Prom colors set the mood for the decor, the photo booth and often the outfits too. These 12 palettes go from classic black and gold to Enchanted Forest, Starry Night and Y2K disco, with tips for prom committees and couples who want to coordinate.
Black and gold
The ultimate glam combo; works with any theme from Gatsby to Hollywood.
Starry night
Midnight blues with twinkling gold and silver.
Enchanted forest
Deep greens, moss and fairy-light gold for a woodland theme.
Hollywood red carpet
Red, black and gold; ready for marquee lights and paparazzi walls.
Champagne and blush
Soft, romantic shades that flatter every skin tone in photos.
Emerald city
Rich emerald and gold; bold for dresses, vests and ties.
Hot pink Barbie
Bright, playful pink for a fun, social-media-ready prom.
Y2K disco
Chrome, lilac and neon pink with mirror balls.
Under the sea
Ocean teals with a touch of pearl pink.
Masquerade
Burgundy, plum and antique gold for a mysterious night.
Silver and sapphire
Cool and elegant; sapphire looks stunning in satin.
Paris nights
Blush, charcoal and brass inspired by Eiffel Tower lights.
Tap a color to copy its hex code. The pencil icon opens the palette in the editor so you can change it.
Match the dress and tux the smart way
Couples don't need identical colors. Pick one shade from a palette for the dress and use a neutral or a deeper tone for the tie, vest or pocket square. Bring a fabric swatch to the florist for the corsage and boutonnière.
Light the venue, not just decorate it
Gyms and ballrooms change a lot with lighting. Uplights in one palette color, string lights and a few gold or silver accents do more than dozens of small decorations.
Keep posters and tickets on theme
Use the palette on tickets, posters, the photo backdrop and Instagram graphics. It builds hype and makes the night look polished in every photo.