Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Summer Event Color Combinations - Part 1

I've already posted about spring, winter, and autumn color schemes on this blog, and now it's time to look at some of my favorite summertime color combinations!

Color Combination #1 - Coral & Jade



This color scheme may look familiar to you - it's the one I used on my own July wedding last year, and I've already posted several times about the decor I made and used for that event. :) In fact, all of the pictures in the above "inspiration board" were professional photographs taken at my wedding, by the amazing Amber Hunt.


We chose this color combination because it was unique. I'd never seen any other event with these colors, and I loved how bright and saturated they both were. I'm not one to wear pastel colors - they simply don't work on my pale skin tone and I look completely washed out. I've always preferred brighter, saturated colors compared to tints or shades, and I didn't want any soft pastels at my wedding. My husband loves the color combination of green and pink, so I tweaked those a little to make the colors more unique and sophisticated to fit my tastes, and we ended up with jade (a dark, deep blueish green) and dark coral (called "guava" by David's Bridal).

At first, it was a little difficult finding inspiration and planning decor since it was not a popular color combination. But we were engaged for awhile (almost two years) since we were still in school, and thankfully, by the time we'd graduated and I'd actually started really planning the wedding, the colors we'd chosen many months ago were suddenly more popular, though never together. The summer before our wedding, David's Bridal sent out a catalogue that featured, among other colors, jade and guava, though they weren't shown together.

A lot of our guests commented on the color scheme, saying that it was unique and beautiful and that they never would have expected them to work together, but that they very much did. It's true that it's an unorthodox color combination, but I really don't understand the surprise. Red-orange and blue-green are complements on the color wheel, meaning they're directly across from each other and therefore guaranteed to look good together. The color scheme of coral and jade is just a slight change from that pairing. The jade is dark enough to look like grass and foliage, but with a hint of blue that calls to mind the deep ocean. And the coral is bright and sunny and perfect for summer.


Color Combination #2 - Blue & White


A deep, saturated, royal blue is another great summer color, and it pairs perfectly with white. Think of the blue-domed whitewashed churches on the Greek island of Santorini for inspiration, or go for a more nautical feel and think of the stark contrast between a large white sail fastened to a boat bobbing on the dark blue ocean.

This color combination works because it feels so fresh. The pure white and dark blue are both cool colors, so they cool down a hot summer day just as well as jumping into a backyard pool. The rich royal blue calls to mind the sky and sea and feels brighter and sunnier than a pale blue, and the white is, as always, classic for a wedding. :)


Color Combination #3 - Red, Black, & White



Speaking of classic wedding colors, there is nothing more classic than red, black, and white. The great thing about this color combination is how strongly the red pops against the two neutrals. All three colors are in stark contrast with each other, making it a very sophisticated color scheme. Use red roses and the classic damask pattern for a more elegant feel, or switch the roses out for a different flower - like red daisies or poppies - to instantly make your decor more modern. For an even more contemporary vibe, forgo flowers altogether, and use onyx black and ruby red rocks in long slender vases as your centerpieces.

The best part about this color combination? It's easy to find decor, attire, favors, and more that fit this color scheme since it's such a classic. And since so many things come in red, black, and white, it's also easy to find something that's never been done before to add your own spin on these timeless colors.


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Shameless Plug Time: Love these color combinations? Looking for custom stationery made to match these colors (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

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