Southwest Creative
While future brides-to-be scroll through Pinterest boards, wedding-dress websites and pack their Saturdays with appointments our grooms expectation on “what to wear”, is the last thing the bride is thinking. A groom quest for a great suit doesn’t get much attention. The wedding dress always tends to be top priority, and men are basically expected to show up wearing the right color tie and an outfit that doesn’t have stains on it.
We know you may not be used to thinking for more than five minutes about what you want to wear on any given day, but this is your wedding. So today on the blog, we want to help all of the grooms out there in stepping up and planning your wedding attire. Here are 5 suit mistakes to AVOID when choosing your wedding attire.
1. Waiting until the last minute
The bride’s not waiting until the last minute to pick up her dress, why would you wait until the last minute to pick up your suit? This is one of the worst things you can do; there is so much room for disaster. Let’s not forget about Murphy's Law: "anything that can go wrong (probably) will go wrong."
You’ll have a dozen other tasks on your to-do list, there will not be time to worry about something that should have been taken care of already. Believe us when we say that picking up Grandma from the airport, remembering to eat, memorizing your vows, and fixing a ruined suit cannot all get done in between whatever else your bride has planned for you.
Everything might turn out fine, but some simple Google searches would point otherwise. We have seen it all, wrong sizes, wrong colors, even no suit at all. It will cause unnecessary drama for the bride and you.
We suggest ordering your suit or tux six months in advance and get it in your hands 14 days before your wedding.
Rich Faiva Photography
2. Don’t need a Tailor
A wedding is the most important photographic moment in any couple’s life. Do you want to look back at your wedding pictures, carefully taken and edited by a professional that you paid a lot of money for, and see sleeves that are too long or a baggy inseam? If your answer is anything but “no,” please seek help. Your bride should be able to set you straight!
Even if a suit fits well in the store, the groom should strongly consider getting it tailored before the big day. A tailor can turn an acceptable-looking suit into a dynamic article of clothing that will turn heads every time you wear it. Alteration costs vary based on the tailor and what you need to have done. As a general rule, expect to spend between $10 and $150.
If you have a strict budget, choose a less expensive suit and spend more on professional tailoring. People will usually notice a suit’s fit more than the quality of fabric and stitching.
Always Timeless Productions
3. Don't just consider the wedding
When you’re buying a suit for the wedding, you probably imagine wearing it while saying your vows, listening to speeches and getting down on the dance floor.
But have you imagined wearing it at a dinner party, a funeral or another friend’s wedding? Is your suit versatile enough to handle a variety of situations, or will it only be appropriate in rare circumstances?
Gray and navy suits are a good compromise between a traditional black suit or tux. Tan and white suits might be popular for summer weddings, but won’t work well for a networking event. The suit should also match the bride, fellow groomsmen and bridesmaids, so don’t ruin the aesthetic of your wedding over practicality—just try to find a reasonable middle ground.
Emerald AZ Photography
Emerald AZ Photography
4. Wrong accessories
There’s some wiggle room when it comes to suits and your personal style, but there are also some tried and true ways to wear your accessories.
Tuxedos, being the classiest option, come with the most rules: do not wear a belt with a tux (the lack of belt loops should be your first clue), instead, opt for suspenders; studs and cufflinks should be worn with your tuxedo shirt; and bowties, rather than long ties, are traditionally worn with tuxedos.
Other guidelines to consider: nontraditional colors for socks are fine, but stray away from white; no brown shoes or belt with a black suit; and both a belt and suspenders are not necessary with a suit.
If you plan on re-wearing the suit, also plan on re-wearing the accessories. If you’re buying a new tie, belt and pair of shoes for the wedding, make sure to find something you’ll want to wear again. Get shoes that look good with the suit but also with a more casual outfit. Consider a reversible belt that has both brown and black depending on shoes and tie.
Cassaundra Cherney Photography
5. Don’t expect to turn into a Style Expert
Ignorance is bliss. If you don’t know or care about all things fashion, then swallow your pride and elect your most fashionable groomsmen to help shepherd you through your options. If none of your groomsmen care, then the bride should be the one to take the reins. However, the most important part is that you are easy going and flexible when seeing new styles or a bit more “fitted pants” than usual. Remember, you won’t feel like you are wearing basket ball shorts and your favorite t-shirt when it comes to wearing a suit but you sure will look like the cover of GQ on your wedding day!
Jonathan Allison Photography
It’s wedding planning season for you and your bride. Get involved and plan a stunning suit. It’s your day, too, and you should look great.
XOXO
