Speak to your guests with color and experience a form of non-verbal communication that is as instantaneous as the spoken word (sometimes even better). Although much of your guests' reaction to your colors will be subliminal, they have an incredible influence on the overall experience at your wedding. The arrangement and combination of certain colors can affect the way your guests feel and sometimes even behave at your wedding... without ever realizing why. It is almost magic... well, almost.

Below you will find a guide that briefly touches on our largely (but not entirely) inborn reactions to colors. If you would like to evoke a particular feeling at your wedding, use the color often in your centerpieces, bouquets, favors, or any other decoration. Remember, the saturation and values of the mother color can greatly influence the effect it will produce. Don't be nervous about particular color combinations and consult with your florist or wedding planner/designer for advice and overall feedback.

Red

There is no other color that can visually excite you as much as RED. Red actually alters your body chemistry (thanks to your pituitary gland kickin' in!) causing you to breathe more rapidly, increasing your blood pressure, pulse rate, heartbeat, and your flow of adrenaline. Sound serious? Well, it is -- since red is indelibly imprinted on the human mind as connected with excitement and high energy. Pure red translates to feelings of "passion" and "excitement". Using pure red sparingly can give a visual "pop" to an event's decoration. If you have a passion for red, consult with your florist to come up with some ideas without overwhelming your guests. Using deep red tones such as burgundy can still maintain the inherent excitement of red but in a softer and quieter way. Burgundy translates to feelings of "opulence" and "elegance", a perfect feeling for a wedding.

Pink

As with any color, its intensity will determine much of the visual reaction. Hot pink has the same high energy spirit as its mother red, although the hotter pinks -- such as "bubble gum pink" -- can seem trendy and immature. Use hot pink with primary colors to create a whimsical and playful feeling. These colors tend to make guests happy and are constantly stimulating them to have a good time. Softer pinks are beautiful but have a tendency to have a tender and feminine feel, not the perfect color if your fiancé is involved in planning the wedding décor. Dusty pinks and mauves are seen as extremely safe colors and don't have too much of a gender bias.

Orange

A "temperature" color, orange is seen as the hottest of all colors. Since this color is inherent in sunsets and autumn's beautiful foliage, it evokes vital feelings of warmth. Although most brides would shy away from such a loud color, it works very well for "ethnic" themes and combinations. If your event reflects a certain culture, such as Mexican, African American, or Indian, orange will be a wonderful addition to your color palette.

Yellow

Sunshine, warmth, and enlightenment are the inherent qualities that we see in yellow. This is a wonderful and beautiful color for weddings, especially if you want to evoke a fresh and cheerful atmosphere. Vibrant yellows are seen as less sophisticated than cream yellows, although the latter make us much happier than the former.

Brown/Neutrals

If you are looking for an earthy and safe color, lighter shades of brown would convey those feelings. Although brown is not often the first choice for a wedding color, seasonal (fall), thematic, or ethnic weddings can successfully incorporate lighter shades of browns and/or neutrals into their event's color palette. Browns and neutrals have a "classic" presence since very few people tend to dislike the color. Creamy browns look great with mauves, pinks, oranges, and even hints of light blue.

Green

Nothing says "nature" and "clean" like a beautiful green. This color elicits the most pleasing responses and is liked by everyone. Blue-greens or aquas elicit a tropical feeling and are great to incorporate into the palette of a destination wedding on a beach. Since this color, when used appropriately, looks great with almost all skin tones, it is a very flattering addition to your color palette. Since many outdoor weddings are enveloped by green, bringing many green elements -- such as topiaries, trees, and plants -- indoors can evoke feelings of an outdoor wedding.

Blue

Seen as the coolest color, blues tend to be relaxing, cool, and beautiful. Strongly associated with sky and water, blues soothe and create a very laid back and serene environment.

Finishes

Without a doubt, the human eye is always stimulated by unique things. A novel color combination can translate into instant attention. Iridescence, pearlescence, and metallic finishes are especially wonderful since the eye is fascinated by multi-colored effects.

Lastly, don't ever be afraid to try color combinations that stimulate the two of you. It is your wedding and nothing communicates your feelings and personalities better than the right combination of color!