How to choose your wedding colors

To have visual unity in your wedding, you need specific colors. The colors you choose can create a look that evokes elegance and make your wedding appear more expensive than it actually is.

As you may well know, lots of brides have a difficult time choosing their colors, but it is possible, and it can be easy.

Many individuals use their favorite colors for their wedding theme or determine it by considering a favorite flower. Ideally, you should select one main color and one to two accents.

How do you choose?

First, find out if there are any predetermined aspects. For example, does the ceremony or reception location have strong colors? Do you absolutely have to have a certain flower? Have you already decided on the bridesmaids dresses?

If any of the above are true, then you're halfway there. If not, you can start thinking about the season your wedding will take place: Spring and summer ceremonies generally have bright colors or pastels; many winter weddings have deep purples, gray-greens, burgundies and silvers; and fall ceremonies usually have harvest tones like oranges, yellows and reds.

Here's what you should stay away from:

• Too much black. Yes, black is sophisticated, but have too much, and your wedding might end up looking like a funeral. If you love black, and it's an absolute must-have, balance it with a bright color or lots of crisp white.
• Losing your personality. Don't choose colors just because your grandmother or future mother-in-law loves them. Instead, consider what you usually wear and the shades used to decorate your place; these are probably colors you're more comfortable with.
• Choosing too many wedding colors. Two is ideal; three will work; any more than that, and your wedding will probably look like it's all over the place. Your wedding colors are supposed to tie everything together. The best way to do this? Have everything in one of two shades.

Other things to consider:

• Go monochromatic and have various shades of one color. For instance, if green is your color, maybe your bridesmaids could wear different shades of that, and you could have various shades at your reception as well.
• Have related tones (ones adjacent to each other on the color wheel). You could try green and yellow or red, purple and blue.
• Try complementary shades (colors located opposite each other on the color wheel). These are combos like forest green and burgundy or lavendar and pale yellow).
• If you have a favorite color you really love, emphasize it with neutrals. For example, if purple is your fave color, you could have your bridesmaids wear cream dresses with purple sashes and your groomsmen wear off-white tuxedos and purple botonnieres.

When you have an idea of the shades you want, check this out to see how everything will look together.

Have you chosen your wedding colors? If so, what are they? If not, what colors are you leaning towards?

Photo from: best-wedding-info.com; Article Source: Choosing your wedding colors