7 Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Colour Palette
Let’s be honest - picking your wedding colours is one of the most fun parts of planning your big day. It’s the moment where you get to show off your style, set the vibe, and basically make your venue look like it popped straight out of a wedding magazine. But… with thousands of shades to choose from, it can also feel a little overwhelming. Don’t worry - we’ve got you. Here are 7 tips to help you nail your perfect wedding colour palette, Shearing Shed style.
1. Take a Good Look at Your Venue
Before you fall in love with a pretty Pinterest swatch, pause and check out the natural colours your venue already throws off. Are there warm wooden beams, soft greenery, rustic brick, or grand metallic details? Your palette should complement, not clash.
Think of it like this: your wedding colours are the outfit, but your venue is the backdrop. When you pick colours that play nicely with the space, it’ll all feel effortless and cohesive.
2. Consider Your Wedding Season
The time of year you tie the knot can give your colour palette a natural starting point:
Spring: soft pastels like blush, lavender, mint
Summer: vibrant coral, fuchsia, sunny yellow
Autumn: rich earthy tones like burgundy, burnt orange, mustard
Winter: deep, elegant shades like emerald, navy, metallics
Using your season as inspiration ensures your palette feels organic and visually stunning.
3. Know Your Likes, Dislikes, and Your Style
Your wedding should scream you. Make a list of colours, textures, or tones you love - and those you’d never touch with a ten-foot pole.
Some classic combos to get your imagination flowing:
Classic Elegance: navy + gold or black + white
Romantic & Soft: blush, champagne, ivory
Bold & Modern: emerald + deep plum or mixed jewel tones
Rustic & Natural: sage, terracotta, warm neutrals
This is your day - so pick colours that make you smile every time you see them.
4. Make Sure Everything Can Actually Match
It’s all well and good to pick the perfect shade of mauve… but can you source everything in that colour? Dresses, ties, shoes, flowers, signage, napkins, and even hankies for happy tears - your palette has to work across the board.
A cohesive palette isn’t just pretty - it’s practical. If a colour is impossible to match, tweak it slightly so your day looks seamless from ceremony to last dance.
5. Think About the Mood You Want to Create
Colours don’t just look pretty - they set the vibe for your day. Ask yourself: how do you want guests to feel when they walk in?
Soft blues and greens = calm, serene, intimate
Warm peaches and corals = romantic and charming
Jewel tones + metallics = dramatic and sophisticated
Bright, bold hues = lively, high-energy fun
From invitations to floral arrangements to the cake, your colour palette is basically the invisible hand guiding your wedding’s personality.
6. Test It Out in Real Life
Once you’ve narrowed your palette, see it in action. Hold fabric swatches against your venue backdrop. Ask your florist or decorator if they can source flowers and décor in your chosen shades. Even pop a few bridesmaid dress swatches together with ribbons, ties, or table settings.
This step ensures your colours truly work together and look as dreamy in real life as they do in your Pinterest board.
7. Get a Second Opinion (or Third)
Sometimes you need a fresh perspective. A wedding stylist or planner can help you see how colours, textures, and lighting play together. They’ll give practical advice, like whether your favourite flowers come in that shade or how fabrics photograph in sunlight.
Having a pro guide you ensures your vision translates perfectly - from the aisle to the last dance.
Wrapping it Up
Picking your wedding colours should be exciting, not stressful. Look at your wedding venue, consider your personal style, test your palette, and think about the mood you want to create. When you nail that combo, everything from flowers to dresses to décor will come together seamlessly - and your wedding will look, feel, and photograph absolutely stunning.
At The Shearing Shed, we love seeing couples bring their unique colour palettes to life - because when your day looks like you, it feels like magic.