5 Ways To Use Pantone’s Color of the Year ‘Living Coral’ in Your Modern Wedding

As much of a neutral lover as I am, my color kryptonite is coral. So, you can imagine my elation when Pantone announced Living Coral as their color of the year. I knew we’d be in for a dose of vibrancy in weddings and today’s slice of inspo from Lauren Field Design and Kristin La Voie Photography nails it. Read on below for five innovative ideas on how to infuse this vibrant, happy hue into a modern wedding with a wow-worthy palette.

1. Wear it!

Make a statement by starting with the decision to wear a colored gown. This unique Elizabeth Dye wildfire gown was the perfect way to incorporate such a bold statement piece. Be sure to select simple accessories to allow the gown to take the full spotlight.

2. Choose a neutral colored venue

Select a venue that will allow the color to shine without being too busy. The Prospect House gave us such an opportunity with it’s simple yet elegant spaces that have a grand light filled quality to them. By creating focus around the features we admired most, we were able to seamlessly blend our colorful vision for this modern fete.

3. Pair with analogous (adjacent) colors on the color wheel

Infusing the palette with colors that have a similar underlying tone with varied hues (like magenta, rose quartz, etc) help to draw attention in a visually pleasing and exciting way. There is nothing boring about this color combo!

4. Set a baseline of decor with dark, light, and translucent elements

Combining architectural elements of various luster and matte finishes, the color can feel bold yet well curated. We incorporated high gloss tableware with a smooth matte velvet; translucent ghost chairs atop a matte concrete floor to create visual interest.

5. Choose florals that include preserved elements with minimal greenery

Balanced textures and unique pairings (like the dyed fan palms, bleached Italian ruscus, and bright anthuriums) help a composition remain innovative and unique, while totally logical. Hints of unexpectedness help bring your overall concept up a few notches!

From Lauren Field Design… Inspired by the intersection of modern architecture/abstract art and the evocative use of shapes, forms, and color (or lack thereof) inherent in both mediums, we wanted to reflect the simplicity and visual order of layering texture in a refined yet dramatic fashion.

At The Prospect House, the captivating display of simple materials, lofty exposed structure, and abundant natural light provide a stunning backdrop reminiscent of an art gallery. These experiential characteristics of proportion, scale, and light/reflection became driving factors for all aspects of the design.

We selected a palette of tone-on-tone hues of jet black and charcoal infused with varying shades of living coral. The high contrast decor was paired with architectural accents of concrete, mixed metals, and translucent elements as a nod to the thoughtful architecture of the venue. The ceremony installation was meant to channel the poetic brushstrokes of an abstract expressionist painting. For the table, we chose a charcoal velvet tablecloth layered with luster glassware, matte black flatware, and colorful asymmetrical arrangements influenced by the art of Ikebana flower arranging. The cake was a dark silhouette of impressive texture atop lucite on a dramatically high table with an avant-garde vibe.

The bride and groom were both dressed in elegant silhouettes with a bit of modern flair; the groom in a velvet jacket, the bride in a runaway train of tiered tulle. The bridal look was feminine yet edgy with a classic chignon to showcase the statement of the gown.

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Florist: Remi and Gold | Gown: Elizabeth Dye | Cake: Jessica Fuller Cake Art | Shoes: Bella Belle | Hair & Makeup: Süße Poesie | Tuxedo: The Black Tux | Venue: Prospect House | Design & Planning: Lauren Field Design | Linens: Nuage Designs | Paper Goods: Letters by Lane | Rentals: Peerless Events and Tents