From standing at the altar to posing for photos, you and your spouse are the center of attention on your wedding day. Whether you’re planning an upscale black-tie affair or a relaxed outdoor ceremony, your groom wedding attire should reflect your personal style and give you confidence. This guide covers everything you need to know about what the groom should wear so you can put together a fit that makes you feel comfortable on the big day.
How To Choose the Groom’s Wedding Attire
Considering these factors can help you select the best outfit for your wedding.
Start With Formality
The dress code is a good starting point for building your look. A black-tie event calls for a tuxedo paired with classic accessories like a bow tie and patent leather shoes. If you’ve planned a formal wedding that doesn’t require black-tie attire, a dark, well-tailored suit is the go-to.
You can explore a wider range of suit colors and fabrics for a semi-formal wedding. If you and your partner have opted for a casual celebration, you could ditch the suit altogether and opt for tailored pants and a nice shirt.
Consider the Venue
Your venue can influence fabric selection and the overall style of your outfit. If you’re planning a ballroom wedding, a traditional tux or tailored suit is best. A beachside ceremony calls for lightweight, breathable fabrics and light colors — you might even wear a short-sleeve button-up shirt. Earth tones and natural fibers look good at a barn wedding, while a monochromatic palette and lustrous fabrics stand out at a city rooftop ceremony.
Account for the Season
Linen and cotton fabrics can help you stay cool for spring and summer weddings, especially if the ceremony or reception takes place outdoors. At fall or winter weddings, you may feel more comfortable celebrations in a wool wedding suit that offers warmth without sacrificing style.
The seasons can also affect your color palette. Lighter shades like tan, gray, and soft blue work well in warmer months, but deeper hues like navy and charcoal are better for cooler weather.
Embrace Your Personal Style
On your wedding day, go for an elevated version of your everyday style. If you prefer classic silhouettes, wear neutral colors like black or navy and timeless accessories, such as a silk tie and cufflinks. If you tend to wear trendy styles, try a slim-cut suit in a bolder color like slate blue or rich brown. The goal is to wear something that’s true to you and suits the occasion.
Groom Suit vs. Tuxedo: Which Is Right for You?
Both a wedding suit and a tuxedo can look sophisticated, but the right choice for your event comes down to dress code and venue. Here’s when to wear each.
Suit
A suit is appropriate for casual, semi-formal, and formal events. Its durability makes it especially popular for outdoor celebrations and destination weddings. Wedding suits offer a lot of options in terms of colors and fabrics, so it’s easier to create a look that reflects your personality or wedding theme.
Another advantage of a groom’s suit for a wedding is its reusability. Unlike tuxedos, which are reserved for formal occasions, a well-tailored suit can be worn again and again. If practicality is important to you, investing in a suit can give you long-term value beyond your wedding day.
Tuxedo
A groom’s tuxedo is the gold standard for black-tie weddings. They’re the best choice for evening weddings at luxury venues, such as a ballroom or historic estate. If you do wear a tux, your groomsmen probably should as well, so make sure you keep them updated.
Should You Rent or Buy?
The decision to rent or buy your wedding outfit depends on details like budget and customizability.
When To Rent
If you plan to only wear this outfit once, renting is the practical choice. It’s especially common if you need to wear a tux and don’t often attend black-tie events.
Many tuxedo or suit rental packages come with key accessories like vests and cufflinks. The process, from fitting to pickup and returns,is designed to be simple and convenient. If you want quality without committing to a big purchase, renting might be the way to go.
When To Buy
Buying is worth considering if you want a personalized fit or plan to wear the outfit again. Owning your wedding suit gives you greater flexibility with tailoring, fabric selection, and styling details, helping you create a look that feels distinctly yours.
A well-tailored suit can become a wardrobe staple for future weddings and other formal events. So if you’re thinking long-term, owning delivers more value than renting.
Whether you go with a rental tux or purchase a suit, the expert guidance from Men’s Wearhouse can help you find the solution for your style and price range.
Popular Groom Wedding Attire Ideas
If you have trouble deciding what to wear, these top wedding looks for grooms are timeless. Pick whichever one fits your venue and wedding theme.
Classic Black Tuxedo
Try a black tuxedo with satin lapels, white dress shirt, black bow tie, and patent leather shoes.
Why it works: It’s a sleek and classic look that fits right in at formal weddings.
Who it suits: Grooms hosting black-tie evening events need to wear a tux.
Navy Suit
Experiment with a tailored navy suit with a light blue shirt, slim tie or no tie, and brown dress shoes.
Why it works: Navy is a modern alternative to black that’s still wedding appropriate.
Who it suits: Grooms planning semi-formal or city weddings who want a clean look might like navy.
Light Gray or Tan Suit
Opt for a light gray or tan suit in breathable fabric, a white or pastel dress shirt, and an optional tie.
Why it works: Light colors and airy fabrics keep you cool and in tune with the season.
Who it suits: Grooms having outdoor, daytime weddings in a garden or at the beach might be more comfortable in lighter colors.
Statement Jacket
Pair a tuxedo base with a jewel-toned dinner jacket, black trousers, and formal accents like cufflinks and a silk pocket square.
Why it works: A bold jacket adds personality without breaking formal dress codes for evening celebrations.
Who it suits: Grooms who want to make a statement at black-tie optional weddings can rock a statement jacket.
How To Stand Out From the Groomsmen
Small, intentional style choices help the groom stand for all the right reasons.
- Choose a different jacket color: If the groomsmen wear light blue, you can wear navy. This keeps the palette cohesive but makes the groom the obvious focal point.
- Use a distinct boutonniere: Wear a special boutonniere to mark your role as the groom. You can scale up the size, opt for a different flower variety, or add a ribbon detail.
- Differentiate the tie: If the groomsmen wear traditional neckties, you can have a bow tie instead. You can even vary the tie color, pattern, or texture.
- Elevate the accessories: Finish your look with cufflinks, a pocket square, or a designer watch to help him stand out from the rest of the wedding party.
Tailoring Timeline for Grooms
It’s rare to buy a perfectly fitted wedding suit or tux off the rack, so make sure you plan for tailoring and alterations.
2–3 Months Out
Start with an initial fitting a few months before your wedding. At this appointment, you’ll choose between a suit or tuxedo, take measurements, and establish the overall fit. This is also the time to discuss any style preferences with your tailor.
3–4 Weeks Out
About a month out from the ceremony, return to the tailor for an alternation check. They’ll fine-tune the garment, focusing on your jacket, trousers, and head-to-toe silhouette. If you need any additional tweaks, this is the time to make them.
1 Week Out
One week before you get married, do a final try-on to make sure each piece fits comfortably. If you need minor adjustments to a hem or sleeve, you can take care of them now.
What a Tailor Can Fix
A skilled tailor helps you get wedding-ready by adjusting:
- Sleeve length for proper cuff exposure
- Hem length for the right trouser break
- Waist suppression for a defined silhouette
- Tapering through the legs or jacket for a modern fit
With professional support, you can step into your wedding day knowing everything fits as it should.
Common Styling Mistakes To Avoid
These missteps are easy to avoid once you know what to look for:
- Missing the dress code: A tux feels out of place at a casual outdoor wedding, but a relaxed suit looks wrong in a formal ballroom.
- Waiting too long for alterations: Be sure to schedule alterations early. That way, you’re not rushing decisions or settling for a poor fit right before the wedding.
- Matching groomsmen too closely: Coordinate suit colors with your wedding party, but leave room for subtle differences so it’s clear you’re the star of the show.
- Choosing trends over timelessness: Pick a look you’ll appreciate years from now, not one that feels too trendy. Classic choices age better in photos.
Men’s Wearhouse Helps Grooms Get Wedding-Ready
Men’s Wearhouse makes it simple for grooms to finalize their wedding day looks. You can buy or rent your outfit and coordinate suits for your wedding party so everyone shows up looking their best. In-store tailors and experts make sure every detail is right and delivered on time. From the first fitting to the final photos, Men’s Wearhouse helps grooms look sharp and feel confident on the big day.