Poppies & Sunshine - A Wedding Color Story

Almost eerily beautiful, the poppy flower has deep rooted symbolism and meaning behind it. While the Wicked Witch of the West used the poppy's powers of sleep against Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the flower has a more cheerful orientation to it as well. The poppy has associations with beauty, magic and fertility. These delicate wildflowers come in a variety of types and colors. The California Poppy takes center stage in our Poppies and Sunshine Color Inspiration Board. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, the California Poppy's colors range from yellow to light and dark orange. Pair these cheerful blooms with shades of sunshine yellow, sky blue and shadowy gray for a charming wedding color scheme.

Add pops of color to your wedding day attire with poppy orange bridesmaid dresses, cool blue ties and floral hair pins, belts and boutonnieres.  Cheery and fun, get inspired by this laid back wedding color scheme  for your spring or summer wedding!

Photo Credits: Single poppy bloom, Poppy Field, Paper flowers, Wedding party by the pool by Heather Kinkaid Photographer, Yellow poppy belt, Blue tie groom by Orchard Grove Photography

2011 Spring Color Trends

The 2011 spring fashion report is in and Pantone LLC, the global authority on color, has pulled out all the stops to unveil their detailed fashion forecast.  Featuring the top 10 colors for women's fashion, Pantone cites some of today's top designers along with sketches, headshots, and commentary from other fashion insiders.

"The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  The top 10 colors selected for the season include Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Beeswax, Regatta, Lavender, Blue Curacao, Peapod, Silver Peony, Russet, and Silver Cloud (see below).  For 17 years, Pantone has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring the season's most color trends.  To read more, check out Pantones detailed forecast here.

What does this mean for weddings?  The colors that Pantone has selected for the spring season pair together an interesting mix of vibrant hues and cooler, neutral tones.  I feel that this marriage of colors will undoubtedly carry through to weddings.  Look for colors that pair contrasting, complementary hues together, as well as, palettes that include warmer softer hues paired with vibrant contrasting colors.  By combining complementary colors (colors that are opposites on the color wheel), brides will be creating a striking wedding palette that demands attention.  Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a sense of playfulness.  Pair with silver cloud for a mix of warm tones and cool neutrals for the perfect post-winter pick-me-up.  Spicy Coral Rose and honey-yellow Beeswax evoke a sophisticated feel.  Combine either one of these colors with Regatta for a striking, vibrant color contrast or Lavender for a unique color combination.

Happy Planning!