When it comes to your wedding party, every couple has a slightly different vision of how they want their closest friends dressed. Some choose a color that aligns with their wedding theme or the season, but other couples select their favorite color. What you decide is up to you, but like other aspects of the wedding, making the ideal decision can feel daunting. Keep reading this guide to learn more about traditional vs. trendy wedding colors to decide which is better for your perfect day.
Benefits of Traditional Colors
Traditional colors never fail to look great because they’re timeless. When you look back at your wedding photos years down the line, you don’t have to worry about thoughts such as “What was I thinking with that color?” Plus, classic wedding colors tend to appear more subtle, which allows the visual focus to remain on you and your partner.
Vibrant colors such as sunshine yellow, hot pink, or bright orange are pretty, but they also steal more visual attention.
When you choose traditional colors, pairing both sides of the wedding party is easier. For instance, if bridesmaids wear burgundy dresses, groomsmen could complement this by wearing navy or charcoal suits.
What Are the Traditional Colors?
If you prefer the classic look, your next question probably is, “What colors are there to choose from?” Traditional bridesmaid colors include:
- Champagne
- Dusty Rose
- Burgundy
- Canary Yellow
- Aquamarine
- Emerald Green
While colors such as black, navy blue, or gray are popular for groomsmen, they’re traditional for all wedding party members.
Benefits of Trendy Colors
Some couples don’t care for tradition, and others deliberately avoid it because they want every aspect of their wedding to be unique. A trendy color scheme for your wedding party creates a bold appearance and leaves that wow effect on guests. Why blend in with the classics when it’s so easy to stand out?
What Are the Current Trending Colors?
Trending colors are exactly that—trends. This means the ideal picks often depend on seasonality, year, and current fashion. For instance, the bridesmaid dress styles and colors of 2023 may be out of style by spring of 2024. Below, we’ve listed some of the top color trends for 2023:
- Rusty Orange
- Canyon Rose
- Dusty Blue
- Deep Sea Green
- Windsor Blue
- Moss Green
Typically, groomsmen still wear navy, black, charcoal, or gray suits; however, a bow tie or necktie can match the bridesmaid dresses. Also, consider whether dark brown, black, charcoal, gray, or khaki pants best match the bridesmaid dresses.
Easing Your Decision
Sometimes, deciding on the perfect colors is easier said than done. So if you’re unsure whether you prefer traditional or classic colors, order fabric swatches in a few shades of each option you like.
Begin by deciding on a dress style and the type of fabric you’d prefer. Many online retailers offer a dress style in at least 20 different colors. This way, you’ll know the kind of fabric you have to work with. Why does material matter? Because fabrics like satin have more shine than jersey knit, which can alter the appearance of a color.
Moreover, seeing the colors and fabric in person gives you a better idea of whether this is the ideal option. Moss green may look beautiful on the computer screen, but you may change your mind once you get your hands on the fabric.
Ask for Help
You and your partner can always ask your wedding party for help when in doubt. While you don’t have to ask everyone—too many options can get overwhelming—ask two to three friends. As you select a color, you may also want to consider how you’ll decorate the rest of the venue so it doesn’t clash. Lastly, think about what would look best on the entire wedding party. Certain shades may wash out skin tones or otherwise look unflattering.
Take the time you need to review all your color options and decide which is best between traditional and trendy wedding colors. No matter what you choose, it should be a shade that you’ll still look at with fondness years down the line as you flip through the beautiful photos in your wedding album.
