Lush Tones and Rich Elegance - Wedding Color Trends for Spring 2011

When considering what color will be used in their wedding, brides often first think about what color they want their bridesmaids to be wearing. This color then gets carried through to the menswear, invitations, floral arrangements, linens, favors, and wedding cake.

A look at trends in bridesmaids dresses for 2011 reveals that designers have opted for a very neutral, but lush color palette to create dresses that are designed primarily to enhance the rich, flowing fabrics they've used. Top wedding attire designers such as Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Alfred Sung, and Lazaro are featuring just such colors for upcoming weddings.

Hot color themes for 2011, featuring the deeper, solid tones suggested by these designers are:

Green - Moss green, dark emerald green, and even olive green are often seen in this year's fashions.

Blue - Be it navy or teal, keeping it rich is the choice. If a lighter shade of blue is desired, the favored shade is tinged with a grey or purple tone, keeping the color away from a baby blue.

Purple - Lush shades of this color are seen with deep red tones, offering a more plum-like color.

Pink - This color best reflects the desire for a more retro look paired with black, brown, or grey. It should be pale with a grey or brown cast (mauve) - not hot pink!

Red - Elegant, deep shades leaning towards burgundy are top choices.

Brown - Rich shades of dark chocolate to lighter taupe are featured.

Michelle Mospens, who follows wedding color trends on an annual basis, has put out a great chart featuring these fashionable shades. Her chart can be found at "A Wedding Sketchbook: 2011 Wedding Color Trends ~ Part 2". Also, bridal sites like The Knot and Bridal Guide offer galleries of bridesmaid's dresses showing these color trends.

Most of these colors can be easily paired with lighter versions to create a unique look, be it elegant, traditional, retro, or modern. Paired with color basics like black, white, or grey, combinations can be put together to create very striking and dramatic effects for all elements of a wedding. For those having trouble knowing what colors can be combined, there's help out there. Websites such as Color Scheme Designer or Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer offer great assistance in seeing what works.

Whatever color combinations are chosen, the idea is to carry them through to all elements of the wedding.