The color scheme is usually established at the beginning stages of the wedding planning process. And very often, we see these hues reflected in bridal party dresses or floral arrangements, but surely grooms and groomsmen should take part in this theme, as well.
Meet the Expert
- Wayne Willis is the founder of Well Groomed Man, a Houston-based company that creates custom pieces of menswear—including tuxedos, bowties, shoes, and day-of-styling services.
- Brian Sacawa is the founder of He Spoke Style, an online platform dedicated to original men’s style content.
There are, in fact, many ways to incorporate wedding colors into grooms’ and groomsmen’s ensembles that will speak to different couples’ sense of style and preferences. And to better understand them, we’ve called in experts to assist. Whether you plan to sport a pink suit or wear an emerald tie, there are a multitude of ways to match your wedding's theme—in both subtle and daring ways.
Ahead, find all the expert-approved answers for how to bring color themes into menswear on your special day.
Should Grooms Match the Wedding Color Theme?
It’s a worthwhile question: Do you even have to include wedding colors in grooms and groomsmen looks? The answer isn’t so black and white (and yes, we’re using color expressions).
“Honestly, I don’t think that grooms should feel like they absolutely have to incorporate the wedding color palette into their tuxedo,” says Brian Sacawa of He Spoke Style, who references the most traditional of wedding tux or suit colors. “The great thing about a classic black or midnight blue tuxedo is that it’s incredibly versatile and pretty much a blank slate that will pair well with any colors that are chosen for the wedding—and not seem out of place.”
However, Wayne Willis, founder of Well Groomed Man, offers another point of view. “It is very important for the groom and groomsmen to incorporate the wedding colors into their look in the most subtle way for formal weddings.” And subtle is the keyword in this case. Incorporating color doesn’t have to go as far as wearing a custom turquoise or ruby tuxedo jacket—it can be as thoughtful as an embroidered detail or a hint of a lining. But, like so many elements of your special day, the choice is ultimately yours.
How To Incorporate Wedding Color
Once you decide to bring in accenting colors, determining how much or how little to incorporate is based on your preference. Sacawa offers a helpful way to visualize it: “If you were to zoom out and look at your wedding party and wedding setting as a whole, everything should appear as though it belongs together and is a seamless section of a larger tapestry.”
He stresses that styling should create harmony, bringing colors into weddings that are “complementary rather than matching exactly,” he explains. “This always appears more elegant, organic, and natural.”
Sacawa also shares that different types of weddings can often call for different amounts of color (especially vibrant colors) to be included. “Think of it as a sliding scale. The more formal the dress code, the subtler you should be with color. As the formality loosens up—such as for black-tie optional, co*cktail, and destination attire—that’s where you can start to get more fun and flamboyant.”
Styling Tips 101
For some practical advice on how to begin incorporating your wedding colors into your ensembles, our experts provide some classic and not-so-obvious suggestions.
Stick to Accessories
Accessories are perhaps the most accessible route to wearing multiple tones. Brides may do this with a flashier shoe choice or piece of statement jewelry, and grooms and groomsmen have this option, too.
“Creative ways to incorporate colors that pop or accent are in the pocket squares and sometimes the bow ties or neckties,” suggests Willis. Other contrasting accessories to consider are suspenders, socks, or even the flowers in a boutonniere.
Complement, Don't Match
“One tip I really love is to not have each groomsman have the same pocket square,” says Sacawa. “Keeping them in the same color family but perhaps in slightly different hues or patterns, like stripes, pindots, or paisley, will look more complementary and less matchy-matchy.”
Focus on the Finest Details
“For every category of attire I have a special way of bringing in color,” shares Willis, who works closely with grooms and couples to create their dream wedding looks. He says that adding color can be something that’s even more subtle than wearing accessories.
“[It’s] even as micro detailing, as thread color for buttonholes on the suit or tuxedo plays a great part.” Colorful additions like these may be less "in-your-face", but the attention to detail feels special and reflects a truly thoughtful approach to grooms and groomsmen style.
Fully Commit with Customization
Alternatively, there are plenty of couples who might consider a more-is-more approach to incorporating wedding colors. If this is you, go ahead and embrace it.
Willis shares that Well Groomed Man works with over 5,000 fabrics that can be made into custom pieces to precisely match your wedding colors. “Bolder options,” he says of styling, “would involve bringing in those accent colors on the lapel or even full suit/tuxedo.”
Give the Groom a Pass
“Another suggestion is for the groom to keep it classic in a black tuxedo and have his groomsmen wear dinner jackets that bring in or complement the wedding colors,” suggests Sacawa. “For an evening event, a deep burgundy for something more elegant or perhaps a gold velvet for a bigger statement. And for a daytime event, royal blue dinner jackets would strike a nice tone and work with pretty much any wedding color.”
While this approach may be appealing to a groom who’s more traditional, there’s another reason it’s visually appealing, says Sacawa. “It draws peoples’ eyes towards the bride and groom since, by them not wearing color, it makes them stand out even more.”
The Ultimate Guide to Groom's Fashion
Non-Color Options
Incorporating wedding colors may be a lovely aesthetic approach, but there are naturally grooms who simply aren’t fans of brights, jewel tones, pastels, or boho shades of any sort. If that’s the case, the path forward is quite simple. “When this occurs, I steer the groom in the direction of black, ivory, or white,” shares Wilis. “There is nothing wrong with a classic look when the hesitation of color is being debated.”
Sacawa agrees, as well, explaining that neutral clothing will naturally complement whatever it’s next to. The priority instead is on how grooms feel. “Feeling comfortable with what you’re wearing is the most important thing on your wedding day,” he adds, “and nothing can affect one’s confidence more than wearing something that makes you feel a little self-conscious.” In summary, wear what makes you feel great!
