The Hidden Meanings Behind Popular Wedding Colors

Choosing your wedding color palette can be tough—there are just so many options that could fit a wide variety of venues, styles, and themes. So, why not turn to color association to help make the decision a little easier? Different colors have certain meanings—some derived from cultural traditions, and even religions—and knowing these could give you the nudge you need to make your final choice. Here's the meaning behind five of the most popular wedding colors.

The Meaning of DIfferent Wedding Colors

White:

Okay, so white is technically not a color, but it is a popular shade for weddings, as we all well know. White is typically associated with purity (hence the white wedding dress tradition), light, and faith. It's even thought to be linked with perfection, as well as new beginnings.

Red:

In China, brides wear red, as opposed to white, because the hue will bring good luck to their unions. In many Asian cultures, in fact, red is associated with happiness and prosperity. (Plus, it's also known as the color of passion.) Therefore, going with red accents in your color palette could be a cheerful way to usher in your new journey as husband and wife.

Pink:

Likely the most popular wedding color—in shades ranging from fuchsia to blush—pink is a combination of red and white, meaning it combines the passion of the former with the purity of the later. Pink has associations of its own, too, including compassion, hope, and unconditional love, making it an ideal hue to include in your wedding simply based on its meanings.

Blue:

Blue has a number of meanings, the first of which have religious roots: In Christianity, the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing blue, which symbolizes her virtue, and, in Judaism, blue is considered a holy color. (If you're devout in either of these religions, blue might be a great choice!) Other meanings include immortality (China), divinity (Egypt), and royalty (France).

Purple:

While purple is a beloved wedding hue, in many cultures the color is actually associated with mourning and funeral rituals. However, in Japan, the shade symbolizes power and in Egypt it represents faith, making its connotations not completely morose. Like blue, it also has royal associations, as well.

Yellow:

To Hindus, yellow is actually considered a sacred color, while, to Native Americans, yellow signifies unconditional love. A bright, happy hue, this shade is perfect for spring and summer weddings especially. Discover more color inspiration! 5 Reasons Pantone's 2017 Color of the Year is Wedding Perfection Add These Ridiculously Beautiful Watercolor Invitations to Your Wedding Wish List 5 Wedding Color Mistakes You DON’T Want to Make