2014 Wedding Color Trends Coral Wedding Ideas And Invitations Blog03

The Rise of Coral in 2014 Wedding Color Trends

Coral completely owned the wedding world in 2014, and it makes sense why. It felt bright without being too loud, romantic without being too soft, and modern without being trendy in a way that dated quickly. Couples loved how coral could match different wedding styles, from beach ceremonies to formal ballroom receptions. It also worked well for spring and summer weddings, since it naturally fits sunny settings and outdoor venues.

Coral also became popular because it was showing up everywhere. Brides saw it in floral design boards, wedding magazines, runway-inspired bridal styling, and even home décor. Once coral hit Pinterest, it spread fast. People started using it as a main wedding shade, a supporting accent, or even a statement pop that gave the whole celebration more energy.

Popular Coral Wedding Color Combinations

Coral stands out because it pairs beautifully with so many colors. It can look sweet, dramatic, elegant, or tropical depending on what you mix it with. Here are some of the most popular combinations that showed up in 2014 weddings.

Coral and Mint

This combo feels light, fresh, and slightly vintage. Mint tones cool coral down just enough to give the palette a softer look, which makes it great for garden weddings or rustic venues with lots of greenery. Bridesmaid dresses in mint paired beautifully with coral bouquets, and coral centerpieces looked even brighter against mint table accents.

Coral and Gold

Coral and gold gave weddings a glamorous vibe without feeling too heavy. Gold details made coral look more refined, especially when used in table décor, signage, candle holders, and stationery. Coral florals in gold vases became a signature look in 2014, and this pairing worked especially well in formal venues where couples wanted a polished setup.

Coral and Navy

This pairing gave coral a deeper contrast and made the entire color scheme feel more structured. Navy works like a grounding shade, which means coral looks even more vibrant next to it. Navy suits with coral boutonnieres, navy table runners under coral florals, and navy invitations with coral accents created a bold wedding design that looked amazing in photos.

Coral and Blush

Coral and blush made weddings feel dreamy and romantic. Blush softens the intensity of coral while still keeping the palette warm. This was a favorite for couples who wanted a softer color scheme without going fully pastel. Floral arrangements using blush roses mixed with coral peonies gave the wedding a soft, elegant glow.

Coral Bridesmaid Dresses and Groom Accessories

Bridesmaids wearing coral became one of the most recognizable looks of 2014 weddings. Coral dresses flattered many skin tones, which made it easier for brides to choose one color that worked across their whole bridal party. Coral also came in a lot of fabric options that fit different wedding styles. Chiffon gave it a soft, flowy feel for outdoor weddings. Lace made it feel more romantic and traditional. Satin added a sleek look for evening celebrations.

Grooms and groomsmen usually wore coral in smaller details instead of full outfits, which kept everything balanced. Coral ties, bow ties, pocket squares, and boutonnieres were the most common choices. Coral socks also became a fun touch for photos. The best part was that coral paired nicely with classic suit colors like gray, navy, tan, and even black, so it fit into almost any wedding theme without clashing.

Coral-Inspired Wedding Décor That Stands Out

Coral décor made weddings feel energetic and cheerful, especially when couples used it in the right places. It worked best when used as a statement color rather than something that covered every surface. Couples picked specific décor areas where coral could shine, and the result looked coordinated without feeling overwhelming.

• Floral Arrangements: Coral flowers became the main décor feature in many 2014 weddings. Coral peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, dahlias, and tulips were used in bouquets, centerpieces, ceremony arches, and floral backdrops. Coral also looked beautiful when paired with greenery, white blooms, blush tones, or gold accents.
• Table Styling: Coral table décor usually showed up through napkins, chargers, runners, and place cards. Couples loved pairing coral with white linens to keep things clean and bright. Coral also looked great with gold-rimmed glassware and metallic flatware, especially in evening receptions.
• Ceremony Backdrops: Coral became a standout color for arches and photo-ready ceremony designs. Couples used coral fabric draping, coral floral installations, painted wood walls, or coral ribbon features. These backdrops looked stunning in photos and gave the ceremony space a clear focal point.
• Lighting Touches: Coral uplighting became a popular trick for indoor receptions. A coral glow warmed up the room, made white décor look more romantic, and gave the venue a sunset-like mood. Even when the décor was neutral, coral lighting created an instant theme.

Stylish Coral Wedding Invitations and Stationery

Coral invitations were one of the biggest ways couples introduced the theme early. In 2014, couples leaned into coral for everything from bold watercolor designs to subtle coral calligraphy on ivory cardstock. It worked well for modern stationery and also for vintage-inspired designs, depending on the typography and layout.

Coral also looked great when used consistently across an entire stationery suite. Many couples matched their save-the-dates, RSVP cards, menu cards, table numbers, and thank-you notes to their coral theme. Little details like coral envelope liners, coral wax seals, coral ribbon wraps, and custom stamps made everything feel coordinated and premium.

Coral Wedding Cakes and Dessert Displays

Dessert tables in 2014 became a major décor moment, and coral played a big role there too. Couples used coral on cakes in both subtle and bold ways. Some went for smooth coral fondant tiers with gold trim. Others added coral sugar flowers, coral buttercream textures, or floral toppers featuring real coral blooms.

Coral also worked beautifully for dessert displays beyond the cake. Couples added coral macarons, coral cupcakes, coral cake pops, and coral candy buffets. It wasn’t just about matching the color, either. Coral desserts made the table feel cheerful and inviting, especially when styled with clear jars, vintage trays, or gold stands that matched the wedding theme.

How to Balance Coral Throughout the Wedding

Coral is a strong color, so balance mattered. Couples who used it strategically ended up with a wedding design that felt stylish instead of overwhelming. The easiest way to balance coral was to choose a few main places to show it off and then let neutrals handle the rest of the décor.

Using coral in bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, centerpieces, and stationery gave the wedding strong visual consistency. Then, using ivory, beige, pale gray, or soft blush in the background kept everything clean and elegant. Couples also layered different coral tones to avoid everything looking flat. Mixing peachy coral with deeper coral shades gave more depth to floral arrangements, table décor, and signage.

Coral Favors and Guest Experience Enhancements

Coral-themed wedding favors helped carry the look beyond décor and into the guest experience. Couples used coral details in packaging, ribbon, and tags to make even simple favors feel intentional and on-theme.

Popular coral favor ideas included coral-scented candles, mini coral potted plants, coral candy bags, and personalized coral labels with the couple’s name and wedding date. For destination weddings, coral welcome bags became a favorite. These included snacks, travel-size essentials, sunglasses, and coral-themed note cards. These small details made the wedding feel thoughtful while keeping coral present throughout the guest experience.

Coral in Wedding Photography and Visual Planning

Coral photographed beautifully, which is one reason it became so popular. It stood out well against natural backgrounds like greenery, beaches, and gardens, and it also popped against neutral décor like white draping or soft wood tones. Coral bridal parties looked vibrant in outdoor photos, and coral flowers added warmth and texture to close-up shots.

Couples also used coral to style visual areas that mattered in photos, like seating charts, dessert tables, signage, and photo booths. Coral props, coral floral walls, coral lighting, and coral-themed backdrops created fun moments guests could interact with while giving photographers more color-rich detail shots.

Incorporating Coral Into Seasonal Wedding Themes

Coral worked differently depending on the season, and couples adjusted their coral palette based on the time of year.

Spring weddings used coral with soft pastels and lots of fresh florals. This created a light and romantic feel, especially for outdoor ceremonies. Summer weddings used coral in brighter tones and paired it with turquoise or citrus colors for a tropical vibe. This was especially popular for beach weddings and destination celebrations.

Fall weddings leaned into deeper coral shades that looked closer to terracotta or burnt orange. Paired with gold, brown, and warm greenery, coral fit nicely into autumn design. Winter weddings didn’t use coral as often, yet some couples made it work by pairing coral with silver, white, evergreen, or emerald accents for contrast. Coral also worked well in winter when used as a bold statement rather than a full theme.

Conclusion

Coral became one of the most memorable wedding color trends of 2014 because it blended fun, romance, and versatility in a way that fit almost any wedding style. Couples used coral in dresses, flowers, décor, invitations, and desserts because it created warmth and personality without losing elegance. Whether coral showed up as the main color or as a smaller accent, it gave weddings a bright, polished look that still feels inspiring today.

Key takeaway: Coral stood out as the signature wedding color of 2014 because it worked across themes, seasons, and details, while still looking timeless in photos and décor.

FAQs

What styles of shoes match coral bridesmaid dresses?

Neutral shoes like nude, gold, blush, or champagne work best because they let coral stay the main focus. Metallic shades also blend well with coral, especially in formal weddings, since they add shine without competing with the dress color.

Is coral suitable for wedding signage and welcome boards?

Yes, coral works beautifully for signage because it stands out clearly in photos and is easy to pair with white, ivory, gold, or navy backgrounds. Coral lettering, coral floral borders, and coral watercolor effects give signage a warm and welcoming look.

Can coral be used in wedding makeup themes?

Yes, coral makeup is a great match for weddings because it looks fresh and flattering in photos. Coral lipstick, peachy coral blush, and warm coral-toned eyeshadow work well for both soft daytime looks and more dramatic evening styles.

What fabrics hold coral dye best for décor?

Chiffon, satin, organza, and silk tend to hold coral tones well and look rich under lighting. These fabrics are also popular for table runners, chair sashes, and ceiling draping because they photograph well and add softness to the space.

How can coral wedding favors feel more personal?

Personalizing coral favors is easy through custom tags, printed labels, or stickers that include the couple’s name and wedding date. Coral ribbon, coral tissue paper, or coral wax seals also make simple favors feel more thoughtful and tied to the overall wedding theme.