I love color! Give me a rainbow and a pink donut with sprinkles and I'm a happy camper! So as a wedding photographer and lover of all things vibrant, I believe the idea of a "white wedding" is just a rule meant to be broken. That's why I was head over heels with every little bit of this bright and bold wedding. Today, I thought I'd share it with you, along with a few great ways to incorporate color into your own wedding.
I love a great moment between a couple. These two were so in love and were laughing together all day.
This cake is one of my all-time favorites! The flowers were made out of wafer paper, which means they were totally edible! Painted "confetti" dots and a few gold fondant bits made it look like a true celebration.
I love how the metallic dotted trim on these charger plates brings in more of that "confetti" vibe.
How cute are these bright pink bridesmaids dresses? The vintage silhouette was perfect for the old-fashioned architecture of The Victorian in Santa Monica.
Each place setting had a wine glass as a place card, with the guest's name written in calligraphy on their glass (which doubled as a unique party favor). Of course the bride and groom got their own!
8 Ways to Add Color to Your Wedding
As a photographer, my clients have often told me "I love the bright colors in your photos, but I don't know how to get my wedding to look like that". The thing is, if you want a colorful wedding you have to find ways to make it colorful. But there are a few key places where color can make a huge impression.
1. BouquetFlorals are possibly the most obvious way to bring color into your wedding style. For couples rocking the classic black-and-white ensembles, the bouquet (and boutonnière) aren't just décor—they're colorful accessories to amp up your outfit! The bouquet is a perfect place to use the bolder shades in your color scheme, since bright colored flowers are expected. Wrap your bouquet in a vibrant ribbon for an extra pop. |
2. Table SettingThere are so many great ways to use color in a tablescape, so don't shy away from showing off your style! Aside from floral centerpieces, you can add pops of color in napkins, charger plates, menus, and colored glassware. Colored tablecloths can have a major impact, or show off a nice table with a table runner down the middle. |
3. MakeupIf you're ever going to go bold with your makeup, you might as well do it on your wedding day. Bring your color palette into your look with a subtle eyeshadow or get playful with a brighter lipstick shade. If you're not afraid of pushing the beauty boundaries, try a tinted mascara or a colored eyeliner. |
4. Bridesmaid DressesYour bridal party is another common way to show off your colors. But your friends probably aren't desperate to buy another pastel gown that screams "I'll never wear this again". Have some fun with their attire and consider bright hues and fun silhouettes. Don't be afraid to mix shades. Dresses can be within the same color family or throughout the whole spectrum. Anyone in your party going with suit route can spice it up with colored shoes, a tie, suspenders, or a vest. The ultra-adventurous can also consider pants, a blazer, or a whole suit in their color of choice. If you have a more subtle color in mind for your attendants, shoes or socks are an easy way to sneak in some color without overwhelming the look. |
5. CakeWe all know what a classic wedding cake looks like. It's 3 tiers, topped with a poorly painted plastic couple, and covered in white frosting. We also pretty much all can agree that type of cake tastes like cardboard. But now that we're in the days of donut walls, candy bars, and wedding pies, no one is expecting you to stick to the boring, plain cake of weddings past. This cake was a perfect combination of the clean traditional white with tons of color heaped on top. The white base isn't mandatory though, covering a cake in colored fondant or frosting is common practice these days. Swap out the plastic topper for flowers, berries, or a laser cut phrase. The inside can be beautiful too—just add berries, a little colored dye, or fruity filling. |
6. InvitationsInvitations set the tone for the wedding, so vibrant colors tell all your guests to expect fun. Basic Invite has some gorgeously colorful options that can be customized to fit your color scheme. My favorite colorful trends are the watercolor look and invitations with a modern floral pattern. For a fresh, graphic look, make colored text the star. To add a pop to otherwise muted shades, consider a colored or patterned envelope or envelope liner. (I love Basic Invite's 'Roses' and 'Blooms' floral liners.) And if you're sticking with traditional invites, consider a more unique Save the Date. |
7. Hair AccessoriesIf your hair isn't purple or bright red (like mine), you probably don't consider it an accessory. But your hair is a great place to get colorful! Use extra colorful blooms left from making your bouquet to pin into your updo or wrap into a floral crown. If flowers are not your style, bows, barrettes, hair jewelry, and headbands can have just as much impact. Fun-colored and dip-dyed veils are another totally unique way to show your personality. |
8. Your GownWho says wedding dresses have to be white? Today brides are opting for a little color as a way to bring their personality into their wedding day style. Subtle shades like blush, champagne, and gray are popular choices right now. For a more daring look, you can opt for bold runway-inspired colors like red, pink, blue, and black or fashion-forward trends like stripes, floral prints, and ombré dyed gowns. For brides who like the look of white but want just a hint of color, try a lace or sheer overlay atop a beige or blush lining like the one pictured here. And when in doubt, colored shoes are always gorgeous! |
About the Author
Jade Elora is a wedding and engagement photographer based in Los Angeles, California. Her style is artistic, romantic, and full of color, Her focus is capturing genuine moments and the special little things that make a relationship unique. She is a proud supporter of every kind of person and every kind of love. Jade Elora Photography is based in Los Angeles but available for travel. |
Credits
Photographer: Jade Elora Photography, Event Design: Wendy Alexis of Divine Design, Venue: The Victorian Santa Monica, Rentals: Couture Events, Bridal Gown & Bridesmaid Dresses: Camille La Vie, Tuxedo: The Black Tux, Accessories: The Blushing Bird, Cake: Baked Goods Unlimited, Florals: The Crown Collective, Calligraphy: Calligraphy Nerd, Makeup: Sofia Briana of Beauty By Sofia, Hair: Rooslyn Lopez
All Photos © Jade Elora Photography