Courtesy 50Fifty Event Services_Audrey Snow Photography
Magenta adds vibrancy and sophistication to event design, and the color’s surprisingly versatile—pair it with neutrals or other jewel-toned hues. (Courtesy 50Fifty Creative Services/Audrey Snow)
Blush , Champagne and baby blues have been the hues du jour for big celebrations. But after Pantone announced its Color of the Year for 2023 as Viva Magenta, hosts and planners have been welcoming the punchy update.
Lisa Radlovacki, owner of Naples-based Lisa London Weddings & Events, often uses the shade in her designs and says the color’s rising popularity reflects our desire to look toward the future after years of pandemic shutdowns and hurricane woes: “What better way to [celebrate] than including a fun, bright, happy color scheme that gets everyone in the mood to party?”
The purple-pink hue is lively and adaptable. “You can add small pops of it as an accent and break up a traditional palette or add lots of it to create a drastically more sexy, after-dark look,” Lisa says. An easy way to weave in the color is through florals. “Magenta is often a natural hue for [hosts] who embrace our subtropical surroundings,” Matthew Huddleston, of Naples-based 50Fifty Creative Services, says, adding that bougainvillea makes for a lovely dose.
Lisa recently planned a fuschia fantasy party in Naples with abundant pink blooms. She keeps her arrangements free-flowing and organic to soften the bright color’s effect. “We are obsessed with magenta ceiling installations—florals that look like they are falling from above as opposed to stiff chandeliers,” she says. “I love a room with dripping florals.”
Purple-pink uplighting or neon signs can also elevate an evening affair and create a magical effect. Though, gourmands may prefer to weave in the color through food. Lexie Verbruggen, of Marco Island-based Sweetified Custom Cakes, likes to add magenta florals, icing or fondant to her desserts—especially traditionally white cakes. “I think it makes such a bold statement. Your cake should be an edible work of art, so why not showcase it with an eye-catching color?” Lexie says.
Despite its depth, planners note that Viva Magenta is a harmonious hue that plays well with others. Pair it with beige or grey shades for elegant sophistication. Black and other dark contrasts deliver a dramatically sultry effect, and mixing with similarly toned bold blues and greens reads as energetic and fun—as a party should.