Online Tools: Color Palate Generators

Choosing the colors for your wedding scheme may have been a daunting task in the past. Comparing ribbons in the fabric store or going to Home Depot for fistfuls of paint chips are certainly trips that are no longer needed.
A great benefit of the internet is the ability to browse thousands of pictures for inspiration as I am sure you already know! It's what you can now do with those photographs to create a clean and professional color scheme is what you may not know. Le us take you on a tour of four wonderful sites that have free online color tools you can use right this very second!

Try DeGraeve.com!
I used a background image I just love love love from COULORLovers.Com, and gave it to the generator to see what it came up with, albeit easy ;). They give you the color codes this pattern was made with, so matching is easily done. Seems to inspire me to use the colors from the pattern to throw someone a bridal shower and decorate the table accordingly *wink wink*! Still very acceptable colors for the autumn we are easing into.


I then went over to ColorHunter.Com
I used a photograph of a wedding arrangement from a wedding I worked on with florist, Wendy with Ravenna Bloom. She created this gorgeous arrangement for the tabletops that went so well with the overall grand design and colors of the ballroom at the Olympic Fairmont Hotel in Seattle. Let's see what colors ColorHunter came up with from those lovely flowers along.



Big Huge Labs also has a great online color generator.
In fact there is something about the very presentation that makes me usually pick them when I am looking for some color inspiration. Same interface as the other sites above, you take a photograph, upload it and see what the generator comes up with. Here at Big Huge Labs the generator the color gives you the option of downloading these swatches in Adobe Swatch Exchange (ASE) format for Photoshop or compatible applications.
I used the cover of Elegant Bride's summer issue to see what hues would come from this mostly monochromatic minty cover and cake...I like it (the pink did generate roof terracotta...interesting)! Perfect for a spring time wedding don't you think?


BigHugeLabs generates the ASE with the help of our next featured Online Tool...


COULORLovers.Com
Last today but not least I wanted to introduce you to ColourLovers.Com.
What? You haven't heard of them? Well, my dear, you simply *must* click on over, create an account and share the love. All the inspiration and codes you could ever need.

In addition to colors, there are so many creative folks sharing patterns, you may be able to find more than just colors for your wedding, but a background for your wedding website, your sideshow, a backing for your invitations?!

I am particularly crazy about this post since coloring as a kid was a favorite pass time. All 120 Crayon Names, Color Codes and Fun Facts! You can find ALL the color codes to that perfect color crayon you always coveted! Then work it into you wedding color scheme easily with the help of their fantastic tools and groups and forums! A must visit.


Choosing the right color combinations for you wedding just got a little easier with these fantastic online tools. With the code generators, it also makes creating some DIY elements much easier. Use the codes to continue the colors very easily into all your online, computer generated tasks so you can run that color theme though it all.
Also check out a previous post of our that will guide you in choosing wedding colors and most importantly *when* in your planning process you should make the color decisions.

Happy planning!
~w.s.

The Links

Here are the links, again, to the above online tools:

ColourLovers.Com

ColorHunter.Com

DeGraeve.Com!

Elegant Bride

other tool s I didn't mention above, but still like:

WellStyled.Com has a color scheme generator I enjoy.

ColorJack, super easy and quick.

Other articles from the web about choosing colors for your wedding!

WIAB - Choosing Wedding Colors

Favor Idea's - A Guide for Designing Brides By Blake

Also by Blake, over at Squidoo, Fall & Autumn Wedding Theme Trends

YourWeddingCompany.Com- Choosing Your Wedding Color Scheme

About.Com What is a Monochromatic Color Scheme?

Also at About.Com I really loved this article: Top Five Color Mixing Tips

BrilliantWeddingPages - Choosing Wedding Colors

WeddingHue.com has recently been posting about finding flowers in certain colors. Read thir post about flowers that are Purple, Red and Lavender

Choosing Wedding Colors

When planning the wedding, it's savvy to have already be consulting your Planning time line and have it handy. There are a few items on the list that have an impact on the colors and style you choose to use. Color, theme and style. It's all addressed here. A good choice and use of these colors and style will add unity to the whole affair.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Colors:

• Have you booked you ceremony & receptions sites?

You should consider what the environment says already. What colors are there, what style is it? A nice hotel may have a very lovely style in their banquet room and you may a 'build in' color scheme already to work with. What colors rugs, curtains, walls? Check what color linen they provide.

• Are there cultural or religious elements that are important to you?

Different cultures use different colors to celebrate life and joy. If you are having a cultural wedding, embrace it and choose your colors and style appropriately.

• What season is your Wedding?

You'll find the time of year Will affect a lot of choices, from what you wear to the flowers available to your location. Spring is bright with new flowers, Summers are beachy and lush with bright colors, Fall is golden and Winter sparkles with depth.

• Do you have a Wedding style or theme you wish to incorporate?

Will you have a sit own dinner, or a stylish after dinner sware'? Do you want an afternoon outdoor wedding, or a cocktail reception? A style can include a running theme. Using images to complete a theme works well too. Read more about Wedding themes and how to use, click here. If you are sailors, seashore lovers, you can use nice blues and whites with even splashes of yellow. There should be a balance when using a theme, the colors and decorations that go with it.

• Have you set your heart on a particular flower or floral arrangement?

Lilly of the valley, lilacs, tulips, hydrangea or roses? Use natures color palate. These colors sooth and inspire. Flowers are, of course, seasonal. Try and use flowers that are in season or you will need to have them shipped in at additional cost and time. Try to be seasonal with all your design elements.

• Have you selected your Bride's Maids dresses?
  

If you have pink Bride's Maids dresses already picked out, then you have one of your colors already. The Bridesmaids dresses will be a main focal point and should be one of the three colors your choose. This color should also be flattering to your Ladies!

How to Make Your Colors Work Together

The use of the color wheel is one of your first assignments in color theory.
Get yourself a good color wheel from the paint department of your craft or home improvement store.

For now, let's use one from online:

Read more about Color Theory and how to use colors,
visit the page color matters.






Choose a main color with an accent color or two.
You may also with to go monochromatic, using different hues and shades of a particular color. Done well, this look is exceptionally sleek.

Coordinating Your Colors & Style!

• Go to the craft store, pick out some sample fabric swatches and purchase some ribbon.

• Peruse the aisles at the craft sore and the mall for the papers, the save the dates, the invitations.

Visit our Wedding theme page and read more tip son how o incorporate your theme (even if it is just 3 colors) into your Wedding style.

By the Time of the Wedding Shower (up to 6 weeks preceding the wedding date) you will have already picked a venue, know your colors and can start using them with this event to compliment the invitations. Follow up with your style, with your thank you notes. This gives a very clean and well put together look to your celebration. Just remember, no matter the colors or theme you want to tie it all together with simplicity and style.

The Links to Wedding Color, Theme and Style

Wedding Color Palette
Martha Stewart has a great article here and a color wheel.

On The Knot:
Color Quiz
The knot has a a quiz here that promises to help choose the perfect colors for your Wedding!
WeddingStyle: Choosing your Colors
Knot article with helpful advice.

Having a Color Coordinated Wedding

A Knot article that features HOT wedding colors that are in style now!

Your Wedding Company
Has a wonderful informative and useful article on choosing your wedding colors here. Meaning of colors are included.

Bliss!Wedding Market
A very nice article here on choosing wedding colors! The best is that they then link to four of their own useful articles, a color palette took (interactive drag and drop), an article on color trends and choosing colors by season.

Favor Idea's
A surprisingly good article about choosing colors and color trends for 2007.

Seaport Weddings
An article on choosing...wedding colors, of course!