Tips & Techniques: Name that Color!

One of the fun parts of wedding planning is choosing a beautiful palatte of colors to work with, thus making the decisions about which linens, flowers, decor, etc. to use a little easier. But how do you communicate your choices to friends and vendors without sending out hundreds of sample swatches? I can help with this sort of thing: choose the appropriate adjective(s) for your colors so everyone has a relatively clear idea of what you're talking about. To get you off on the right track, here's a summary of what each adjective really means, and how to get your maid of honor to stop picking out those cherry red dresses when you really want crimson.

First, a quick review of terms I'll be using:
Shade - simply used to describe the darkness or lightness of a particular color
Hue - the actual "color" of a color, referring to where it lands on the color wheel
Saturation - the intensity of a particular color; the more intense, the easier the color is to spot

Now, your adjectives!:

True: You've heard the expression "true blue" right? Well it actually has a more literal meaning too... these are the "pure" forms of the primary and secondary colors (blue, red, yellow and green, orange, purple), without any taint of other colors to give them a different hue. They can be slightly harsh when paired together, but choosing the right one or two can give a great clean, fresh look, particularly when paired with white. "Christmas colors" are usually true green and red, often with an accent or third color of true white.

Bright: These colors are a bit tricky to categorize, and can also (more accurately) referred to as brilliant or saturated colors. They are intense colors that seem vivid as opposed to muted, and catch the eye more easily. Bright colors are often used in "tropical" color combinations and will work well as an accent color also. Before using too many of these, I recommend spending some time with a person whose taste you really trust! Brighter colors can work well for a summer wedding and are set off well by the more intense sun at that time of year.

Neon: Neon colors are extremely bright to the eye and probably should not be used as a main color, unless you're absolutely certain that it will work well for your event. Two or more will be harsh on your guests' eyes -- think '80s Barbie clothes! Use of neon colors will often convey an informal, young tone. They can be pulled off, but ask that tasteful person you know first.

Light: These colors are a shade removed from their "true" counterparts, going up on the white scale without distorting the hue by adding other colors. Opposite of "dark," light colors are perfect for spring and summer weddings that don't want to use pastel or bright colors, respectively. Light colors are easy on the eye and, with the exception of red, work for nearly every hue as a more subdued version.

Pastel: Pastels are shades whiter than "light" colors. They are off-and-on as popular colors for spring/early summer weddings. Several pastels together can be used for a lovely effect, but be cautious when choosing them for bridesmaid dresses; many of us with "fair" skin tones get really washed out! That being said, it is of course your prerogative :)

Pale: Pale goes even a step beyond pastel in the white scale, implying a shade of color just next to white. Pale colors are barely there, and are most often paired with white as an almost "off-white on white" effect. In blue or green, pale hues work well for winter weddings with "ice" or "snow" themes. Be as careful with pale colors as pastel; too much and the effect can be washed out, both in the room and on your friends.

Dark: The opposite of "light", going down the black scale and of the same saturation as true colors. Dark colors are most often used as winter or fall colors, as they "feel" heavier than lighter colors because of the added visual weight. Dark reds are more flattering to wear, in general, then true reds or pinks and because of that (and their association with roses) remain a popular half of the white or ivory and red color combination.

Muted: These colors are opposite of "bright" and are less saturated than "true" colors (meaning they look more gray and less eye-catching). On the darker side, they are often used as fall colors in fashion, and pair well with various shades of brown. Perfect colors for autumn weddings and for gals like me that shy away from the brighter color combinations.

Dull: An extreme version of muted, dull colors are quite close to the gray end of the saturation scale. These can be used well for a nature theme or in the fall, but be careful; it can be easy to add a few too many dull colors, confusing the effect. To temper the effects of both colors, they can be paired with a "true" or even "bright" tone; just be careful with your choice!

Deep: Slightly more difficult to categorize are "deep" colors, which combine several other terms into one. "Deep" implies both a very dark color and one that is slightly muted, creating a very rich tone that seems to be full of color. Because of both of these characteristics, deep colors' best time is in the fall; deep blues and greens are fairly popular choices and can be very sophisticated. Try not to pick too many, or the effect can be overwhelming.

Dusty: Also described as "antique," and again a combination term, "dusty" colors are light/pastel/pale colors that are slightly to very muted in tone. To me they've always looked like colors you might see in your grandma's old needlepoints, and almost invariably when I'm doing needlework I see a color described as "dusty rose." These can easily make you seem stuffy, but just as easily can be a lovely understatement, particularly with a theme of "something old."

Note that many names of colors encompass an implication of these terms without directly using them, and some of those colors are hotly disputed. It's hard to go wrong with "pure white,"* but ask someone what "periwinkle" is and you'll get a different explanation every time. For an absolutely awesome list of color names and what they mean, see The Phrontistery. Don't expect everyone to know what they mean, however; use the above information to tell everyone what you have in mind, and for absolute clarity pick up samples (paint chips, small swatches of fabrics, true-printed papers, etc.) to give out. And for goodness' sake, don't rely on a vendor's color name to match what you think the color "should" be! Always check it first; I read a story the other day about a lady fuming mad that her "apple" colored maid-of-honor dress (one that she ordered online) was green rather than red!

Best of luck, as always!

*I know that there can be a great deal of confusion about wedding-dress whites: pure white, diamond white, ivory, and champagne are the four I can think of, and they are both fairly easy to define and pretty consistent across the wedding industry (thankfully!). Pure white is just that: white without any alteration, and in a perfect world reflects every wavelength of light. Diamond white is tinged slightly bluish, although just barely -- so "barely" it's not even a "pale blue" yet! Both of the above colors flatter darker skin tones. Ivory is a yellowish off-white that normally shows up as white in photographs unless you're standing next to something pure white in color, and flatters yellowish undertones in skin. Champagne is a darker yellow-tan color, not really a white but often an "antique" color that flatters pinkish undertones. I suggest trying on dresses in different colors to find which ones flatter you most, making sure the samples are clean enough to give you an idea of the right color (ask for a swatch of their own if you're not sure)!