How to Choose Your Wedding Colours: A Simple Guide to Nailing Your Palette

Choosing your wedding colour palette is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. It’s where the vibe, season, and personality all start to come together visually. But let’s be honest—staring at a million Pinterest boards can quickly go from inspiring to overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! Here’s a down-to-earth, stress-free guide to help you find your perfect wedding colours and create a day that looks as good as it feels.

Why Your Wedding Colour Palette Matters

Your colour palette does more than just dictate the shade of your bridesmaids’ dresses. It sets the tone for the entire day—from your invites to your table settings, your flowers to your cake. Whether you’re planning a relaxed countryside wedding in Somerset or a bold and modern city celebration, the right colours will bring your wedding vision to life and tie all the details together beautifully.

1. Start with Your Setting

Look at your venue as a starting point. Are you getting married in a rustic barn, a modern industrial space, or a classic country house? The surroundings will naturally influence your colour choices. For example, soft pastels work beautifully in countryside venues, while rich jewel tones look stunning in more formal or autumnal settings.

If your venue already has strong colours or design elements, you’ll want to choose a palette that complements rather than clashes with them.

2. Think About the Season

Seasonality plays a big part in colour inspiration. Spring lends itself to soft blushes, greens, and dusty blues. Summer weddings suit bright and cheerful palettes—think coral, peach, or sunflower yellow. Autumn is perfect for earthy tones like burnt orange, burgundy, and sage green. Winter weddings shine with deep shades like navy, emerald, and metallics like gold and silver.

That said, don’t feel boxed in by seasonal trends. If you love a colour and it makes you happy, go for it!

3. Reflect Your Style and Personality

Your wedding should feel like you, so your colour palette should too. Are you drawn to soft, romantic tones? Or do you love a bold pop of colour? Your home décor, fashion sense, and even your favourite flowers can offer clues to what you naturally gravitate towards.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match textures and tones—blending matte with shimmer or combining soft tones with bold accents can create a beautifully balanced look.

4. Choose One or Two Main Colours

To keep things cohesive (and make styling easier), pick one or two main colours and then layer in complementary accent shades. A simple combination like sage green and ivory can be elevated with hints of gold or dusty rose.

Think of your colours as the foundation, then let your florals, stationery, and décor bring them to life.

5. Consider the Mood You Want to Create

Colours evoke emotion—so think about how you want your wedding to feel. Calm and romantic? Go for soft neutrals, dusty pinks, or lavender. Fun and vibrant? Try bold jewel tones, bright pops, or modern monochrome palettes. Elegant and timeless? Classic combinations like white and green, navy and gold, or blush and champagne always deliver.

Your colour palette should support the atmosphere you’re dreaming of, whether that’s a relaxed garden party or a formal evening affair.

6. Test It Out

Once you’ve narrowed it down, create a mini mood board (physical or digital) with swatches, images, and inspiration. Seeing your colours together can help you spot if anything feels off or if you’re missing a balancing tone.

Don’t forget to share your palette with your suppliers—from florists to stationers—so they can work their magic using your chosen shades.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding colours are the thread that ties all your visual details together, but they should also reflect your personalities, your love story, and the vibe you want to create for your guests. Whether you’re going minimalist with neutrals or making a bold statement with brights, choose colours that make you feel excited, confident, and inspired.

Need help bringing your colour palette to life?

As a wedding planner and stylist based in Somerset, I help couples like you design beautifully cohesive weddings that feel totally personal. From the first mood board to the final flourish, I’m here to make it stress-free and full of joy.

Get in touch today and let’s start turning your vision into reality!