If you’re recently engaged or getting down to the business of planning a wedding in 2023, one of the first decisions you will make is the colour scheme. Seasonality is likely to influence your choice. But if you’re looking for inspiration, aside from scouring Instagram, Pinterest and wedding or event planning blogs like this one, keeping an eye on the latest wedding colour trends can also be a valuable source of ideas. Here, our CEO Liz Taylor explores the wedding colour trends for 2023. The en vogue shades that will make your wedding stand out for all the right reasons, as well as some creative ways to use them in your wedding décor.
PINK PERFECTION
Not one, but two shades of pink have made it to our list of the top wedding colour trends for 2023. Demonstrating that if you want to an on-trend shade at your upcoming nuptials this year – you need to THINK PINK!
This year, pink is loud and unapologetic. Influenced by Barbie none the less. With hot pink or cerise shades being used in a bold and celebratory fashion. If that’s a step too far, then try Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, an enigmatic and vivacious shade of red/pink that is fast becoming this year’s ‘go to’ shade for weddings.
Whichever shade you choose, it’s worth remembering that pink is a shade for everyone, having left its outdated ‘girly’ stereotypes behind.
BARBIE PINK
Vogue describes her as an ‘unlikely muse,’ but the ‘Barbiecore’ trend is showing no signs of slowing, especially with the release of the film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in July. As with many fashion trends Barbie’s influence is transitioning into the wedding arena with top to toe pink becoming the hottest look for the entire wedding party. Did I ever think I’d include Barbie in my wedding colour trends for 2023 – no – but watch this colour fly!
Bolder tones – hot pink and cerise are particularly popular, bringing plenty of personality and attitude. Be it guest, maid of honour or mother of the bride, channel your inner Lizzo and you won’t go far wrong.
We love this option from Reiss – a grown up and stylish interpretation of Barbie mania.
Huge blousy blumes – peonies and roses – lend themselves to the extroverted nature of this colour scheme. Think BIG! Floral chandeliers over tables, cascading installations, a huge ceremony arch. Add in tapered candles in your hot pink colour scheme or even better set it all against a hot pink table linen to fill the room with colour.
A towering pink cerise wedding cake is a centrepiece like no other. We love this colourful creation from Fifi’s Bakery. Teal and purple are bold partners for pink, that create a carefree bohemian vibe.
If you don’t want to go full fuchsia and sparkles, then use pink in as an elegant accent. Hot pink makes a tasteful juxtaposition to a more subdued palette – a navy suit with a fuchsia pink lining, tie, or socks. Use it on the reverse of your table linens or underside of your shoe so that it only becomes visible when you want it to. Subtly sophisticated.
Something like this Valentino clutch would add a stylish pop of pink to any outfit.
VIVA MAGENTA
Pantone’s colour of the year is yet another perfectly pink option for our guide to the top wedding colour trends for 2023. It’s a richer, less kitsch shade and is extremely versatile – mixing well with emerald greens, warm neutrals, and teal shades alike. Boldness if the key here – be brave with the shade.
My favourite way to incorporate this tasteful shade of pink into a wedding is by creating an Ombre effect – be that on dresses or table décor taking it through from the very lightest to darkest iteration. Chic, impactful yet extremely easy to achieve.
If you really can’t decide between the two shades of pink then why not incorporate both, use purple as a base to ground your design and bring in every shade of pink imaginable. You can even extend this to the food, drinks and entertainment!
And when it comes to shoes – Jimmy Choo also knows the value of mixing and matching pink shades this season.
For ways to add that splash of purple, take a look at our blog on another Pantone Colour of the Year, Very Peri
WILD WONDER
Another colour prediction from the trends experts is ‘Wild Wonder,’ a warm neutral tone that aims to lift the mood and inspire positivity.
It’s best described as a ‘barley’ shade, something akin to harvested grains yet with a slightly yellow undertone. And in weddings that can give rise to some beautiful rustic table décor ideas. Huge sheathes of wheat, bound with wide black or navy velvet ribbons. Dried meadow flowers to add to the whimsical feel.
This look is all about building textures so tie your napkins with woven or macramé napkin holders, choose fabrics with a loose weave to add to the textural layering. You can embellish with fragrant rosemary or cinnamon sticks for a multisensory table setting.
Overhead install huge, dried flower and pampas grass chandeliers to add drama. Punctuate with yellow bunny tails or roses for summer. Bring in warm oranges for autumn/winter – alongside dried fruits, apricots, nuts, oranges which can all be used for a stunning bountiful effect.
The best thing about this scheme is that it can be achieved relatively inexpensively. Something like these Irica Palm charger plates would be a great base to build your textures onto.
This colour scheme also lends itself to pairing with another unlikely wedding colour trend for 2023 – brown.
BRILLIANT BROWNS
Finally, the last of our wedding colour trends for 2023 is a favourite of mine. Earthy. Rustic. But never dull. Brown is making a comeback in both interior design and wedding décor. Coffee, chocolate, and mocha shades reminiscent of the nineties, intermingling with metallic bronzes to warm the palette. Think twill suits and rich autumnal colourways or brown linens paired with hazy blues for a breezy summer beach wedding.
Brown is earth’s palette meaning it goes with anything. Teal is a perfect partner alongside autumnal shades of yellow ochre and burnt orange. Quite north African inspired, luxe and very dramatic.
Take inspiration from nature for a stunning wedding colour palette. Flame red and burnt orange will turn up the heat. Perfect for an autumnal wedding but also a vibrant base for a summer extravaganza when paired with citrus tones of orange, lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit.
Against a rustic table, add vintage tonal glassware set against flame red napkins to set your table décor alight.
A brown linen suit from Dolce and Gabbana is the perfect beach wedding staple.
Want a wedding dress with a difference that wows? Or the most memorable maid of honour? Try this enchanting brown Jenny Packham dress.
THAT TOUCH OF TLC
Since pink is so prevalent in our wedding colour trends for 2023, we delved deeper and asked what is the meaning and psychology of the pink colour. What characteristics are associated with it? What personality traits do people who have pink as their favourite colour tend to have? And what effects does pink have on people?
Pink is made up of a combination of red, blue and white, from which it gets some of its characteristics. Passion and energy come from red, and peace and tranquillity from blue and white. While red is more associated with passion and lust, pink is a softer and more loving colour. It is more associated with romance and love, it has a more sensitive side.
Pink is intuitive and insightful, and shows tenderness and kindness with its empathy and sensitivity. In colour psychology, pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive colour that inspires warm and comforting feelings, a sense that all will be well.
Pink calms and soothes our emotional energies, relieving feelings of anger, aggression, resentment, abandonment and neglect. Studies have confirmed that exposure to large amounts of rose can have a calming effect on nerves and anxiety.
The colour pink puts people in touch with their most loving side, both the need to receive and the need to give, affection and care.
Perfect for a wedding wouldn’t you agree?