How does color affect how we feel? Why is color so powerful? And how in choosing a color, it may affect the outcome of our event? In researching, I came across an excellent source of information: Check it out.
So to clear some basic perceptions regarding color, let’s start with the color effects that are recognized universally. Color in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors which may emote feelings of warmth and comfort. Colors in the blue spectrum are known as cool colors and are often recognized for their calming effect.
White
The color white represents purity or innocence. White is a bright “color” and can create a sense of space. Some also may describe white as cold, bland or sterile. And yet again, it can remind one of cleanliness, freshness and simplicity – like a blank slate symbolizing a new beginning or a fresh start.
Red
A bright, warm color that evokes strong emotions. Red is associated with love, warmth, and comfort. It can also be considered intense – a color that creates feelings of excitement and intensity.
Blue Blue is favored by men and people in general. It is viewed as non-threatening, conservative and traditional. It brings feelings of calm and serenity, peacefulness, tranquility, security, orderliness, stability and reliability. The other side of the coin is that it can show signs of sadness and aloofness. While it is considered one of the most popular colors, it can be one of the least appetizing because it rarely occurs naturally in food items and can be associated with signs of spoilage. Interestingly, blue can also lower the pulse rate.
Green While green also represents tranquility, it also is associated with good luck, health and of all things – that old saying, “green with jealousy”. It has long been a symbol of fertility and was once the preferred color choice for wedding gowns in the 15th century. Guests find green to be soothing, calming – a good color to relieve stress.
Yellow While being a sunny, cheerful and warm color, yellow can create feelings of frustration and anger. Yellow is gauged to increase the metabolism. And it is the most attention-getting color. A great accent color in bouquets.
Purple
This is the regal color – a symbol of royalty and wealth. Purple is less common in nature and can be seen as an exotic color and thus has garnished this tribute. Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality - soothing. This color tends to hold a great deal of symbolism (think mysterious) and carries some unique visual characteristics. Purple is one of the most difficult colors to discriminate. It can be considered sensual. Interestingly, people either tend to really love or really hate it.
Brown
One of the natural colors, brown evokes a sense of strength and reliability – much like our earth. It shows resilience, dependability, security and safety. Brown brings to mind feelings of warmth, comfort and security – down-to-earth and conventional. It has become one of the more sophisticated colors to use for events and weddings.
Orange
This is an energetic color – one tending to lead to excitement, enthusiasm and warmth. Some may thing that it is only associated with the autumn season – but you will see it more and more used in spring, summer and winter months because it evokes that contented warmth.
Pink
And we finish with pink – the color associated with love and romance. Sometimes considered to have a calming effect, it is certainly called the feminine color – it can appear soft, nurturing, filled with kindness and compassion.
Of course, many colors can be toned down my using a tint. You might not want "Home Depot orange" for your wedding, but a pale peach would be lovely.
So when you are planning the wedding of your dreams, an intimate dinner party, or a corporate retreat, use color to determine the effect you want to achieve. And of course, if any one of these is your all-time favorite – then use it however much you would like!
Photo: Amber Lamoreaux from Pexels