Perfect Palettes

Sunny Yellow

Qualities associated with yellow: Cultivated. Honest. Blissful. Sincere. When considering any palette, California-based event planner Sasha Souza urges brides to think of objects that embody the color. So instead of “yellow,” think “daffodil, straw or butter.” Then you can envision a yellow palette that ranges from muted to bright. “I might start with a lighter, more ethereal tone for the ceremony, introduce brighter color in the cocktail hour and move into cheerful, fun-evoking shades for dinner and dancing.”

Clockwise from top left: Shades of yellow and cream are reflected in blooms, linens and tableware. A Zephyr tent, made of sailcloth and wooden poles, gets an inner glow with gobo lighting that throws a swirling pattern on the ceiling—the effect is warm and welcoming. A small arrangement of yellow orchids and roses on a background of green hydrangeas and leaves. Sprays of yellow orchids, calla lilies and roses adorn lounge tables in front of an outdoor bar.

Photography: Courtesy of Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design (Beaufort Books).

Passionate Purple

Qualities associated with purple: Gracious. Lavish. Intense. A truly royal hue, extravagant-looking purple is a nontraditional choice—but, Sasha says, you should feel free to express yourself through color. “When I got married in 1998, I had a choice of white or cream and any of five accent shades. Thankfully, things have changed since then! Do negotiate with your venue for a colored linen at the same price as white,” she says. “Cut loose and adorn your wedding tables with linens in ruby, strawberry, plum or eggplant—have fun!”

Clockwise from top left: A mother-of-the-bride’s exquisite nosegay of anemones, roses and orchids on lemon leaves. For a palette of plum and butterscotch, a place setting on purple linen features arrangements in contrasting oranges, yellows and greens (this event was designed for long tables, with courses served family style). The wedding menu picks up the palette without overdoing it. A bride’s loose, organic-style bouquet, created for an early June wedding, included seasonal sweet peas and peonies, along with lilacs, roses and hydrangeas.

Photography: Courtesy of Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design (Beaufort Books). (Top right) Luca Trovato.

Opulent Orange

Qualities associated with orange: Optimistic. Thrilling. Happy. Humorous. “Orange is my personal favorite,” says Sasha, but she advises against using just one shade of any hue. “It will look flat,” she says. “You can actually achieve texture through the layering of tones.” What if your space comes with a brown and green carpet, but you want a palette of coral,bronze, reddish orange and blush pink? “Don’t stress,” says Sasha. “I advise brides to carry on with the colors they love instead of trying to incorporate the hues of the location into their palette. Tables will cover the rug, and lighting can be used to great effect to get the look you want.

Clockwise from top left: A place setting in shades of orange: curry (the linen), reddish orange (the charger plate) and coral (the menu). A fondant cake with three-dimensional orange dahlias in sugarpaste, surrounded by deep orange votives. At a ceremony, chairs were adorned with roses in orange shades against silver-dollar eucalpytus leaves and hanging amaranth. An arrangement of dahlias, orchids and roses in orange hues, with glassware that reinforces the palette.

Photography: Courtesy of Signature Sasha: Magnifi cent Weddings by Design (Beaufort Books).

Gorgeous Green

Qualities associated with green: Harmony. Sanctuary. Relaxation. Peace. Perhaps your inspiration is a memory of the green lawns and trees of your childhood. Recreate that fresh, natural image with shades of green, from sage to emerald to lettuce. One couple was inspired by a rug of burgundy and mossy green. “We used deep burgundy linens and chair pads in alternating burgundy and green,” says Sasha. “Green-and burgundy-hued flowers on the tables wove the color story throughout the wedding.”

Clockwise from top left: On an iridescent green taffeta cloth, Sasha’s place settings include bright green napkins and green-hued goblets. Pure white charivari chairs make a fresh contrast as do the posies of hanging amaranth, galax leaves and pale green roses and hydrangeas. Gorgeous sprays of green orchids and fern curls tower over small arrangements of pure white roses and chocolate cosmos. A bride’s bouquet of “supergreen” roses, green orchids, green berries and long, fuzzy brown “bunny tails” has a uniquely organic look. Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design by Sasha Souza (Beaufort Books). Go to sashasouzaevents.com to order; also available at major booksellers nationwide.

Photography: Courtesy of Signature Sasha: Magnifi cent Weddings by Design (Beaufort Books).