Quick Answer
Royal blue is generally considered an appropriate color to wear to a wedding. It is a formal, elegant shade that flatters most skin tones. However, there are a few factors to consider when choosing royal blue for a wedding:
– The formality and dress code – Royal blue is better suited for formal weddings. For informal or casual weddings, lighter shades may be better.
– Time of day – Royal blue is ideal for daytime weddings but may be too bold for evening weddings where darker, muted shades are recommended.
– The season – Royal blue pops nicely against sunny summer backdrops but can appear harsh in softer autumnal lighting.
– Your skin tone – Royal blue is flattering on both warm and cool skin tones. But very pale or very dark complexions may be overpowered by the shade.
– The bride’s colors – Avoid royal blue if the bride has chosen it as her accent color. You don’t want to match or clash with the wedding party.
So in summary, royal blue is usually a safe choice for a wedding if worn during the daytime. Just be conscious of the formality, your skin tone, and the bride’s chosen colors. When in doubt, ask the bride for her input on your chosen outfit.
Is Royal Blue Appropriate for Weddings?
Royal blue is widely considered an elegant, formal shade that is perfectly appropriate for weddings, especially daytime weddings. Here are some key reasons why royal blue works well for wedding attire:
– It’s a formal color – Royal blue has a rich, luxurious appearance that lends itself well to formal events like weddings. Lighter blues may appear too casual.
– It’s versatile for the season – Royal blue works well for spring, summer and fall weddings. It pops against sunny backdrops but also pairs nicely with autumnal colors like orange and burgundy.
– It’s flattering on most – The shade of royal blue is bold while still being neutral enough to suit a variety of skin tones from fair to olive and dark.
– It’s distinguishable from black – Royal blue provides a colorful alternative to black outfits for guests. Black is best left for close family wearing mourning colors.
– It avoids stealing attention – Royal blue allows you to look elegant without risking outshining the bride. Brighter, bolder shades of blue may compete with the bride’s look.
So whether it’s a formal church wedding or daytime garden wedding, royal blue is a timeless choice that subtly conveys style and sophistication.
Tips for Wearing Royal Blue to a Wedding
If opting for royal blue wedding attire, here are some tips to select the right shade and style:
– **Consider the formality** – The richer, darker tones of royal blue suit formal hotel or ballroom weddings. For informal backyard weddings, try lighter sky blue.
– **Mind the time of day** – Royal blue is better for daytime. For evening, try navy blue, indigo or muted metallic shades.
– **Test against your skin** – At the store, test different royal blue shades against your neck/face to determine the most flattering match.
– **Coordinate accessories** – Pair royal blue with nude shoes and a nude or metallic bag for a clean, elegant look. Avoid matching blue accessories.
– **Aim for sleek silhouettes** – Royal blue has bold presence, so opt for clean-lined, structured styles like sheath or A-line dresses.
– **Get the bride’s input** – If concerned, ask the bride for input about your chosen royal blue outfit before the big day.
Following these tips will ensure you look and feel your best in regal royal blue wedding attire.
When is Royal Blue Not Recommended?
While royal blue is generally a stylish, versatile choice, there are a few wedding situations where different colors may be preferable:
| Wedding Situation | Better Color Choice |
|---|---|
| Ultra-formal black tie wedding | Dark blue, black, dark green, metallic |
| Outdoor rustic or beach wedding | Pastels, light blues, pinks, corals |
| Evening reception | Navy, plum, marsala, dusty pinks |
| Bridesmaids wearing royal blue | Different color that complements royal blue |
| If you have warm, yellow undertones | Royal blue with more purple undertones |
| If you have cool, pink undertones | Royal blue with more green undertones |
| Winter wedding with icy tones | Dark jewel tones like emerald green or burgundy |
The key is choosing a shade that complements the overall style and colors of the wedding. When in doubt, softer muted shades of blue or neutrals like champagne, grey and blush pink are always safe picks.
How to Coordinate Royal Blue for a Wedding
If you’ve determined royal blue is an appropriate color for the wedding you’ll be attending, here are some ideas to coordinate your look:
For Women
– **Royal blue dress** – A formal tea length or midi dress in royal blue is elegant paired with minimal accessories. Look for structured shapes like fit-and-flare.
– **Royal blue jumpsuit** – A royal blue jumpsuit with wide or straight legs makes a modern alternative to a dress.
– **Royal blue blouse** – Pair a silky royal blue blouse with a long skirt or tailored pants.
– **Royal blue jacket** – For a pop of color, try a fitted royal blue blazer over a white dress or neutral outfit.
– **Royal blue shoes** – Metallic or nude shoes best complement a royal blue outfit. Avoid bright white or black.
– **Royal blue clutch** – A small royal blue embellished clutch adds fun color.
For Men
– **Royal blue suit** – A high quality wool suit in royal blue makes a dapper statement. Pair with a white shirt, light blue shirt or subtle pattern like gingham.
– **Royal blue tie** – Incorporate royal blue with a tie against a white or light blue shirt and navy suit.
– **Royal blue vest** – For a stylish accessory, wear a sleek royal blue vest over a white shirt and charcoal suit.
– **Royal blue handkerchief** – A folded pocket square in royal blue adds flair to a formal suit.
– **Royal blue socks** – Subtle royal blue socks peeking out from dress shoes add hidden color.
Unisex Accessories
– Royal blue scarf
– Royal blue cufflinks
– Royal blue pocket square
– Royal blue tie clip
– Royal blue statement jewelry like a bracelet or earrings
How to Choose Flattering Royal Blue Colors
Royal blue has a wide range of shades and undertones. Here are some tips for choosing the most flattering hue for your skin tone:
Warm Skin Tones
Those with warm yellow, peach or olive complexions look best in royal blues with:
– Purple, red or pink undertones
– Golden, orange or yellow undertones
– Deeper, brighter, saturated shades
Avoid royal blues with green or bluish undertones.
Cool Skin Tones
Those with cool pink, rosy or neutral-toned complexions look best in royal blues with:
– Green, blue or purple undertones
– Icy, muted, dusty shades
Avoid royal blues with too much yellow, orange or brown. Look for shades with a subtle greyish tone.
Dark Skin Tones
Those with very deep complexions look best in royal blues with bold saturation but muted tones. Go for:
– Bright jewel tones
– Purple or red undertones
– Deep shade with greyish tone
Avoid pastels and washed out shades that may look dull.
How to Mix and Match Royal Blue
Here are some complementary colors that pair beautifully with royal blue for weddings:
– Neutrals like champagne, white, taupe, light grey
– Pastel pinks, blues and purples
– Dusty mauves and plums
– Emerald green, forest green
– Peach, coral, brick red
– Metallic gold, silver, champagne
Avoid pairing royal blue with:
– True red, orange or yellow (too bold)
– Black or dark brown (too harsh)
– Bright, bold patterns (distracting)
Aim for outfits where royal blue is the focal color and other accents are softer neutral or pastel shades. Monochromatic all-blue looks can also work well.
Inspiring Examples of Royal Blue Wedding Outfits
Here are some stunning examples of how to tastefully wear royal blue for a wedding:
Royal Blue Dresses
– Vintage tea length royal blue lace dress with nude heels
– Strapless royal blue chiffon dress with sparkly belt
– Flowy halter neck royal blue maxi dress with silver jewelry
– Form-fitting royal blue midi dress with matching clutch
– Short sleeve royal blue skater dress with white pattern
Royal Blue Jumpsuits
– Wide leg crepe royal blue jumpsuit with metallic heels
– Strapless royal blue jumpsuit with kimono style top layer
– Royal blue culotte jumpsuit with white pointed flats
Royal Blue Sets
– Royal blue blazer with silk camisole and white pants
– Matte royal blue suit with pale pink tie and shirt
– Royal blue ballgown skirt with lace embellished white top
Royal Blue Accents
– Pale blue dress with royal blue belt and headband
– White suit with royal blue pocket square
– Neutral maxi dress with royal blue jewelry and heels
– Pink floral dress with royal blue jacket on top
Conclusion
Royal blue is a wardrobe choice with timeless elegance perfect for wedding attire. It strikes the right balance of conveying formality and sophistication, without outshining the bride. The key is paying attention to the specific wedding style and theme, and choosing the right shade of royal blue to complement your complexion. With so many stylish ways to incorporate royal blue into your outfit, it’s a fail-safe option for looking and feeling your confident best at a wedding.
