Wedding colors and their meanings

Wedding colors and their meanings are of importance at a wedding, be it in Paris, Venice or Buenos Aires.
Your wedding photographer must be at ease combining the colours present to obtain elegant, pleasant looking wedding images.
And for the wedding couple or planner, composing with colour… is also an essential part of the wedding ceremony.

But how often do we think of wedding colors and their meaning?
Furthermore, are we aware of emotions, often positive but sometimes negative, that colours convey?

Have you ever asked yourselves “What do colors mean in a wedding?” or even “How do I choose my wedding colors 2022?”?

For example, you probably all know the significance of the colour white in weddings¹.
But did you know that whites can be perceived differently, according to their hues?
And do you have you any ideas as to the significance of all the other wedding colors so popular at weddings?
For example, that navy blue is significant of sensitivity²?

Check below a list of wedding colors ever so popular at weddings and observe how they are perceived.
Some of them might really surprise you…

WHITE C0 / M0 / Y0 / K0

White, an inherently positive color.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Pure
Good
Perfection
Sincere
Spiritual

TAJ MAHAL C0 / M0 / Y5 / K0

White with hues of yellow.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Sublime
Tranquil
Pure
Restful
Statuesque

SNOW C3 / M0 / Y0 / K0

An exquisite white, the pure white of snow.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Pure
Cold
Untainted
Sublime
Exhilirating

BARBIZON BLUE C100 / M75 / Y20 / K40

A dark blue.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Principled
Sensitive
Reliable
Ernest
Sincere

BRIGHTON BLUE C100 / M97 / Y30 / K13

A dark, purplish blue.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Authentic
Sublime
Noble
Tranquil
Confident

FRANCE C100 / M100 / Y20 / K10

A deep, purple-blue, THE well-known ‘navy blue’.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Authentic
Prestigious
Profound
Strong-Will
Intellectual

BLISSFUL PINK C0 / M40 / Y20 / K0

A bright pink evoking a feeling of abundant joy and good fortune.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Happy
Humane
Romantic
Airy
Dreamy

DRAGEE PINK C0 / M43 / Y23 / K0

The pink of the popular almond sweet, dragee.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Romantic
Fancy
Young
Peaceful
Sweet

POMPADOUR PINK C0 / M55 / Y10 / K0

A purplish pink.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Romantic
Happy
Aesthetic
Tempting
Sweet

MIMOSA C5 / M10 / Y95 / K0

A brilliant, greenish yellow.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Glaring
Serene
Fragrant
Pastoral
Natural

SUN YELLOW C0 / M18/ Y95/ K0

A bright and gorgeous yellow.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Keen
Tension
Bright
Straight
Capricious

GOLD SPARK C0 / M25 / Y98 / K0

A vivid yellow, that is suggestive of a blliant flash of gold.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Speed
Tension
Aroused
Sharp
Tremendous

LONDON GOLD C20 / M45 / Y95 / K0

A brownish yellow.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Retrospective
Fulfilling
Nostalgic
Proud
Mature

RED APPLE C40 / M100 / Y90 / K0

A deep, rich red colour.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Bewitching
Overripe
Gorgeous
Valuable
Obvious

POPPY C0 / M100 / Y90 / K0

A brilliant red.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Splendid
Alluring
Optimistic
Aroused
Bright

LUCKY GREEN C70 / M10 / Y100 / K0

A lively yellow-green.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Lucky
Fresh
Hopeful
Animated
Vigorous

PARADISE GREEN 95 / M45 / Y100 / K0

A yellowish green that is reminiscent of rich plant life.

Emotions, feelings induced:
Tropical
Lush
Natural
Primeval
Fresh

1. In the symbolism of the heavenly spheres, white is the color for the moon, and in Western societies it is associated with innocence, joy and glory. It is the traditional color for christenings and weddings. In imperial Rome and Nationalist China, however, white, not black, was the appropriate color for death and mourning. The Chinese wore white as an acknowledgement that the deceased had left the earth for a new purer spiritual state. In heraldry, white symbolises faith and purity. For the Hindus and the Greeks, white was for water.
2. Blue is often used to symbolise authority and spirituality. In the Old Testament, it is the color of God the Father, and in the New Testament, it is the color of the Virgin Mary. In heraldry, blue symbolises piety and sincerity. In Greek and Roman mythology, blue was the symbolic colou of Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods. Blue has often been used to imply heaven, truth, eternity, faith, peace, loyalty, chastity, prudence, wisdom and contemplation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY of the article: Wedding colors and their meanings

Colors in Context – Naomi Kuno, FORMS Inc. – Graphic-Sha
The Colour Eye – Robert Cumming, Tom Porter – BBC Books
Art de la Couleur – Johannes Itten – Dessain&Tolra
Les Couleurs de Nos Souvenirs – Michel Pastoureau – Points