Purple: The Most Dreaded Wedding Color Gets A Makeover
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Throughout history, purple has been widely documented as a color of privilege often associated with royalty. During medieval times, dyes that produced the perfect shade of purple were so costly that only kings and queens could afford them, hence the term “royal purple.” While many would not consider it for a wedding, this bold and mysterious color is actually brimming with creative possibilities for decorating a shower, tea party, or reception. Typified as regal and sophisticated, it can turn charming and pretty when matched with the right palette of colors. Table settings, centerpieces, and favors–all can take on an unexpected appeal with the tasteful use of purple.
Purple’s Perfect Partners
The basic color palette for light purple would include shades of pink and green.
Purple comes in a wide spectrum of shades, making it ideal for a sophisticated look. A basic color palette for light purple would include pinks and greens. Thus, shades like lilac, thistle, or periwinkle may be paired with white, baby pink, lime green, powder blue, and even silver or gold. Deep purple would work best with chocolate brown, pink, and green, as well as a touch of royal or cornflower blue.
Another elegant use of purple is in a monochromatic color scheme such as lilac, lavender, and amethyst. Attractive accents for these would be brown, silver, or cream. Applying any of these palettes to the party table settings would definitely make a statement.
Put Together a Stunning Table Display
Porcelain boxes with dainty floral designs and lilac ribbons are set against a pale lilac tablecloth.
A table setting with a light and airy purple palette uses a pale lilac tablecloth with subtle damask patterns as its canvas. Glistening silver flatware and delicate fine china receive a charming touch with purple pansies resting on crisp white table napkins. For guest favors, porcelain boxes with floral accents and a pretty lilac ribbon rest beside each place setting.
For a table setting with a darker color palette, violet, dark pink, and silver make for a rich display, while a combination of purple, blue-violet, and slate blue creates a dark and exotic feel. Apply these to the table linens and decor accents for the desired effect. Dainty floral sachets in lilac or lavender pouches may be displayed as part of each place setting for the guests to take home afterwards.
Create Unique Centerpieces
Whether floral or edible, a purple-based centerpiece would be most attractive with the use of elements that have this color in varying degrees. For an edible centerpiece with an interactive purpose, tiered trays may be filled with a delectable mix of cupcakes with lavender and pink frosting, purple foil-wrapped chocolates, and lilac-colored almond dragées.
Give Gifts All Pretty in Purple
Pomander-shaped sachets can come in the loveliest shades of purple and can be matched with pink for contrast.
Whatever the occasion’s theme, purple may set the tone–both in the favors themselves and in the packaging. Whimsical pomander-shaped bags can be filled with delicate lavender oils, potpourri, or scented glass beads. Jordan almonds in a pretty purple shade may fill a silk pouch. Grape-flavored crystallized candy may be presented in purple boxes, and then arranged as an attractive table centerpiece.
Though purple comes across as a strong color, it actually offers such a wide range of shades to work with. From the deepest violet to the most delicate lilac, it can establish the desired look for the occasion through tastefully-crafted table settings, centerpieces, and guest favors. Indeed, purple need no longer be the most dreaded wedding color.
External Resources
- - Purple Wedding Reception Ideas - A slide show from Brides.com.
- - Purple and Blue Wedding Bouquets - A slide show from BHG.com.
- - Purple Party Themes - A list of party planning ideas from Confetti.co.uk.
I’m actually having an aubergine and chartreuse color palette. I know a lot of people call purple the barney color, but I love it!
How can I make purple frosting what color can I mix