Mocha Mousse: Using Pantone’s Color of the Year in Your 2025 Wedding
Every year, Pantone—the leading authority on all things color—announces its Color of the Year, a specific tone meant to capture the overall vibe of our cultural state. Last year’s Peach Fuzz represented a collective desire for closeness and self-care. This year, Pantone has selected Mocha Mousse, a rich and velvety shade of brown meant to reflect “a global mood of connection, comfort, and harmony.”
Most years, the Pantone color significantly impacts the design trends seen in weddings and special events — and we expect 2025 to be no different! Though brown isn’t often associated with weddings, industry professionals assure that Mocha Mousse will have its place in the upcoming year.
“Mocha Mousse is a classy neutral that will pair well with sophisticated events,” assures Sarah-Pete Petersen of The Estate at River Run. “It will translate well for attire, invitations, florals, and design.”
Don’t get Mocha Mousse wrong — this color is no muddy brown, but rather a tone evocative of a creamy latte enjoyed with the morning sun. It’s the definition of warm and cozy, perfect for couples who envision a calm, down-to-earth celebration.
“Beiges and brown shades can add romance to a space that otherwise feels stark or sterile, so mocha is the perfect in-between shade that helps your space feel cozy, romantic, and warm,” explains Ashley Allan of Your Jubilee Weddings.
Incorporating Pantone’s Color of the Year into your 2025 wedding doesn’t mean you have to stick with only browns and neutrals. The beauty of Mocha Mousse’s understated, soft hue is its versatility and adaptability with plenty of other color palettes, whether you’re dreaming of an all-white wedding or a boho chic affair.
Meagan Cody of Sweet Pea Events agrees, promising that there are “so many ways we can bring this color into your event without it being bland!” Need more convincing? Here are a handful of ways to embrace Mocha Mousse in your upcoming wedding.
Textural Details
Mocha Mousse’s sensual tone beautifully complements natural textures and materials for an intricate and immersive design. For example, “velvet linens or napkins would be a great accent in this shade,” offers Emily Sullivan of Unique Weddings and Events.
Other ideas include “leather in seating and suede for accents,” suggests Casey Cannon of EBJ & Company. “Dark wood tones can also bring this color to life and provide an old-world charm.”
Michael Coombs of Michael Coombs Entertainment adds that draping and linens are the best way to incorporate Mocha Mousse into a wedding. “Going for a more rich color tone that will speak to those who want to be more bold with their designs,” he says.
Infuse your wedding with yummy Mocha textures by using the color for:
- Linens and/or cloth napkins: Pair Mocha Mousse napkins with crisp white linens for peak boho vibes. Include blush pink or mauve details for a feminine touch.
- Rentals: Coffee-toned chairs, tables, arches, and other furniture can add the perfect touch of Mocha Mousse without going overboard.
- Decor elements: Antique books, creamy taper candles, rattan chargers — there are so many opportunities to weave Mocha Mousse into your wedding decor.
- Lighting: From wicker fixtures to antler chandeliers, lighting is the perfect area to embrace neutrals like Mocha Mousse.
Flowers
Colorful flowers aren’t going anywhere, but 2025 will be the year of neutral blooms! If you’re not sure how that works, Blooms by the Box’s Joan Wyndrum assures that Mocha Mousse is a natural fit for floral arrangements.
“Imagine chic bouquets of lush coffee roses paired with exquisite ivory garden roses and dusty green seeded eucalyptus,” she suggests. “There are some truly stunning pale mocha rose varieties to consider, as well as many lovely textural elements like cotton stems, willow tips, olive branches, and scabiosa pods that combine beautifully.”
Dried grasses and flowers are also excellent ways to elevate a Mocha Mousse color palette. A few favorites include:
- Lavender
- Pampas grass
- Thistle
- Wheat
- Amaranthus
- Craspedia
- Baby’s breath
Day-of Attire
As a close cousin to taupe and champagne, we’ve already seen hints of Mocha Mousse in wedding fashion, so the shade will naturally shine in this area. Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography recommends using it “in bridesmaids’ dresses or groomsmen’s accessories for a chic, understated look.”
But that doesn’t mean your wedding party gets to have all the fun! “A mocha/chocolate suit on a groom would be extremely handsome,” adds Jen Avey of Destination Weddings Travel Group.
Brides can incorporate Mocha Mousse into their bouquets, shoes, and other accessories as a way to soften their day-of look. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for a mocha-toned bridal gown! Other ways to play with Pantone’s Color of the Year include:
- Floral crown: Weave mocha and mauve roses into your hair with dried baby’s breath for a romantic boho look!
- Jewelry: Opt for chocolate diamonds, smoky quartz, or brown citrine in your jewelry. Brown gemstones are warm, so they pair well with gold and rose gold!
- Beauty: From eyes to lips to nails, mocha is already an old favorite of beauty lovers. Work with your makeup artist to achieve the perfect coffee-inspired look!
Stationery
While sometimes overlooked, stationery forms the foundation of your wedding’s aesthetic. From guests’ first glimpse in the mail to their day-of experience, paper goods serve as a consistent channel for showcasing your theme.
Kelley Nudo of Momental Designs suggests setting the tone with dreamy mocha details in your stationery. “Instead of choosing a classic black, navy, or gray font color, couples can consider instead using soft brown like Mocha Mousse,” she says.
Invitation suites are also a prime opportunity to incorporate some texture into your wedding design! “A beautiful silk ribbon in the Mocha Mousse shade would add a touch of richness and warmth to an invitation suite,” Nudo adds. “Couples with rustic weddings can bring in wood veneer layers to their invite in this shade.”
In addition to invitations, integrate Mocha Mousse into these other stationery elements:
- Save-the-dates
- Ceremony programs
- Escort cards
- Table numbers
- Menus
- Favor cards or labels
- Thank you cards
As Pantone’s Color of the Year, creamy Mocha Mousse is sure to leave its mark on 2025 weddings, proving that brown can be just as romantic and striking as more traditional hues. By embracing this rich, comforting hue, you’ll create a wedding day that feels as warm and inviting as it looks. So, don’t shy away from this earthy neutral — let it inspire a celebration you’ll savor just like the perfect cup of coffee!
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
- PR & Wedding Marketing: OFD Consulting