Wedding themes and colour schemes
All weddings are the same, and all weddings are unique. People who say that wedding photography must be boring miss that uniqueness – no two individuals, couples or families are the same, and weddings are melting pots of unique people! The vows and general dynamics are the main tune – but the people bring the variations.
I love my role as a wedding photographer not least for this reason: I love the interplay between the historic and archetypal (vows, bride in white etc) and the unique and personal. And I especially love creative colour schemes which dance around that white dress with style, coherence and a sense of joy.
Some of the weddings that really stand out for me, weddings that I have most enjoyed photographing and editing have had the most well thought-out colour schemes. Here is the first in a series on memorable colour schemes at weddings.
Following through with a theme: The Rainbow Wedding
I have written a portfolio page about Pete and Ruth’s wonderful wedding. Even some years later the joy and creativity of that day sticks with me, and I think it is a great illustration of the power of carrying an idea right through. Following through with a colour scheme or theme takes nerve and taste, and that rainbow theme wedding day in Bedford carried it off really well.
With dad at the door, Ruth’s white fifties vintage dress was fun and classic at the same time. In this shot only the bouquet with its riot of colour gives a clue to the theme of the day – though take a careful look at her shoes!
Add in the bridesmaids, though, and the pattern is visible. Simple knee-length black dresses provide the backdrop for the colour highlights for each girl – flowers, shawl, jewelery, shoes…
Ruth clearly thought carefully about which colour to match to which of her friends. I thought this pairing was spectacular, although would also have loved to see the lady in emerald green
While each bridemaid and groomsman had a theme colour, the bride herself had rainbow accessories which kept appearing through the day. Wellies and brollies were hardly necessary at any point, but they had to come out for the pics!
Ruth’s shoes
Bride and maids – shoes!
With the groom and his men it was the socks which gave the rainbow feel
Pete and Ruth with umbrellas
The theme was carried through into the details for the groomsmen too – colour-themed rainbow cufflinks
The icing on the cake also held a final rainbow secret
