| t everyone starts planning their wedding with a | | | | A complete colour theme can be achieved by using a |
| picture in their head of how it will look. All you need is | | | | unifying colour in everything, bridesmaids ‘ |
| to turn that into a workable reality. Picking your | | | | dresses, groomsmens’ waistcoats/ties, |
| colour scheme is a great place to start and helps the | | | | flowers and even at the reception in the form of |
| picture come into focus a little bit more. | | | | napkins and favours. Drawing out the theme |
| Traditionally speaking we should all be starting with | | | | throughout the wedding (i.e. to the reception) creates |
| our central feature of a bright white wedding dress. | | | | a very stylish, professional looking wedding. A more |
| However many women now feel this colour scheme | | | | subtle colour suits this approach. |
| is outdated. It symbolises purity in a day and age | | | | However sometimes the colour you want is a more |
| where an....untouched bride... is an exception rather | | | | bold shade that, if used throughout, would cause it to |
| than the rule. | | | | be too overpowering. In this case using a blank |
| So, maybe, rather than wearing white, opt for an | | | | canvas base colour like white with a bold accent can |
| equally stunning but less extreme colour. A wedding | | | | be just as effective. |
| dress in cream, ivory or off white creates the same | | | | For instance, a cream with red accent or a pale blue |
| eye catching focus without such extreme colouring. | | | | with dark blue accent can look very effective. An |
| The non-white tones also work well on people with | | | | accent should not become too overused so it |
| pale skin, preventing ‘ghost | | | | becomes all encompassing but should not be so |
| syndrome’, as I like to call it. | | | | sparingly used as to make the base colour your |
| Now for the bridesmaids’ dresses and colours. | | | | theme. A sash of a dress in the accent, three |
| This is always a tricky one, especially picking a colour | | | | flowers in your bouquet (always an odd number) and |
| all your bridesmaids find acceptable. This is where | | | | other such light but frequent touches should do the |
| most brides become unstuck and start to lose their | | | | trick. |
| vision. | | | | When picking any colour a variable that should be one |
| The most important thing to remember is that this is | | | | of the foremost in your mind should be the season |
| your wedding, your choices and your colours. | | | | your wedding is held in. Spring weddings generally |
| Don’t be bogged down by conflicting views | | | | look better with a more pastel theme to enhance |
| of members of your wedding party. They will have | | | | the natural colourings of nature. Winter weddings |
| their chance to pick their colours at their own | | | | often look better in bold colours as pale colours can |
| wedding. As long as your choices don’t make | | | | become washed out in the dull weather. |
| any of your party look ridiculous (like pale pink on | | | | Creating your perfect colour co-ordinated wedding |
| someone with red hair), they should have no say. | | | | takes a lot of effort but the most important thing to |
| Next major choice regarding colour is whether to | | | | remember is to pick a colour that suits you. Before |
| translate your bridesmaids’ colours into a | | | | you make any decisions have a colour consultation so |
| colour theme or keep your other colours separate. | | | | you know the colours that flatter you. |
| Personally, I believe a theme continued throughout a | | | | Remember, your ideal colour will probably come in |
| wedding brings a sense of unity and cohesion. | | | | many shades, one of which will suit your colouring so |
| Separate themes can sometimes cause the wedding | | | | don’t be disheartened if you are told your |
| to feel disjointed. | | | | initial choices don’t suit you. |