Incorporate this surprisingly versatile shade into every aspect of your day, from the paper suite to your first toast.
Published on November 13, 2025 09:45AM
Photo by Sophie Epton / Lilly Red / Brides
The muted, yellow-green hue of Island Citrus—our 2026 Color of the Year—isn’t solely meant to accent an ivory bouquet or a pastel centerpiece: It’s a fresh, nature-inspired shade that adapts to fit into any element of your wedding day design. More neon hues may be best used in small doses, but the rich, saturated version of springy chartreuse we love is endlessly versatile. With chic black or oceanfront blue, alongside desert neutrals or an array of dark pink, and next to creamy white or deep teal, this shade provides vibrant, modern contrast.
Incorporate Island Citrus into your invitation suite as an accent font or an anchor color; opt for rich, luxurious draping, tablecloths, and upholstered seating at your reception to create an unforgettable design moment. Slip subtle hints of chartreuse into your tablescape with custom menus or miniature bottles of a citrus liqueur, or outfit your bridal party in a showy set of vibrant gowns. Choose items in varied textures—velvets, ceramic, candles, papers, plants—to create a balanced aesthetic that brings out the best in the other hues of your palette. Then watch your wedding day vision come to bright, beautiful life with hints of sophisticated citrus that coordinate with any decor.
01 of 08
Dress Your Best (Friends, That Is)
Photo by Lilly Red
Rachel Roff, founder of Urban Medspa, envisioned a colorful, eclectic palette for her Lake Como wedding to Javin Emil. Her bridesmaids donned gowns in shades of sunny chartreuse—a nod to the region’s vibrant landscapes, leafy lemon trees, and famous sunshine—and carried bouquets of flawless pink peonies.
02 of 08
Accent Watery, West-Coast Blues
Photo by Sophie Epton
A “California cool” palette of periwinkle, dusty blue, peach, and ivory leaned into pale pastels for the ceremony decor—then embraced lively, nature-inspired Island Citrus in the reception design. Luxurious draping and rounded, upholstered seating at long tables gave the al fresco space the feel of a five-star dining room, while monochromatic patterned linens and spring-toned flowers added nuanced elements of color and texture.
03 of 08
Give a Cozy Space a Pop of Color
Photo by Shannon Moffit Photography
Deep shades of navy, dark teal, and saturated peach turned one couple’s Washington D.C. wedding venue into a custom take on their favorite Parisian restaurant. Creamy ceramics, metallic flatware, citrus-colored menus, and spring blooms in shades of chartreuse, pink, and gold lightened the aesthetic, allowing the rich textures to create a sophisticated—not heavy—atmosphere for a June wedding.
04 of 08
Brighten Up Your Newlywed Toast
Photo by Logan Cole
The subdued hues of a desert-inspired palette—including sunset peach and orange, sandy taupe, and dried tans—were accented with intentional pops of Island Citrus at Matt and Erica Romano’s wedding in Palm Springs. The couple also incorporated the color at an escort display lined with racks of Lemoncello shots, a nod to the groom’s Italian heritage (and a festive toasting option to kick off an all-night celebration).
05 of 08
Incorporate Nature’s Neutral
Photo by T&S Photography
A citrus-toned green-gold isn’t a traditional neutral, like ivory, sand, taupe, or white—but in the right design, it can anchor an entire aesthetic. You’ll find this hue on the stems, leaves, petals, or buds of flowers and plants in a rainbow of shades, making it a goes-with-anything color that works as backdrop for pastels, creams, brights, and jewel tones. At this wedding, flowers in shades of blush, rose, magenta, peach, and ruby work seamlessly against chartreuse linens.
06 of 08
Make a Bold First Impression
Photo by Adonye Jaja
Citrus invitation cards make a strong statement at this New England waterfront wedding. Wooden backers; crisp, modern fonts; torn-edge inserts; and creamy papers align with traditional, formal stationery styles, while a splash of Island Citrus provides a fresh contrast.
07 of 08
Take a “More is More” Approach
Photo by Kristina Adams
The monochromatic design of these reception tables incorporated the same muted chartreuse shade on multiple elements, from the ceramic cups and plates to the velvet cloths. Choosing the same color in several different textures allows the design to feel cohesive—but still interesting—while the deep terra cotta-colored napkins pull out warm accents from the asymmetrical floral centerpieces.
08 of 08
Embrace a Shoreside Palette
Photo by Adonye Jaja
Fresh, summery Island Citrus anchored an unexpected palette at a modern coastal wedding in Woods Hole, Mass., where jet black, cloud white, and beach grass-green were a modern alternative to traditional navy, sky blue, and tan shades. Glass chargers and two-toned flatware paired with bare wooden tables created an atmosphere of casual elegance at the reception, while bright pops of colors on the custom menus tied into the mid-summer florals.
