By Beth Erickson, Wedding Planner Magazine Editor, La Crosse, Wis.Each year, the powers that be provide the world with insight and inspiration about the latest color trends. Inspired by modern culture, events, politics, and economics, the emerging trends are more evolution than dramatic shift. The “it” colors each year forecast trends for manufacturing and fashion and provide inspiration for designers, planners, and hobbiests. And while staying on top of industry trends is critical, sometimes it’s important to stretch creatively, create trends, and color outside of the lines. Here’s what four top wedding industry professionals have to say about the importance of color and creativity. David CarusoDynamic Events by David Caruso, MilwaukeeColor predictions: “An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels, and nature-like neutrals will take center stage in 2015. Shades of blue, metallic, and black and white will remain very popular as well. What color will reign in 2015? I have no doubt that it will be blush.”Outside-of-the-box color palette options: “I’m obsessed with turquoise and pairing it with Afro-centric colors like citron and terracotta. The formal pairing of gold sequin with bold black-and-white design is also spectacular and unique. The mix of sky blue and deep red is daring and beautiful! Couples looking to make a statement should consider emerald green and lavender as an out-of-the-ordinary design choice. Without a doubt, using various shades, tones, tints, and hues of a single color will create a very special design.”Unique ways to incorporate color: “The trends using color include ruffles, fringe, floral patterns, cut lace, urban tribal, and sultry, sheer fabrics. I love using color in watercolor designs on stationery, geo-abstract patterns on wall coverings, and gingham prints in clothing. You can achieve fabulous designs by using lighting to change the mood and style of a reception—from cool colors to warm tones, etc. The best designs often include three colors: one to dominate, a second to support, and a third as the accent.”Ideas for coloring outside of the lines: “Don’t be afraid to be bold! I’m a huge fan of mixing and matching colors, patterns, and styles. Professional designers can combine any couple’s favorite components in a balanced and comfortable way. The theme, location, and style of the wedding will greatly influence the color choices. Find inspiration from Hollywood, interior design, fashion, jewelry, traveling, window shopping, and the scenery that surrounds you every day.”Color-of-the year strategies: “Marsala is a beautiful color, but alone it can be boring and drab. Use patterns and textures to provide ‘razzle dazzle,’ and accessorize it with more lively and neutral colors. This color can quickly take us on a trip back to the 1980s if paired with the wrong colors, so use stylish complements to keep a current vibe.”Recommended resources: www.ColourLovers.com and www.patternbank.com.Sasha Souza, MBC™Sasha Souza Events, Napa, Calif.Color predictions: “Instead of choosing a single color, I say that more saturated colors will make a comeback. The blush, rose gold, sage green, and drabber color palette is making its way out of fashion and couples are adding brighter pops of color. Because everybody loves different colors, regardless of popularity, we customize our color palettes to each client and often work with at least five different colors to make a palette. In my book, Signature Sasha: Wedding and Celebrations to Inspire, I illustrate 30 different color palettes so you should never feel limited to what color choices you have.”Outside-of-the-box color palette options:
“I love more saturated palettes—that's just the grouping of colors that we tend to pick from and that our couples gravitate toward. Some of my favorites include celestial blue, fuchsia, bright gold, and twilight (black). The latter is bold and makes a huge statement. Another, if you want to include tones such as Marsala, would be carnelian, vermillion, coral, sun-glow, and Caribbean blue. They're rich and go so well with many different linen colors by adding huge pops of color.”Unique ways to incorporate color: “It’s tough to find new and unique ways to incorporate color—people have been adding color to every aspect of the wedding for years. But one great way to make it more hip and fresh is to incorporate those colors as patterns. If you choose a lime-green combined with lemon-yellow and coral, it doesn’t have to be three linens in lime-green, yellow, and coral. You can choose a lime-green linen with no pattern that has a coral-toned napkin and chair pad, and mix that with a modern herringbone in coral with a yellow napkin and coral chair pad. That’s the way you use color uniquely.”How to convey color: “Using linen is one of the easiest ways to get color across to a couple. The movement and the way it may or may not reflect the light is much different than looking at a paint swatch.”On color-of-the-year trends: “We've been in business for nearly 20 years and have seen many colors come and go. My take every year on Pantone is that because it's meant as a fashion forecast that it doesn't apply to weddings until a year or more later—if ever. These are colors you will start to see in clothing in the fall and home goods in the spring the following year. Once people start to wear it and live with it, they begin to love it…We always ask our clients about their favorite and least favorite colors and some are more willing to take a risk than others. We can always incorporate the tone along with their other favorites as well.”Donnie BrownDonnie Brown Weddings, DallasColor predictions: “Green, blue, and lavender will be the most sought-out colors of the year. In researching what clothing designers are doing and paying attention to trends in broadcast commercials, on the web, and in branding, these seem to be the most logical trending hues. All three colors can work in spring, summer, fall, and winter schemes. They each also have a variety of acceptable strengths, and I feel they will be heavily utilized in the coming months.”Outside-of-the-box color palette options: “You will see these colors in combination and also used with metallic and black. Black has come on strong as a base to hold additional colors this past year or two, and I see it moving forward.”Unique ways to incorporate color: “Not every bride wants a significant amount of color. They may want a traditional white floral event, so how do we use color? We often decorate the entire event in white — chairs, chargers, linens, florals, etc. We then color the room with lighting. You have the ability to change hue-to-hue or color-to-color in this way. Of course, you can always incorporate color in the way of vases, favors, chargers, napkins, linens, draperies, a dance floor, etc.”How to recommend color: “We use inspiration boards to suggest color ideas. We share private Pinterest boards as well ideas about color. We want to see what makes our bride happy.”Color-of-the-year strategies: “After reviewing the Pantone palettes, I can say I love the actual colors, but in a wedding format, they are too busy. I am an advocate of simple colorations of hues that blend well together. The Pantone selections pair colors that might be useful for birthday parties, anniversary parties, or any other type of party, but are not sophisticated enough for weddings.”Barbara Diez, MBC™,Barbara Diez Events, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaGerardo Acevedo,Gerardo Acevedo Ambientaciones Buenos Aires, ArgentinaColor predictions: “We consider aqua the color of the year.”Outside-of-the-box color palette options: “The color palette which mostly represents us is the saturated colours such as the aubergine, burgundy, electric greens, fuchsia, and orange.”On the importance of color: “Color accompanies form. Colored details should be given utmost importance. They receive character in the eye of the guest at any event. That’s why it’s so important to highlight the details firmly. At an event, everything receives value at the first impression.”On coloring outside of the lines: “Each situation is unique. It’s important to liberate the imagination, and consider all possibilities. Sometimes, the color palette incorporates effects given by the light that result in reflections. These are generated by the use of alternative materials, such as copper, bronze, and aluminum.”On color-of-the-year trends: “Our opinion is that there is a direct relationship between textile, plastic, and visual arts fashion with the event industry. This is promoted by the demand of the different seasons.”