When it comes to weddings, you know it is all about your bride-to-be. From the rehearsal dinner to the reception, it is likely she will choose to take control. Whilst everyone will be interested in ‘the dress’, you can still select your suit wisely. Here we have listed our tips to help you choose a great looking suit, one that you can wear after the wedding for business or pleasure.

Purchase not rent

The majority of grooms will choose to rent their wedding suit. This can make sense if you are planning to wear it for just a few hours. Unfortunately, rented suits never fit properly and usually look cheap. They have also been worn, likely more than once.

Looking your best

You should look like you are getting married, not giving a presentation at the office. If you want to keep it simple, a quality three piece black suit is guaranteed to be a success at a formal wedding. If you choose a custom suit for your wedding, another of our tips is to allow two months for the tailor to make your suit.

If you want other options our tips include considering what time of day you will be getting married. As a general rule, events at night usually require a darker fabric, while lighter shades are better for occasions held during the day.

Level of formality

A very formal wedding will likely be a black tie event. If you are marrying on a beach, our tips would be to choose a linen, linen/wool blend or cotton suit as the fabric can breathe and keep you comfortable. For a rustic outdoor wedding, you can still choose a 3-piece suit, but choose a softer shade of colour in a quality fabric that has some texture and character.

The most important of all our tips is that your individual style should match that of your bride. This means if you choose to wear a tuxedo, the bride should wear a more formal gown, rather than a short dress. Also, match your bride’s dress colour with a tie or pocket square in the same tone.

Ask your bride-to-be for her opinion. She does not have to tell you want her dress looks like, but asking what type of suit would best pair with her would be a wise conversation.

After the wedding

Consider when you hope to wear the suit after the wedding. Whether it will be to the office, or just for special events, date nights etc.

If you are hoping to wear the suit for work, a darker colour like charcoal is the most versatile. If this is an additional suit, you have more options such as grey or navy. If you have a black suit, another of our tips is to reserve it for special days at work. Pair it with a red, purple or light-blue knit tie that will lighten the mood as you do not want to look like you are going to another wedding or a funeral.

If this suit is only going to be worn after the wedding for going out, our tips include a dark suit as it is likely when you are going out that it will be at night, whether this be another wedding or a fancy restaurant. For a more casual look, wear the waistcoat open with jeans and a white T-shirt.

A well made suit will have a jacket that is fitted well enough to wear as a blazer over a shirt and jeans. It is a rule that will help you find the right fit for your wedding suit. For extra special nights out, add the waistcoat with a skinny tie.

The Fit

The fit of your suit is very important, whatever suit you choose, as it will likely be the first thing people will notice. An inexpensive but impeccably cut suit will look like fantastic. The same cannot be said for an expensive, ill-fitting suit.

A tailor’s nip and tuck can only go so far. Choosing a cheap fabric makes it difficult to make a good wedding suit. If you choose not to have a bespoke suit, make sure whoever is responsible for creating a great fit for you knows what they are doing so that you look your best on your wedding day.

Customization

Having decided on the style of suit you want for your wedding, consider adding a few unique customizations. You can have your name monogrammed to the inside of your jacket, perhaps also adding your wedding date and the name of your future wife. It is a romantic reminder of your wedding day that your bride will love.

You can also add working button holes on your jacket, one of the signs of a custom suit.