For brides who find themselves bored to tears with the antiqued ivories, buttercreams and blushing peaches of the traditional wedding palette, we offer the wisdom of renowned interior designer Jamie Drake, who’s built a veritable interiors empire on the pillars of color. The child of a painter and a printer in the graphic arts, Drake says “color is ingrained in [his] psyche,” a fact that is on display not only in the jewel tone-accented abodes he designs for clients, but also in the bright pink shirts and purple pocket squares that make regular appearances in his dapper wardrobe. 

Though he confesses he’s never advised a bride—or her overbearing mother-in-law-to-be for that matter—he has been to plenty of weddings here and abroad that have left him inspired and armed, shall we say, with a few sassy tips.

“As far as the wardrobe, why not break out of the box with a flash of shocking color?” quips the fearless maven of bold hues. Suggestions he offers include a detail such as an extra-long petticoat in Schiaparelli pink that extends beyond the dress’s hem or a layered lingerie look featuring a bodice of midnight blue that he says would “hint at the bride’s naughty side.”

But just how does a bride go about determining the direction of her color departure? Drake says to look in the mirror very carefully and to hone in on the color you love to wear most that is also complementary to your complexion. Inspiration can be found in a favorite piece of jewelry, such as an heirloom sapphire or emerald.

Something Old, Something New

He’s particularly inspired by the design of the guest room in his former apartment on Fifth Avenue, which he called his “Sentimental Room” and featured a mix of family heirlooms and pieces purchased in a Paris flea market in a minimalist setting. Drake encourages brides to be creative in their interpretation of the old adage “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” He says, “Choose something from a grandparent on either side—an old embroidered piece of fabric to wrap around the bride's bouquet for example; and always remember the new. It represents optimism and hope for the future.”

Bring In Nature

Drake had earthiness in mind when he chose the color scheme for a 1950s house in Manhattan where Grace Kelly had once lived. The willowy icon became his “design goal” and to achieve it, he embraced a “panoply of verdant greens—forest, olive, moss—to evoke her Irish heritage.” He explained, “If it’s bright, fresh, lush and green, I’m attracted to it.” Drake says not to be shy about bringing the innate vividness of nature into the affair and extending it through to the décor for the entire event, including lighting, flowers, table linens and any additional decoration that might be part of the scheme in the room or tent. If you’re planning a sophisticated country wedding in the Adirondacks, for example, you might do well to take your color cues from the fall foliage, and the pumpkins and apples in the nearby orchard.

Colorful Accents

The rooms where your wedding plays out each offer a different opportunity, too. Drake recommends “colorful accents in a more neutral space” or a room “slathered with color in a variety of tones and shades.” The latter was the case with the foyer of his former Fifth Avenue residence, which featured deep magenta walls, a lacquered magenta tabletop and 1970s Gene Davis silk screens on the walls.

If you are destination-bound for your nuptials, the designer advises incorporating the scheme of the locale into the event. But he’s quick to add that a wedding can still reflect the look and feel of one’s favorite vacation destination, even if it takes place at home. “There’s no reason you can’t bring Tuscany to LA, India to Chicago, or Morocco to Washington, DC!”

Keep Your Edge

And what about the hand-wringing job of choosing items for your registry—and agreeing on the décor of your new home? Drake says to avoid the “matchy-matchy” because décor that is too coordinated “loses its edge.” The painting he chose for this Manhattan house provides just the type of contrast he recommends. And, as he did in the Fairfield, Connecticut, house he designed, he suggests starting with your favorite color. “I like to disperse the selected shade throughout a space, so the eye moves from larger items like curtains and chairs to midsize things like pillows and lampshades down to small tabletop accessories or a single flower.”

Drake also has advice on how to handle the difficult mother-in-law who insists on the appropriate serenity of that shell-pink froth of a gown rather than the strapless number with the peek-a-boo, hot-pink bodice on which you’ve got your heart set. “Approach her with a big smile on your face and give her a big hug and a kiss,” says Drake. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the bride and groom. So muster every ounce of tact in your DNA and make sure you stay true to yourself.”