Colour Palette: Neutral and Texture

This week is all about rings, and I don’t mean those pavé diamond eternity bands you’ve been eying in the window at Cartier. With the Olympics officially up and running, we’re glued to our TVs, captivated by the world’s most remarkable athletes and their ability to perform under frightening pressure. After all, it’s a well known fact that being an Olympian is almost as stressful as being a bride, especially one on a mission to throw the most epic wedding of all time. Sure, you may not be spending eight hours in the gym (at least not until you decide to squeeze into a Vera Wang mermaid gown), but you know a thing or two about being overwhelmed. The dress fittings, the menu selections, the guest lists…have you even selected a colour scheme yet? Forget competing countries, what about the competing corals and peaches which are both determined to wiggle their way into your bouquet? Relax. This may not be the Olympic Training Center, but it is Wedding Style File, which means I’m here to help. I understand that determining the shade of your Big Day can be like a mental 400-meter medley.

Fortunately, I’ve already got a few suggestions for you. While Wedding Style File may not exclusively address colour palettes, there are a number of blogs that do, namely Perfect Palette and the venerable Snippet & Ink (they also have some gorgeous real weddings and photo shoots for you to Pin to your heart’s content). But before you scamper off in your pretty little heels, I wanted to share my latest “colour crush” (or lack thereof): all white, with loads of texture. Many brides, when considering their palette, are happy to think in terms of David’s Bridal swatches, which I’ve literally seen dictating everything from table cloths to cake stands. Unfortunately, the result is usually one dimensional: tired, bland and completely uninteresting.

Imagine rushing in to your wedding planner instead with a fistful of pearls, faux fur shawl and a bottle of your favorite glittery nail polish and proclaiming, “These are my wedding colours.” She would either frown in confusion or (hopefully, if she’s as fantastic as you are) nod her head and say “brilliant”. The result would be a naturally shaded celebration with flecks of gold — organic but luxe — and completely one of a kind. With all white, you’re afforded even more range in the texture department. What might be overwhelming in other hues will be nothing short of breathtaking in ivory, cream, white and other neutrals. So pile on the lace, silks and feathers and show ‘em how it’s done!