Wedding Guides
June is peak wedding season, and 2026 is bringing fresh color trends. This preview covers pastels, jewel tones, and earth tones—plus coordination strategies for grooms and groomsmen.
June is peak wedding season, and 2026 is bringing fresh color trends. Pastels aren't just for bridesmaids anymore. Jewel tones are making bold statements. Earth tones are grounding outdoor ceremonies. This preview covers what grooms and groomsmen are actually wearing this summer—and how to coordinate without looking like you're wearing a uniform.
The Three Color Movements of Summer 2026
Summer 2026 wedding colors fall into three distinct camps. Understanding which category fits your wedding helps narrow choices quickly.
Pastel Renaissance
Soft, romantic, approachable. Daytime garden weddings.
Bold Jewel Tones
Rich, dramatic, confident. Evening receptions, formal venues.
Earth Tone Sophistication
Natural, grounded, organic. Vineyard, barn, outdoor venues.
Pastel Renaissance: No Longer Just for Bridesmaids
2026 is the year grooms embrace pastels with confidence. These aren't muted versions of "real" colors—they're intentional, sophisticated choices that photograph beautifully and signal modern style.
Dusty Blue
The most popular pastel for grooms. Soft, calming, universally flattering. Pairs beautifully with blush and sage bridesmaids.
Best for: Garden weddings, lakeside ceremonies, romantic themes
Sage Green
Nature-inspired, sophisticated, trending hard. Works with outdoor venues naturally. Coordinates with greenery-heavy décor.
Best for: Botanical gardens, vineyard ceremonies, forest venues
Lavender
Unexpected, elegant, modern. Makes a statement without being loud. Works beautifully with white or cream accents.
Best for: Evening garden parties, modern venues, spring-summer transition
Blush Pink
Confident, fashion-forward, romantic. Not "too feminine"—modern grooms are embracing it. Photographs exceptionally well.
Best for: Romantic venues, wedding party coordination, fashion-forward couples
Butter Yellow
Warm, sunny, joyful. Perfect for daytime summer ceremonies. Pairs with navy and gray groomsmen beautifully.
Best for: Daytime outdoor weddings, coastal venues, optimistic vibes
The Pastel Confidence Factor
Pastels require confidence. If you're not sure about wearing dusty blue or sage, that uncertainty shows. Choose pastels only if you genuinely want to—not because you feel pressured. Navy and charcoal are always valid alternatives.
Bold Jewel Tones: Going for Drama
Jewel tones make statements. These are the colors for grooms who want to stand out, make an impression, and create memorable photos. They work best at evening receptions and formal venues.
Emerald Green
Rich, regal, unforgettable. The statement color of 2026. Works across skin tones and venue types.
Best for: Evening receptions, formal venues, fashion-forward couples
Sapphire Blue
Deeper than navy, more dramatic. Creates striking contrast in photos. Sophisticated and powerful.
Best for: Black-tie optional, evening ceremonies, statement grooms
Burgundy / Wine
Romantic, passionate, timeless. A classic jewel tone that never goes out of style. Works year-round.
Best for: Fall-summer transition, romantic venues, vineyard weddings
Deep Eggplant
Unexpected, luxurious, avant-garde. For grooms who want to be remembered. Pairs with gold accents beautifully.
Best for: Formal evening events, artistic venues, bold personalities
The Jewel Tone Commitment
Jewel tones make you the center of attention. If the couple wants all eyes on the ceremony, great. If you're a groomsman and the groom wants focus, check before choosing emerald or burgundy.
Earth Tone Sophistication: Grounded Elegance
Earth tones pair beautifully with outdoor venues—vineyards, farms, forests, and gardens. They feel organic and connected to nature without being casual.
Olive Green
Military-inspired, sophisticated, natural. Works across seasons and venues. Pairs with both warm and cool tones.
Best for: Rustic venues, outdoor ceremonies, nature-focused weddings
Terracotta / Rust
Warm, earthy, trending. Perfect for desert venues and golden hour photos. Coordinates beautifully with blush and sage.
Best for: Desert weddings, sunset ceremonies, bohemian themes
Camel / Tan
Warm neutral, incredibly versatile. Works as a more interesting alternative to gray. Photographs beautifully in natural light.
Best for: Vineyard ceremonies, upscale rustic, daytime events
Taupe / Greige
The modern neutral—between gray and brown. Sophisticated, understated, incredibly versatile. Works with any accent color.
Best for: Modern rustic, minimalist weddings, versatile coordination
Coordination Strategy: Groom vs. Groomsmen
The 2026 trend is "coordinated, not matching." Here are three strategies for distinguishing the groom while keeping the party unified:
Strategy 1: Same Color Family, Different Shades
Groom in darker shade, groomsmen in lighter version of the same color.
Example: Groom in navy, groomsmen in dusty blue. Groom in emerald, groomsmen in sage.
Strategy 2: Tuxedo vs. Suits
Groom in a tuxedo (satin lapels, formal details), groomsmen in suits of the same or complementary color.
Example: Groom in black tux, groomsmen in charcoal suits. Groom in midnight blue tux, groomsmen in navy suits.
Strategy 3: Same Suits, Different Accessories
Everyone wears the same suit. Groom distinguished by vest, different tie, or unique boutonnière.
Example: All navy suits. Groom wears vest and bow tie, groomsmen wear neckties only.
The Golden Rule
The groom should be identifiable in photos without explanation. If someone looks at wedding party photos and can't immediately tell who the groom is, the coordination strategy failed.
Coordinating with Bridesmaids
Groomsmen accessories should complement—not match—bridesmaid dresses. Here's a quick guide:
| Bridesmaid Color | Groomsmen Tie/Pocket Square | Works With Suit |
|---|---|---|
| Blush Pink | Dusty rose, mauve, or burgundy | Navy, charcoal, gray |
| Sage Green | Olive, forest, or eucalyptus | Navy, tan, charcoal |
| Dusty Blue | Slate, steel blue, or navy | Gray, navy, tan |
| Terracotta | Rust, burnt orange, or cognac | Navy, olive, tan |
| Lavender | Purple, plum, or eggplant | Gray, charcoal, navy |
Pro tip: Slightly darker or muted versions of the bridesmaid color work better than exact matches. "Complementary" reads as intentional; "matching" reads as costumey.
June Wedding Season Is Here
KCT Menswear carries the full spectrum of 2026 wedding colors—from soft pastels to bold jewel tones to sophisticated earth tones. Visit us to see how these colors look in person and coordinate your wedding party with confidence.
Bring your venue photos and bridesmaid swatches. We'll help you build the perfect palette.
What Grooms Are Actually Wearing: 2026 Data
Based on current booking trends and wedding industry data, here's what grooms are actually choosing for summer 2026:
Navy remains dominant, but tan/beige and green are growing faster than any other category year-over-year.
Find Your June Wedding Color
Visit either KCT Menswear location to explore the full range of 2026 summer wedding colors. Whether you're drawn to soft pastels, bold jewel tones, or sophisticated earth tones, we have the options you need.
Downtown Kalamazoo:
213 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 342-1234
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Crossroads Mall Portage:
6650 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49024
Phone: (269) 323-8070
Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
— KCT Style Team
Part of Our Complete Wedding Guide
This guide is one chapter of the full playbook — the stress-free timeline, groom-vs-groomsmen strategy, color selection, and sizing the whole party online. Read The Complete Wedding Suit & Groomsmen Guide.
Match the Palette
Working from a swatch? The free Color Matcher builds the suit, shirt, and tie combination around her exact shade — explore finished looks across the wedding hub, or size the whole party with the Size Finder.