Wedding Tuxedos And Suits

Groom, groomsmen and guests

Dress the groom first and work outward. For a daytime or afternoon ceremony, a three piece suit in navy, charcoal or grey is the standard, and the waistcoat keeps the outfit intact once the jacket comes off at the reception. For a formal evening ceremony, a tuxedo in black or midnight blue. Groomsmen should sit one visible step simpler than the groom — two piece where he wears three, or the same suit with a different tie — so he reads first in the photographs. Guests are safest in a plain two piece unless the invitation says otherwise.

Season and venue before trend

Navy and charcoal work year round and photograph well in almost any light. Black reads most formal and suits evening ceremonies. White and ivory belong to beach, garden and summer weddings. Velvet belongs to autumn and winter evenings. For a themed or vintage wedding, 1920s suits carry the period without turning into costume. Our suit color guide covers the pairing question.

Buying versus renting, and timing

For one wedding and nothing else, renting can be cheaper. Across a wedding plus the black tie events that follow it, buying usually wins outright, and the fit is yours rather than approximate — a rented jacket is fitted to the nearest available size, not to you. Rent versus buy works through the arithmetic. On timing: allow at least six weeks before the date for a group order. That leaves room for a size exchange and for any local tailoring once the suits arrive, and it keeps the last fortnight free for everything else.

Frequently asked questions

A tuxedo is evening wear. For a ceremony before late afternoon a three piece suit reads better; if the reception runs into the evening, a dark suit bridges both.

Usually not. Put groomsmen one step simpler — two piece where the groom wears three, or a different tie — so the groom reads first in photographs.

For a single wedding, renting can be cheaper. Across a wedding plus the black tie events that follow it, buying usually wins, and the fit is yours rather than approximate.

Allow at least six weeks before the date. That leaves room for a size exchange and for any local tailoring once the suits arrive.