This Summer’s Dreamiest Wedding Colour Palette
Summer weddings in Britain don’t come with guarantees of weather, but they do promise romance. After seasons dominated by monochrome minimalism or high-octane jewel tones, this summer signals a softer, warmer approach to colour.
You’ll see it in bridesmaids’ dresses floating through orchards and in delicate table arrangements that seem to blush under the sun.
Soft pistachio green
This isn’t the sharp, minted green of recent seasons. Pistachio this summer feels gentler and works best in layers: think silk ribbons tying back low ponytails, or hand-dyed linen napkins resting beside stoneware plates.
If you’re the one dressing the bridal party, weave pistachio through accessories – sage-toned shoes for the bride or soft green pocket squares for the groom’s party.
Let it contrast with cream or ivory rather than blend in. Pistachio earns its place by balancing freshness with subtlety.
Coral blush
Coral hasn’t always had the best reputation – too shouty, too retro. But this season’s iteration dials it down to a breath of pink warmed with orange.
It flatters every skin tone, which makes it ideal for bridal parties and mothers of the bride. If you’re planning florals, lean into garden roses or even a scattering of apricots for your arrangements.
Coral blush also works well on paper: consider it for seating cards or menus printed on softly textured cards.
Butter yellow
Image: One Fab Day.com
Few colours summon summer more instantly. But the secret to making butter yellow sing at a wedding is texture. Skip anything too shiny or stiff; you want movement and softness.
Look for silk, crepe, or even cotton voile. This colour for wedding guest dresses feels optimistic and fresh, especially when styled with gold earrings or raffia heels.
For the tables, yellow taper candles or marigold-stitched linens can bring warmth without overwhelming the palette.
Powder blue
This shade feels cool to the touch, even in high heat. It suits tailoring particularly well – powder blue suits, shirts, or waistcoats add polish without veering into stuffiness.
Let it contrast with deeper tones like navy or forest green. In décor, use it sparingly but effectively: chiffon runners across rustic wooden tables, or vintage glassware in icy blue hues.
Dusty lilac
Lilac lends a touch of vintage glamour, especially when worn in fluid fabrics like silk charmeuse or velvet. Its softness can verge on melancholic, so pair it with clearer tones, like ivory or champagne.
Encourage your florist to blend lilac blooms with wild, textural elements like grasses or thistles. You’re aiming for enchantment, not sugariness.
Terracotta rose
Image: The Wedding Playbook
Think of the earth after rain: warm, rich, and grounded. Terracotta rose captures that mood in a single shade.
It works beautifully on long bridesmaids’ dresses with bare backs and delicate straps, or in matte ceramics holding sculptural arrangements.
Use it as a bridge between cooler and warmer tones, helping your palette feel intentional rather than accidental.
Champagne
Champagne oozes luxe. It’s not quite gold, not quite beige, but it has a softness that sets off the rest of the palette.
Use it for silk sashes, metallic thread in table linens, or as the base colour for cakes and stationery. Its subtle shimmer catches candlelight and moonlight alike, tying everything together with a quiet, considered elegance.