Choosing a color palette for your wedding doesn't have to be a mystery or a mind-numbing task.  Here are some simple rules of thumb for selecting hues to help you design a beautiful wedding:

1. Start with your color of choice. Maybe it's a bright Kelly green, lemon yellow, or a deep pink.  The colors shown here are Pantone's trend forecast for Spring 2009.  I love all of these colors, but don't be afraid to ditch their list and be your own trendsetter.

2. Think back to your art classes in elementary school.  Remember the color wheel?  Once you've selected your color, find the colors opposite of it on the color wheel.  These will be your complementary colors.  Mixed together, these hues create a cohesive design and aren't competing for attention. Who knew those color wheel lessons would come in handy years later in wedding planning?

3. If you want a monochromatic feel, vary shades of the same color.  If you choose a blue, have a range of shades in order to give your tables some depth.

4. This handy online color scheme generator can help you find complementary colors (select the contrast setting) or a range of shades (opt for the mono setting).  Fair warning: it's addicting.  Don't say we didn't tell you.

5. Not a fan of online tools?  No problem.  Take a trip to your local Home Depot or Lowe's and peruse the paint section.  Those strips of paint color options have been expertly created by interior designers to pair the best colors together.

What colors are you using or did you use for your wedding?



{Color palette image courtesy Pantone}