Coordinating all the different elements of your wedding decor can prove to be a daunting task. From flowers that compliment your tablescapes to bridesmaid dresses that look good with the groomsmen outfits, building a coherent aesthetic takes requires careful consideration—and a whole lot of planning. The first step: picking a color scheme. Here’s 6 important things to consider while whittling down the options.

Season Certain colors lend themselves better to a particular times of the year. Deeply-hued jewel tones, for example, tend fit in better with fall foliage or the white snow of winter. Bright, poppy colors are generally more appropriate for a spring or summer celebration.

Venue The physical setting of your wedding should definitely influence your color scheme. Tented/outdoor receptions, venue halls, and other neutral spaces make it easier to pick colors from scratch. If you’re getting married in a hotel, you won’t be able to change the carpet or the wallpaper, and it will be extremely difficult to hide it in your photos. Our advice: survey the space in person and pick a few colors out of the carpet design or wallpaper for your palette.

Wedding Style How would you describe the style of your wedding? Is it boho rustic or beachy casual? The answer to this question will definitely influence your wedding color palette, as certain shades can feel disconnected from certain themes (metallics and purples, for example, are hard to fit in at a nautical affair). Once you hone in on your style, it’s easier to start eliminating certain shades.

Related: Jewel Tone Color Schemes for Your Wedding / QUIZ: Which Season is Right For Your Wedding? / Destination Wedding Color Inspiration

What Flatters You Don’t be afraid to put yourself first while picking your wedding colors! If yellow isn’t a color that works well with your skin tone, it’s probably not the best choice for your wedding palette. Be sure to think about your bridesmaids and groomsmen as well—chances are they don’t all look the same. Darker shades such as navy blue tend to be more universally flattering—try adding one to your palette to keep everyone in the wedding party looking their best.

Your Significant Other Be sure to take their opinion into account. When they work well together, many couples opt to incorporate each person’s favorite color into their wedding palette. If they don’t clash but don’t quite match, try adding a few more neutral shades into the mix, or opt for less saturated shades of each color. You’ll often find that less intense hues pair much more nicely together.

Holidays If you’re tying the knot on or around a holiday, why not incorporate the corresponding colors into your wedding day look? Pastels for Easter, green for St. Patrick’s Day, red and pink for Valentine’s day—the list goes on. Just be careful not to go overboard—these colors should complement your wedding day, not overtake it.

by Sarah Title