A Guide To Groom’s Wedding Suits
When it comes to a man’s big day he knows that all eyes are going to be on the bride as she makes her way down the aisle to him. And while she will look and feel every bit as beautiful as she deserves to, it behooves her significant other to look at his most handsome and elegant as he stands beside her to make his vows.
Whether your big day is just around the corner or years away, it’s in a groom’s best interest to start thinking about the kind of suit he’d like to wear as soon as possible. While you should look and feel comfortable, smart, and handsome in your wedding suit, you should also consider coordinating with the style of the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses when selecting your style of suit.
Let’s take a look at the different styles of wedding suits available.
Style
Evening Tails
If your wedding will be a formal affair, you may find that a traditional evening suit with tails or a frock coat is the best option to match the traditional aesthetic of your wedding.
The great thing about tailcoats is that they are snug and form-fitting yet flattering to virtually any physique while a Marcella waistcoat keeps your midsection under control.
The Wedding Tux
If you’re looking for something formal but the traditional top and tails aren’t for you, a tuxedo is always an elegant choice. The clean lines and satin lapels look great on pretty much everyone.
If your tastes veer towards the traditional, opt for a black tux and accentuate the formality with a classic black bow tie, whereas if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary a navy tux also looks fantastic.
Double-breasted Italian Style
The double-breasted, 6 button, Italian-style suit is a great way to combine elegance with a distinctive and different feel.
They are a little more formal than their single-breasted counterparts and while they are traditionally worn with long ties, it’s not inconceivable to pair it with a bow tie. This kind of suit is best for tall and/or slender grooms.
Colors
Gray
Going gray can be a good thing. With endless ways to wear a gray groom suit, it’s a good look no matter the season or time of day of your wedding. The gray suit can hold its own for any wedding dress code (except the really formal ones), but with a little extra attention to detail, you can dial up the perfect shade of gray for your wedding style.
Charcoal
The dark fabric of a charcoal suit means it’s well suited for fall and winter weddings, or any wedding that starts after 4 pm (roughly). If that sounds like your wedding, or if you’re leaning toward a formal wedding, this could be the suit for you—charcoal is on the formal end of the color spectrum.
Blue
The blue suit is modern and bold—a smart choice for an evening wedding in the spring or summer. In the fall, you can get away with blue during the day, but probably skip the vest—you never know what the temps will look like in late September. This is a casual groom’s suit, so read on if you’re looking for something formal in the blue family.
Tan
The tan suit is relatively casual, so it’s a good bet for daytime. While you wouldn’t choose a tan suit for a formal wedding, a tan groom suit might fit the vibe perfectly for vows on a tropical beach (or in a rustic barn, or at the base of a mountain).
Black
Black suits are the most formal groom suit option short of a tux—small (but significant) details are all that separate the two. They’re a little harsh for a wedding, which is why we only recommend them for evening or winter weddings. If you decide a black suit is a way you want to go, try to work in a little more color than basic black and white.
Accessories
Accessories are a way to add more flair or personal touches to your suit. Waistcoats are a simple and common addition to a suit, either matching with your suit or alternatively matching with your wedding color scheme.
Shoes
A black shoe is preferred for formal looks. Regardless of classification, if your suit is dark in color you should wear black shoes. For navy blue suits, a medium-to-dark brown should be worn.
Cummerbunds
Cummerbunds are often worn for formal black-tie events. Cummerbunds date back to the 1850s and their purpose was an alternative to a waistcoat to keep men cooler. Cummerbunds are used on the waist to help keep shirts tucked in. Cummerbunds ‘should’ be worn with a bow tie; this is to create a cleaner look and avoid ties or cravats reaching the cummerbund.
Cufflinks
Cufflinks are a staple wedding accessory, a way to add a personal touch to your suit with designs and styles significant to you. A small detail that can add depth to your wedding outfit.
Pocket Squares
Pocket squares are important to match with your wedding style, depending on suit color and wedding color scheme, and personal choice. You can match your pocket square to your tie or a different shade which pair nicely. The way you fold the pocket square is another opportunity to add flare.