Cheerful and Charming Coral
Feeling bright, bold and beautiful in the New Year? The color experts at Pantone sure are. This year, they named Living Coral – a vibrant shade between pink and orange described as “sociable and spirited” – the official Color of the Year for 2019.
Since 2000, Pantone has been forecasting the COTY based on trends in a variety of industries, such as fashion and interior design, as well as current events and culture. Recent COTYs include Ultra Violet (2018), Greenery (2017) and Rose Quartz and Serenity (both 2016).
This year’s comforting shade is meant to encourage optimism, a direct reaction to the increasingly overwhelming role digital technology plays in our lives, according to Pantone.
“Color is an equalizing lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities and this is particularly true for Living Coral,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute in a statement. “With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanizing and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial Pantone Living Coral hit a responsive chord.”
With such a positive message, Living Coral is ideal for an event as joyful as a wedding. The rosy tone can work for any season; combined with pastels like mint or light pink, Living Coral is the embodiment of spring. Paired with other bold shades like purple, navy or teal green, though, and it’s perfect for nuptials under the summer sun. And while a less obvious choice for autumn or winter, couples can play off of the golden undertones by staying within the red/yellow family or have Living Coral play a supporting role as an accent color.
Beyond the palette, couples can incorporate 2019’s COTY into their wedding in details both big and small. Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration as you plan your coral-ful nuptials.
1. Flowers
According to Pantone, Living Coral (as the name suggests) is largely inspired by nature. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the “animating and live affirming” shade is naturally occurring in many different types of flowers. Brides looking to use the COTY in their bouquets, boutonnieres or floral arrangements can utilize everything from classic roses to freesias, poppies and Gerbera daisies.
2. Food and Beverages
Who says your color palette has to stop at décor? Take it to the next level by serving up a menu featuring Living Coral hued dishes and drinks. Serve up cocktails made with grapefruit or guava; add salmon to the entrée list; or cover your cake in coral tinted buttercream.
3. Bridesmaid Dresses
One of the most obvious ways to utilize Living Coral is in the bridesmaid dresses. Luckily, coral is known for being a universally flattering shade, so it works for bridesmaids of every shade. And, since coral dresses are readily available at most bridal shops, including David’s Bridal and Dessy, brides have plenty of styles to choose from.
4. Beauty
For a more-subtle usage of Living Coral, consider incorporating the shade into your bridal beauty look. Pantone’s even made it easy by collaborating with the premier cosmetic company butter LONDON for a limited-edition collection. The butter LONDON x Pantone Color of the Year 2019 line features three nail polishes, a lip gloss and blush stick in the soon-to-be iconic shade.
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