December 17th, 2018 @ Anne Thornley-Brown, MBA

Every year, Pantone, the global authority on color, releases its color of the year. For 2019, the color of the year is Living Coral, a soothing yet vibrant hue that brings to mind natural environments and comfort.

There are many strategies event planners can use to infuse color into events. Some favorites include linen, tableware, lighting, backdrops, handouts, clothing for hosts and hostesses and graphics. Living Coral presents an opportunity to kick things up a notch and play with the themes and props the color suggests.

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1. Showcase your theme through color

A tropical theme is a natural fit for Living Coral. Décor can include shells with coral hues, starfish and even goldfish. Small fish bowls with coral-colored goldfish make interesting centerpieces.

Garden and forest themes are also a perfect way to reflect Living Coral.

2. Floral arrangements

Living Coral can also be found naturally in flowers and shrubs. Roses come to mind, but the color can also be found in dainty hypericum, snapdragons, hibiscus, peonies, carnations, magnolia, marigolds and blossoming quince branches.

3. Berries

Inedible berries can be used as part of the décor. Examples include coralberry, honeysuckle and American bittersweet. While they have a vibrant color, if children will be attending your event, don’t use them even in décor.

Depending on whether or not they are edible, berries can be used as garnishes, for flavoring and ingredient for sauces and desserts. Edible berries that come in coral hues include Nanking cherries, pin cherries and Evan cherries (that have a tart flavor).

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4. Desserts

Experienced pastry chefs can create cakes, pastries, puddings and other desserts in just about any color or shape. Even if your theme is not tropical, here is a simple way to make Living Coral come alive for desserts.

5. 3D projection mapping

3D projection mapping can transform any event venue and transport event guests to just about any environment. The setting, colors and hues are under your control. This projection created by Paint Sculpting, incorporates coral hues.

6. Educate

Living Coral is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about the need to protect and preserve nature. Around the world, coral reefs are in danger. So are conchs. The inner hue of conch shells is Living Coral, but it is now illegal to harvest conch shells in the U.S. and other destinations. Vivid photos on the wall, projected images or ceramic shells incorporated into the centerpieces can work just as well.

If you use ceramic shells or goldfish as centerpieces, you can auction them off and donate the funds to a charity like the Coral Reef Alliance or the Bahamas National Trust, which seeks to protect Queen Conch.

Pantone’s Fall 2018/Winter 2019 Color Palette

If you are looking for other colors to incorporate into events, Pantone’s Fall 2018/Winter 2019 color palette includes:

• Classic Color Palette: Sargasso Sea, Tofu, Almond Buff, Quiet Gray, Meerkat
• Autumn 2018/Winter 2019 Top 12 Color Palette: Red Pear, Valiant Poppy, Nebulas Blue, Ceylon Yellow, Martini Olive, Russet Orange, Ultra Violet, Crocus Petal, Mellow Rose, Limelight, Quetzal Green, Pink Peacock

It’s interesting that a number of colors continue the nature theme suggested by the Color of the Year.

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