4 wedding-worthy colour combos to suit any personality on their big day

Anyone who's been there, or is in the midst of it, knows that planning a wedding can be downright daunting. There's the ring, the venue, the dress, the food and then... the decor. To make planning what's supposed to be the happiest day of your life a little more happier, designer extraordinaire Steven Sabados put together four mood boards to serve as serious inspo for your celebration. These curated colour palettes can be reworked for almost any party, and are sure to make a big impact for any memorable occasion.

Modern classic

This is a classic colour scheme with a twist! If this looks feels a little reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy, it's because Steven curated this selection with her glamorous wedding in mind. But of course, he added a few contemporary elements to it for a more modern take.  

With a palette of white, champagne, cream and gold like this one, opt for warmer shades and steer clear of cold, steely hues. When it comes to florals, Steven loves a contemporary garland, such as this one below. The best part is that it's made of 80% faux flowers with a few real ones peppered in for effect, so it can be made mostly in advance. Fresh blooms can be kept alive throughout the day by attaching little floral picks to the stems.

For the table, go for classic rental chairs. They're available almost everywhere and are totally worth the splurge because they really pull a room together. For an extra special touch on your dining tables, incorporate a cocktail as a place card marker — it's also the perfect way to make sure everyone gets a drink as soon as they arrive!

A classic table setting like this calls for a French menu, so Shahir recommends dishes such as paté, roasted duck, and of course, crème brûlée.

Contemporary colourful

This look is inspired by the wedding of Steven's friends Marianne and Andrew. A special day like this is the perfect opportunity to do something totally unique, so Steven encourages everyone planning their upcoming nuptials to think beyond a traditional white wedding and opt for bold hues, like fuchsia and orange. These colours communicate happiness, energy, and vibrancy, and are perfect for a special ceremony.

To save money, Steven suggests renting unique pieces for your party from prop houses, which can be found in many city centres. They're fantastic places to explore and get inspired, and sift through tons of treasures to find something stunning for your big day. Steven did just that and found these great golden bird cages for rent. They can be used as centrepieces, or as a place to gather cards from guests.

Colour blocking is a budget-friendly way to approach your florals for the big day because it allows you to choose any flower based on colour, rather than hunting down one specific variety just because you like it. Don't be afraid to think beyond the traditional wedding faves — carnations dyed to your required colour can save you big bucks on blooms, and in large bunches, they can be quite stunning.

Ghost chairs are an on-going favourite the world of weddings. They are clear chairs, so when there are hundreds around tables for an event, they simply disappear into the background to keep your event looking sleek and organized.

Shahir thinks that this look is perfect for a Caribbean or Indian menu, and that colour can also be incorporated into the food. He believes that a playful palette like this one calls for a fun wedding cake, like this pink ombre one featured above from The Rolling Pin, which is a great compliment to the table and the vibrant colour scheme.

Bold romantic

This palette is masculine, yet romantic. Everything is in shades of black and white here, but the key to its sophistication is balance. This look is great for an intimate wedding — you wouldn't likely see these scheme within a huge rental hall, but is great for boutique hotel weddings.

For the table setting, mix up different patterns of cut crystal, and don't worry about matching patterns since you're going for an eclectic look. Steven opted for very few florals, which also saves money. The palm fronds are a striking way to add a touch of greenery and they're tall enough to see through at the table so your guests can still chat.

Steven also suggests investing in tablecloths if you're going for a unique look. It would be hard to find these great pinstripe pattern on tablecloths elsewhere, so Steven splurged on the table settings since he saved on flowers. Planning a big party like a wedding is always a push and pull, but once you decide which areas you want to spend on, you can narrow down which pricey additions you can skip.

A sophisticated scheme like this one calls for a nice steak and a strong cocktail, with a decadent chocolate dessert, of course.

Outdoor bohemian

Steven was inspired to curate an outdoor wedding style and thought a boho look would pair perfectly with this type of party. Plus, boho is very on-trend right now, so pieces will be easy to source. Keep the colour scheme very natural and go for greens, linen and tan with hints of pale pinks and lavenders for floral. Kate Moss opted for a similar scheme at her wedding.

And don't be afraid to think outside the box. Just because it's a wedding, doesn't mean florals have to be on the table! Instead, Steven made this hanging planter that houses some great weeping greens — both artificial and real — and garden lights, perfect for an outdoor evening.

Steven suggests a layered look for the table. Textural materials like burlap and gauze are inexpensive, but beautifully dress up a table when paired with the right decor.

If you and your partner don't have much of sweet tooth, it's OK to get a little creative with the cake. This cheese wheel 'wedding cake' is perfect in lieu of a sweet treat, or in addition to the traditional cake as a tasty cheese course at the end of the evening!