Wedding Design Trend: Tonal Color Palettes
Couples and planners are moving beyond traditional color palettes and exploring bold, cohesive color palettes that make a statement while feeling intentional and modern. One of the most striking ways to do this is through tonal color palettes.
What is a Tonal Color Palette?
A tonal color palette uses variations of a single hue or closely related shades to create depth, drama, and cohesion across a floral design.
Examples of tonal color palettes:
Mustard yellow, amber, and warm golds for autumn weddings & events
Rich burgundy, plum, and cranberry for winter weddings & events
Peach, coral, and soft apricot for spring and summer weddings & events
Why Tonal Color Palettes Work
A tonal approach hits both visually and emotionally and is immediately impactful.
Seasonal & Sustainable: Tonal palettes work beautifully with locally sourced, seasonal blooms, supporting eco-conscious floral design
Curated & Intentional: By focusing on one color family, tonal arrangements feel curated rather than random
Bold & Memorable: These palettes are both grounded and elevated, only enhancing your color story
Highly Photogenic: Tonal palettes can give your entire wedding a harmonious, designer-level aesthetic that feels intentional rather than trendy
How to Use Tonal Palettes in Wedding & Event Design
Tonal palettes can be applied across every aspect of your wedding:
Textiles & Linens: Table linens, draping, and upholstery offer opportunities to layer shades of a single color
Guest Attire: Set a tonal dress code for an complementary editorial and high-fashion feel
Paper Goods: A tonal gradient in the invitation powerfully sets the tone, while day-of paper items reinforce the scheme
Tabletop Items: Stemware, flatware, candles, and vessels can all pair with your day’s tones
Lighting: Ambient lighting can shift the entire atmosphere tonally
Florals: By layering shades of a single color for depth and texture, high-impact floral designs such as ceremony arches, hanging installations, and tablescape arrangements become striking focal points
A tonal palette design at San Francisco’s Flood Mansion with Meag Breanne Events photographed by Chelsea Gee.
A tonal palette at the Frank Lloyd Wright Buehler Estate in Orinda, California with Stafford Creative Co, photographed by Alicia Rinka
Final Thoughts
Tonal color palettes are more than a trend — they’re a way to tell a story and create a lasting moment through flowers, thoughtfully combining seasonal sustainability with bold, cohesive design.
This palette choice is perfect for couples who want to break from predictable wedding colors and create a modern, luxury experience.
Planning A Tonal Inspired Event?
Let’s bring your palette to life with vibrant, intentional arrangements that complement your wedding vision.