Unexpected red theory: How to embrace red in your wedding
Unexpected red theory is the interior design trend of the moment, referring to how a surprise pop of red instantly improves the look of a space. The concept, recently coined by Brooklyn-based designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon on TikTok, can be applied to weddings too and is a great way to elevate the overall aesthetic of your day.
The idea of unexpected red theory is that it can be added anywhere, especially in places where it doesn't necessarily make sense. So even if you hadn't considered red as part of your wedding color palette, there's nothing stopping you from adding a bold splash of cherry, coral, ruby or crimson. Think make-up (lips or nails), fashion (shoes or bridesmaids dresses) and of course where the trend began, the interior design of your wedding ceremony and reception spaces.
Ready to experiment with a splash of red where you least expect it? Here's our top tips for how to embrace the color red in your wedding, the Wedding Sparrow way.
Red wedding rehearsal dinner dresses
Your wedding welcome party or rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity to showcase your personal style in a playful way before the more formal attire required the next day. While many brides choose to wear white, there are absolutely no rules or traditions when it comes to rehearsal dinner dresses and red is a beautifully bold choice to stand out from the rest of your guests.
Red bridesmaids dresses
We love the look of mismatched bridesmaids dresses as it feels so much more modern and interesting than a line-up of identical gowns. Red looks stunning with pink, as well colors either side of it on the color wheel - orange or purple.
Alex Perry | Free People | Sézane
Roland Mouret | Free People | Stella McCartney
Other Stories | Manolo Blahnik
Red wedding shoes
A flash of color as you swish down the aisle might just be the perfect way to incorporate unexpected red theory into your bridal look. But if you don't want the bold hue to star in your wedding ceremony look, why not switch into a pair of low heel red shoes to dance the night away at your reception or after party?
Manolo Blahnik | Anthropologie
Red lips for your bridal look
A statement lip colour can play the perfect accessory for brides who want to express their personality – or simply add a little drama for night. A bold red lip works with any wedding dress trend, but is particularly fitting with classic bow gowns and the corsetry designs that are trending for SS25.
Executing loud lips on your wedding day boils down to confidence and finding the right shade for your complexion. From bright, poppy, orangey-reds, to classic pillar box reds, and deep, vampy reds bordering on burgundy, there really is a red for everyone. And if a red lip feels too bold? Opt for a gorgeous glossy red manicure instead.
Red wedding cakes
A red wedding cake is a great way to incorporate red theory into day. For a bold statement, choose a cake dressed up entirely with red frosting. For more subtle options, look to red blooms such as roses, ranunculus, or sweetpeas — or even incorporate fresh berries or dried foliage.
Red wedding flowers
Adding pops of red to your bridal bouquet and wedding decor through flowers is a beautiful way to incorporate the color in a natural, organic way. Red may feel festive but it actually works well at any time as there are many flower varieties and shades of red to choose from throughout the year. Think roses, peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, anemones and sweetpeas, as well as beautifully textured flowers such as astilbe and amaranthus
