6 Ways to Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year Into Your Wedding

By Kim Hess

Pantone calls it “calm, confidence, and connection.” The 2020 Pantone Color of the Year — Classic Blue — is the color institute’s choice to set the trend for the new decade. You can begin married life as a trendsetter by incorporating Classic Blue into your Sacramento nuptials. Think of how beautiful the wedding pictures will be!

1. Formalwear

The contrasting shade of Classic Blue bridesmaid dresses will look stunning alongside your white or ivory gown. You can even wear blue shoes with your wedding dress! Deck the gentlemen in black or white formalwear with cummerbunds and handkerchiefs that match. Mothers of the bride and groom can wear like-colors that blend with the blue tint. Take a Pantone color swatch or color palette to the bridal shop or your favorite dressmaker.

2. Gifts

Color your attendants’ gifts in Classic Blue. Cosmetic bags (complete with blue eyeliner and eyeshadow), sapphire jewelry, and specially crafted photo albums are reminders of your big day. Groomsmen gifts of umbrellas, tote bags, beer mugs, and neckties in Classic Blue are a nice touch. 

3. Flowers and Lighting 

Planning an outdoor wedding in Sacramento? A well-kept yard with stunning white flowers will match your blue décor. White roses, carnations, popcorn flowers, hyacinths, and daisies contrast nicely against the yard’s greenery and your Classic Blue decorations. Boutonnieres, trellises, altars, table decorations look nice with white and blue flowers. Place a few in your bridal and bridesmaid bouquets — complete with blue ribbons. Dress tables and chairs with orchids and blue roses. (Though they do not exist in nature, blue orchids and roses can be created with the help of dye.)

Faded blue lighting in overhead fixtures, table lamps, and candles add a twist to your reception ambiance. Talk to your wedding photographers about color screens for touching up your pictures with the blue tint.

4. Cloth and Paper

Use Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year on welcome bags, cocktail napkins, invitations, thank-you notes, or tablecloths. You can bet rental companies are now producing Classic Blue seat covers. Your wedding officiant can wear a blue tie or handkerchief. Ask your wedding coordinator or venue representative to work out the details. 

5. Mementos

Wedding souvenirs don’t have to cost much, but your guests will enjoy having a memento or two to take home with them after the festivities are over. Put some blue treat bags with small candies (blue, of course!) on the dining tables. You can buy specially designed wrappers for chocolate bars and other sweets. For something inedible, consider picture frames, bottle openers, candles, and fidget spinners.

6. Accents

Here are a few more ideas for your Classic Blue wedding:

• Enhance the wedding cake with bright blue flower icing. 
• White dishes and glasses with blue-printed designs look nice over solid blue placemats and white tablecloths. 
• Hair ribbons, barrettes, and wreaths for the flower girls in your wedding party. 
• Guest signing book with a blue feathered quill.

Classic Blue is a classy way to dress up your wedding day. Although your attendants may not look good in some colors, basic blue is a hue that brings out the best in everyone. At the end of the day, it’s all about the photos.

Kim Hess is a nature lover and wedding planner who enjoys incorporating a hometown feel in the ceremonies and receptions she designs. She also enjoys tasting food at venues around the country, so she can recommend the best wedding day feasts. (Hey, somebody’s gotta do it!)