Fit for a Queen: The Purple Theme
But we're likely to see even more of it — especially as fall layouts and design collections induce the rest of us to bow down to its many charms.
Of course, it's difficult to use a single word like 'purple' to describe such a broad range of colors. Much more so than with colors like pink or yellow, purple comes in dramatically different hues ... and moods.
On the dark and sophisticated end, there's royal purple, suitable for low-lit ballrooms and floor-length gowns.
Royal Purple's ideal for formal events.
Then, bringing a completely different feel to the table: orchid. Feminine yet not untraditional, this suggests flirty frocks on bridesmaids under a tropical sun, or a garden affair that slowly unrolls over an enchanted afternoon.
Purple's at its flirtiest in its Orchid or Heliotrope hues.
Purple's lighter shades that lean toward red have a more playful, romantic feel, reminiscent of pink. And the pinker types of purple look just as striking as pure pinks when you pair them with fresh shades of green.
But choose a purple that leans more toward blue, and you've got the perfect excuse to indulge in armfuls of hydrangeas ... and a great country-casual feel for your wedding (think wide-open fields and apple trees, farmhouses, porcelain sinks and powder blue.)
On the blue end of the spectrum, purple gets an ultra-romantic and fresh country feel.
Purple's hardly a shy color, though. And in its most saturated forms, it can almost spin out of control. So for bridesmaids gowns or table linens, look for less vivid shades ... or just go ultra-purple with the sashes and runners.
The best foil for purple overall? Often, it's lots of diamond-white, which makes purple look crisp and tailored. Plus, other near-neutrals do just as well: try a deep chocolate brown, charcoal gray, or shiny platinum.
Chic, energizing Aubergine's a favorite of fashion editors everywhere.
Talk Back on Purple
What flavor of purple captured your heart? How did you possibly decide between its many personalities?And did you always love purple, or was it the season's gorgeous new collections inspire you to give this classic hue a second look?
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purple wedding, purple theme wedding
I am getting married in Aug 2009. I was thinking of dark purple for color. Not really sure if this is a good color for this time of year…any thoughts?
Hi Danielle!
I think dark purple is one of the most beautiful colors out there for fall. It is so royal and impressive that I think the warmer seasons have a hard time standing up to it. Perfect for fall and winter.
Not sure what colors you’re thinking, but chocolate brown and purple is lovely for fall. I worked up a quick board to show. You see these colors combined a lot with fresh little touches of green. If you want a touch of harvest flavor for the fall, you can bring in the green with green apples and clouds of pale green hydrangea.
If you want more of a dramatic, ultra-modern look, try deep chocolate mini-calla lilies, chocolate cosmos and white callas for contrast. Use lots of crisp white with chocolate brown & purple so it doesn’t get too dark overall, plus, white really sets off their beauty. Or ivory would be a richer, more old-world alternative to white. Another option: with colors these rich & luxurious you could have fun adding just a hint of middle eastern flair: sparkle, tassels, silk or fringe. Like the detailed beading on the purple gown in the board.
You can also combine dark purple with lighter shades of purple and white for a very attractive look. HTH!
Thanks so much for the advice and all of the great ideas. One thing though…my wedding is Aug 8/09. Do you think these colors will still work for an early Aug wedding?
Sorry Danielle, I forgot that August is summer in MANY parts of the country
OK, my feeling is that if you’re having an evening wedding in a swanky ballroom, by all means roll out the royal purple, mix it with burgundy or chocolate brown, go satin, go fringe, and get as smoky and grown-up as you want, it will be perfect simply because it is a formal evening event.
BUT, if you’re having an outdoor wedding and want a fresh garden feel AND royal purple, believe me that would work. Just essentially design a white wedding with a frame of dark greenery to showcase the white. On top add lots of romantic texture: white satin ribbons, white organza panels blowing from a wedding arch, organza pew swags punctuated with dark purple hydrangea (maybe a touch of silver … like galvanized silver buckets … maybe little silver favor boxes with a romantic sheer white ribbon). Then when you add in small touches of royal purple, it will be SO modern and crisp. Total summer but also VERY sophisticated. Just use the royal purple in sharp small doses. E.g. keep your linens bright white with maybe a purple runner (NOT a purple overlay, too much).
To keep these strong colors from getting too monochromatic you can let little variations on purple creep into the florals here and there: lavenders, rosy pinks, soft greens. The bridesmaids wear the purple but maybe you break it up a bit with a sash. Please see pic attached for what I’m trying to get across.
HTH!
the colour theme im looking for is purple and ivory but i cant seem to find any decorations that aren’t to over the top
What type of decorations are you looking for? (centerpieces, linens, etc)
Is your wedding day or evening? I am getting married in April 2009 outdoors, but in the late afternoon into the evening. I have also been researching ideas for a wedding that is not over the top and I have run across some beautiful ideas. I was thinking of using different tones of purple with some ivory, greenery and lavender for the aroma. But because it is going into the evening hours, I am also using candles with my flower centerpieces. As for linens, I am just using plain ivory. I just want mine simple and romantic. Hope this helps a little.
Hi Everyone,
I am getting Married Sept. 2009 in TN. It will be an outdoor wedding and I don’t want to go with the traditional fall country theme. I am thinking multicolored Jewel tone flowers with deep plum as my main color. But I also like the clean white look with lavender, purples and pink. I am having trouble pulling it all together. Any suggestions? :-?
I have decided to go with a purple theme because ever since I was young everything I owned or ate had to be purple…
Because I am paying for this wedding myself I decided to go a more inexpensive route and found some gorgeous dresses at DEBS, they are more affordable and I found the color I love and it is a popular choice right now.
As for the decorations, I went a little crazy with the colors, but luckily my fiance is very good with matching the different shades, again a less expensive alternative with grapvine wreaths covered in greens with white and purple flowers. It has always been my dream to be able to incorporate my favorite color into my wedding and I thin it looks absolutly stunning!
If you ever happened to wonder whether purple would look fantastic with red, blue … AND gold, wonder no longer! Check out this amazing jewel-tone wedding which proves that purple was just made to go hand-in-hand with red. This from blmurch.
Inspired by the light chartreuse and deep purple shades of sweet potato vines that grow in mother’s flower bed, I hope to bring together a strikingly sophisticated contrast of color to my wedding scheme
We’re going with BM dresses in lilac and plum. However, I’m at a loss for what to do with the flowers and cake!
Hi,
Am getting married in April 2009, I have been having problems with choosing colors but am settled now, purple it will be. Please holla on any info or photos you may have on this!
Regards
Eunice
I’m getting married in june of 2009 and i want purple and lavender please give ideas.
Rejoice purple brides! Some beautiful boards to drool over!
Number one, a lovely montage from a single wedding by photographer Anne Ruthman. Apart from the heartbreakingly lovely periwinkle purple base, paired with a bright orchid pink, she captured the kind of wedding most brides really want — elegant, but fun. (Elegant, as in the lovely silver filagree of the frames and signs — fun, as in drowning orchid centerpieces and poppy candy buffets!) See here!
Next, a too-cool purple and green mood board lovingly assembled by simplywilkinson. Love the diaphanous detail of the BM’s skirts, against the hanging organza panels of the garden setting. Hydrangeas and hurricane lamps in lovely laid-back hues set a cottage mood, while the brooches at the BM’s waists and those shoe jewels are a wistful kind of FAB. See all its glory here!
What would you suggest for aubergine (thinking taffeta, wintertime) as far as decor/flowers/dresses etc.?