Choosing a wedding color palette is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) parts of planning your big day. Your colors set the tone for your entire celebration – from your invitations to your florals, décor, attire, and even the mood of your photos.

Whether you’re drawn to romantic pastels, bold jewel tones, or earthy neutrals, your wedding color palette should feel true to you. If you’re not sure where to start, this guide will help you narrow it down – and you can also take our free Wedding Color Scheme Quiz to discover the perfect palette for your unique style!

Start with Your Setting

Your venue often provides the foundation for your color choices.

• Outdoor weddings: Nature provides its own palette — think soft greens, warm neutrals, or blush tones that complement the scenery.
• Indoor or ballroom weddings: Bold, elegant tones like navy, burgundy, and gold create a classic feel.
• Beach or destination weddings: Light and airy colors such as coral, turquoise, and sand pair beautifully with ocean views.

Tip: Look at the existing décor or wall colors in your venue. Choosing complementary shades ensures everything feels cohesive without clashing.

Think About the Season

Each season naturally lends itself to certain color families:

• Spring: Soft pastels like lilac, blush, and sage green
• Summer: Vibrant hues like coral, fuchsia, and sunny yellow
• Fall: Earthy tones such as rust, terracotta, and olive
• Winter: Deep jewel tones like emerald, plum, and navy

Of course, you don’t have to follow seasonal trends — but they’re a great starting point, especially if you’re inspired by natural surroundings or floral availability.

Reflect Your Personal Style

Your wedding should feel like an extension of your personality as a couple. Ask yourselves:

• Are you more romantic or modern?
• Do you love minimalist neutrals or vibrant pops of color?
• Would your dream day feel glamorous, bohemian, or classic?

If you’re unsure how to define your style, take our Wedding Color Scheme Quiz – it’s designed to help you uncover a palette that matches your vibe and vision!

Use the 60-30-10 Rule

When choosing multiple colors, this rule helps keep things balanced:

• 60% main color (used in bridesmaid dresses, table linens, or large décor)
• 30% secondary color (flowers, stationery, accent pieces)
• 10% accent color (napkins, signage, small details)

This formula ensures your design looks polished without feeling chaotic.

Example: A soft blush wedding might feature blush (60%), cream (30%), and gold (10%) for a timeless romantic look.

Consider How Colors Photograph

Some colors look amazing in person but tricky on camera. Neon shades or overly dark tones can sometimes distort under certain lighting. When in doubt, ask your photographer for advice or test a few color samples in similar lighting to your venue.

Tip: Soft, muted tones and natural shades tend to photograph beautifully across all lighting conditions.

Pull Inspiration from the Details

If you’re feeling stuck, look to elements that already inspire you – your favorite flower, your engagement ring, your home décor, or even a piece of art you both love.

Pinterest and mood boards can also help you visualize combinations. Try saving images that make you feel something — even if you’re not sure why. Patterns will start to emerge.

You can also use design tools like:

• Canva Color Palette Generator – Upload a favorite image to get a custom palette.
• Coolors.co – Quickly generate harmonious color combinations.
• Zazzle’s Wedding Collection – Explore stationery and décor by color or theme for instant inspiration.

Test Your Palette with Samples

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, gather physical samples — fabric swatches, paper invitations, or flower stems — and see how they look together in natural light.

Bonus tip: Bring your palette to vendor meetings so your florist, stationery designer, and decorator are all on the same page.

Stay True to You

Trends come and go, but your wedding should always reflect you. Don’t feel pressured to follow what’s popular on social media – go with colors that make you happy and feel meaningful.

Your guests won’t remember if you chose the “color of the year.” They’ll remember the feeling your celebration gave them.

🌈 Ready to Find Your Perfect Wedding Colors?

Still not sure which shades speak to you? Take our fun Wedding Color Scheme Quiz to uncover your dream palette based on your personality and wedding style!

Your results will help you choose a color story that ties every detail together – from invitations to flowers to the big-day décor.

Once you’ve found your palette, bring it to life with beautiful matching invitations, table décor, and more – all customizable to your color scheme!

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