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How to Use the 2020 Pantone
Color of the Year at Your Wedding

This hue is a classic for good reason

FEATURED IN: BRIDES MAGAZINE
BY: ANNA PRICE OLSON
PHOTOS: FEATURED IN BRIDES MAGAZINE

It’s official: We have a new color of the year! Pantone announced its Color of the Year for 2020, and we’re totally here for it.

Their pick? PANTONE 19-4052, aka, Classic Blue!

The company says the shade is “a timeless and enduring hue elegant in its simplicity,” more specifically saying it resembles the color of the sky at dusk. And while Pantone describes the hue—which is darker than sky blue but lighter than midnight blue—with descriptors like “tranquil,” “easily relatable,” and “relaxed,” their reasoning for choosing a favorite color such as blue, especially after vibrant shades like Living Coral and Ultra Violet in previous years, is quite simple: It’s a universal favorite!

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Pantone 19 4052 Classic Blue

Courtesy of Pantone

And while we’re always here for shades that shake up the fashion and design landscape, we also can’t help but love a classic such as Classic Blue. We trust that you will too, so we rounded up a list of ways to incorporate the trendy yet timeless color into every element of your wedding day from the fashion to the favors.

Keep reading for 15 ways to use Classic Blue, the Pantone Color of the Year, at your wedding in 2020.

Embrace Colored Paper

Embrace Color Paper

Photo by Lance Nicoll

Set the scene for your big day before it even starts with an impactful invitation! Classic Blue is a deep enough hue that you can use it for either the text or background on your paper suite. That said, we think it pairs especially well with a gold metallic accent, as shown here.

Buy a Pretty Ring Box

Photo by Jess Jolin

Any wedding day involves moments that are perfect “for the ‘gram,” so take advantage and order props to style day-of accessories like your jewelry, invitation suite, and bridal shoes.

Rock Statement Shoes

Rock Statement Shoes

Photo by Judy Pak

Brides, listen up! Take your “something blue” to the next level with an unexpected accessory like these blue velvet platforms.

Think Beyond the Tux

Think Beyond the Tux

Photo by Clark Brewer Photography

Guys, too, can hop on this trend by rocking a blue suit. We love this look, especially when paired with accessories like a tonal tie and boutonniere. And the best part? Even the little attendants can take part with a coordinating suit or bowtie!

Incorporate Flowers

Incorporate Flowers

Photo by Patricia Lyons Photography

Blue flowers can be tricky because you don’t want them to appear artificial, but that doesn’t mean chic options aren’t out there! Delphiniums, muscari, and darker-hued hydrangeas are a few of our favorites.

Dress Your Wedding Party

Dress Your Wedding Party

Photo by Mike Larson

You can always ask your wedding party to wear the same dress in Classic Blue. But if you’re looking for a cohesive yet mismatched look, we suggest sharing the Classic Blue swatch (that’s what it’s here for, right?) with your bridesmaids and letting them choose any style they please.

Accessorize the Little Ones

Accessorize the Little Ones

Photo by Judy Pak

If you’re having flower girls, consider adding pops of blue with their accessories. This little sash and berry crown couldn’t be any more adorable.

Decorate the Altar

Decorate the Altar

Photo by Marcus Meisler

When designing the focal point of your ceremony, it’s important to make an impression but not take away from what’s most important: the two of you! We love the look of a greenery-covered altar with an asymmetrical floral touch for this reason.

Customize Cocktail Napkins

Customize Cocktail Napkins

Photo by Carrie Patterson Photography

Any day-of paper good can be done in a blue hue, and these cocktail napkins are no exception. If you order in bulk, you can stock your bar cart with a dose of Classic Blue after the wedding.

Set Up a Lounge

Set Up a Lounge

Photo by Marion Heurteboust

This is a color about relaxation, meaning it fits especially well in lounge areas that are all about comfort. The shade can be tailored to any style, whether you opt for a neutral base with pops of blue or a monochromatic look.

Have an Escort Card Display

Have an Escort Card Display

Photo by Carrie Patterson Photography

For a more romantic interpretation on Classic Blue, consider using it in a watercolor wash as this couple did for their escort card display. A watercolor wash can be done on any day-of signage and printed material from the invitation suite to the menu. That said, we’re especially into this treatment for an escort card display because it feels like a transition from day to night (aka what the color is all about!).

Use a Dark Linen

Photo by Meg Smith Photography

Want to wow your guests? Forget a classic white tablecloth and do Classic Blue instead! We love how a dark base can make any table pop, but especially so when paired with romantic candlelight, neutral plates, and woven touches like these rattan chairs.

Set the Table

Set the Table

Photo by Carrie Patterson Photography

While we’re obsessed with dark linens, we’re also here for a bare tabletop with blue accents. When setting a table with such a bold color, it’s important to consider balance and place the color accordingly. Take this photo, for example: The blue works because it’s placed strategically at different heights—the plate, the goblets, and, finally, the candelabra—so it doesn’t overwhelm the eye at once.

Have a Statement Cake

Make a Statement Cake

Photo by Rachel Solomon; Cake by a Bake Shop

In a wedding cake, Classic Blue goes a long way! We love the look of a single-tiered confection topped with a romantic wreath of olive leaves and dark-hued roses.

Create a Mood—Late-Night!

Create a Late Night Mood

Photo by Diana Mantis

As you may know, we’re usually opposed to colored lighting. (Tip: Warm, amber-toned lighting presents any space and any guest, for that matter, in a more flattering light!) But we know that a vibrant hue can change any room from romantic to disco-ready, which is why we’re going to make an exception to our rule and say go for the blue light—as long as it’s after the cake cutting and, possibly, includes these heart-shaped neon lights in the background.