Groom's Guide to Choosing Wedding Attire
It's your day to look dapper AF.
Here Comes The Guide is an entirely female company—so we gotta admit: Knowing the ins and outs of wedding suits and tuxes isn't exactly our forte. That's why we reached out to our friends at Generation Tux to get some comprehensive info for our grooms, groomsmen, and gals that prefer pantsuits to petticoats.
They answer all your wedding attire-related questions below, from "What's the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?" to "What accessories do I need?" Get ready to look like you just stepped outta the pages of GQ, my friend.
Wedding Suit or Tux?
Ah, the age-old groom's attire dilemma: Should you stick with a wedding suit, or go all out with a tuxedo?
If you're not sure, a good rule of thumb is to follow your partner's lead! If they've chosen a formal gown or tuxedo themselves, then match their look with a tux. It's up to you as a couple to set the vibe (and dress code!) you want for your wedding. Here are some of the differences to consider when it comes to choosing a suit vs. a tux:
Suit
- Casual
- Versatile
- Trendy
Suits are typically made from one fabric (no satin detailing here!) and can be dressed up or down with a plethora of accessories. Get creative with a colored collared shirt, vest, belt, patterned tie, and matching socks and you'll look sharp when you step onto that aisle! Suits are available in two-piece or three-piece styles (pictured below), and are perfect for a wedding that's slightly more casual or taking place early in the day.
Tuxedo
- Formal
- Traditional
- Timeless
Satin details are the main thing that sets tuxedos apart from suits—besides the formality, of course. Tuxes have satin lapels, satin-covered buttons, and a satin stripe down each pant leg. There are no belt loops, so suspenders are used instead of a belt. You can opt for a long tie, but you may have noticed that tuxes are usually worn with a bow tie—hey, you don't want to cover up the snazzy studs on your white dress shirt! Get cufflinks to match those shirt studs, and you'll be ready for your close-up.
Bottom line: Opt for a tuxedo if your wedding is a formal or black-tie evening affair, and stick with a suit for a more casual or daytime event. That said, there's no hard and fast rule—so if YOU just want to feel fancy go ahead and strut that tux no matter what type of wedding you're having!
Brooke Boyd Photo + Film | Generation Tux
To Rent or To Buy? THAT is the question.
Let's talk about tuxedo vs. suit when it comes to price. Tuxedos are typically rented instead of purchased since—let's face it—they're expensive. And how many times will you really wear a tux in your lifetime? A suit is more reasonably priced (in most cases) and you'll probably wear it again, but when you throw in all the accessories to complete your wedding-day look, things can really add up!
If you're concerned about your budget or you're asking your groomsmen to wear specific attire, renting is the way to go. Here's why:
- Renting is more affordable. Buying a high-quality suit can cost several hundred dollars (and a tuxedo up to $1,000 or more!), while renting your wedding-day attire significantly slashes the price tag.
- Your groomsmen will match. Pro tip: No two white shirts are the same. Renting identical suits or tuxes and accessories ensures that all of your groomsmen will be perfectly coordinated. No slightly-off colors or noticeably different shoes making a cameo in your wedding photos!
- It saves closet space. Purchasing a suit? You have to store it in a garment bag, which takes up precious closet space. Your groomsmen will thank you when they can pack up their suits/tuxes and send them back at the end of the day.
Whether you purchase or rent, you'll want to ensure a proper fit. Most brick-and-mortar shops offer measuring and custom tailoring, while Generation Tux uses a proprietary fit technology with free home try-on and free, immediate replacements!
Sarah Brookhart Photography | Generation Tux
Basic Black or Pop of Color?
If your wedding will be white-tie or black-tie, you'll want to wear basic black. For all other events, it's totally your call! Here are some things to consider:
Black Wedding Suits or Tuxes
- Black is traditional and timeless. You really can't go wrong with it.
- Black goes with everything. If you're not confident you'll be able to match your 'cobalt blue' color scheme perfectly, then stick with black—it's the ultimate neutral that complements what everyone else is wearing.
- The groom and groomsmen can wear multiple styles. If you decide to go the tuxedo route, you can wear different style lapels to reflect the groomsmen's personalities (shawl, peak, and notch are a few options) and still look cohesive. A groom can also stand out by wearing a tuxedo while the groomsmen wear black suits.
Colorful Wedding Suits or Tuxes
- Color makes a statement! Weddings should be a celebration of a couple's style. Pick a suit or accessories in fun, fresh colors that show off your personality. Even a midnight blue or charcoal gray tuxedo can shake things up a bit!
- You can mix and match tones. Use varying shades of the same color to set your look apart. For example, the groom could wear a bright blue suit while the groomsmen don navy. You can accomplish the same thing with gray. It's a subtle twist that can distinguish the roles of members in your party and add versatility to the overall look.
- Coordinating with your partner is a snap. It's important to coordinate your wedding-day look with your partner's and adding some color is an easy way to do it. A tan suit would complement an ivory lace dress perfectly, but a coral tie that matches her Coral Charm Peony bouquet would really put you on the same harmonious page.
What Accessories Do Grooms Need?
A fun (and totally optional!) way to inject some style into your wedding day look is with accessories! Both suits and tuxedos can be customized, and here are just a few ways to spruce them up:
Dress Shirts
Dress shirts for suits come in every color and pattern under the sun, and even shirts for tuxedos are available in multiple styles—from plain and pleated fronts to a variety of collars and cuffs. Remember to think about which style tie you prefer before shopping for your shirt.
Vests
Adding a vest changes your look from a two-piece suit to a three-piece suit. Also referred to as a waistcoat, it's an easy way to add a colorful pattern to your suited ensemble.
Cummerbunds
Cummerbunds are a tuxedo accessory that cover the waist and are worn with a single-breasted jacket. Traditionally, men don't wear cummerbunds with long ties.
Suspenders
Suspenders not only pump up your style, they also keep your pants firmly in place while you dance the night away!
Belts
The type of belt you choose usually depends on the color of your suit. Traditionally, a black suit requires a black belt. If you choose a blue suit, though, a brown belt can look terrific. (Just be sure to match your shoes to your belt, since a wedding is a more formal occasion.)
Pocket Squares
A pocket square is basically a handkerchief tucked into a suit jacket pocket. It's yet another opportunity to color-coordinate!
Cufflinks
Cufflinks are like jewelry for your dress shirt cuffs. If you're wearing a tuxedo, the cufflinks should match the shirt studs. For a suit, you can get as creative as you like. Beer cap cufflinks, anyone?
Ties
The typical black tuxedo tie or bow tie look is perfect for formal events…but ties come in every color and pattern imaginable, so have fun finding the one.
Socks
Although socks are usually pretty invisible, it's a real kick to see a quirky, patterned sock peek out from under a pant leg!
While Generation Tux has provided a lot of useful information, in the end it all comes down to your personal style and level of comfort. Because no matter what you wear, as long as you're confident, there's really no such thing as a fashion faux pas!
Intrigued by online wedding suit and tuxedo rentals? Check out Generation Tux to see how they've revolutionized the formalwear rental process.
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