A much-anticipated event for design and wedding professionals alike is the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year. As an art major turned wedding professional I tend to geek out just a bit at the announcement, and this years’ has me particularly excited: Greenery!

“Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.”

While the official Greenery shade might be a bit bright for many bride’s tastes, I think it is important to not necessarily take the color at face value for your wedding. Remember that green is “nature’s neutral” and know that various shades and work well in all sorts of wedding pallets, from bright and bold to neutral.

As the organic-style wedding trend becomes more and more popular in the Midwest, we are continually seeing more brides incorporate greenery into their weddings though things like garden style bouquets, garlands, and flower girl crowns. However, there does seem to be a myth that greenery is a cheaper alternative to flowers. While it is generally not as expensive as many blooms, when used in large quantities it does add up, and like flowers, not all varieties are available all year. Be open to suggestions from your florist and know that regardless of how you select to incorporate Greenery, it will be a fresh addition to your wedding décor!