The Groom’s Guide to Wedding Attire: Choosing the Right Suit, Tuxedo, and Everything in Between
On a wedding day, a man’s appearance should live up to the occasion.
Not in the sense of fashion, but in the sense of honouring the day – and the woman he is about to marry.
For many men, however, the wedding suit is unfamiliar territory. Once the planning begins, a few practical questions tend to appear.
Should the groom wear a suit or a tuxedo?
What colour is appropriate for a wedding suit?
Should the groom match the groomsmen?
And is it better to rent or invest in something made for the occasion?
Rather than complicating things, the goal of this guide is simple. To offer a calm set of principles for choosing wedding attire that feels elegant, timeless, and appropriate for the moment.
Suit or Tuxedo?
In recent years, we’ve seen more couples choose black-tie weddings, often as a way of making the day feel a little more ceremonial and special. In that setting, a tuxedo becomes the natural choice. Traditionally reserved for formal evening events, it is defined by satin details – most notably on the lapels and trouser stripe – and is worn with a bow tie. A suit, on the other hand, offers more versatility. Many modern weddings still fall naturally into suit territory: ceremonies earlier in the day, outdoor venues, or celebrations that blend tradition with a more relaxed atmosphere. A tuxedo is beautiful for evening receptions or very formal weddings.
You can browse our take on both suits and tuxedos here.
A well-tailored suit remains a natural choice for weddings taking place during the day.
What Colour Should the Groom Wear?
Colour plays a larger role than many men expect. The most timeless options tend to be the simplest. Navy is often the most versatile wedding suit. It photographs beautifully, works in every season, and feels both formal and approachable. Charcoal grey offers slightly more formality and pairs particularly well with autumn and winter weddings. Black works best for a tuxedo when the event leans toward evening elegance and black-tie traditions. For summer celebrations, lighter neutrals – sand, beige, or light grey – can feel relaxed while still maintaining refinement. The important part is not the trend. It is choosing a colour that feels harmonious with the setting of the wedding.
Should the Groom Stand Out from the Groomsmen?
Traditionally, yes – but the difference should be subtle.
A groom might wear:
-A double-breasted tuxedo while the groomsmen wear single-breasted.
-A suit with peak lapels while the groomsmen wear notch lapels.
-A dinner jacket in another colour than the groomsmen’s.
These small distinctions allow the groom to remain the visual centre of the wedding party without creating unnecessary contrast.
Elegance rarely needs dramatic gestures.
Renting or Owning a Wedding Suit
The appeal of renting is understandable. Occasions where a tuxedo is required may be few and far between, so the idea of renting rather than investing in one can seem perfectly sensible. However, for a moment as significant as your wedding day, we will almost always recommend wearing something that was made for you. This ensures the optimal fit, so your appearance rises to the occasion. Interestingly, once a man owns a tuxedo, occasions that call for one tend to appear more often than expected. Black-tie weddings, formal dinners, charity galas, milestone celebrations – events that might previously have felt inconvenient suddenly become invitations worth accepting. And unlike many garments, a well-made tuxedo is designed to last. With the right fabric and proper construction, it can remain in a wardrobe for decades, ready for the rare evenings that deserve something a little more ceremonial.
In that sense, a tuxedo is less a purchase for a single evening, and more a piece of attire that follows a man through life’s most formal moments. A wedding suit, on the other hand, tends to live a slightly different life. Where the tuxedo waits patiently for formal evenings, a well-made suit becomes part of a man’s regular wardrobe. It might return for anniversaries, formal dinners, important professional moments, or future celebrations. Because of that, many grooms choose to see their wedding suit not as a one-day garment, but as the beginning of a piece that continues to live in their wardrobe.
Whether you’re opting for a tuxedo or a suit for your wedding, we recommend investing in something custom tailored rather than renting or purchasing off the rack.
Fit Matters More Than Everything Else
When men think about wedding attire, they often focus on the jacket. In reality, the entire silhouette matters. Trousers that sit properly at the waist, a jacket that moves naturally with the body, and proportions that feel balanced will always elevate the look more than any decorative detail. A good wedding suit should feel effortless.
Not restrictive or overly styled – just correct.
Choosing the Right Shirt, Tie, and Details
Once the suit is chosen, the remaining details should support it rather than compete with it. If you’ve invested in a tuxedo, we recommend a crisp white tuxedo shirt. It remains the most timeless option and works best with the formality of a tuxedo. If you’ve invested in a suit, a nice addition could be an off-white wedding shirt. This ensures you won’t outshine your bride, who will most likely wear some variation of off-white in her wedding dress – crème, champagne, eggshell, ivory, and similar tones.
Neckties work beautifully with suits, while bow ties are traditionally reserved for tuxedos. Shoes should remain classic: black or dark brown leather, polished but not overly glossy. Unless you wear a tuxedo, in which case patent leather shoes remain the most traditional choice.
Small details – a pocket square, tie pin, and cufflinks – can add personality without overwhelming the outfit.
Restraint often looks more confident than excess.
The Real Purpose of Wedding Attire
Clothing at a wedding isn’t meant to distract attention.
It exists to honour the moment.
The goal is simple: to wear something that feels worthy of the day you commit your life to another person.
Not louder or trendier – just elegant enough to mark the occasion.
And perhaps, many years later, when you see photographs from that day, you’ll be glad the choice was timeless.