Color of the Year: Finding Inspiration in Viva Magenta

Add pops of this “brave and fearless” color to your wedding.

Described as “a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative,” and “a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all,” Viva Magenta, PANTONE’s 2023 Color of the Year, was seemingly made for weddings.

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real,” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute said in a statement. “PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.”

When the Pantone Color Institute released its first Color of the Year in 1999, the intention was to “draw attention to the relationship between culture and color,” and to "highlight how what is taking place in our global culture is expressed and reflected through the language of color.”

Since Cerulean Blue in 1999, Pantone’s Colors of the Year have varied from Emerald to Marsala to Living Coral, Illuminating, and so many more, and have inspired brides and their wedding planners when it comes to their big days.

“Because the PANTONE Color of the Year is influential across all aspects of design and fashion, it inevitably infiltrates weddings as well,” Julie Sabatino, Founder of The Stylish Bride, told ALHI. “But, because Viva Magenta is very bold, we’re seeing it come into play in weddings in more of a subtle and small way than before.

“So subtle, that it's possible brides might not even realize that they're incorporating the color and using it in understated ways because it's just so popular right now, and they're seeing it everywhere.
PANTONE further describes Viva Magenta as “…a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement.”

To that end, Sabatino said, “Because it’s such a bold color, we’re obviously not seeing it in weddings in very strong and front-and-center ways. It shows itself more in smaller details. Think the bridal bouquet, nail polish, or even shoes and handbags.

“When working and finding a place for such a striking color, smaller things like these are a great way of making a statement with such a strong shade, without it being too loud or overwhelming,” she added.

In the past, PANTONE’s Colors of the Year have been incorporated into wedding party attire, but that may not be the case this year.

“I have to say that I’m not seeing many magenta bridesmaids dresses,” said Sabatino. “It is, of course, an option, and maybe we will see some as we get into wedding season, but I certainly see the color finding a place in printed materials.

“It would be a very fun and happy detail to incorporate Viva Magenta into things like your invitations, menus, and even tablecloths and floral arrangements. This is especially true if you're in a tropical destination, or another venue or location that calls for a nice pop of color.”

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