Photo: Ingalls Photo
Huffington Post contributor Nancy Stoltz is the head of marketing at Creative Coverings and a master at table design, fabric trends and event planning. Here, Stoltz lends her keen design eye to answer your questions about wedding colors.
How important is the role of color when planning a wedding? What dynamic do the colors used in table linens and decor create for the success of the big day? As an event planner, not only is it necessary to stay on top of the current color trends, but one of the first questions I ask any bride and groom is what function they want their colors to play when it comes to their wedding.
Color can dramatically affect moods and emotions as well as influence certain physiological reactions. Often, brides will choose their favorite colors for their wedding day, but you can also consider cultural traditions and life experiences when discussing color-scapes. Think about who you are as a couple, the type of wedding you want to have, and who your guests are. And not only are colors important for table designs, decor and lighting, but they should play a role in your flower and menu choices too. Below, a quick guide to each color's personality.
The Psychology of Colors:
White: Pure, clean, innocent in western cultures; mourning in eastern cultures; creates a sense of space so consider draping a small or dark room in white.
Black: Sophistication, power, elegance; in some cultures it represents death or mourning but in others it can mean life or rebirth; appropriate color for high-end, black tie events.
Red: Excitement, passion, intensity; creates very strong emotions and attention-grabbing; causes blood pressure and heart rate to rise; great color for themed events where guests are encouraged to move throughout the venue.
Orange: Vibrancy, energy, excitement; creates a playful environment for your guests.
Yellow: Cheery, warm, alert; this color can also create frustration and anger and is fatiguing to the eye; probably best to use with another color or as an accent and not as a major backdrop, for example, or focal point in a large room; increases the metabolism so a good choice for a breakfast or brunch event.
Green: Natural, healthy, tranquil; creates a calming effect, relieves stress and helps heal; hence, the symbolism behind the term "green room" as a place to relax prior to going on stage to perform.
Blue: Peace, trust, loyalty; a popular and neutral color on a global level; lowers pulse rate and body temperature and creates productivity.
Purple: Royalty, wisdom, wealth; an exotic color that is associated with luxury and extravagance but also a spiritual connection; can be used in creating special effects with lighting, for example, when designing a lounge area.
Color is a fabulous way to evoke emotions and to set the tone for the mood of your wedding day. Think outside of the box when it comes to the design process and choosing the color palette for table linens and overall decor. It will set you apart and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
—Nancy Stoltz, Huffington Post Weddings
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