Choosing the right wedding suit colors sets the tone for your entire look. The shade you pick affects how your outfit appears in photos and how it fits the dress code. A color that feels sharp can look off in pictures if it clashes with the venue or theme. Thinking through the basics helps you avoid problems and gives you a suit that wedding guests remember for the right reasons.
This guide walks you through wedding suit colors for men. It explains how each shade fits a different level of formality so you can choose a color that looks sharp and photographs well.
How To Choose a Wedding Suit Color
Start with the dress code on the invitation. It sets the level of formality and narrows your options. Formal evening weddings generally call for darker colors, while daytime and outdoor celebrations give you more room to pick a lighter color.
Next, consider season and fabrics. Warmer months call for lighter shades and breathable materials, such as linen. Cooler fall months open the door to deep, dark colors and heavier materials, like flannel or tweed.
You also need to consider the venue. A ballroom lends itself to darker, more traditional colors, while a sunny beach afternoon or garden ceremony works better with tan or lighter colors. You don’t need to match the venue exactly, but your suit should complement the setting rather than compete with it.
Best Wedding Suit Colors for Men
When it comes to wedding attire, there are six main colors to consider. Here’s a look at when each one works best.
Navy Wedding Suit
Navy is one of the most dependable and versatile wedding suit colors. It fits every season. It photographs well in both daytime and evening settings and looks slightly dressier than plain blue.
Pair navy with a white shirt and a burgundy or blue tie. Add brown shoes during the day or black shoes at night.
Charcoal Wedding Suit
Charcoal is a good choice when you want a formal suit that’s not as stark as black. It’s best suited for evening ceremonies, city venues, and cooler months. When properly tailored, charcoal drapes cleanly and photographs well. Pair it with a white or pale blue shirt and a burgundy or navy tie. Black or dark brown shoes complete the look and keep the outfit formal.
Gray Wedding Suit
Gray offers a lighter alternative to charcoal and works well for semi-formal and casual daytime weddings. It’s a neutral shade that photographs well and feels modern. Light and medium gray work well for spring and summer weddings, especially in outdoor settings. Pair it with a white or light blue shirt, a navy tie, and brown shoes to contrast the cool gray.
Tan or Beige Wedding Suit
Tan and beige wedding suits read more relaxed. They’re the go-to colors for summertime occasions, destination weddings, and outdoor ceremonies like the beach or backyard garden. The tradeoff is that lighter fabrics can show wrinkles and stains more easily.
For a tan or beige suit, wear a white shirt underneath and contrast it with a navy or burgundy tie. Finish the look with brown loafers or dress shoes in brown suede.
Black Wedding Suit
A black suit is less formal than a tux and works well for upscale and evening weddings that don’t have a black-tie dress code. A well-cut black suit looks stylish and thought-out. Pair it with a white dress shirt, a black tie, and black leather shoes for a timeless look.
Brown and Earth-Tone Wedding Suits
Brown offers a modern, warm alternative to the classic navy, gray, or black suit. You can explore shades ranging from chocolate brown to lighter taupe. Brown and earth-tone wedding suits work best at fall weddings, matching the season’s textures and colors. Underneath, opt for a cream or white shirt, burgundy tie, and dark brown shoes to ground the entire outfit.
Should the Groom and Groomsmen Wear the Same Suit Color?
It’s not uncommon for the groom and groomsmen to match attire and colors, but it should feel deliberate, and the groom’s suit should be the focal point. Here are three ways to coordinate for the wedding while keeping the groom’s look distinct:
- Same suit but different accessories: Everyone wears the same suit and color, while the groom stands apart with a unique tie, vest, or other accessory.
- Same color but different shade: Keep the same color family but give the groom a distinct shade, such as charcoal for the groom and medium gray for the groomsmen.
- Different but coordinated colors: The groom and groomsmen can wear different colors that work together, such as tan for the groom and sage green for the wedding party.
Rent or Buy Your Wedding Suit?
The choice between renting or buying a suit depends on how often you’ll wear the suit again, the wedding’s dress code, and how much coordination the group requires. Renting makes sense when the wedding party needs a coordinated look. It’s also worth considering if the suit color or style is unlikely to be useful in the future.
Buying is the right choice when you want a finely tailored suit designed for you. If you pick the right color, it can work as one of the few suits you can wear over and over again.
The Right Wedding Suit Color Should Look Good Beyond the Color Swatch
Online photos help you narrow down your choices, but trying the suit on gives you a better sense of how the color works with your skin tone and accessories. Try the full outfit on weeks before the event in case you need alterations.
Men’s Wearhouse carries a full selection of wedding suits, from navy and charcoal to tan and earth tones. Each option comes in several fits and fabrics to help you match the shade to the season, venue, and dress code. In-store stylists can help you narrow down your options and refine the look with accessories and alterations.
Visit a Men’s Wearhouse to compare colors in person and choose the suit that fits your wedding vision.
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