Here’s the latest installment in our Bridesmaid Dresses: “Color” Story……As a recap, (scroll down if you’ve read the “intro” to this article in the past) we’ve included the Pantone Color Guide for new visitors. If you are just visiting for the first time, and you would like to research a different color than the one in the below segment, please see our Archives for our previous Color articles.

If you are the type of bride that likes to keep up with the Trends, you’ll already know what the 2013 Pantone Wedding Colors are…. but just in case, we have included them above as a guide and starting off point for planning your Wedding Style & Design. This is the seventh segment in our 10 part article devoted to each Pantone color.  Are you looking for a little inspiration, guidance and wedding style advice?  Then this article is for you!

African Violet-Bridesmaid Dresses : Let’s start with a little inspiration.
The many subtle shades of the African Violet color, are all beautifully captured by Timothy Easton’s painting below.

Painting: Timothy Easton

African violet in any shade lends a certain romance to any wedding and gives a great design base to any wedding. As always, the length you choose will help drive the look and mood you want to set. Choosing African violet for your bridesmaid dresses will work in any length and season. We’ve chosen a darker hue as inspiration from Mr. Easton’s painting to create the below collage of J.Crew Bridesmaid dresses and to start off this article.

J.Crew Chiffon Bridesmaid Dresses

There are so many lovely shades of African Violet. Use the Panatone color guide as inspiration, and then see where your creativity takes you!

For example, choosing a lighter shade of African Violet softens the look and creates a more romantic feel. A more traditional darker hued African Violet Purple gives a traditional and elegant base to any wedding design.

Let the fabric do the talking!!…Give the dress movement with texture in the fabric that you choose. Pairing it with a metallic heel keeps the look romantic and elegant.

Choosing a vintage styled dress in traditional wedding fabric like chiffon, silk duponi, or taffeta is beautiful! If you love vintage and still want to keep it trendy, try adding a contemporary heel to give the look a little more edge.

Vintage Bridesmaid Dress & Jimmy Choo

Style Tip: Keeping the bouquets simple will keep the “lines” clean with this look and still keep it contemporary.

With a darker shade of African Violet you could introduce a pop of color in your footwear, jewelry choice, or bouquets!
Style Tip: Remember to coordinate the “pop” so the ensemble does not appear to look too “busy”.

For a Vintage dress option, African Violet is a lovely choice! To keep the look trendy, pair with accessories that are contemporary. Pairing the above 1960’s Vintage Dress with a contemporary shoe and bouquet with texture brings the look forward and still hits all the traditional wedding notes.

Or! …..Using all the beautiful African Violet hues in traditional “looking” dress choices creating the “mixed bridesmaid dress” look will still keep you on trend.

Still can’t decide on your “color” ?  Try incorporating the mixed bridesmaid dress color look adding an associated hue like burgundy.
Style tip: Remember when choosing either one of the mixed bridesmaid dress looks,  try to keep the bouquets and shoes the same for each bridesmaid to keep the eye on the look as a whole.
Also, remember to keep the jewelry understated with this look. Using the above collage as an example, there is enough movement and texture in the multi-colored bouquet to keep the eye satisfied with this look.Having a little texture in the shoe adds a little sparkle and fun without overwhelming the ensemble.

Next Color Article Segment: Grayed Jade!

Article: Lisa Sammons – Owner/Principal Planner & Lead Designer – Lisa Sammons Events /Contributor & Features Editor:  Style, Inspiration, & Design

We are REAL Wedding Planners servicing New York and New England. We also travel to where ever our clients need us.
If you are planning a destination wedding, we are happy to plan  your wedding … where ever and whenever!
Are you a DIY Bride and just want a few pointers or a consultation? We are happy to schedule a meeting or a call with you. Feel free to contact us at anytime to set up a DIY planning meeting.
We are happy to help! moc.stnevesnommasasilnull@ofni or via phone @ 603-828-6490.
We look forward to speaking with you!