Meetings and Events Houston | The Magic of Color

The Magic of Color

Article By: Adam Castaneda of V: Volume 3 - Issue 2

We don’t ordinarily think of putting together a cohesive color scheme as a skill in the realm of event design. By nature, most of us planners are creative and savvy people who know how to mix and match colors to achieve a visually appealing effect. But how about using color as an innovative tool to enhance an event, rather than just to decorate it? Now that’s a talent work developing, and one that sets apart the experienced planners from the up-and-comers.

The best of us know that color has the power to evoke feelings and touch sensibilities that usually can’t be activated by a blank white space. Color can add dimension and depth to an otherwise flat space. The real problem, though, is learning how to develop interesting color palettes without being heavy-handed. Then there are the endless hues of colors that are made available by every vendor in the business, from floral bouquets and fabrics to lighting and props. To help you develop a colorful eye of your own, we’ve put together a few palettes that are popular in the Houston area, along with suggestions on how to use them in interesting and meaningful ways.

Black-and-White Formality
Black and white might not necessarily be the first tints of color that come to mind when reading the title of this article, but the combination of extreme opposites is a timeless motif that never gets old. In the event industry, it’s common to use both colors independently of each other; white balls and black tie galas are still as popular as ever. However, using black and white together as a single palette can prove arresting, especially when paired with geometric patterns and minimalist designs.

Black and white combinations, and any monochromatic color scheme for that matter, give the impression of a formal occasion. However, black and white can also be used to create a stylish and sleek mod environment. To create this effect, seek out furnishings that have clearly defined edges with minimal frills and patterning. Your overall design should revolve around basic shapes, including squares, rectangles and triangles. The result should be an edgy, contemporary environment that feels fresh and alive while using a traditional color combination as old as the events industry itself.

Seasonal Offerings
Going seasonal is always a safe bet; blue in spring, yellow in summer, orange in fall and muted earth tones in winter are solid choices for planning tasteful and timely events. Thanks to our extensive calendar of holidays, you can also use colors to heighten the themes of the closest holiday. In February, red and pink linens and floral arrangements conjure the romance of Valentine’s Day. In March, green sets the tone for the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day. A palette of red, white, and blue during May is a patriotic reminder of the significance of Memorial Day. And that’s just the first half of the year. Using colors to reinforce American traditions always makes for an enjoyable event.

Paying attention to the seasons, and incorporating appropriate colors into your event design is key; an anachronistic color scheme can affect attendees in a negative rather than positive manner. Imagine attendees arriving at a venue in the middle of spring that’s furnished in mauve and brown. Any cheerful disposition generated by sunny outdoor weather will easily be drained by the subdued tones of the interior colors. In another words, it would color therapy gone awry.

There’s no hard-fast rule to seasonal colors. Just remember the major differences and stick to colors within those families. Summer, especially Houston, is one of high temperatures and humid climate. Yellows, reds and oranges are associated with heat, so give attendees a respite by utilizing cool colors for your event, including blues, greens, and purples. Fall is a subdued season by nature, as the fun of summer is replaced by a more somber mood. Ease attendees into the season by using warm earth tones such as burnt orange and ivy green. Browns also work well in fall, but use different shades simultaneously to give the impression of multiple colors. Also, when using any dark base, accent it with brighter colors to add variety.

Aside from the holiday colors of Thanksgiving and Christmas, planners can use a darker palette to evoke the peace and quiet of winter. You can use a variety of colors, including pinks and yellows, but make sure the tones are dark and not bright. If you want to go bright, just wait a few months for spring. Since spring is the time of rebirth, go ahead and feel free to experiment with a wide range of color. Brighter is definitely better in spring, and it’s best to stay away from earth tones or muted variations of primary colors. Use colorful flower arrangements with an emphasis on peachy tones of yellow and pink to emphasize springtime. Pastel color palettes are also great during this season, but they have their own rules and should never be mixed with non-pastels.

Light-Hearted Pastels
Pastels are great hues because they work for both men and women. By their nature, pastel colors evoke the simple beauty of spring, but they work just as fine during other seasons. After all, who doesn’t want to feel the breezy, carefree innocence of March, April and May all year round? However, it’s difficult to find pastel-themed décor any time other than Easter.

Planners can create a pastel color scheme by asking for a little help from their attendees. Pastels may not always work when it comes to interior decoration (in fact, pastel furnishings can come across as campy rather than elegant), but they work wonderfully when it comes to clothing. Work this to your advantage by letting the crowd produce the color scheme. On your event invitations, simply request that all attendees wear a pastel accent.

For men, this means wearing a pastel shirt and tie, which always looks great under a dark suit or sports coat. For women, a pastel blouse or scarf complimenting a colorful ensemble will add to the variety of color in the space. Without having to do much work at all, this simple request can turn a roomful of people into a memorable sea of color. Since the pastel theme is already implied on the invitation, attendees will arrive with the anticipation of seeing an event design that’s unique and one that they’re a part of. Rather than being a bother, dress code requests make for great ice breakers and conversation starters.

Indian Color Palettes
Houston’s Indian American population is one of the largest in the nation, not to mention one of the most powerful. In recent years, the cultural enclave known as Harwin (now the Mahatma Gandhi District) has gone mainstream, with many social and corporate events now utilizing Indian motifs in their design. Indian weddings have become popular among adventurous brides, and Indian-themed events have become the new celebration of choice for corporate planners who want to organize an inspired get-together that will make a lasting impression.

Color plays a significant role in the material culture of India, as fashion and interior design reflect a penchant for the bold and the beautiful. In fact, one of the most important holidays in Hindi culture, the festival of Holi, is known as a celebration of color. What makes Indian color palettes so irresistible is that there’s no such thing as an understated scheme, a muted design or a plain backdrop: it’s bright color everywhere, the more the better.

Even if planners are worried that an Indian-themed event might not be inclusive to every attendee, they can still achieve the effect without incorporating any specific images or designs that are directly linked to Indian and its cultures. Richly colored flowers, especially carnations, can give a venue a distinctly Indian flavor. Blood reds, tangerine oranges, and blushing pinks are the core colors of Indian fashion, as well as sunshine yellow and emerald green. Pale variations of primary colors, and even pastels, will have the opposite effect. The rule of thumb when it comes to Indian colors is that richer is better. Sea blues and amethyst purples are also popular colors, but should be used separately from the warmer colors.

Indian fabric and textiles are great embodiments of the subcontinent’s love of color. Planners can arrange for mannequins wearing traditional Indian clothing to be arranged throughout the venue, adding vibrant color without giving the impression of trying too hard. Indian clothing makes for interesting decor, and can also be used to strengthen an existing color palette. For example, arrange yellow and orange saris and kurtas in front of a backdrop of red and pink floral arrangements and you have a bust of color with only four different shades.

It doesn’t matter if your next event is a formal gala or an informal cocktail party: everybody loves a little color. (Or if you’re like us, a lot of color.) By using colors in interesting and intelligent ways, planners can create engaging environments that will get their attendees motivated to participate. By creating a warm and inviting space through the use of color, attendees will be more likely to socialize and network rather than feel cold and unwelcome. Bold colors makes an impression, and do so without distracting from the purpose of the event. Even if your color scheme doesn’t directly affect your event’s ROI, it will be sure to put a smile on someone’s face, which always indicates a job well done.