2026 Pantone Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer — A Dreamy Neutral Made for Weddings

Caitlin McDonald
Dec 4, 2025
2 min read

Every year, the design world waits for Pantone to announce its Color of the Year, a tone that inevitably shapes trends across fashion, interiors, branding, and weddings. This year’s pick, Cloud Dancer, feels especially meaningful to share because I had the joy of designing a wedding this season at Kohl Mansion that showcased this exact color palette in the most beautiful, modern and romantic way.

Cloud Dancer is a soft, airy white—elegant, timeless, and effortlessly sophisticated. It’s the kind of hue that doesn’t shout; instead, it whispers refinement. It brings a sense of calm, purity, and understated luxury, making it a perfect foundational color for modern weddings.

Why Cloud Dancer Works So Well for Weddings

Cloud Dancer acts as a canvas—allowing texture, light, and subtle tonal variations to take center stage. It pairs seamlessly with muted pastels, warm neutrals, soft taupes, champagne, blush, sage, and even deeper accents like espresso (perfect for our one of a kind custom martini bar) or charcoal for added contrast. It’s versatile enough for any season and elevates both minimalist and romantic aesthetics.

A Look at Our Cloud Dancer-Inspired Wedding

This year, I had the pleasure of planning and designing a wedding built entirely around this serene color story. We leaned into:

Soft ivory and gray velvet linens that created a clean, harmonious base (besides, you know us -- the linen queen extraordinaire and you KNEW we'd be bringing the ultimate linen!)

Delicate floral textures—airy whites, buttery creams, and gentle blush undertones for a pop of color during the dance reception that was the perfect contrast to party

Warm candlelight and statement candelabras that added depth and glow without overwhelming the palette but created a showstopper moment in the dinner space

Modern-meets-romantic accents, like ribbed glassware, subtle metallics, and lush monochromatic blooms

The result was a celebration that felt ethereal and timeless—proof that neutrals, when thoughtfully layered, can be every bit as impactful as bold color.

Cloud Dancer for 2026 (and Beyond)

If you’re drawn to refined, elegant, naturally beautiful wedding design, Cloud Dancer is a color you’ll want to keep on your radar -- and that's coming from us here at CME, who specialize in the bright, saturated and colorful!!! Whether used as a primary palette or a grounding tone within a richer color scheme, it offers endless flexibility and a sophisticated, editorial feel.

While I was betting on something deep, rich and color drenching, I’m thrilled to see Pantone highlight a shade that aligns so beautifully with the kinds of weddings I love creating and even more excited to continue designing celebrations inspired by Cloud Dancer’s quiet magic.