Telling Love Stories Through Color: My Favorite Design Books for Curating Wedding Palettes
- Karina Gaio
- Jun 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Color isn’t just decorative—it’s emotional. It whispers a mood, captures a memory, and when used with intention, it can beautifully tell a couple’s love story. At Timeless Impress, color is a foundational element of our design process. Whether we’re working on a full invitation suite or an event capsule, every hue is selected not just for aesthetic appeal, but for meaning.
Behind every thoughtfully curated palette is a wealth of inspiration—and for us, that often comes from beyond the world of weddings. We lean on foundational texts, not trends. Books that offer deep dives into the theory, symbolism, and beauty of color itself.
Here are our go-to color books:
A Dictionary of Color Combinations (Volumes 1 & 2)
A cult favorite among designers, this book compiles timeless palettes created by Sanzo Wada, a Japanese artist and costume designer. Think unexpected color harmony—turquoise with mustard, lilac with rust. It’s an endless resource for inspiration, especially when you want to break free from traditional pairings while still achieving balance and sophistication.
Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours
A poetic and scientific guide to the natural world’s hues, used by Charles Darwin himself. This book brings a sense of historical wonder to color exploration. It’s particularly inspiring for nature-loving couples or events rooted in botanical storytelling.
Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition by Josef Albers
This modern classic is both theoretical and visual. It invites designers to see color not as a static choice, but as a relational experience—how one hue influences another. Ideal for those who appreciate minimalism and intellectual design play.
Chevreul on the Laws of Contrast of Colour
This 19th-century text may sound academic, but it holds incredible insight into how contrast creates depth and emotion. Chevreul’s theories have influenced everyone from impressionist painters to modern-day designers.
The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature
A stunning visual book that bridges science and art. If you’re inspired by the cosmos, minerals, deep-sea creatures, or the iridescent wing of a butterfly—this one’s for you. It’s a reminder that color combinations in nature are often more daring and delightful than anything we might invent.
Why Books, Not Just Screens?
In a digital world, flipping through printed pages offers a tactile, unhurried experience that mirrors how we approach bespoke design. These books are dog-eared, bookmarked, and sometimes covered in paint swatches. They’re part of our process, and part of how we tell stories through paper and ink.
Every couple’s story is unique, and color helps us reflect that. Whether it’s a warm desert peach that reminds them of their first trip together, or a crisp emerald that echoes a family heirloom, color grounds the design in something real.
So if you’re planning your wedding—or designing one—don’t be afraid to think beyond the screen. Let color speak, and let your story shine through it.
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Want help designing a color palette that tells your unique story? Contact us to begin your bespoke wedding stationery journey with Timeless Impress.
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