Fandango Catering and Events Offers Ideas for Choosing a Summer Event Color Scheme

As part of our continuing "Summer Entertaining 2011" blog series, today we offer ideas on choosing a color scheme for a summer event.

A lot depends on whether your event is informal or formal.  If it's formal you'll want a more elegant look and if it's informal you can still achieve an elegant look but you can use more color.

Good color choices for summer events are:

• Light or pastel colors
• Bright colors
• White or shades of white and/or cream
• Light (not dark) florals

More specifics:

• Generally, two or more bright colors together are not a good choice unless it's a Latin- or tropical-themed event
• Avoid too much white or cream if small children are present as they tend to stain things
• Pastels can be all one color or shades of one color or a mix of two pastel colors--We advise against more than two colors as the color scheme for any event.  This year pink and gold or yellow are trendy but this is a classic combination anyway that will always be in good taste (more about that below).
• Light and pastel colors soothe and bright colors energize--what effect do you want? And what do(es) the guest(s) of honor want? But remember, avoid more than two colors total.
• If you want to use red, don't use it everywhere as it can be overwhelming--Mix it with white or cream if you're conservative, pale blue or pale yellow if you like a little more color.
• The so-called "dark brights" (dark turquoise, for example) have been trendy the last few years but we advise clients not to go with anything too trendy if the occasion is a more formal one, such as a wedding or anniversary, as down the line the photos will look as dated as a 70s leisure suit.  Lights, pastels, red, whites/creams, or ONE bright--choose one or two as the primary color(s) for a summer event decor because these will never look outdated.
• If you want to use florals, choose a focal point such as either a tablecloth or placemats or napkins or a runner and then use one or two colors from the floral print in a solid for the accessories, such as napkins or plates.
• If you use brightly colored plates or glasses, set them off with a light/pastel or white or cream tablecloth or placemats instead of a matching bright or another bright, which won't make the bright plates or glasses pop like the lighter colors will.

Enjoy!

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
http://www.fandango-catering.com/