Bridal Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Colors

by AuVickey December 19, 2024

Wedding planning is a lot like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle-exciting, a little challenging, and really rewarding when all that effort comes into place. One of the key pieces? Coordinating bridesmaids and groomsmen colors! Whether it means matching ties or mix-and-match dresses, striking this color balance will ensure that your wedding party looks stunning, cohesive, and on-point.

Good news: It doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you might be wondering if bridesmaids and groomsmen have to match, tips for coordinating wedding outfits, how to mix bold and neutral tones, or even what to do when your wedding party numbers are uneven, I've got you covered. This guide will walk you through:

Creative color coordination ideas
Solutions for uneven bridesmaids and groomsmen
Your wedding is a unique style celebration of your love story, and color coordination is just the glaze on the cake of it all. Now let's dive into some creative ideas that will make your wedding planning easier! ✨

Do Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Really Need to Match?

Let's get this right out of the way: no, they don't have to match. It's your wedding, and you can make rules you'd like!
That being said, a little coordination pulls the look together in a polished, harmonious way. Matching doesn’t mean everything has to be identical, but that the colors complement each other, much like you decorate a room -- each element working together. And if you want a more casual feel, mix-and-match shades look great. After all, it's all about the balance, not perfection.

Creative Mix-and-Match Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Colors -- These inspiration come from the sharing of MerciGarden's brides.

1.Bridesmaids in Orange & Groomsmen in Beige with Orange Accents

At this wedding, the bridesmaids were eye-catching in warm orange dresses. The color is so bright and cheery, perfect for a fall or rustic wedding. The groomsmen looked great in their beige suits, and the color of their ties just complemented the orange so well. But that wasn't all: both the orange and beige tones matched the colors found in the bride's bouquet, ensuring the entire wedding party had a cohesive theme. This palette was full of life and class, offering warmth with a sun-kissed glow that looked great in photos and added a cheerful burst of color to the celebration.

The groomsmen wore beige tuxedos with orange ties, and the bridesmaids wore orange dresses.

2.Bridesmaids in Dusty Pink & Pink Ties for the Groom

Want to get creative? Pair complementary colors! Bridesmaids dress in dusty pink classic-romantic style, groom subtly add a pink tie, both matched up to perfection with the shades in the bride's bouquet. The groomsmen, on the other hand, wore crisp white suits paired with green ties, which complemented the greenery in the bride’s bouquet.
The soft pink hue is contrasted with green accents, which creates a delicate, pastel color palette that lends a natural, fresh vibe perfect for a garden or spring wedding.

Bridesmaids in Dusty Pink Dressed & Pink Ties for the Groom

3.Inspiration from Bouquet and Wedding Decor

In this wedding, the bridesmaids were in bright coral, the groomsmen were in soft light blue, and no color matched between bridesmaids and groomsmen. This unexpected but harmonious combination was inspired by the bride's bouquet. Coral and light blue echo the flowers in the bridal bouquet and arch flowers.
Coral brings in warmth and enthusiasm, while light blue provides a fresh and calming contrast that bringing a bold yet balanced vibe to the wedding party. This is such a great example of how color coordination doesn't have to be an exact match; wedding colors can still be harmonious!

bridesmaids in coral red dresses with light blue groomsmen suits

These are examples that show how couples played with color coordination to perfectly reflect their wedding themes. Whether you choose a bold contrasting color, warm neutrals, or use a bouquet as inspiration, it’s a great way to tie everything together beautifully.✨

2025 Wedding Theme Inspiration: Choosing Colors That Suit Your Wedding Ceremony

Your wedding theme and venue will play a huge role in choosing colors. How to choose bridesmaids and groomsmen colors? Consider the overall feel you're going for. Here are a few trending palettes:

Rustic barn weddings: Earthy tones that go well with rustic barn weddings, include sage, beige, terracotta, and burnt orange, also perfectly appropriate for boho themes.
Garden/ minimalist wedding: soft sage green and white.
Beach Weddings: Soft blues, whites, and sandy neutrals complement the scenery and are perfect for a fresh, sophisticated vibe.
Classic elegance: Burgundy, black, white, and gold are timeless classics, rich and sumptuous.

Take a cue from the venue itself. If the ceremony is held at a lush garden, the green and blush tones are surely welcome. On the other hand, if indoor venues featuring bold decor, call for simpler wedding party colors so that they won't fight the backdrop.

Vibrant or Neutral? How to Decide Between Bold and Subtle Wedding Color

Bold colors inspire energy: burgundy, emerald, burnt orange. These colors pop in photos and make a statement. They work best if you love a dramatic, eye-catching look.
Neutral tones are timeless. Soft blush, beige, sage green and white bring an understated elegance. They're easy to mix and match and look beautiful in any season.

Can't choose between the two? Do both! Use neutrals as the base and add bold color pops through accessories, florals, or decor. It's a perfect balance.

Other FAQs

What Are Some Budget-Friendly Suggestions to Keep Wedding Party Attire Coordinated?

Weddings are very expensive, and coordinating outfits add to the challenge. The tips are finding creative ways to stay on budget without sacrificing style.

Focus on accessories: Bridesmaids and groomsmen can use color matching ties, pocket squares, boutonniere & wrist corsage, really bringing out the theme without too much cost.
Neutrals are your friend: Beige, grey, and ivory suits go well with most color of the bridesmaids' dresses.
Shop smart: By looking for sales, deals, or rentals for bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits.
Use faux florals: bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres in coordinating colors can really make this look pop.

Budgeting isn't boring, it's about choices that meet your vision and your wallet.

Is It OK to Have Uneven Bridesmaids and Groomsmen?

Yes! Odd numbers are so common. Your wedding party should be made up of the closest people to you. Numbers are not important as what the roles mean to you. If it bothers you with the mismatch, don’t worry, there is an easy fix.

For photos, the photographer can arrange the group in a way that everything looks balanced. Symmetry isn't everything!
For the aisle, let two bridesmaids walk with one groomsman, or have people come in solo.
For the head table: Set seats naturally and fill in any gaps with flowers or decor.

The most important thing is that everyone you love is standing with you.

Must the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down together?

Nope, it's totally up to you! Traditional weddings match them up, but there's no rule stating they have to be. If you'd like, bridesmaids can walk on their own or groomsmen can come out from the side. Walking together can save time and lends an air of symmetry, but if there's an uneven number, it's OK, they can be paired up, tripled up, or solo. This is your ceremony, do what feels best.

Conclusion

The coordination of bridesmaid and groomsmen colors will elevate your wedding look, but they don’t have to match perfectly.
Whether soft pastel or bold, the secret is in the balance. You may draw inspiration from your wedding theme, bouquet, or decor to achieve a harmonious look. It's all about picking complementary shades that tie everything together so beautifully for a cohesive, stunning wedding party.

If you found this article helpful or want to share how you coordinated your bridesmaids and groomsmen on your big day, please don't forget to tag us @mercigardencn on Instagram! Happy planning! Happy wedding!