Photo by Blink of an Eye Photography

When it comes to choosing attire for your groom and groomsmen, there are lots of options to choose from. Tuxedo or suit? Bow tie or necktie? Vest or cummerbund? We’ve come up with a few questions that might help you narrow things down a bit (you’ll probably hear many of these same questions at the tuxedo shop, so be prepared to answer them!):

Where, when, and how formal is our wedding?
Before you start shopping, think long and hard about your venue, your wedding date, and how you want your wedding to look and feel. If you’re planning a summer wedding on the beach, a formal tuxedo just won’t look right – or be comfortable. And if you’re getting married in a house of worship or ballroom, khakis and flip-flops probably aren’t appropriate. Those might sound obvious, but there is a wide middle ground. If you’re planning a wedding that’s somewhere in-between super-formal and totally casual (perhaps at a historic home or country club), consider black, gray, or navy suits, or a sport coat and khakis.

What does the wedding gown look like?
A bride doesn’t have to share a photo of her dress with the groom, but she should be able to at least be able to share how formal or casual it is. The groom should match his bride in terms of formality – so if she’s wearing a grand beaded ballgown, he should consider wearing a full tux. Is she wearing a simple sheath? He can wear a suit or other less fancy option.

What’s the wedding color scheme?
Pick out the wedding colors and bridesmaid dresses before selecting the groom and groomsmen’s attire. You’ll want the entire wedding party to look like a cohesive unit. Bring a swatch of the bridesmaid dress fabric tuxedo shopping so you can see how the men’s attire will look alongside it. Use ties to add a pop of color to the groom and groomsmen’s look – either matching the bridesmaid dresses or in another hue of your color palette to bring it all together.

Does the groom want to wear the same thing as his groomsmen or something a bit different?
If the groom wants to wear the same thing as his groomsmen, that’s absolutely fine. But some guys would prefer to stand out – even just a bit. The simple addition of a vest can go a long way, or the groom can wear a different tie than the rest of the guys to switch things up. Or, for more casual weddings, the groom can wear a suit while his groomsmen wear shirts and slacks, sans tie.

Now tell us:

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