Two days ago, the calendar flipped to fall. For event planners in the process of planning fall events (and looking ahead to winter), color and cuisine are two of the most powerful touches to reflect the season.
An Evolving Color Landscape
Once again, the Pantone Color Institute has identified a color palette to add a fresh coat of paint to fall events. Here is the current Pantone Color Palette with hexadecimal equivalents for print and text: 2015 Color of the Year Pantone Hex: #955251
Fall 2015/Winter 2016 Pantone Color Palette
- Pantone 18-4214 Stormy Weather Hex: #58646D
- Pantone 16-0110 Desert Sage Hex: #A3AC99
- Pantone 17-0627 Dried Herb Hex: #847F5D
- Pantone 19-4326 Reflecting Pond Hex: #32334A
- Pantone 16-1144 Oak Buff Hex: #D09D5D
- Pantone 18-4726 Biscay Bay Hex: #007784
- Pantone 16-2215 Cashmere Rose Hex: #CF86A3
- Pantone 15-1340 Cadmium Orange Hex: #F5926C
- Pantone 17-3628 Amethyst Orchid Hex: #9164AB
Incorporating Pantone Colors Into Event Decor
The Pantone Color Institute has swatches that event planners can use to identify match colors. Use the color palette in linen, chair covers, dinnerware, paper, flowers, berries, presentation graphics, clothing, cosmetics and accessories for event staff, and decor. The subtle colors can be used as accents. Quick Tip: Google any of the colors any you will come up with many examples of how they can be incorporated into event design and decor. Lighting can cast a glow in a different color at each gala table.
Flowers
If carefully selected, real flowers can be found to match many colors closely. Tulips, roses, and berries come in Pantone. It's possible to find begonias and carnations in Cadmium Orange. The flower pictured to the right is a close match for Amethyst Orchid. As the name suggests, there are Cashmere Rose roses. For an exact match, opt for silk flowers. Some are very realistic and elegant.
Cuisine
Incorporate the Pantone fall color palette into cuisine through cake decorations and accents on culinary creations. Find wine that is Pantone colored. With the right blend of seasoning, Cadmium Orange can easily be reflected in shrimp dishes (like the shrimp etouffee pictured below), beverages, curries, paella, and desserts. Access the full Fall 2015 Pantone Color Report.
Written by Anne Thornley-Brown.