Okay folks, you are all absolutely right. In last week’s blog about what types of orchids are in or out, it was a trick question. Orchids are the most requested flowers in any region of the world I’ve worked in, and the most loved one is the wonderful purple vanda. In other words, they are ALWAYS in.
Now, onto today’s topic. What colors are in or out for 2010? Colors have a pretty interesting life span. I’m always intrigued to see which colors go in and out of fashion in the event industry. Looking back through the decades, I can remember in the eighties when everything was white. If you gave a party and your event was not white, folks thought you had bad taste. In the nineties, I remember struggling with my clients to convince them it was okay to use jewel tones (or any color for that matter).
Today, I constantly reassure my clients that it’s their event and they can pretty much have any color they like, period. My job is to make it work. I had a client tell me she likes yellow but she didn’t want to use it because it was so last year.
Here are three color choices for you. Let me know which of these (if any) are the most requested from your clients. I definitely have one color my clients are constantly requesting. (We’ll compare notes next week.)
Pink
Blue
Purple
I also want to mention a new color palette tool I’m launching next week. I don’t want to be a tease, but I wanted to create something that could help you and your clients create color stories for your next important event. I’ll share the link with everyone on the blog once it’s launched on the site.
UPDATE: Just for you, my dear blog readers, I have a sneak peek of my color palette game ready for you to check out. Click here to find your next event’s color palette: WHAT’S YOUR COLOR STORY?
Now tell me, which of the colors above are considered to be “IN” for this season?
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Tami Brown
April 7, 2010
Strangely enough, I have more blue weddings than ever before. Not just any blue… navy blue.
Mindy
April 7, 2010
So far Blue is no.1 with purple a close 2nd. Actually we are working on a Spiced Wine and Caspian Blue wedding now!
kendra
April 7, 2010
I definatly get more pink and purple as of late. There are so many shades I have no problem mixing it up a lil and making them all unique.
susan scully
April 7, 2010
French blue….mango
Thom Green
April 7, 2010
Pink, yawn…
Heather G.
April 7, 2010
Blue is very popular amongst my clients here in CO…they love to intertwine the outdoor beauty with shades of blue.
Renee Ferguson
April 7, 2010
I have to agree with most above.. Blue has been huge for me!!!
isel
April 7, 2010
With all my clients we always have the same dilema. The blue lighting is always flattering on pictures and purple is a big trend color this season. My clients adore pink but when we show what we can do with purple they change their mind. Lots of hugs from Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
Erin
April 7, 2010
I find it’s the clean crisp apple green, white and silver tones. I personally love the jewel tones at least for accent touches.
rachelle izard
April 7, 2010
PURPLE! My brides can’t get enough purple down here in OK and TX. It’s been that way for about three years. I’m kind of ready for a change!
Chris Campbell
April 7, 2010
Off white is gorgeous with splash of gold! for table clothes, and colorful flowers , but I do love off white flowers too!
Barbara Clark
April 7, 2010
Purple is the most requested color
Andrinique Special Events
April 7, 2010
Purple for me ! Hot , Hot, Hot !
Evegenia
April 7, 2010
My last 4 weddings were purple. Purple is haute in Jozi, South Africa
Emily Petersen
April 7, 2010
All 3 colors are popular with my brides for 2010, but blue has them all beat. We are doing all different shades of blue and pairing it with different accent colors, which keeps it interesting and unique to each bride!
Tanya Malott
April 7, 2010
As a photographer, I have to say that blue and green are two trends I don’t love to see for nighttime, indoor weddings. I do love the colors…I love all colors….but these are not particularly flattering for skin tones. In evening settings, they tend to make everyone look older. I have seen it done a few times, and in my opinion it works much better for daytime, outdoor or tented type events. (Think Hamptons, or beach…seagrass, hydrangeas, etc)
Purple definitely helps warm up the blues, but it tends to go to black in the photos if it is very deep. When the overall event colors are very dark, and the photographer has to use flash because of the low light situation, the contrast becomes too much….so you see the lighter parts of the image (usually the people), but you can’t read the dark purple so well. Yes, the room shots will be fine (photographer shoots at overall lower light settings), but don’t expect to see a lot of purple/navy in your backgrounds.
Also, emotionally, I think people socialize better in warm color settings. They eat and drink more as well….which has its own effect. Just my observation….
Jennifer Schmidt
April 7, 2010
Even tho the shade preference seems to be varied, Purple is definitely trendy now.
Maya
April 7, 2010
As a bridal salon owner and designer I have to say of the three palettes the most popular lately are shades of purple. I’m seeing a big push in the plums, eggplants, grape and lilac tones.
kathy warden
April 7, 2010
i have so many brides that have purple as their color.
this spring pink and purple and this summer
purple and white with silver accents..
i love to use color .. there are so many shades of purple..
somehow it never looks the same..
Elner
April 7, 2010
Purple seems to be the color for my clients this year. They still want the traditional style of arrangements and I am adding a little to bring it into a more contemporary look, the color is purple and lavender for 20101.
christine
April 7, 2010
Blue is the in colour for this year, with purple coming in second. And i live in Barbados in the caribbean and we live close to the sea so blues all shades,silver is the accent colour is a hit, And we have a lot of garden weddings.
Milagros Peon Arceo
April 7, 2010
Last year, purple was the must requested color, but for this year is blue and pink whit a touch of purple!!
Sonia
April 7, 2010
Most requested color for us is blue then purple…Toronto (Canada).
Camilla Svensson Burns
April 7, 2010
Mmmmm, not getting much in blue requests in California – lot’s of white variations, with touches of champagne and coral… yellow and grey was hot last year!
Ophellia McKnight
April 7, 2010
I get mostly blue because I do destination weddings. I have requests for every kind of blue under the sun but a lot of teal, caspian and yes, Caribbean Blue
Marie-José Schlenker
April 8, 2010
At this moment I’m dealing with a lot of purple/pinks requests over here in the Netherlands. I styled my own stand at the last few bridal shows in this colour (as it is part of Eindeloos colour scheme) and visitors booked us because of the colours we had going. So purple still rules over here though toned down by the combination of powder colours such as soft pink and ivory.
Theresa Nguyen
April 8, 2010
I would say purple – particularly aubergine/eggplant purple is our biggest colour this year.
However, I agree with Tanya – they don’t photograph as well if you don’t use the proper lighting. They end up looking more like chocolate brown as opposed to purple. However this can be rectified with having a great photographer/camera.
Emily Tolve
April 8, 2010
We did a rather large blue wedding for a professional sports coach’s daughter last year. It was nominated for several events but didn’t win any… mostly because I think blue is a highly acquired taste. Most requests for this year has been for purple, and shockingly enough a couple bigger weddings with all darker shades of pink (not light or pale pink). So far no requests for all blue weddings this year… which I’m happy about. It’s quite difficult & limiting!
grace @ the cinderella project
April 8, 2010
i love seeing all the neons on the runway but don’t know how they would translate into a wedding! LOL.
BASH Group
April 8, 2010
IM A FOLLOWER OF ALL OF YOUR WORK !!! I saw this TOPICS about the IN and OUT on TWITTER, and well i agree on this! Im from LIMA PERU, im an Event Manager and i used to travel to NYC-US a lot, and i have ALL OF YOUR BOOKS!! I HAVE 4 OF THEM!! And if there is another one let me know!!!
The Blue Arrangement is so dramatic, and really modern im going to used that one on an Chill Out Party, the Purple is on VOGUE here we are using a lot of that decoration. And PINK for TeenAger Parties, here we celebrate the Fifthteen!!
I just have some questions: Did you used natural colors or they are painted (absorving colorants to give specific colors) / And wow, i always look a lot or Orchids, here its not so common, and well ANYTHING will replace the magnificent of that flower, but wich one will you recomend to replace that one?
IN ONE WORD!! Preston IM YOUR FAN AND YOUR WORK AND YOUR TEAM MAKE IMPECABLE EVENTSSS!!! How much people work aproximately on a presentation like the BLUE ONE?? Thanksss!!!! Send me a message if there are NEW books to buy them!!
Kim, Something Spectacular and Something Floral
April 8, 2010
Pink and green color combinations have been extremely popular with our clients here in Michigan for the past 2-3 years. However, we’re booking a lot of purple weddings for autumn and winter 2010 and throughout 2011. Purple is quickly becoming the “it” color for weddings in our area, and we’re combining it with greens, oranges, corals, and peaches for a modern look. We’ve seen a steady decline in blue wedding palettes over the past couple of years as neutral shades like brown, latte, and champagne became more readily available in a variety of bridesmaid dress and tuxedo styles.
Kristel Alvarez
April 8, 2010
I want to use peacock feathers in my wedding. It will be on october in Ecuador, (the place where more orchids are!)
but I dont know if my theme is in or out, please help meeeee =)
Chandra
April 8, 2010
Eggplant. Plum. PURPLE. My brides are loving purple.
On a side note, I love your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Emily Tolve
April 14, 2010
Kristel- YES! Peacock feathers are in for sure. At least in the Western side of America! We’ve had more requests for feathers & specifically for peacock feathers. I don’t know what Preston will say, but that’s my professional opinion
Melody
April 14, 2010
Eggplant is a very popular color right now. Also more architectural centerpieces, bouquets, etc. instead of just flowers. I concur with Emily. More branches, feathers, crystals are being requested. It’s almost like a 1920/30′s vibe happening. So glamorous!
Nadia ELia
April 19, 2010
I beleive it’s the Blue
Martine Chery
April 19, 2010
Peacock feather, Peacock feather and Peacock feather!!!! it’s all that I hear from clients, I recently talk about it on my blog. As far as colors, purple is a winner!
Karla Amador (Amador Events)
April 22, 2010
Definately Purple – I see it everywhere right now…
Susan
May 10, 2010
Here in Vegas we see all color pallettes-alot of our brides are going for fun looks-feathers, lighting, touch of champayne, a hint of black, a rub of spiced wine. Very 40′s glam- but Vegas style… Our brides are coming up with some fun concepts with neon lighting or sky lanterns….. lots of fun for the guests.
Sharon Mahabir
September 6, 2010
I LIVE IN TRINIDAD AND FOR THIS YEAR I HAVE DONE MORE PINKS ESPECIALLY HOT PINK . FOR WEDDINGS. THE PURPLE IS QUITE POPULAR AS WELL.
Carol Prond
September 14, 2010
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
Indian weddings span over at least 2 to 4 days and that gives me an opportunity to creat different color themes for different functions! From patels to vibrant and I love experimenting!
September 17, 2010
I love Preston Bailey’s work!
Keeran
Navjot
October 16, 2010
More blue than purple or pink.
cityville
January 5, 2011
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Fleuriste-Décoratrice Victorienne Décor
January 7, 2011
The most popular this year is Purple has been the most requested color with hot pink also apple green and ivory.
Lynn
January 7, 2011
Blue as well – especially navy. And thank you so much for all your advice – I am just loving your website!!!!
ANGELA
February 12, 2011
I have many requests for all shades of blue and some have included shades of purple, mainly eggplant and lavender.I think the blue trend will continue through 2011.
Jacqueline Peets
March 25, 2011
First and foremost, your work is amazing! I have chosen the purple palette above as my wedding colors. Did you have the table cloths custom made or did you order them. I am a bride on a small budget, but I don’t want that to deter me from dreaming big. Any advice will help.
Thanks for the dream.
Jackie
Mimi
March 29, 2011
Blue is the most requested color. I think it’s because they want to be different,
Ann Marie
April 21, 2011
Blue–particularly for Spring and Summer in the South!
Purple is a close second…
Last year a had tons of blue, this year I have slightly more purple!
Sylvia
May 12, 2011
My clients love color. Right now the season is pointing towards purple, Lilac and Fushia. I love it when the client leaves the blending of colors to me. I am challenged!
Sylvia
May 12, 2011
I have an upcoimg wedding reception, indoor about 400pax. any ideas or pics that show the blending of apple green and chocolate brown? I love your work. God bless you Preston and team
YOUR NAME
June 16, 2011
Blue!
ronnel
August 19, 2011
well i love the color blue and purple there’s a mellow drama!
YOUR NAME
November 1, 2011
blue
Brian Kelm
December 2, 2011
I love this post Preston!!!
Color psychology is such an interesting thing when it comes to working on us visually. In addition color alone has the power to make us a feel a desired mood and emotion just by its presence.
Out of the three colors mentioned above, I am gonna have to say that blue is the most asked for and versatile.
Any space can be transformed by the use of color. It is intriguing to watch people as they respond to a space once they arrive at a Wedding or event. When color is used effectively, it is undeniable what is trying to be created and the mood/atmosphere being generated!
Love your work and can’t wait to take your Signature design course here at Elgin Community College in Chicago!!!
By the way, my instructor Desiree Dent is your #1 fan in the world!!
Thank You for all you do,
Brian Kelm,
CPWEP Student
ricArbibe
March 3, 2012
Bat Man Arkham City
BlumeAmewly
March 4, 2012
Free Dragon’s Dogma