Viva Magenta: Pantone calls for a colorful 2023

‘Tis the season…for Pantone’s much-anticipated Color of the Year announcement! This year, the color authorities have selected Viva Magenta—a vibrant hue that straddles the line between pink and red—to represent a collective renewal and reset in 2023 after several difficult years.

Coming off the heels of soft and delicate Very Peri, the Pantone Color Institute notes that Viva Magenta is “a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.”

And with the worst of the pandemic behind us, strength is exactly what’s in store for the new year. The industry survived the shutdowns and the subsequent wedding boom, leaving many event pros feeling emboldened and resilient (as they should!). Love it or hate it, we can all get on board for the inspiration behind Viva Magenta.

“Viva Magenta reflects the energy and excitement of couples eager to return to the world and make a statement,” confirms Emma Charlotte Young of Destination Brides. “It represents passion and expression with a touch of drama. It breathes optimism for the future—and who doesn’t want that on their wedding day?”

So how will Viva Magenta fit into weddings and events in 2023? Keep reading to get a pulse on the industry and how the experts see this bold shade showing up next year.

An opportunity to breathe energy into day-of décor

While blush and neutral color palettes are undoubtedly beautiful, many event pros are excited to play around with a tone as lively as Viva Magenta. “It is the ultimate color for a bold and vibrant wedding, symbolizing love and romance and making it an ideal color palette,” explains Joan Wyndrum O’Hear of Blooms by the Box.

As for where it’ll show up, Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events hints that it might star across all design elements. “I can see this color popping up in many places for the industry and being used in textiles and decor, stationery, and food/drink,” she predicts. “Flowers will be the easiest way to include the color as there are several flowers that are already magenta.”

Social Maven’s Syrie Roman agrees, suggesting “to add a pop of color via florals or a napkin accent. It's easy to transform the look without letting the color overpower the design. In addition, it's very friendly to many other color palettes.”

For the floral-curious, Wyndrum encourages designers to explore “an array of deep berry-hued flowers, including roses, peonies, dahlias, chrysanthemums, and gerbera daisies. This color stands out boldly but pairs beautifully with neutral flowers or can create a romantic ombre effect with light to dark tones.”

The verdict is in. Color is in the cards for 2023, and industry experts are here for it!

A chance to express personality

Pantone’s audacious choice opens the door for engaged couples—and their vendor team—to step outside the norm and let their creativity shine. In a way, it grants permission to explore the unexpected with a fun and whimsical approach.

“In my offbeat side of the industry, it is a most welcome color tone,” reveals Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings. “I would love to see more gowns with creative magenta tones and interesting florals (be they real or faux) styled up to meet any couple's needs!”

Jaclyn Watson of Jaclyn Watson Events agrees, stating that “this color will empower our couples to showcase who they truly are. It brings a renewed breath of fresh air to the wedding industry, and we are already seeing 2023 couples lean into this berryish red.”

And fortunately, it seems like Viva Magenta will usher in the return of rich color palettes, as Jocelyn Hunter of Twickenham House forecasts. “With the wedding theme seen throughout 2022 of neutral pinks and nudes mixed with pops of color, the wedding industry can expect an increase in bright colors like Viva Magenta this upcoming year,” she assures.

With that said, it’s safe to say that 2023 will see the classic soft and demure look give way to a more daring and spirited vibe that sparks creativity and ingenuity.

An excuse to experiment with colors

Color is a powerful tool for artists and designers—and, with Viva Magenta turning the tide from Pantone’s typical selections, many are excited to see how well it plays with other popular hues to create distinct and beautiful combinations.

“Magenta is such a stunning color, but it can be a very bold statement if done incorrectly,” Watson cautions. “Use other jeweled tones that complement the red tones.” Think precious gems like sapphire, amethyst, amber, and emerald.

For couples that prefer the softer side, Tonya Hoopes of Hoopes Events suggests “mixing it in with other colors subtly. An example would be to have a wedding with cream and soft pinks with a pop of Viva Magenta throughout the wedding but not as the main color.”

Jacqueline Vizcaino of Tinted Events Design & Planning recommends “adding pops of color throughout the décor, such as in flowers, table linens, and napkins.” And beyond décor, she also notes that Viva Magenta can “highlight important moments, such as the cake cutting or walking down the aisle.”

From taking center stage to accenting a delicate color palette, there’s no doubt that Viva Magenta’s versatility will make it a popular choice for upcoming weddings and events.

However, don’t expect to see it surface in the industry just yet. Trends take time to permeate into weddings and events, but Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin and Bridal Bliss assures it’s only a matter of time before it’s everywhere.

“The Pantone colors of the year, especially bold ones such as Viva Magenta, typically aren't super visible in the wedding industry early on,” Sheils explains. “We see it in high fashion and home decor, and then it slowly trickles down to weddings. While I'm sure we will see some couples embrace this tone in 2023, I expect even more in 2024!”

In some markets, Viva Magenta may never emerge as a popular color.

“For the wedding industry, I can see them pushing to add this color in various wedding designs, but I don't think many brides will cave in and want to use it as much,” says Hellen Oliveira of Hellen CO Photos. “I still think that neutral colors and whites will always win over a bright color like this.”

It wouldn’t be the first time a Pantone Color of the Year failed to sway the industry, as 2018’s Ultraviolet and 2021’s pairing of Illuminating and Ultimate Gray fell flat. But this year, it seems like Viva Magenta has the seal of approval from industry experts eager for a fresh batch of design trends.

“No matter how one chooses to use Viva Magenta in your wedding décor and color scheme, it will surely bring a sense of joy, optimism, and energy that your guests will enjoy!” Vizcaino promises.

Versatile and refined, Viva Magenta aims to make a splash in future events—and it looks well-positioned to do just that.

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.