Anyone who has studied the ever-shifting face of a “mood” ring can tell you that color reveals emotion. Like a mood ring, okay, maybe even more so, the palette you choose for your wedding day tells a lot about how you’re feeling and who you are. Monochromatic schemes for example combine various shades of a single color or closely related colors convey classic elegance, sophistication, and seriousness. Bright, contrasting colors, purple with yellow, orange with blue - on the other hand, project unbridled joy and lightheartedness. The following pages illustrate just a few of the ways that your cake, flowers, and decor can come together to make a creative color statement that speaks especially to you.



BLACK & WHITE

Black-and-white may sound perfectly boring, but add a punch of color - any color - and this staid combo jumps to life, creating a look that is at once romantic and edgy. Imagine a black-and-white floral print tablecloth punctuated by a hot-pink peony centerpiece, or playfully embellished with a kaleidoscope of vibrant glassware and china. Have fun - with black-and-white as your starting point, you can let your imagination run wild.

PINK, WHITE & SILVER

The beauty and magic of a winter wedding can be easily lost if you get too tangled up by “holiday” themes and trite seasonal decor. For winter brides who want to steer clear of the reds, greens, and golds that tend to dominate the season, shades of pink and white can be an appealing alternative. Add a subtle flash of silver to conjure the crisp, fresh feeling of a Vermont winter and you’ll have a distinctive, natural look that says “seasonal,” not “Season’s Greetings.”

BROWN, BLUE & YELLOW

Conjuring up crisp blue skies, dried grass, and low afternoon sunlight, this striking combination is a perfect evocation of everything we love about fall, balancing heat and cold, neutral tones and brighter hues. Varying the intensity of the colors - with a flash of turquoise or a vibrant yellow - lets you turn up the heat where you want to heighten attention.

RASPBERRY, ORANGE & BROWN

Not for the wallflower, this spicy color scheme is boisterous, bold and beautiful. Against a pale, snowy background it might be just the thing to infuse your winter celebration day with life, energy and an infectious sense of joy.

PALETTE PICKING TIPS

Can’t decide on colors? These simple suggestions will get you started.

• Answering a few basic questions can help you pick a direction. Do you have a favorite color? Or a favorite flower? Will you be married in the spring, summer, fall or winter? Are there colors or elements of the
architecture or landscape at the ceremony or reception site that you want to work with?

• To fine-tune your selection, try to come up with two or three words that describe the overall feel of the decor you want to achieve - “sophisticated,” “dazzling,” “earthy,” “elegant,” “whimsical,” “vintage,” “bold,” “simple,” “chic”. When considering possible color combinations, ask yourself if they fit the description you’ve come up with.

• Decide on any special objects or collections you want to include in your wedding decor. For example, do you have your heart set on using your great grandmother’s collection of antique glass bottles as vases for your table setting?

• Make sure to spend some time with your partner, identifying any definite no's or yeses. He may have imagined his wedding day a certain way, too. How does it match up with your vision? Have fun - and take comfort in that fact that it’s the 21st century, and the old rules no longer apply!