Wedding planning comes with a long list of decisions, and most of them involve colour. The dress or suit, the bridal party, the flowers, the makeup, the styling. It's a lot to get right, and the photos will be looked at for decades.
Getting your colours done before you shop is one of the simplest ways to make those decisions easier. At Colour Decode in Hillarys, Maureen helps couples understand which colours work with their natural colouring, so every choice afterwards starts from a confident place.
Finding the right white
Many people are surprised to learn there's no single "wedding white". Bridal fabrics range from bright optic white through soft white, ivory, champagne, blush and beyond. Each one behaves differently next to skin.
Which white suits you depends on your own season palette, so there's no one-size-fits-all rule. During your session, Maureen shows you the white or ivory in your own palette. Seeing it beside other options under good lighting shows you which shade makes your skin look clear and even, and which one makes you look a little flat.
Knowing this before your first appointment at a bridal boutique can save time, and it gives you a clearer brief to share with your consultant.
Not just for the bride
Suits and groomswear
The same thinking applies to suits. Navy, charcoal, black, grey, tan, olive and blue all come in many variations, and some will suit one person far better than another. Shirt colour matters just as much, because it sits right next to the face. Ties, pocket squares and buttonholes are an easy way to bring in a colour that ties the whole look together.
Coordinating the couple
When both partners know their palettes, it's much easier to choose outfits that look harmonious side by side, without anyone wearing a colour that doesn't suit them. This works for every kind of couple, whether that's a dress and a suit, two suits, two dresses or something else entirely.
Makeup that photographs beautifully
Wedding makeup needs to look good in person, in natural light and in photos. Knowing your season gives you and your makeup artist a head start on lipstick, blush and eyeshadow shades that harmonise with your colouring. Maureen includes makeup recommendations in every session, which can be a helpful reference for your trial.
Flowers, styling and the bridal party
Your colour palette can also guide the bigger picture. Flowers held close to the face, such as a bouquet or buttonhole, are worth choosing with your colouring in mind. Many couples also use their palettes as a starting point for the wider colour scheme, so the overall look feels cohesive in photos.
If you’re choosing colours for bridesmaids or the wider bridal party, it helps to know each person’s colouring. Some may share a season and others won’t, and that’s something a group session can help with, and there’s more on that in our post about colour analysis for brides, bridesmaids and hens.
Photos that last a lifetime
Wedding photos are one of the few things from the day that you'll keep forever. Colours that harmonise with your natural colouring tend to make you look healthy and bright on camera, while colours that clash can create shadows or make skin look uneven. Getting this right is less about following trends and more about choosing what genuinely suits you, which is also why it tends to age well.
Thinking about hair colour?
If you're planning a change of hair colour before the wedding, a session is a good time to talk it through. Maureen spent more than 15 years as a L'Oréal Colour Specialist and can offer guidance on tones that are likely to suit your season, so you can go to your hairdresser with a clear idea well ahead of the big day.
When to book
There's no strict rule, but earlier is generally better. Having your colours done before you start dress or suit shopping means everything that follows can build on it. A session takes around an hour and a half, and you'll leave with a palette card and a colour wheel, followed by a personalised report you can share with your stylist, florist or makeup artist.
Arrive without makeup and wear a neutral top, so your natural colouring is easy to read. Couples can come in together, and if it's easier, Colour Decode at Home visits Perth's Northern Suburbs with the full drape set and professional lighting to make the most of the light in your home.
A thoughtful engagement gift
If you know a newly engaged couple, a Colour Decode gift voucher is a practical and personal engagement present, and it's valid for three years, so there's no rush to use it.
Ready to start planning in colour?
When you're ready, you can book a session and take the guesswork out of the big decisions.