• Pink bouquets are a more demure way to integrate the theme into a traditional wedding.Bridal Bouquets, image by tleenz from Fotolia.com
  
  A pink and black wedding palette is rapidly gaining popularity. With more brides looking for alternatives to pastels, retailers are offering more options in the bold colors. Whether mixed with platinum, silver, crisp white or sharp orange, the pink and black theme is sophisticated, opulent and classy. From hot pink bouquets to black and pink invitations, the opportunities to make a statement with these colors are endless.
  
  

Reception Décor

• Whether your wedding theme is more old Hollywood or glam nightclub, pink and black décor can be fun and striking.
  
  Tower vases filled with pink and black crystals with sprays of shocking pink Gerbera daisies and black crystal sprays make eye-catching centerpieces, as do pink and black candles arranged in clear votive candle holders surrounded by scattered crystals.
  
  A third color--such as lime green, platinum, silver or a bright orange or blue--can also be introduced in the décor. Use silver vases or candle holders, platinum and lime green vase fillers, bright blue ribbons tied to the backs of chairs, or hot orange place mats at the tables.
  
  For a theme using soft pink and black, think vintage Hollywood and retro appeal. Bunch powder pink roses with sprays of baby's breath, peonies and touches of marabou feathers in low bowls or black urns, set on top of blush pink tablecloths. Pink lace place mats or lace cutouts and doilies soften black place settings, and a black cake stand makes a tiered pink wedding cake pop.
  
  Adding a third color to black with a soft or blush pink requires more care than a shocking pink scheme. Lean toward cream or off-white, as well as gold, brown and soft teal. Integrate the tertiary color with crystal sprays in centerpieces, ribbon ties on chair backs, or in a printed tablecloth--brown or teal prints under black and pink place settings can add a touch of vintage glamor.
  
  Carry the pink and black theme into the lighting. For a posh nightclub feel, go for indirect lighting, including LEDs or twinkle lights within the centerpieces. In an outdoor reception, go for hot pink paper lanterns and colored twinkle lights. For old Hollywood romance, look for vintage lamps that you can drape with sheer pink fabric and wrap the bases in black.
  
  

Invitations

• Hot pink and black invitations set the mood for your ceremony and reception and give guests an idea of the theme for the night. Look for black satin invitations with pink accents such as ribbon or monogramming, but avoid having the entire invitation printed in pink ink--for many, the text will be unreadable. Try pink tissue or vellum overlays, and have black text printed on the pink vellum, affixed with a striped or polka-dotted ribbon. You can also use black invitations with pink vellum and tie in a third color with the ribbon, monogramming or envelope lining.
  
  For a softer pink, look for pink envelopes and invitations with black accents. Calligraphy and lace touches reinforce the vintage appeal of the color combination, as do crisp black satin ribbons and borders. Look for embossed flowers or hearts and off-white envelope linings, but avoid soft pink text. Always choose a dark gray or black text on a light invitation base for maximum readability.
  
  

Attendant Attire

• Spunky bridesmaids can opt for sharp black dresses with hot pink crinolines and sashes, or a more daring hot pink dress with black sash and crinoline. Bold jewelry in black, silver and pink, along with coordinating shoes and hair accessories, finish the ensemble. With pink shoes, try black toenail polish, or and pink polish with black shoes.
  
  Vintage bridesmaids should look for classic black sheath dresses or cocktail dresses, perhaps with pink lace petticoats or slips. Classic closed-toe pumps or a strappy sandal both complement the theme and the dress style, and pink pearls mixed with crystal jewelry--and perhaps a touch of marabou--finish the look perfectly.
  
  Attendants can carry the bold color scheme with bright pink boutonnieres, cummerbunds, ties and vests, or by wearing hot pink laces in their shoes. Go bold with a hot pink shirt instead of traditional white, or be more understated with pink socks that peek out from slacks and shoes.
  
  More demure boutonnieres of a single blush rose and a sprig of baby's breath, complemented by pink pinstriped shirts or suits and soft pink vests, ties and cummerbunds, convey the color scheme without emasculating the male attendants.
  
  Flower girls may opt for a hot pink dress or a white dress with hot pink crinolines and sash. You can also look for a polka dot dress in white with black and pink dots, if your theme includes dots. The flower girl outfit is another opportunity to work in silver, blue, lime or another color, either in an accessory or in her flower basket.
  
  Flower girls may also love the chance to wear something in a soft pink, frilly and lacy variety. In this case, black and any other colors may take a backseat and have to be implemented through the flower basket, hair accessories or shoes.
  
  Ring bearers in weddings of either style can sport the pink and black theme in black slacks and a pink shirt, or white shirt with pink vest and clip-on bow tie. A hot pink or blush pink pillow with black ribbons complement the theme well, without making an older boy cringe at the thought of wearing pink.