"You mean the major, new upcoming color statements for the next year or so has already been dictated?", you ask. "You're telling me that the color effect of my party has (basically) already somehow been decided?" Yep, it pretty much has.
Don't you remember the scene in the feature film, The Devil Wears Prada, when the big shot fashion editor reduces her "anti-fashion" office assistant down to size when she catches her snickering under her breath about her making such a big deal about blue belts?
What's been dictated about color is less about Joseph's Technicolor Dreamcoat hues than about the upcoming color chart tones, many of which haven't been popular since the late '70's or early '80's, when individualism in choosing colors reigned over choosing any particular "status color". Mind you, the only status color that's constant is: black.
What's different about it is mixing and matching; rather pick a color that suits you (or your client), that you feel comfortable with.
If you think about it, you'll notice when looking at party linen fabric swatches, especially at fantastic places like BBJ Linen Fine Linen Rental for example, that every fabrication option isn't shown in every color. You could find the turquoise satin for your wedding party bridesmaid dresses and the reception linen that's a match (which turquoise will always stand out in a sea of black and neutrals), but not find that perfect shade of coral that you're looking for. And that's when you know that colors and the color effect of your party is not 100% determined and controlled by you.
Cater-Hater says, if your a "color junkie" that loves color - just go for it. But avoid being color-loud and ostentatious. Unless you're planning a kiddie party for a 5-year old. I know you don't want to look cheap and nothing says cheap like over doing your party color scheme and poor fabrics (that usually don't take color well). The devil (whether wearing Prada or not) is in the details, so save money for your gala event somewhere else.
If you're not buying high-end, keep it simple, and let your party planner in on your "keep it simple" game plan. Keep it simple? Keep some color, and dial down your choice of fabric if you have to. Classy and gorgeous does not make color, "color pink" perfect.
If you can afford the big linen rental price tags, more than likely you'll hire an event planner who will rid you a lot of the hassle, and the color effect of your party will be considered (from every angle and possibility, no doubt) by them. Your planner already figured out what works together, so trust in their talent and slap down your credit card for something wonderful that will have your guests "ooo-ing and ahh-ing".
A good planner won't have you out there with an over-the-top room that looks like it was designed by Elton John during his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy early drug days.
When choosing the design of your party or wedding reception site, a question that consistently arises is - “How do I select the most effective colors?” Choosing the right color palette for a your special event is essential to communicate your message, brand your product or service, and, if you are a corporation entertaining clients, sell your products. Everyone has favorite colors, but how those colors are interpreted may vary from person to person and culture to culture. Color communicates far more than most people realize. Choosing wrong colors can be a disaster.
Before selecting colors, ask yourself the following questions:
- Who are you trying to please?
- What are you products or services, if any?
- What is your key objective?
If you're a corporate client entertaining potential business partners for example, some of (if not all of) your potential guests might come from a global or regional market, or exclusively from North America. Did you know that the color white symbolizes mourning in China? Or that purple is the color of death in many Catholic countries?
Yellow is an Imperial color in Chinese countries, but in America it may symbolize cowardliness or some might go as so far to say, urine. More important, shifting colors to another area of the color spectrum can completely change their impact. For example, yellow shifted toward red results in a color that indicates gold or "having value".
Your party or reception guest demographic also can make a difference in how colors are perceived.
Young people are drawn more to saturated colors (or primary colors) than adults, who may find them garish or offensive. Strong color contrasts can also drive older guests crazy. They just don't "get" why it had to be (they mean, look) so wild. While young people typically respond positively to new color trends, fashionable (trendy) colors can be overused. Besides, trendy colors go out of style as quickly as they appear so it may be better to go with the simplicity of the classics or neutrals.
Party and wedding reception background color choices on signage (table place cards and table placed guest dinner menus) also affect readability, which can be an issue for older guests and those with visual impairments.
Here's a list of colors and their potential meanings:
- Red: passion, romance, fire, violence, aggression. Red means stop, or signals warning or forbidden actions in many cultures.
- Purple: creativity, mystery, (reddish purple) royalty, mysticism, rarity. Purple is associated with death in Catholic cultures, as mentioned above.
- Blue: loyalty, security, conservatism, tranquility, coldness, sadness. Light blues create a feeling of openness, clean air and freshness, while dark blues can convey tradition, trust and solidity.
- Green: nature, fertility, growth, envy. In North American cultures, green means ‘go,’ is associated with environmental awareness, and is often linked to fiscal matters. A lighter, somewhat desaturated green is the color of money and indicates wealth or value.
- Yellow: brightness, illumination, illness, cowardice. Some yellows can symbolize the precious metal - gold - and are universally valued.
- Black: power, sophistication, contemporary style, death, morbidity, evil, night.
- White: purity, innocence, cleanliness, truth, peace, coldness, sterility. White is also the color of death in Chinese culture, as mentioned above.
There's a party or wedding reception going on somewhere right now reflecting the negative effect of bad color choices. People often choose colors to "dress-up" their special celebration without any regard to their overall objectives.
Here are several mistakes commonly made by corporate clients that unfortunately negatively showcase the color effect of their party:
Colors you select can conflict with your party vision, your brand, service or products.If you have a well-known brand like Coke, you can use bold colors like 'Coca-Cola red' as much as you want without concern. But very few companies are in the unique position where the brand name is more powerful than their brand color. Less well-known businesses should carefully consider the colors they choose, and for continuous company branding, should stick with colors from their logos and website.
Certain colors work well with specific types of businesses. For example, warm colors, such as reds, yellows, and oranges – often called a 'fiesta palette,' can work well for restaurants and bars that offer spicy food. Colors in the warm range can also be effective in selling products associated with sun, passion or sensuality.
Creams, whites and dark brown colors can be used successfully at parties for companies having a dessert focused party or "chocolate party", or that sell chocolate products.
Party color themes of cool colors, such as blues and greens, complement outdoor products, airlines, medical services, law firms and intellectual content. These colors reflect trust or a relaxed attitude. As one person has noted, "… the color blue has a relaxing effect on the nervous system, and some studies have shown that it increases productivity when used as a background color." But I wouldn't use blue as my first choice in a color scheme if I were promoting a product that is food-related, because the color blue is a natural appetite suppressant.
There's no such thing as too bright for a child's party, but keep the doodads (accessories) to a minimum (though mixing a few more brights or an off-color would work). And If you're a bride-to-be don't go for too girly. You're not the only one getting married here, remember? There is a groom that should get some consideration, at least.
Have the considerations of the color effect of your party blinded you senseless? Cater-Hater says, it's okay to boldly go with color where you may have never dared to go before. Just be wise about how you do it. And if you're not sure, hire a party decorator or an event design company that does.
Have fun. Have a colorful party and please let me know if this information has helped you!
Other related articles:
Wedding Time Line Basics
Court your caterer to get what you want
The Moroccan Theme Wedding Reception
Wedding and Party Professionals
Hiring a Caterer or Event Planner Successfully
Hiring an Event Planner 101
Tired of Caterers and Event Planners Budgeting Tips?
Ask for a Better Deal Break the Rules to Save Money
Get a Party Industry Professional to Cut you a Deal
Party Fashion: Color Blind to Making your Party "Green"
Image source: Wikipedia
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Written by Carlo of Carlo At Your Service Productions
