.png)
Believe it or not, Spring will be here soon which means wedding and event season is just around the corner and I've already seen a surge in people looking for event design services to ensure their big day aesthetics are top notch.
While it can be hard for even a seasoned designer to anticipate colour trends, we can always count on the Pantone Colour Institute to set us straight. Pantone has released their Spring/Summer 2020 colour report, and while we tend to think of trends having a short shelf life, this season's colours are all about heritage and tradition with a youthful infusion.
Fashion and interior design's elite use these colours to form their decision making process and event design is no different. Below, I've chosen ten of Pantone's sixteen colour predictions to guide my event mood board process, which is one of my first steps when it comes to designing the look and feel of an event space.
This is probably also a good time to announce that I have added an entire mood board page to my website. If you're intent on incorporating a specific colour into your overall design, check out the page for all your neutral, warm, and cool colour inspiration.
Classic Blue
Pantone's much celebrated Colour of the Year title goes to Classic Blue, the hue of traditional denim, delftware, and shibori dyeing. Colour psychology is a fascinating study that positions blue as a serene and calming colour which also carries a sense of confidence and dependability. Blue is a great colour to choose for a wedding due to its popularity (it's fairly easy to find blue decor in a range of shades and textures) as well as its unoffensive nature. Like the name suggests, this blue is a classic, creating a timeless sense to your wedding that will still feel fresh and current when looking back at your photos years down the line.
Cinnamon Stick
Warm and energizing with a grounding effect, Cinnamon Stick invokes images of the Spice Route meets vintage glam. This colour also has major staying power, as it transitions beautifully from a summer colour into autumn, perfect for hosting an al fresco dinner in late August.
Chive
Let nature be your guide with this cool tone. Whether it's tableware to compliment your grassy surroundings or you're looking to bring the outside in, this greener-leaning olivey tone hits all the right notes. My favourite part about decorating with green colours in mind is that greenery is much cheaper to work with than traditional florals, meaning you can make a big statement on a smaller budget.
Grape Compote
Purples are a bit of a challenge for me. It is one of my absolute favourite colours, yet if you don't use it carefully, it can look incredibly cheap. However if, like me, you love a challenge and want to incorporate it into your design scheme, there are a couple things to keep in mind. For starters, choosing a variety of purples to work with is key, and the most expensive looking purples fall towards the blue end of the spectrum rather than the red. Grape Compote is a great example of a less saturated purple that is unique yet unimposing. Also, consider pairing purple with gold. People are often tempted to pair it with silver, seeing them as two cool colours. However, basic colour theory indicates that opposites on the colour wheel are a great place to start when creating a palette, and purple is opposite yellow on the colour wheel. Therefore, gold is the upgraded version of purple's opposite and should be used as an accent to enhance and contrast.
Saffron
Depending on where you're from, the concept of saffron as a colour scheme may either frighten you or excite you. If you've ever been to a traditional Indian wedding, you'll most likely be familiar with brightly coloured jewel-toned decor and may recognize a heavy use of marigolds as floral decor. The flower and colour bring a sense of vibrance and energy to what is meant to be a festive celebration. But you don't need to be having an Indian wedding to incorporate this hue. While this amped up colour may be detracting from something serious like a conference or lecture, it is perfect for momentous milestone occasions -- think anniversaries, backyard dinner parties, gender-neutral baby showers, and cocktail party product launches.
Flame Scarlet
Obviously, a bold red being romantic and sexy is not a novel concept. A quick search of red decor brings up more Valentine's Day posts than I care to look at. While I'm not here to knock a red rose (it's a classic for a reason) I do think the image of them plopped into a vase is a little tired. Consider instead a trendier flower in this classic shade. Or perhaps stick with roses but commit to using them in more structural and elaborate ways. When using red, I like to lean into the sexier side of the colour with deep red draping and uplighting to set a bit more of a sultry mood.
Lark
Head to toe beiges are dominating the runways and it's no secret why. Besides just being flattering and pairing well with virtually every other colour, they also feel more raw and natural which is a general movement that can be seen in various aspects of media thanks to our societal focus on climate change and sustainability. Using items like reclaimed wood, unbleached papers, and dried flowers is a fresh way to add a sense of environmental consciousness to your big day.
Biscay Green
Nothing says serenity like looking out at turquoise waters from a sandy beach and that's exactly how Biscay Green feels. This colour definitely feels like more of a short term trend but gosh is it impactful. It's the perfect way to bring water to the desert so to speak if you're hosting any sort of remote soiree or it can be a palette cleansing change to the dark winter months when hosting a spring forward party.
Ash
Grey excites me. This is probably in opposition to your idea of what is exciting but I'll tell you why -- grey provides a blank slate that, unlike white, has more of a shade range to play with. Pairing different whites together can be jarring and make some shades look dirty, but a grey palette ranging from charcoal to gainsboro allows you to create cohesion with the monochromatic shade range. You can go from there, mixing an accent colour in there (saffron, perhaps?) to add even more depth and interest.
Coral Pink
Hot on the heels of millenial pink comes this shade of coral that just won't quit. Playful and sweet yet grown up, this is such a fun colour to use as inspiration when creating a retro theme.
Want help designing your next big event? I can help! Check out my event design service page or shoot me a message and I'll send you a custom quote for your unique needs. And don't forget to check out some of my curated mood boards to help inspire you along the way!