a bride and groom with their bridal party. — A bride and groom with their bridal party. Image by Allure Brides.

Your wedding colors are the most important choice you’ll make during the planning stage. These colors will appear everywhere: your invitations, your bridal party’s outfits, and in your wedding decor.

But they are more than just colors you like. They are colors that will create the vibe that will reflect your unique vision to create the day of your dreams.

It’s not an easy task, but we are here to help. Here’s everything you need to know in order to choose the best wedding color scheme for your big day!

Understanding the Basics of Wedding Color Schemes

Your wedding color palette is more than just a reflection of your style. It’s the guiding light you’ll use to make countless decisions during the planning process.

Before you choose your colors, you’ll need a basic understanding of color theory to make the biggest impact. The color wheel will tell you everything you need to know.

Primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, are located at the center of the wheel and are the foundations of all other colors. Secondary colors, like orange, purple, and green, make up the second ring of the color wheel and are created by blending different amounts of those three primary colors.

Finally, tertiary colors are ones made from a combination of secondary and primary colors and can be found on the outer layer of the color.

It’s important to choose colors that have a pleasing contrast while creating harmony. That way, all of your elements blend nicely to enhance your theme.

Your colors should also complement the exciting details and decor at your venue. Look for colors that provide enough contrast that they stand apart from each other while still creating the vibe you want.

To create a beautifully cohesive palette, decide on the tone you want to set for your wedding. Are you looking for elegant romance? Then stick to pastel and light hues.

Rustic wedding colors? Think browns and reds. Want more of a boho vibe? Stick with neutrals and pops of bright, bohemian colors. Pick 3-4 colors that go well together: your main two colors and neutrals.

Seasonal Color Palette Inspirations

Spring

Spring showers bring flowers- so use them as your color inspo! For Spring wedding colors, think soft pastels like blush pink, lavender, and mint green. Blend them with neutrals like cream and taupe These pale hues will blend nicely with the freshness of spring!

Summer

Summer is all about brightness and excitement. Vibrant hues like turquoise, coral, and sunflower yellow are the perfect fit for beach weddings. Choose deeper neutrals with warm undertones that will enhance the brightness of your main shades. Many of these colors are a perfect fit for beach wedding colors!

Fall

Mimic the bright leaves of fall by picking rich tones. Burgundy, burnt orange, and deep plum will look stunning against any autumn backdrop. Pick golden neutrals to add depth to your palette.

Winter

A cold-weather wedding calls for deep, regal colors. Elegant shades of emerald green, navy blue, and deep purple are perfect for the season. Add accents of gold or silver as a neutral to make the dark colors pop.

Incorporating Personal Style and Trends

The colors you pick for your wedding should reflect the personal style of you and your future spouse. This means matching colors to your personalities.

Go for bright, cheerful colors if you have an out-of-this-world personality. More subdued? Reflect that with subtle versions of your favorite shades.

Current wedding trends are calling for bright, bold colors. In fact, the 2025 color of the year, Verona Sunset, is a rich, red-orange shade that looks stunning when paired with neutrals like brown and cream. This versatile shade can be adapted to fit any season, depending on what colors you pair with it!

But no matter the trends, pick colors that feel right and represent you as a person. Remember, this day is all about you! So always pick what your heart (and eyes!) tell you is right.

Matching Colors with Venue and Theme

Whether your wedding is taking place in a banquet hall or in a garden, you’ll need to consider the venue when choosing your colors. Indoor venues can be more forgiving with color choices, so long as they align with the venue’s existing decor and lighting.

Natural colors that mimic the current season work best when planning an outdoor wedding, so consider the surrounding areas. If your venue is vintage and classic, don’t choose bold, modern colors.

You must also align your colors with your specific wedding theme. For instance, if you’re hosting a rustic wedding, your palette should reflect soft, worn shades rather than bright, vibrant colors.

Modern weddings should stick with one accent color to shine against mainly neutrals.

Practical Tips for Implementing Your Color Scheme

Once you know the colors that will make your heart sing, it’s time to find the best places for them! The color you’d like to be most prominent should be the one you choose for the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire.

Next, figure out how you will use your palette in your floral arrangements and table settings. Select flowers, place settings, and table linens to fit in your palette. Use neutrals strategically for maximum impact.

Finally, ensure there is consistency across the event from start to finish. This means making sure your palette is reflected in the invitations, significance, and other stationery, as well as thank you cards and reception favors.

You’ve chosen the best shades of all, so you’ll want them present every step of the way to keep your event cohesive!

Avoiding Common Mistakes

While your wedding color scheme should always match your preferences, there are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid. Don’t pick too many colors, as they will overpower you and your event. Stick with one main color and two to three accents.

Additionally, you must incorporate your venue’s existing color scheme. Nothing looks worse than wedding decor that clashes harshly with the venue’s wallpaper, artwork, or other features.

Be sure to tour the venue ahead of time, making notes on architecture, layout, and existing decor. That way, as you are choosing your color palette, you can ensure it blends flawlessly with the venue!

Finally, you must consider the lighting of your event. Bright, artificial lights will change the appearance of colors, as will natural light. Additionally, dim mood lighting will play with how your eyes perceive color as well.

Bring swatches of your perspective palette to your venue to see how they look in various lighting for the best results.

Wedding Color Scheme Inspiration Ideas

Verona Sunset

Channel this 2025 wedding color of the year and memories of a jaw-dropping sunset to create a bold palette perfect for summer or fall.

Pull colors like Verona Sunset orange and goldenrod yellows, mixed with medium pinks. Guests will fall head over heels for this bold palette!

Lavender & Rosemary

Lavender and rosemary green make for a romantic yet rustic tablescape. Photo Credit: Wedding Wire

If you’re planning a rustic spring wedding and want a romantic vibe, take inspiration from nature, namely the lavender and rosemary plants.

Pale purple shades sparkle when placed next to various shades of green. Add in cream as a neutral and you have a gorgeous palette!

Shades of Blue

Blue is a popular favorite color, so it’s no surprise it’s a top choice for weddings during any season. Choose your favorite seasonal shades of blue and pair them with neutrals that have cool undertones.

Can’t decide? Go for a blue ombre look and have your bridesmaids wear varying shades rather than match.

All White

Modern, minimalistic wedding themes pop with a daring, all-white theme. While it may seem ho-hum on the surface, there are countless shades of white you can mix and match to create a clean look.

Accent with metallics like gold or silver to elevate the palette and offer some variety.

Terracotta & Teal

Terracotta and teal flowers look stunning set on a teal runner and natural wood table. Photo Credit: Ling’s Moment

Fall and winter weddings will feel warmer with a terracotta color scheme. Choose a dark, medium, and light version of this stunning shade and accent it with a bold teal.

To break it up, you can also add tan, sage green, or pale pink. If you’re on a budget, you can easily decorate with real terracotta pots and accents to save big.

Go Green

An unexpected moss green table clothes makes the white and silver table settings look straight from a fairy tale romance. Photo Credit: Happy Wedding App

There’s a shade of green for every season, so choose the shade that makes you smile. Green is versatile, so pair it with another seasonal shade.

Emerald and blank is perfect for winter while lime and white for the summer. You can even include accent shades that call back to your florals, making your wedding perfectly cohesive from top to bottom!

Dusty Blue and Rose Gold

A dusty blue tablecloth makes rose gold accents shine. Photo Credit: CV Linens

A modern take on the classic baby blue and pink combo, keep it from looking too juvenile by infusing metallic rose gold accents rather than baby pink. This palette is perfect for a feminine, romantic vibe in the spring!

Berries & Lemon

Bright yellow sunflowers shine against a backdrop of deep berry red. Photo Credit: Colors Bridesmaid

Looking to make a statement? Berry red and bright lemon yellow offer the perfect complementary contrast! Perfect for fall and winter, this combo is unexpected and exciting!

Use it in your decor and wedding party outfits. Consider customizing dip-dyed accessories and dresses to make this palette pop!

Wedding Color Scheme Inspo: How to Design & Choose