Colourful reception ideas
Published: 01 Oct 2011 - in
ceremony and reception
Adding a splash of colour to your reception – as part of your colour scheme or in contrast to it – is a fabulous way of expressing your personality and individual style. Colour can also convey the season, the tone of the day or simply represent your sense of fun. Decorate your day from a rainbow of options...
Romantic red
Vibrant, romantic and great all-year-round, a splash of red will always bring the message home that this is a day of passion, and of love. This simple and stunning table decoration, marrying pearls, white linen and traditional red roses, was designed for a Christmas wedding by Lavenders of London.
Opulent orange
Orange is a vibrant colour, full of energy. It works well in the autumn, adding warmth and seasonal colour, and can be worked into everything from the bridesmaid dresses to pumpkin centerpieces. These incredible bouquets at an autumnal wedding, designed by Desmond Talbot provide a riot of coordinating colour. And the orange bridesmaid dresses have the ultimate accessory - a clashing fuchsia sash!
Not so mellow yellow
You can’t rely on the British weather, but with yellow in your colour scheme you’ll guarantee some sunshine on the big day. Bright, cheering, uplifting - yellow works beautifully in spring and summer (sunflowers and daffodils are definitely 'it' flowers for contemporary brides). It’s also a great shade for destination wedding decor. The sensational yellow splashes at this Tudor Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club wedding create a joyous backdrop to the occasion.
Cool blue
Cool blue works particularly well for vintage weddings (think Wedgewood plates, pastel blue bouquets and blue patterned china), but it’s a contemporary colour too, and blue lighting always adds a modern touch.
On this elegant table, Craft Artist's 'Butterfly Elegance Digikit' (a CD used to personalise wedding stationary) has been used to make coordinating, blue decorations. 
Go green
Green is a colour for nature lovers, and is ideal for spring weddings. Perfect if you’re having a marquee, green is a colour you can bathe your reception in; from lighting and chair covers to centrepieces and favours.
At this Crewe Hall wedding, the overarching green theme is fresh, ethereal and funky.
Pretty in pink
Fun, feminine and sweet, pink is a classic wedding colour. It works particularly well with pearls and in birdcages, and if you want to add some retro to your day, it doesn’t get much better than pink David Austen Roses in a vintage teacup. The candy pink touches at this scrumptious marquee wedding are ideal to set the scene for tea and scones, Victoria sponge and classic sounds of the 60s and 70s – a brilliant British wedding.
Golden touch
Opulent and indulgent, gold brings a touch of warmth and luxury to a wedding. Fantastic all year round, gold works particularly well in a boutique hotel setting, or at an unusual venue like a museum or art gallery. To use gold effectively, opt for just one or two gold accessories against a classic white or ivory backdrop; try gold lettering on white place name cards or decorate white chair covers dressed with vibrant gold organza. 
Popular purple
Purple is incredibly popular when it comes to vintage-inspired weddings. From lavender button holes to purple hyacinths, bellflowers and freesias in the bouquet, there’s something wild and earthy about purple that makes it perfect for country weddings and traditional English church services. This striking table and chairs, designed by Ambience Venue Styling, would be ideal for giving a country house reception a modern twist.
Black in fashion
If you dare to be different, black is a bold, striking colour that is becoming more popular for weddings. Incredibly chic, elegant and understated it is a fabulous colour to use if you’re having a themed Hollywood or 1920s/1930s wedding. This stunning table at Beales Hotel, with impressive black candelabras given a touch of romance by white blooms, exudes class and timeless glamour.
Unforgettable ivory
Sophisticated ivory is for those who want a traditional, classic wedding. The great thing about an ivory reception is that you can add multi-coloured splashes, with place cards, favours and flowers etc, to break up the brightness and customise the overall look of your venue. As this table at Marwell Hall goes to show, the timeless ivory table, with silverware and crisp linen, works wonderfully with a birdcage filled with ivy and ivory butterflies; simply beautiful.
Next wedding article:
Decorations to dazzle
Follow hitched.co.uk
Join us on Facebook
