they will be used in everything: the flowers, the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry, the reception decorations, and even the wedding cake. This helpful guide will lead you step-by-step through the process of selecting the perfect colors for your wedding.

The first step is to think about the season in which your wedding will be held. While it is certainly possible to use colors which are out-of-season successfully, many brides like to work within the classic color palettes for the time of year. That would mean pastels for spring, brights for summer, rich warm tones for autumn, and either deep hues (red, forest green, plum) or icy tones (silver, ice blue) for winter. Of course, there are some colors which work well at any time of year. Classic bridal white and ivory are always lovely, and metallics such as silver, gold, pewter, and copper can be used beautifully across the seasons.

If you opt for a white wedding, you might still wish to bring in a seasonal accent color. For instance, white with pink would be lovely for spring. White with dashes of orange and fuchsia would be hot for summer. In the autumn, warm things up a bit by combining white with Champagne and bronze accents. For a winter wedding, pair crisp white with silver and gold or with pure red accents. These little touches will help give your wedding character and style.

Time of day and the formality of your wedding will also play a role in your color selection. Daytime weddings generally call for softer hues, while deep colors are sophisticated for evening. So if you were having a summer wedding, you might select sky blue for a 1pm ceremony or royal blue for a 6pm start time. Notice that both colors have a bit of brightness, because of the summer season. In the winter months, you might want to substitute a steely gray-blue for daytime or a deep navy for nighttime. Formality matters too. Quirky colors like mango or chartreuse lend themselves to peppy informal weddings, while a very formal affair calls for more conservative shades, such as burgundy or rose. Any type of metallic accent will make the wedding feel more dressy, so adding a dash of silver or gold is a great way to increase the elegance of your ceremony and reception.

Your personal style will play a big role in what color palette you choose for your wedding. Certain colors definitely have specific associations. A dyed-in-the-wool preppy bride will swoon at a pink and green wedding, right down to the stationery, tablecloths, and even the bridesmaid jewelry. For a terrific summer Americana style, opt for a palette of cream, brick red, and denim (it is more vintage than a bright red, white, and blue). To make a contemporary statement, choose colors with contrast, such as cherry red and lime green or yellow with charcoal. Looking to create a very harmonious feeling? Try color combinations with less contrast, like sage, tan, and mushroom brown or shades or purple.

Naturally, you want your wedding colors to complement the setting. Sometimes this can be tricky, especially if your church or reception venue has a carpet or paint color that does not appeal to you! While you don’t have to build your wedding around colors that you do not care for (especially since places are known to redecorate without warning!), try to avoid picking shades that will truly clash with the setting. Also think about which colors just seem to “go” with your chosen locale. Flower colors look lovely for a garden wedding, cool blues are wonderful by the sea, and rich colors suit an opulent ballroom. When your wedding color palette is working in harmony with your season, your style, and your venue, the end result will be spectacular.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, fashion, and design. You will love the pretty bridesmaid jewelry at http://silverlandjewelry.com/. Visit today and receive free shipping on your jewelry order over $99.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: bridesmaid jewelry, wedding colors, preppy wedding colors