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Occasionally when people ask what our wedding color scheme is and I reply, “red and purple,” I get a mega-hairy eyeball.
Getting a decidedly unenthusiastic response to the ideas I’m envisioning often causes me to second-guess myself. I know that I have a good general sense of aesthetics, but I’m also not the effortlessly super-hip friend who is always rocking an awesome vintage skirt with the perfect accessories from Anthropologie, you know what I mean? Sometimes, to be honest, I feel unsure of my own judgment in matters of taste and style.
The intimidating thing about planning a wedding is that your taste in everything is right out there in the open for everyone to see. Your taste in food, your taste in clothing, your taste in colors and decorations and paper products and venues and flowers and and and…
Putting yourself and your ideas out there like that can be a little unnerving (at least it is for me, anyway)! But I also try to remind myself that, really, I’m the only person who will notice if the colors, details and decor I imagine don’t end up coming together after all. I also tell myself that no matter what kind of stink-eye a person delivers to me upon hearing the words “red and purple,” I’ve got to stick to my gut, which is telling me that my wedding color palette is going to be flyyyyy!
Just to double-check my instincts, I made myself another inspiration board today, based on what looks good in my imagination.
Top row: 1, 2, 3, 4 Middle row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Bottom row: 1, 2, 3
Now, I don’t know about anybody else, but I look at this and think, ‘OH HELL YEAH! Red and purple is fierce!’ (And also a teeeeeeny bit of dark raspberry pink is creeping in. Don’t tell my groom.)
Lessons learned:
Have you ever second-guessed your ideas for the look of your wedding, or worried that it wouldn’t turn out the way you imagined? How did you get over it?
I get the mega-hairy eyeballs, too. My color scheme includes “tangerine and sage”, but most people hear “orange and green” and think either Irish flag or 1970’s shag carpeting. My wedding will look like neither, and I hope people eat their words when they see how beautiful it is! (And your color combo is indeed beautiful, btw.)
I think that looks awesome! A lot of people have questioned our decisions when they are out of the ordinary, but it’s all about making your own vision of your wedding turn out how the two of you want it.
Those are great for a fall wedding! I did those colors as my flower/accent colors with my black and white theme. Loved it!
I love the rich color scheme going on in your photos - it looks amazing!
Shame on people for rolling their eyes! 
Sophie x
I think when most people hear red and purple they envision the old ladies from the red hat club which are known for the combination of bright red and grape purple.
Your palette incorporates richer tones of these colors and therefore comes across as luxe and slightly autumnal versus geriatric.
haha. I think the palette you have put together would be beautiful for a fall wedding. When you say red I think people automatically think bright shiny red whereas you’re using more of a deeper red which looks great with a rich shade like purple.
Every time I say red and green people think it’s too Christmas. When in reality I’m going with a candy apple red & citrus green which is very light and summery!
Don’t listen to the naysayers! We ended up with a different palette to suit our venue, but when we were considering a different venue first, I envisioned cranberry, navy, and mustard, and I got some weirdo looks, too. But my inspiration board for that color scheme looked fly, too!
Remember that people who don’t read wedding blogs all the time like we do probably just can’t picture unusual colors together. Doesn’t mean they won’t work!
definitely definitely definitely. i’m a seriously confident person, and i rarely consider what other people think of me, but this wedding has had me all twisted up. i’m constantly getting those funny looks or “oh wow.. that’s fun” kind of remarks. i’ve had a lot of doubts through out the process, but now that i’m less than a month out i’m glad i stood my ground. it’s really coming together. this was a great post. i looove your colors. and, for the record, i totally think you should sneak that pink in there. 
Red and purple rocks! Those are our main colors too - and in the rich, deep red and purple way that you seem to be going too. We’re incorporating accents of gold, champagne and ivory and I can’t wait to see it all together.
Just supporting your red and purple choices because they are really similar to my own!
Oh definitely, but way to stick to your guns and go with it! Like you said, most people won’t put 2 and 2 together. My colors are Clover green and ivory with a hint of silver and most people are like uhhhh… Oh well. I think it’s a pretty color so poop on everyone else. haha!
So many good foods come in those shades of red and purple. It’s super elegant.
I picked the same colors!? ha I love it! Is there one color you’re leaning more towards? or just a mix?
I’m a red and purple bride too!!! And I love it. I’m obsessed with it. Once my invitations came and my friends saw how pretty the colors are together, there was no arguing! Your wedding will be beautiful because it’s a reflection of you (and your guy).
my mother recently got remarried and her colors were red and purple- it was fabulously beautiful. rock on.
I love your colors! They are perfect for fall. Don’t listen to what other say!! I first wanted black dresses because we are getting married on Friday the 13 and everyone said that you can’t wear black to a wedding. So then I decided on Royal Blue dress with silver straps and when I showed a relative a picture, her comment was “I hope all your girls are thin.” Ugh. I know that I have good taste and wouldn’t chose something that was going to look bad on my bridesmaids. But to this day, I doubt my self because of comments. Also peopl aren’t really thrilled with royal blue and silver because I guess there isn’t really anything chic about it 
It’s the summer, I wanted bright!
“What are your colors?”
“Deep red and a pale sage.”
“Oh! I thought you were getting married this summer. Is it not until Christmas?”
looks fabulous to me! you’ll get the satisfaction of people showing up to your wedding and saying “oh my gosh i didn’t know what you were talking about but this is AWESOME!”
Just say ‘Scarlet and Violet’ or ‘Crimson and Deep Mulberry” and people will get it. I think it’s the way you’re saying the color combo - ‘Red and Purple’ can mean so many different things, you know?
I love your colors, BTW!
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Mrs. Octopus, Boston, MA/Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 25, Grad Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Graphics Operator for TV News Engagement Date: May 6th, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heinz Chapel Ceremony, Museum Reception About Me: When my best friend dragged me to a toga party in our freshmen year of college, I was not expecting to meet my future husband; but seven years later, here we are. I'm a crazy-organized planner at heart, and I am a great lover of random trivia, books, chocolate, blogs, new and exciting adventures, mockumentary-style television, and anything heavily flavored with bright orange fake cheese powder. We're planning a festive and fun mini-destination wedding in the place where we met: fabulous Pittsburgh, PA! I can't wait to marry the man I love!
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