Are Brown Bridesmaid Dresses the New “It Girl” Wedding Trend? Pantone 2025 Color of the Year

Every year, Pantone announces its color of the year, which “expresses a global mood and an attitude, reflecting collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue.” The 2025 color of the year has been announced as Mocha Mousse, a soft and warm tawny brown shade. As the color of the year, we expect to start seeing this shade incorporated into wedding designs. From linens to stationery and even bridesmaid dresses, how do you think Mocha Mousse will make its impact in the wedding industry? 

Brown Wedding Accents

I tend to lean towards bright colors in my work and everyday life, but I do believe that Mocha Mousse can be a great accent color on a wedding day. I think a mix of brown tones is perfect for couples who want a more neutral wedding palette. I picture this shade as being popular with boho or minimalist couples who are going for a warm, cozy, simple vibe. Or, for couples who are looking to add browns in a more subtle way, it is the perfect complementary tone to creams and greens. I think we’ll see a lot of this shade during the summer and fall, and expect it to taper off in the winter when it may feel too dark and drab. 

You can incorporate this warm brown shade on your wedding day in so many different ways. I immediately picture brown linens and glassware on your tablescapes, along with dried flowers. It’s also a beautiful shade for textural pieces like rugs and lounge furniture. And, of course, we can’t forget how flattering brown dresses and suits can be for so many people. Chocolate cake and espresso martinis are obvious (and delicious!) go-tos as well.

Brown Bridesmaid Dresses and Aso-Ebi

I recently got to work with a wonderful bride who was using brown in a major way on her wedding day. My bride, like me, is a first-generation American. Her family is from Nigeria, and she is very connected with her culture and heritage. Brown is a very common color in Nigerian weddings and goes perfectly with the green attire she’s planning to wear. She decided to have her bridesmaids and family members wear brown as part of a tradition known as aso-ebi. Aso-Ebi is a tradition where family members of the couple wear a specific fabric to identify themselves and show their support for the marriers. 

My bride requested a digital illustration that would be turned into cards so she could ask her loved ones and bridesmaids to participate in this beautiful tradition. She wanted the cards to be creative and personal, so we worked together with her inspiration photos and vision to create a group sketch. I’m so happy with how the illustration turned out, and I can’t wait to see the photos of her wedding this fall so I can see how the Aso-ebi looks in person! 

Wedding Illustrations by SamiaLynn Designs 

Whether you choose to include Mocha Mousse on your wedding day as part of your decor or go all-in with brown bridesmaid dresses, this shade is sure to add a layer of coziness to the wedding industry this season and a softer alternative to black. If you’re looking for the perfect way to memorialize your wedding in 2025 or beyond, I’d love to chat about live illustration! Head over to my illustrations page for all the details and to set up a call.