How to Choose a Wedding Color Palette

By Emily Iboa, A Timeless Classic Floral — Southern Oregon Wedding Florist

Choosing your wedding color palette is one of the most exciting (and overwhelming!) parts of planning your big day. Your colors set the tone for everything — from your florals to your décor, your bridesmaids’ dresses, and even the way your photos look for years to come.

As a Southern Oregon wedding florist who designs elegant, romantic, timeless arrangements for vineyards, estates, and outdoor weddings, I’ve helped so many brides bring their dream colors to life. Today, I’m sharing my best tips for choosing a palette you’ll love forever, along with floral ideas that match each one beautifully.

Why Your Wedding Color Palette Matters

Your palette does more than tie the wedding together — it shapes the emotional feel of the day. For example,

• Soft tones feel romantic and airy

• Warm earth tones feel cozy and elegant

• Bold tones feel modern and dramatic

• Neutrals feel classic and sophisticated

And in your photos your color palette becomes the “signature” of your wedding gallery. The right colors help your florals look expensive, cohesive, and beautifully intentional.

Four Color Palettes That Photograph Beautifully

1. Blush + Terracotta

Romantic, warm, and a little bit earthy.

This palette is perfect if you want something feminine but not overly pink. Blush and terracotta blend really well with the natural tones of vineyards, rolling hills, and warm summer sunsets.

Florals that work well:

• Quicksand roses

• Toffee roses

• Cappuccino roses

• Apricot ranunculus

• Rust-colored mums or cosmos

• Soft greenery such as olive or eucalyptus

Where it shines: Outdoor ceremonies, vineyard weddings, barn venues with wood tones

2. Dusty Rose + Deep Wine

Elegant, rich, and timeless — especially for fall brides.

If you want a palette that feels romantic and slightly moody (without going too dark), dusty rose paired with wine tones is stunning. It photographs well in both golden-hour light and indoor receptions.

Florals that work well:

• Dusty rose garden roses

• Black baccara or burgundy dahlias

• Mauve ranunculus

• Pink astrantia

• Chocolate cosmos (one of my favorites!)

• Textured greenery like Italian ruscus or jasmine vines

Where it shines: Estate venues, vineyard cellars, fall weddings, modern barns

3. Sage + Ivory

Clean, classic, and effortlessly beautiful.

This palette is ideal for brides who love a soft, neutral look with a hint of greenery. Sage and ivory keep everything fresh and airy — and they pair well with almost any venue.

Florals that work well:

• White garden rose

• Ivory ranunculus

• White scabiosa (I love this one!)

• White lisianthus

• Delicate filler flowers like waxflower

• Soft sage-toned greenery like eucalyptus or dusty miller

Where it shines: Outdoor Spring weddings, garden settings, light and airy photography styles

4. Mauve + Caramel

Modern, elevated, and incredibly dreamy.

This palette feels both trendy and timeless — perfect for brides who want something a little unexpected. Mauve tones add softness while caramel brings depth and richness.

Florals that work well:

• Amnesia roses

• Honey Dijon roses

• Beige or sand-toned ranunculus

• Mauve mums

• Bunny tail grass, explosion grass, or other dried textures

Where it shines: Late summer and fall weddings, vineyards, industrial venues, boho-meets-classic styles

How to Choose the Right Color Palette for Your Wedding

Here are a few guiding questions I like to walk my brides through:

1. What does your venue look like?

Your venue’s walls, landscape, and natural lighting will influence how your colors look in photos.

2. What style of photography do you love?

Light + airy photographers pair beautifully with pastels. Warm + moody photographers make earth tones glow.

3. What season are you getting married in?

Season strongly influences which colors feel natural and cohesive.

4. What emotions do you want to evoke?

Soft + romantic? Modern + bold? Cozy + elegant? Your palette can create the exact mood you want.

5. Which flowers are in season?

Choosing in-season blooms keeps your florals fresh, full, and won't break the bank.

Ready to Bring Your Dream Wedding Colors to Life?

Your color palette should reflect you — your personality, your love story, and the feeling you want guests to experience when they step into your ceremony.

As a Southern Oregon wedding florist, I love to help brides create floral designs that bring their favorite colors to life in a romantic, timeless way that photographs beautifully.

👉 If you need a little help deciding which palette would be best for you, I would love to help! Click here to fill out a contact form.

I’d love to design something unforgettable for you.