It used to be that using black in your wedding design was strictly taboo. Black was considered to be too somber to incorporate into a festive occasion. Times have changed, however, and there are some very chic and elegant ways to use black in your wedding.
When you think about black, most young people associate it with being stylish and sophisticated, as in the little black dress. If you ask your grandmother what black reminds her of, though, she is likely to answer a funeral. The trick is to use black in a way that invokes its stylish side, not its somber side. The way to achieve this is to think of black as an element to create decorative patterns and designs, instead of using it in big solid chunks.
For the perfect inspiration for an elegant use of black, you must view the Audrey Hepburn film My Fair Lady. The scene at the Ascot races is one of the most absolutely incredible uses of a black and white color scheme that you will ever see. The dramatic use of black and white patterns, shapes, and forms (the hats!) is the height of elegance and style. There is certainly nothing depressing about the way black was used in this scene.
Another place to look for ideas on how to use black to great effect is Truman Capote's famous Black and White Ball of the 1960s. The world's most fabulous people gathered, all dressed in black and white, and held one of the most famous parties of all time. Although you will probably not be telling your guests what to wear, you can definitely use this as inspiration for the attire for the bride and groom and the wedding party.
The place to start with your wedding design is the attire. There are many very stylish bridal gowns available these days with a black on white design. This is seen most often in the form of embroidery, often in a scroll design. The men are easy: tuxedos will provide them the elegant look of black and white.
For the bridesmaids, you will want to choose carefully. Although many wedding parties these days do wear simple black dresses, you might want to investigate other alternatives. A whole group of women in solid black dresses does get away from the festive feeling you want a wedding to have, no matter how practical they may be. Spend the time to seek out dresses that have a color mixed in with black.
If you prefer to keep a limited color palette, one very chic idea would be to dress your bridesmaids in pewter colored satin dresses with black sashes or ribbons at the waist. For the richest black possible, velvet ribbons would be ideal. You can finish off the look with dramatic bridesmaid jewelry sets created from jet black Swarovski crystals or fabulous black pearls. The interesting thing about using jet crystals in your bridesmaid jewelry sets is that they can read either as very modern or a little bit Victorian. Black pearls will simply look luxurious.
It is certainly possible to use black in your wedding design in a way that suits the occasion. Done well, the sharpness of black against white creates a crisp and elegant design scheme. Find ways to use black in your wedding that are creative and rich looking for a fabulously sophisticated effect.
By : Phie
