White and Cream

There is no other colour that is more symbolic of the Western wedding than white; we see it as the colour of purity, simplicity, and innocence. The vast majority of brides will wear some shade of white on their wedding day, whether it is a pure white, a cream, or an ivory. Many brides like to include white as one of their wedding colours, but remember: not all whites are created equal! There is no other colour that has more shades than white; you'll rarely find two that are exactly the same. Look at fabrics in a variety of lights before deciding if they match, and ask for a friend's opinion, too.

White goes well with many colours, and is often combined with black. Many brides who go with a black and white theme choose a bright highlight colour, like apple green, sangria, or ocean blue. Cream and ivory are also versatile colours, but the same warning about matching applies. Pair cream with chocolate brown, burgundy, or sage.

Black Palette

Black is the colour of mystery, elegance, and sophistication. It has long been shunned by the wedding world, but it is slowly gaining in popularity. It is usually used as an accent, and often in combination with white. Many brides liven up their black and white theme with a splashy accent, like lemon yellow, tangelo, or lipstick pink.




Black contrasts well with bright colours, like lime green or even hot pink. It is a wonderful way to add little elegant touches. Be careful not to overuse it, as it can become overpowering.

Yellow Palette

Yellow is a cheerful colour filled with energy and life. It is the colour of sunshine, which makes it very popular at summer weddings. In fact, bright yellows are found almost exclusively in the summer time, while darker yellows, like sunflower and gold, are more common in fall. Light yellows, like wheat and brush, are common in the spring and make excellent accents.

If you're looking for a bright palette, pair lemon yellow with clementine and tangelo. Add a lipstick pink for something with even more pizazz. If you like yellow and orange but are looking for something a little more tame, try lemonade and orange cream. When used sparingly, black can be a great accent for yellow, but make sure it doesn't overpower.

Orange Palette

Orange is a happy, energetic colour. It is popular with both summer and fall weddings, as it can be paired with bright colors (like yellow and pink) or dark colours (like red and brown). Orange can be a bit of a tricky colour; choosing the right shade will be very important. Some of the most popular shades are clementine, coral, and tangelo. It is equally important to pair it with the right colours for your palette. Oranges often pair well with blues and browns or yellows and pinks. A little goes a long way with orange, as it catches the eye almost immediately; it can be overwhelming and over-saturating when used in excess.

For a summer palette, try pairing orange with bright yellow and pink; use all three to accent a white wedding. If you’re looking for something softer, pair baby pink and orange cream. Try pairing coral or clementine with ocean blue and dark chocolate. If you like dark blues, pair clementine or orange cream with navy. If your wedding is in the fall, pair a creamy orange with a rich sangria red.

Pink Palette

Pink is a sweet, fun, romantic colour. It is very popular at weddings, and it never really seems to go out of style. It is most popular during the spring and summer months, but you will occasionally see it in fall or winter. Soft pinks are common in the spring, while bright pinks are usually saved for summer. Because there are so many shades of pink that are popular at weddings, it can be hard to find decorative pieces that match. You might want to keep fabric samples in your purse so you and your vendors know exactly what you want.

Pink is a wonderful accent to a black and white wedding; virtually any shade of pink will work. Pink also works beautifully with grey; mauve and charcoal are a particularly good match. For a bright palette, combine lipstick pink with tangerine and lemon yellow. Many brides are getting even more daring by pairing hot pink with lime green; you can avoid the neon look by adding either black or white.

Grey Palette

Grey is a cool, mysterious colour. It was rare to find grey at a wedding until recently, but it is starting to grow in popularity. It is usually used as an accent, often with pink and sometimes with steel blue or green. It is uncommon to find it as a main colour.

One of the reasons for its growth in popularity is that it pairs very well with pink. Combine charcoal or slate with a soft pink or mauve, or a dark charcoal with a bright pink. It also works well with clementine or orange cream. If you like blue, pair it with a steel or taupe blue. It also pairs nicely with olive green.

Green Palette

Green is a calming, natural colour. It is inherently associated with the natural world, and is often used at outdoor weddings. Cool greens, like sage and olive, are very popular for spring weddings, while warm greens, like apple and lime, are popular for summer weddings. Rich, dark greens like emerald are often found at fall and winter weddings. Greens pair very well with creams and browns. They can also be paired with yellows, blues, and oranges, though it can be tricky to find the right shades.

If you're having a spring wedding, pair sage with a medium and a dark olive. You can also add a splash of colour with coral and mocha. For a summer wedding, try apple green with dark chocolate and white. If you're getting married close to Christmas, pair grass green with a deep sangria red.