The Secret to Wedding Success, According to Jennifer Aniston’s Party Planner

Whether you’ve actually planned a wedding, watched a best friend do it, or helped a sister make it from the engagement to the altar, you know there’s one thing you have to do before doing anything else: Pick your palette. It’s what all the other stuff—from the invitations to the bridesmaid dresses to the drinks to the napkins—stems from (yes, some of us have matched cocktails to paint chips).  So the big question is, how do you choose your colors? And how many do you choose?  And once you do choose, where exactly should said colors figure into the ceremony? The reception?  We asked an expert, party planner to the stars, Colin Cowie, to answer all the questions.

Yahoo Style: What is a wedding palette and why is it important to have one?

Colin Cowie: I think it’s important to have a wedding color palette because it creates the big picture and will help to create all of your creative decisions.  Once you identify your wedding style, connect all the details together, and Pinterest can help you do that.  Create a Pinterest page and dump all your ideas together there, so when you’re working with a wedding professional you are able to tell your story.

How many colors should a couple include in their wedding details?

You have to decide more than just your colors, but your color scheme.  What’s the primary? Secondary?  Will there be a tertiary? Will there be metals involved: silver or gold or a mix?  You want one primary or a primary that’s made of two colors.  And create juxtaposition such as a Schiaparelli pink and pistachio green, which are fine on their own, but more fun together.

Should one stick with the same color throughout each event at the wedding or have a roving palette? And can you explain what that is?

I don’t like rotating palette because it looks like Christmas in July.  Start with one palette and have it make its way into everything so it forms a cohesive circle.

Where would one include colored details in their wedding?

Everywhere.  Everywhere you can because it helps to tell your story.  Usually color will start with the bridesmaids dress and works its way through into the flowers and linens, chair backs and garlands.

Is there such a thing as too much color at a wedding?

Yes, but you want contrast.  You don’t want to over saturate. Having many different colors is only good when they’re contrasted with something else, otherwise it can be overkill.

Do you have a favorite way to infuse color?

You have to be careful with a big, bold color during ceremony.  You can use it more at the reception and go all out for the dancing.  Using LED lighting allows you to change a room very easily. You can take a room from one color to another and change the energy quickly.

What about color in the wedding dress? Should a bride stick with tradition or go for a gown in a color other than white or ivory?

I don’t think she should ever stick to tradition. It’s her opportunity to show her style.  If she wants to walk down the aisle to Billy Idol’s White Wedding with her dog on a leash she should.

A lot of designers are now playing with color, such as Naeem Khan.  They’re showing blush tones and pale blues.  We’re doing a wedding on Valentine’s Day and the bride is wearing a vintage Givenchy wedding dress in black, and they’re asking all the guests to wear red.

Do you think the bridesmaids should wear the same color or do you like the trend of ‘maids wearing complementary colors?

I think it’s much more modern, and makes more sense too, for bridesmaids to wear dresses they choose based on a color or color scheme the bride selects. Another fun idea is the ombre look.  You can go from light lavender to pastel to eggplant to dark purple, and unify the look with the same shoe, wrap and bouquet.

Wedding cake: Traditional white or another color?

Color.  Absolutely. Or ombre, because it’s another opportunity to make a statement of style.  Don’t let etiquette books dictate what you do.  It’s like good taste. As long as good taste prevails you should go ahead and make your statement of style.

How does a bride know when she’s included too much color or too many? Any tips on editing her colors and where she puts them?

It’s a question of style, having a look and when knowing you’ve gone too far.  The tones of gray, pale turquoise and pink will prevail, said Christian Dior.  I like elegance for a bride.

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