Weddingbee Blog

No, not this.

Image via LA Times

I wish I was talking about the Disneyland attraction, because colors are hard y’all (so hard that I’m apparently speaking Southern now). When researching colors, it felt like every bride had it wrapped up moments after their engagement. They used fancy words and had colors like “sage” and “aubergine.” To me, sage goes in stuffing…and aubergine sounds like an old fashioned name. I hope that, by admitting this, they don’t revoke my bride card.

By realizing my color inabilities and naivete, I made Mr. Turkey sit down with me and give me his thoughts on colors. It may have taken some homemade hummus to bribe him.

OK, the hummus only bribed him to sit. It took beer to talk colors.

Through that conversation, we established a couple key ground rules about colors for the wedding.

1. No “girly” colors.

In other words, pink and purple (and hues of such) were off the table.

It took me almost three years to get him into a purple tie—point taken.

2. Keep it simple.

Like me, Mr. Turkey wanted to be able to pronounce the names of our colors (clearly because so many people would be asking him about them). Chartreuse was out.

3. Less is more.

Lots of colors can make for a lovely palette. However, they can also make a hot mess. Since neither of us has a great eye for color or coordination, the latter was more likely.

4. Bring Mr. Turkey the final result ONLY.

No further comment necessary.

I also added a fifth one, which was related to the bridesmaids and their attire—choose at least one “neutral” color that looks good on everyone. Let’s be honest, there are certain colors that clash with certain hair colors and others that wash out us ladies that don’t tan. I wanted to think of the girls and try to increase (ever so slightly) the chance that they would wear their bridesmaids’ dresses again.

And so, without further ado, our wedding colors:

That’s navy and dark green as primary colors with just a “pop” of yellow. When we told people the colors, the first thing they asked was whether we matched them to our college colors (my team was blue, his green). Oddly enough, no, but it works! And it makes it easier when describing the colors to our vendors (turns out there are PMS codes for the universities) and bridal party. For the bridesmaids’ dresses, you’ll have to wait to find out what color (or colors!?!) they’re wearing, but here’s a hint—I was once told I could not wear yellow with my skin tone.

We’re in love with our simple palette and, for May, there are a lot of floral options that work with our desire for a yellow “pop” on the table.

Did you choose simple wedding colors?