Colour in Venue Styling
Colour choice is probably the most important choice you will make in venue styling and even decorating, or design in general. Colour sets a mood, steers the entire theme and instantly impacts how you feel when entering a setting. Colour theory plays such an integral part of dressing venues and in fact many are unaware of this because it happens quite subconsciously. This is where a venue stylist really can form a key role in planning your day. For example, without understanding the principles of colour theory, one might choose a strong colour in one shade, which if applied everywhere and not broken down or complimented can overwhelm a room completely.
Colour use in venue styling and particularly weddings almost always boils down to personal choice - under the influence of trends. What is often not considered by clients initially is the use of colour to compliment a setting. For example, smaller rooms are better suited to cooler shades which enhance, lighten and give the illusion of space. Larger rooms are better complimented with warmer tones to ensure it is less sparse, more inviting and creates an ambience. A styling tip - by adding darker shades to cooler colour palettes, a warming effect can be achieved.
Colour should also not only reflect the couples’ personalities but also compliment the bride’s complexion. After all bridesmaids will be wearing dresses in this colour and therefore act as essentially large ‘colour swabs’ stood directly next to them, and in the majority of their photos.
More often than not couples come to us with their colour choice already selected and under way. Therefore, at times we can have very little influence there, which is unfortunate in these circumstances because as you can see it plays such an important role in the theme, ambience, overall mood, and can entirely transform a venue in terms of space and depth. However all is not lost, by using tips like the above, the venue can still be styled and complimented by the use of mixing and blending other colours or shades to create a desired effect. An example of this is by adding navy to pink, the entire mood can shift more towards sophistication and strength.
The most predominant colour we see in weddings is obviously pink - in varying shades. Why? Colour psychology suggests that in western culture, pink represents being feminine and dainty, as well as nurturing and love (a more subtle and softer variant of red). Flowers are also usually more available and more popular in shades of pink. In fact, often we find that couples plan their day almost entirely around their flower or foliage choices. We have seen entire themes changed at the last minute due to the unavailability of certain flowers. New shades not so popular in the past like bright peaches are becoming trendy thanks to their ability to shine when used in combination with beige or earthy foliage options like pampas grass.
In recent months, we see wedding styling moving more away from being pink, soft and frilly (although of course still very popular and will possibly always be a representative of the classical wedding) and more towards being as trendy, edgy, striking and as individual as the clothes we wear or the interiors of our homes. Individuality is the biggest trend predicted for 2020. Just as colours and patterns used in high street fashion are dictated by the catwalk, wedding styling is becoming more and more influenced by these trends, as well as others in interior décor and design, and even art. Obviously colour then, like in fashion can also be influenced by the seasons. And sometimes seasonal styling is absolutely essential.
Theme can still also play a role in colour choice and styling such as tones of blues for a beach theme or greens and natural tones for a sustainability woodland theme. We do find theme is being ditched more for individuality and brides are no longer being boxed off as classical or boho (hoorah). It all boils down to personality, boldness and contemporary pieces.
This last season has been largely influenced by deep, dark, bold and dramatic hues which are often mixed with earthy shades set against earthy textures – similar to much of what has been seen on the catwalks in terms of colour. Next season predicts even further boldness with colour, we hear suggestions of hot pinks and fuchsia’s making their mark. Thus being a colour palette we played with recently in a styled shoot, and it looked hot to trot. Patterns are also due to sneak on to the styling referendum and are being predicted as an option for creating individuality in bridesmaid dresses.
As wedding styling moves more towards individuality, contemporary pieces in beautiful colours are starting to take centre stage. The focus on one colour overall is less prominent and rather colour works hand in hand with other shades, or works to blend, compliment, contradict or pop against its setting. We see bright or bold shades making more of an appearance in contemporary or antique furniture pieces as splashes of colour, rather than one shade dominating everything overall.
Lastly, one of our styling tips would obviously be to pay attention to the finish of your venue and what works for or against it. For example, rustic woods and burlap décor would certainly not work in a venue that has only ornate, golds and other lavish or decoratively finessed finishings. Perfection in styling is achieved when blending into the environment, whilst taking into consideration all of the above mentioned for colour choice in terms of space, depth, ambience, mood, personality, complexion, flower and foliage choices, individuality and finally trends.
