How to Coordinate Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Colors: Top Tips

Planning your wedding is an exciting journey full of twists and turns and unforgettable moments... but it's also filled with countless decisions. One of the most fun yet challenging aspects is coordinating bridesmaids' and groomsmen's color palettes. You want your wedding party to look cohesive, stylish, and on-theme, but you also want to give each person a chance to express their personality.

Never fear; the wedding experts at Ling's Moment have got you covered with these tips to matching bridesmaids' and groomsmen's colors:

Do bridesmaids and groomsmen have to match?

Let's get right to your most burning question: do bridesmaids and groomsmen have to match? And the short answer is no.

Your wedding is a reflection of your unique love story, so mix things up as you please. However, coordinating the outfits in your wedding party will give a sense of harmony to the ceremony. In this post, we'll explore how to color-coordinate your bridesmaids and groomsmen without spending a fortune or overstressing.

Creative ways to color coordinate bridesmaids and groomsmen

From neutrals to mix-and-match shades, there are so many fun ways to make your bridesmaids and groomsmen stand out while still keeping everything cohesive.  

Here are a few creative ways to match bridesmaid and groomsmen colors:

Match the Dresses with the Tie Colors

Many couples will aim to match bridesmaid dresses with the groom's ties. This simple yet effective strategy ties (pun intended) everything together beautifully and makes the wedding party look perfectly in sync.

Vibrant Bridesmaid Dresses with Neutral Grooms

Opt for vibrantly colored dresses for the bridesmaid's dresses against groomsmen dressed in neutral tones such as grey, black, or beige. This way, the bridesmaids' dresses truly pop, while the groomsmen provide a subtle, stylish backdrop. Michelle and Rocco's bridesmaids wore dresses in shades of burnt orange and burgundy, while the groomsmen wore chic white suits with sharp brown shoes. The result was a brilliantly coordinated, brightly beautiful wedding party!

A couple kissing each other while the wedding party looking at them

Complimentary Colors

Consider using complementary colors for a unique and sophisticated look. For Chelsea and Shawn's romantic White & Sage spring wedding, the groomsmen wore a mix of navy blue and forest green suits to match the groom's handsome plaid wedding attire, while the beautiful bridesmaids wore dresses in shades of deep green. 

A couple posing with the wedding party

The wedding party’s outfits pair perfectly with the couple's White & Sage wedding bouquet and the overall wedding theme. These color combos not only look harmonious but also add a creative flair to your wedding palette without being an exact match.

Matching Neutrals

If you're a fan of a more understated and elegant look, consider using matching neutrals. Bridesmaids in neutral shades can be paired with groomsmen in similar tones. This creates a refined, cohesive look that's timeless and classically minimalist. 

Lovers Ellana and Paolo hit this look to a tee. Ling's White and Beige collection was the perfect choice for their unique style, a blend of Catholic traditions and contemporary refinement.

Ellana's bridesmaids wore warm beige dresses, while Paolo's groomsmen wore soft gray suits and ties.

A couple standing with their wedding party

Photo by @eunicechanphoto

Pro tip: Ordering samples of the colors your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be wearing is the easiest way to understand exactly how your wedding party will look. However, this isn't always possible, so if you can't get samples ahead of time or the wedding party will be shopping on their own, don't sweat it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do groomsmen ties have to match bridesmaids?

Good news, guys, and gals: the groom's ties do not need to match the bridesmaid's attire. Go ahead and let out that deep exhale.

However, coordinating the tie color or pattern with the bridesmaid's dresses can create a cohesive look for the wedding party. Consider choosing ties in a shade that complements or harmonizes with the bridesmaid dresses, or go for a neutral tie color that flows with the overall theme of the wedding.

How are groomsmen and bridesmen paired?

Most of the time, groomsmen and bridesmaids are paired based on personality, height, or just plain old logistics. For most traditional Western weddings, the best man is often paired with the maid of honor, while other attendants will be paired by friendship/familiarity or family connection. Specific religions may also have rules that dictate the position of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

In general, look at these factors when positioning your groomsmen and bridesmaids:

  • Personality. Think about who vibes the best with who. If the groomsmen and bridesmaid aren't all that familiar with each other, consider pairing similar personalities, such as a confident and talkative bridesmaid with a fun and outgoing groomsman.
  • Height. For example, the tallest groomsman could be paired with the tallest bridesmaid, giving the wedding a balanced, aesthetic look.
  • Role or connection. Pair the bride's BFF with the groom's BFF, for example.

Remember, there are no strict rules, and couples have the freedom to do whatever works best for their situation. 

Ultimately, the goal is to create a balanced look that complements the overall wedding color palette and theme without distracting from the main attraction (the bride and groom!).

A couple kissing while surrounded by friends

Do bridesmaids and groomsmen have to walk down together?

There is no hard and fast rule that says bridesmaids and groomsmen have to walk down together. Bridesmaids and groomsmen can walk in together or separately; however, if you have a large bridal party, having them walk in together will save time. 

Is it ok to have uneven bridesmaids and groomsmen?

Like the guest list, a couple's wedding party should include the most significant people in their lives. With that being said, having a mismatched number of bridesmaids and groomsmen is actually pretty common. The only thing odd about having an uneven number of wedding party members is the number itself!

Here are a few tips for keeping things aesthetic when you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen:

    • Walking down the aisle. This is often one of the biggest concerns for brides, with an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. You can match one groom with two bridesmaids or allow everyone to walk individually. If your wedding party is small enough (8 people and under), you can send all the groomsmen and the bridesmaids together.
    • Posing for Photos. Count on your wedding photographer to arrange everyone in a balanced way for group photos. You can practice selfies beforehand!
    • Head table. Most head tables or bridal tables will face outward, so you won't need to consider who will face away from each other. In a situation where that doesn't apply, simply fill up the seats as close to an even number as possible, even if that means sitting some bridesmaids or groomsmen side by side.
A couple sitting at their wedding headtable

Photo by @isaacsimphoto

One Last Tip

If you found this article useful or want to show us how you coordinated your bridesmaids and groomsmen on your big day, tag us @lingsmoment on IG!


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