Your fiancé has made it clear: he doesn't like pink, and won't be caught wearing it. Or lavender, or any other Easter chick color. As for you, you're not wild about the camo pattern overlays he half-jokingly proposed in response. So what to do?
For some couples, the answer is a color scheme with a distinctly non-frilly feel. Sometimes, it's masculine ... and sometimes, a really modern vibe that's satisfyingly androgynous. Here's a sampler of popular palettes that will definitely look fresh in the year ahead, and won't afflict your fiancé with sugar shock.
Navy.
It's been sadly neglected until now, partly because it so often goes nautical. But navy is making a big resurgence, and no wonder --- it's elegant and adult, and a fresh change from black. Pair navy with yellow or Kelly green in 2009, or combine with warm metallics like copper or gold.
Black & White.
Black and white continues to be huge, but 2009 will bring a greater variation in patterns. Moving on from simple black-and-white damask, we'll see more romantic toiles, modernized florals, and trendy Moroccan or henna designs -- even zebra print, in moderation. Black-and-white is so crisp and clean, you can pair it with almost any color and still stay mod. Add a broad range of purples (from eggplant to royal) for an up-to-the-minute look, or electric cobalt blue
Chocolate Brown and Red.
Bridesmagazine popularized the combo this fall, and brides everywhere swooned. Here's a rich, weighty scheme with a cool-season feel that doesn't lean on the familiar fall harvest palette, and won't call for pumpkins. For small far East twist, go with burgundy and copper, and add some shiny textiles and tassels..
Green, Brown and White.
This classic California trio continues to thrill couples who want a natural, unfussy feel. The crisp white base avoids the woodland fantasy look, and light Asian elements like parasols and sandalwood fans bring in hints of sophistication. The green is a restful olive, not a pop-culture lime. Contemporary florals, branches and succulents plus unbleached papers and earthy textured fabrics round out the look.
Black, Platinum and Yellow.
Here's an ultimate urban palette that lends itself to all kinds of sophisticated stationery and signage. Go for a wedding logo instead of a monogram, and choose simple, repetitive centerpieces. Put the bridesmaids in black, pin yellow billy ball boutonnières on the groomsmen, and carry structural flowers like white Callas, yellow tulips and daffodils.
