Got a wedding to go to, and need to find something to wear? Your first big decision will be the colour.
It can be tricky to choose a colour, especially if it’s your first time buying or hiring a wedding suit. You need to find something that ticks all the boxes – suits your personal style, fits in with the theme or colour scheme, and that looks exactly right for the occasion.
Read on for some tips and ideas on the best suit colours for a wedding, whether you’re the guest or the groom himself.
What Colour Suit Should Guests Wear To a Wedding?
There’s no one answer to this question, as there’s no one universal best wedding guest suit colour.
It depends on so many factors – including the formality of the occasion, the dress code, season, time of day and your own personal tastes, along with what colours suit you. If you’re taking a plus one, what they’re wearing may also influence what suit colour you go for.
But if you’re really struggling and want to pick a universally safe option, navy blue will always be a winner. It’s formal, elegant, versatile and suitable for almost any season. You can’t go wrong in something like our Jarrow Navy three-piece tweed suit.
Best Colour Suits For Traditional Weddings
The best suit colours for a wedding with a traditional theme are:
- Black – a classic choice for formal or evening black-tie weddings.
- Midnight/navy blue – an elegant alternative to black that always photographs well
- Charcoal gray – a deep tone that works in any season, and looks formal without being as severe as solid black.
Best Colour Suits For Rustic Weddings
A rustic wedding theme ushers in a whole new palette of warm, earthy shades, along with neutrals. Whether it’s a spring celebration in the forest or a cosy autumnal event in a barn, try some of these suit colours on for size:
- Olive green – get the right tone and your suit will exude effortlessly cool, earthy charm that stands out from standard black or navy
- Tan or beige – perfect for daytime, warm-weather or countryside rustic celebrations.
- Warm brown or tweed – textured fabrics in rich brown or taupe fit perfectly with barn and woodland settings.
- Burgundy or rust – go for warm, rich autumn shades that pair perfectly with autumn foliage and rustic decor.
Best Colour Suits For Modern Weddings
While it depends on the couple and their plans for the day, many modern weddings give guests a chance to express a little more creativity in their outfit choices.
So if you love a splash of bolder colour and long for a more unique look, consider suits in colours like:
- Powder or sky blue – a fresh, contemporary alternative to navy
- Emerald or forest green – opt for the darker side of these jewel-like colours, a sophisticated choice for a winter wedding
- Sage green – a soft sage is ideal for spring and summer outdoor weddings, especially when paired with a fresh seasonal boutonnière.
What Colour Suit Should The Groom Wear?
If you’re the lucky man getting married, it’s completely up to you what colour suit to go for. It’s your big day, so you and your partner can set the theme.
You can opt for black tie and slip on a tux, or stick to classic navy blue or an elegant shade of grey. For a daytime wedding, it’s worth considering more unusual choices such as tan, browns and sage greens.
Get some inspiration for groom wedding suits here.
Can You Wear The Same Suit Colour All Year Round?
If you’re looking for a suit to wear for multiple weddings, it’s best to choose a versatile colour that works in any season. Navy blue is a good choice for this, but there are also lots of shades of grey that fit the bill.
Just bear in mind that suit fabric will also play a part in how seasonally appropriate your suit will be. For example, you don’t want to wear a heavier wool or tweed suit for a summer wedding, or a light cotton or linen fabric for a winter event.
How To Coordinate With The Wedding Colour Scheme Without Matching
As a wedding guest, it’s good manners to consider the dress code and wedding colour scheme when putting your outfit together. But unless you’re a member of the wedding party or have been given specific instructions, it’s best not to match colours exactly.
The aim is to complement or nod to the colour scheme, perhaps with an accent colour in your tie or pocket square. You can also choose a suit in the same family of colours, or even just something that matches the vibe of the event. For example, in a light tan or pastel if it’s a spring wedding with a light floral theme, or a brown tweed for a rustic wedding.
Need advice on choosing the perfect suit, or ready to start trying on options? Book an appointment with Groom Hire.
Key Takeaways
- Navy is the safest choice for wedding guests – it’s smart, versatile and year-round
- Match the wedding style – go for black/charcoal for traditional, earthy tones for rustic, bolder greens/blues for modern
- Grooms can be more flexible – navy, grey and black are classics, while tan, brown or sage are great for daytime weddings
- Consider season and fabric too – choose lighter fabrics for summer, and tweed/wool for winter.
- Complement, don’t match – nod to wedding theme colours through accessories rather than copying them exactly.
