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The Secret to Coordinating Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaids

Kennedy Blue Real Wedding ‘Dew Drop’ | Basically Emily Photos | Groomsmen in Navy

On your wedding day, your bridal party will be standing next to you all day long. So it's only natural that you want to make sure their outfits coordinate perfectly. Coordinating bridesmaids and groomsmen is such a pivotal part of wedding planning and might seem super tricky and confusing.

We're here to teach you how to coordinate your bridesmaid and groomsmen so your wedding party looks flawless and put together. It's all about finding commonalities to make a seamless pair. *This post contains affiliate links through Generation Tux. While we can receive a commission through these links, opinions are entirely our own.

Coordinating Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Perfectly

Bringing the two sides of a wedding party's outfits together is an easier task than you might think.  Coordinating and matching bridesmaids and groomsmen is a great way to set the tone and personality of your wedding and to help reflect your style as a couple.

Kennedy Blue Real Weddings Bridesmaids Dresses in Fog

Kennedy Blue in ‘Fog’ | Beth Joy Photos | Groomsmen in Black

It's unrealistic to match your bridal party completely - with so many different shades of colors and all the different fabric types, there is no way you will get things to match perfectly. And that's okay! Once we all have accepted that fact, it will be much easier choosing your bridal party's outfits. 

We're here to help you coordinate your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make this overall a super simple process. Here is your step-by-step list for you to follow on how to coordinate your wedding party.  With our help, you will pull off a cohesive and straightforward matching bridal party! So let's get started!

Determine Your Wedding Color Palette

The first step to coordinating your bridesmaids and groomsmen is picking out your wedding colors and overall theme. Your wedding colors are going to be used everywhere throughout your big day, so it's essential to spend some time on this decision.

When deciding on your shades, know that you're not limited to two or three. It is common to have primary wedding colors and secondary 'accent' colors. This then gives you endless possibilities of what fun things you might want to tie in creatively.

We recommend that you and your partner choose from around 3-5 colors for your wedding palette, which then guarantees colors the both of you will love. 

Pick Your Primary Wedding Colors

After you've identified your wedding palette colors, it's time to solidify 1-2 primary colors. These are the colors seen predominantly throughout your ceremony space and will help determine what colors you choose for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider what your primary color would look like as a suit or a bridesmaid dress to make sure you love it.

Kennedy Blue Fabric Color Swatches | Colors: Fog, Cornflower, Slate Blue

Kennedy Blue Fabric Color Swatches | Colors: Fog, Cornflower, and Slate Blue

One of the most common ways to coordinate your bridesmaids and groomsmen is using your primary color for the bridesmaid dresses and the groomsmen accessories.  These accessories can include the tie, pocket square, and even socks!

The goal is to make your primary wedding colors shape the overall aesthetic of your wedding. This process can be such a fun part of the wedding planning for you and your fiancé. Your wedding colors will help reflect you as a couple and help set the mood for the rest of the wedding day. 

 

Decide On Your Bridesmaids' Dress Colors

Use your chosen primary colors to determine what your girls will wear.  Oftentimes, brides and grooms choose to have their favorite wedding color worn by the bridesmaids.  Remember - the color your bridesmaids wear will be shown off in all your wedding photos!

For couples who want a more dynamic look, consider using some secondary colors in your bridesmaid dress lineup.  Many brides opt for the same color bridesmaid dresses, but many are considering the mismatched look!  Mixing and matching your bridesmaid dresses is a super stylish and unique way to make your bridesmaids feel extra special. And it's a great way to incorporate your more of your wedding colors.  If you want more info on mixing and matching dresses, check out this simple guide to help you create the perfect mismatched look.

Kennedy Blue Real Weddings Bridesmaid Dresses in Rosewood

Kennedy Blue in ‘Rosewood’ | @britneytarno | Groomsmen in Blue

Still not sure if your wedding colors are right?  View some of our most popular bridesmaid dress colors below to see if any inspire you!  From flirty pinks to deep emerald greens, we promise there's a color you'll fall in love with!

Pink Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

Pink bridesmaid dresses are always in!  With a variety of gorgeous shades - from pale blush to deep rosewood - there is a hue for every season and theme.  Here are some of our favorite Kennedy Blue bridesmaid dress styles in featured in pink!

Kennedy Blue Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Poppy in Rosewood | Jade in Blush | Sophie in Desert Rose 

Green Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

Green is making waves for the 2024-2025 wedding seasons, and we couldn't be happier about it!  With stunning shades like Sage Green for the spring, Sea Glass for summer, Moss Green for fall, and Emerald for winter weddings - there's a color for every season!

Kennedy Blue Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses | Cameron in Moss | Shannon in Sea Glass | Lauren in Sage  

Blue Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

When in doubt, blue always makes for a gorgeous wedding color.  Blue bridesmaid dresses are timeless, classy, and complement every skin tone.  Here are some blue bridesmaid dress favorites!

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaids Dresses in Shades of Blue

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses | Kinsley in Fog | Elena in Slate Blue | Allison in Sky

Purple Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

For a more unique wedding color palette, purple makes for the perfect choice!  Choose from an array of pale to deep purples, which look great in every season.

Kennedy Blue Purple Bridesmaid Dresses

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses | Haley in Violet | Bailey in French Lilac | Kristen in Peony

Neutral Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration

Neutral wedding palettes are so popular right now, and for a good reason!  These stunning shades complement any wedding theme and location since they're so easy to match!

Kennedy Blue Neutral Bridesmaid Dresses

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses | Ella in Fawn | Parker in Dew Drop | Stassi in Latte

Choose What Color Your Groomsmen Will Wear

We'll get to coordinating your bridesmaids and your groomsmen in a minute. For now, let's focus on deciding what color your groomsmen should wear!

When it comes to choosing your groomsmen's outfits, just remember to keep it simple. Stick to neutral colors like a gray or black suit and add in pops of colors with their accessories. This will make your wedding party look cohesive and coordinating, rather than matchy-matchy.

Generation Tux Tuxedo

Black Notch Lapel Tuxedo by Generation Tux | Ivory Tie | Lahzeh Photography

Match Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

We are nearing the end of our guide to perfectly coordinate your bridesmaids and groomsmen, and this is where the effortless look comes into fruition.  All you have to do is choose one element that will remain the same between the two sides of the wedding party. It's truly that simple!

Selecting on one matching element can help create that consistent look without being overwhelmingly matched. This could pertain to color, a color pattern, or a particular print. When selecting your element, the outfits should complement each other. For example, you might choose to have the bridesmaids' dress color match groomsmen's ties.

Kennedy Blue Real Weddings Bridesmaids Dresses in Latte

Kennedy Blue in ‘Latte’ | Danielle Hickman Photography | Groomsmen in Black

Ordering samples of your elements for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is a perfect way to look at the colors together at the same time. This will make coordinating those elements super easy and stress-free. If the colors complement each other and are both in your wedding palette, you won't have to worry about a choppy wedding vision. This automatically guarantees coordinating bridesmaids and groomsmen.

We've teamed up with Generation Tux to pull together some great inspiration for matching bridesmaids' dresses to groomsmen's accessories below! 

Purple Wedding Inspiration

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress | Style: | Color: French Lilac

Kennedy Blue Emily in French Lilac | Charcoal Notch Lapel Suit | Plum Dot Bow Tie | Plum Pocket Square

Dusty Pink Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Iron Gray Peak Lapel Suit, Rose Gold Pre Tied Striped Tie, Petal Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Milly Desert Rose

Milly Bridesmaid Dress in Desert Rose | Iron Gray Peak Lapel Suit | Rose Gold Striped Tie | Petal Pocket Square

Sage Green Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Gray Sharkskin Notch Lapel Suit, Meadow Pre Tied Solid Tie, Mint Zig Zag Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Jade Sage

Jade Bridesmaid Dress in Sage | Gray Sharkskin Notch Lapel Suit | Meadow Solid Tie | Mint Zig Zag Pocket Square

Dusty Blue Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Slate Blue Notch Lapel Suit, Indigo Pre Tied Striped Tie, Pewter Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Thea Slate Blue

Thea Bridesmaid Dress in Slate Blue | Slate Blue Suit | Indigo Striped Tie | Pewter Pocket Square

Blush Pink Wedding Inspiration

eneration Tux Cement Gray Notch Lapel Suit, Petal Pre Tied Bow Tie, Petal Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Dory Blush

Dory Bridesmaid Dress in Blush | Cement Gray Suit | Petal Bow Tie | Petal Pocket Square

Yellow Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Charcoal Notch Lapel Suit, Champagne Pre Tied Striped Tie, Champagne Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Fatima Champagne

Fatima Bridesmaid Dress in Champagne | Charcoal Suit by Generation Tux | Champagne Striped Tie | Champagne Pocket Square

Rust Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Black Notch Lapel Suit, Burnt Orange Pre Tied Striped Tie, Jalapeno Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Morgan Cinnamon

Morgan Bridesmaid Dress in Cinnamon | Black Notch Lapel Suit | Burnt Orange Striped Tie | Jalapeno Pocket Square

Burgundy Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Black Notch Lapel Tuxedo, Merlot Pre Tied Striped Tie, Mulberry Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Allison Bordeaux

Allison Bridesmaid Dress in Bordeaux  | Black Tuxedo by Generation Tux | Merlot Striped Tie | Mulberry Pocket Square

Light Purple Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Iron Gray Peak Lapel Suit, Freesia Pre Tied Striped Tie, Lilac Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Iris French Lilac

Iris Bridesmaid Dress in French Lilac | Iron Gray Suit by Gen Tux | Freesia Striped Tie | Lilac Pocket Square

Nude Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Black Shawl Lapel Tuxedo, Black Paisley Pre Tied Bow Tie, Black Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Elizabeth Dew Drop

Elizabeth Bridesmaid Dress in Dew Drop | Black Shawl Lapel Tuxedo | Black Paisley Bow Tie | Black Pocket Square

Emerald Green Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Iron Black Peak Lapel Tuxedo, Emerald Pre Tied Striped Tie, Emerald Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Devin Emerald

Devin Bridesmaid Dress in Emerald | Black Peak Lapel Tuxedo | Emerald Bow Tie | Emerald Pocket Square

Grey Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Mystic Blue Peak Lapel Peak Lapel Suit, Silver Pre Tied Solid Tie, Lilac Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Lauren Silver

Lauren Bridesmaid Dress in Silver | Mystic Blue Suit | Silver Bow Tie | Silver Pocket Square

Black Wedding Inspiration

Generation Tux Black Notch Lapel Tuxedo, Black Satin Pre Tied Striped Tie, Black Plaid Pocket Square, Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dress Ava Black

Ava Bridesmaid Dress in Black | Black Notch Tuxedo | Black Satin Bow Tie | Black Plaid Pocket Square

Get Started with Wedding Planning! 

The most important thing when coordinating bridesmaids and groomsmen is to think about how you want your wedding day to feel. The colors you choose for your bridal party play an essential role in the mood and personality of your big day.

Your bridal party consists of people in your life who support you and your partner most. Putting in the effort for them to look amazing on the big day lets them know just how much they mean to you.

At Kennedy Blue, we make the search for that perfect dress simple and straightforward. Our dresses are offered in 40+ colors giving you unlimited options for your big day.  Best of all, all dresses at Kennedy Blue are $150 or less, making it the perfect price point for your bridesmaids!

Tell us in the comments down below what style and color you are picking for your coordinating bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits! How are you coordinating the bridal party and accessories? Let us know in the comments - we'd love to hear from you!

Leave a comment

Dawn
February 20, 2024 09:26

I’m having mixed colors. Desert Rose, rosewood, dusty rose, Ivory, dust sage and eucalyptus. The ladies are wearing ones and need to know what is the opposite of each color so the men can match each lady

Donna Bradley
November 13, 2023 11:59

I’m getting married in October 2024. I love the pallet of black, nude, almond and ivory. I want my bridesmaids to wear black dresses. Should my groomsmen wear black tuxes too, or is that too much black?

Jessica
November 13, 2023 12:10

Very helpful

Hannah
November 13, 2023 12:08

Hello our colour theme is silver and dusty blue our bridesmaids are wearing silver dresses only have 2 bridesmaids how can the Groomsmen and pageboy match with that also my partner. I’m getting married to a female but she’s wearing a suit but we are both unsure on colours. Thank you

Alicia
January 13, 2023 10:36

Looking for help matching a tie with the Olive chiffon dresses.

TABATHA K HENSON
April 25, 2022 05:43

This was so helpful. I’ve always wondered how they match so seemlesly.

Alicia Taylor
April 18, 2022 15:20

Thank you for the pointers! I’m getting married this September with the green palette & absolutely lost on where to begin! Love this blog!

Kimberly
February 22, 2021 15:24

This was very helpful! We have our colors but I’ve been struggling on how to incorporate them. Seeing this made the visionary much easier! Thanks!!!

Heather Copeland
January 04, 2021 12:07

This blog is so hopefully!

Maleesa
September 29, 2020 15:17

Thank you for the pointers! I’m getting married next year & absolutely lost on where to begin! Love pointers like this to side me along the way!!!

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