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Craig — Tuxedo providers across the Yampa Valley are finding brightly colored vests and ties in their collections this year.

"We're seeing brightly colored weddings. Ties and vests are more vivid than usual," said Candice Martin, manager of Celebrations in Steamboat Springs.

This year, Celebrations is offering fuchsia, turquoise and lime vests and ties. All are colors Martin hasn't seen offered before.

The white tuxedo also seems to be making a comeback, Martin said.

"I'm seeing a lot of color," said Betty Barnes of Loyd's Cleaners in Craig. But she was quick to note that the traditional black tux is still "in vogue."

Loyd's is offering mint green and bubble gum pink acccessories, as well as lots of pastels. The store also has a camouflage vest and tie for the hunting enthusiast.

However, not everyone favors the colorful trend.

Tod Allen, owner of Allen's in Steamboat Springs, cautioned against using bright colors in the groom's outfit.

Using colors that are trendy this year can make wedding pictures look dated a few years down the road, Allen said.

"Black is still very much No. 1," he said.

Black tuxedos can be complemented by silver vests to give the wedding pictures a timeless quality, he said.

Allen has noticed that the foreign hand tie, or traditional long necktie, is becoming more popular than the bow tie. Foreign hand ties are worn with shirts that have standard collars, rather than the standup collar that is used with a bow tie.

The ties and shirts go especially well with three-button, short-lapel tuxedos. Allen described it as a younger look than the two-button, long lapel tuxedo.

Grooms also are choosing to wear square-toes shoes in favor of traditional tuxedo shoes, Allen said.

Allen's tuxedos are provided by the Salt Lake City-based Tuxedo Junction. Allen's has used the company for the past 25 years, Allen said.

Celebrations and Loyd's tuxedos are provided by Jim's Formal Wear.

Western tuxedos are widely available and quite popular in the Yampa Valley. At Celebrations, Western tuxedos feature a mandarin collar and a black string tie or black crossover tie. The duster-style notch cut tail coat is the most popular Western tux, Martin said.

At Loyd's, Western tuxedos come with a bolero tie and usually feature a colorful vest, Barnes said.

Also new this year at Celebrations are microfiber shirts that are lightweight and similar to rayon. The shirts are more comfortable than cotton, Martin said, and keep a groom and his party cool on hot summer days. The shirts are available in white, ivory, black, champagne and purple. Allen recommended wedding parties make plans for reserving tuxedos at least one month before the wedding date. But each tuxedo provider said they usually can meet a wedding party's order with one week of notice. However, more time may be required during prom season in April and May.