You've met the love of your life and decided to take the next step. Congratulations! Now, it's your job to choose the perfect wedding suit for your big day. Depending on the wedding style, you can go for a classic or modern look, and you will need to choose your preferred fit, style, color and fabric.
With various current wedding suit trends and many options to choose from, the planning task can seem daunting. To help you along the way, we've compiled a men's wedding suit guide with the following wedding suit tips.
Whether you, your partner or both of you are planning most of the wedding details, you should start planning your wedding apparel six to nine months before your wedding. This is when you should decide what you and your wedding party will wear. You can begin shopping for your desired wedding attire three to five months before the wedding.
Keep in mind that you may need to allow extra time if you will need alterations. Stores and tailors can become busy during the wedding season, so try to make an appointment early if you purchase from a popular retailer.
A tuxedo features a satin lapel, satin buttons and a satin stripe as well as a bow tie, and it has no belt loop or vents. A suit has belt loops, a tie, regular buttons and a lapel the same color as the suit, and it has no stripes.
Choosing between a suit and a tuxedo depends on how formal the wedding will be. Tuxedos are optimal for black-tie weddings, and they are also an option for black-tie optional and creative black-tie weddings. However, an elegant dark suit is perfect for other types of weddings.
Whether you rent or buy your suit will depend on your budget, any alterations you will need and whether you plan to wear the suit more than once. Purchasing a suit means that you will have one that is custom-fit to your body. Deciding to buy your suit gives a lasting investment for future use.
If you plan to wear your suit only once, renting may be the most economical option. However, purchasing a suit can save you money down the road if you plan to use it for other occasions such as work meetings, formal dinners or friends' weddings. For example, if you purchase a suit for $500 and wear it for five separate occasions, the cost is only $100 per wear, which is cheaper than renting a suit.
Purchasing a suit tailored to fit your body can give you a sophisticated, professional look. Additionally, owning a suit allows you to customize the fabric, color, cufflinks and pocket locations.
Suits have different styles that fit with various wedding types. Your suit style will depend on your personal preference, the wedding location and the wedding style. Daytime and outdoor weddings are usually more casual than evening weddings or weddings in grand venues, and some outdoor weddings call for different styles based on the season. Before you choose your suit, consider the differences between the following styles:
Once you choose your preferred suit style, it's time to decide what type of fit you want. This will depend on your body type and your desired comfort. Some suits have extra room that allows you to move around comfortably, while other suits provide a sharper look with just enough room to move without restriction. When choosing your wedding suit, consider the following fit types.
The regular fit is also known as the classic fit. Suits with this fit are slightly more comfortable than other fits because they provide a little extra room for easier movement. Grooms with a larger or average build may prefer this fit over other suits. A suit jacket with a regular fit will have a broader shoulder area and extra room in the chest area. The pants will sit high on the waist and have a little more room than other fits, and they will have a relaxed thigh.
Suits with a slim fit are tighter than the regular fit and hug the body. This fit provides less room and allows less movement than the regular fit, but it's perfect for grooms who want a sharper look or who have a slimmer body type. Suit jackets with a slim fit will have a fitted shoulder area and a slim chest fit. Slim-fit suit pants are straighter in the legs and slim at the thigh. They are also cut closer to the waist and sit lower on the waist.
The tailored fit, also known as the modern fit, is a combination of the regular and the slim fit. It's a mid-way point between the two suit fits that is slim but not as tight as the slim-fit suit. It provides a little more room for movement. Suits with a tailored fit have a fitted chest and high armholes. The pants are tapered through the thighs and hips, and they sit lower on the waist.
You have to consider various factors when choosing your suit color. You will need to coordinate with the wedding dress code, your soon-to-be spouse and the wedding party. You also need to consider the weddings' location and the season. Lighter colors are great for summer or beach weddings, while darker colors work well for winter weddings. A dark suit is also a great choice for grooms with a larger build because darker colors have a slimming effect on appearance.
You should also consider the following wedding suit color combinations:
The ideal fabric for your suit depends on which season you will get married and how comfortable you want to be. If you're getting married in the winter or having an outdoor fall wedding, you'll want a heavier fabric to keep you warm. Textured fabrics like corduroy, tweed and velvet and heavier fabrics like worsted, wool and wool-blended, are warm enough to keep you comfortable if your wedding will take place during a colder month.
A summer or beach wedding requires a lighter fabric to keep you cool. Light, breathable fabrics such as linen, polyester and cotton will keep you comfortable during a ceremony in warmer temperatures. Polyester and cotton are also budget-friendly, and they work for many occasions.
Choosing a suit is just the first step. You will also need to choose which accessories you want to complete your look.
The shoes you wear on your wedding day should be as formal as your suit, and they should match the color and style of your suit. For a playful twist, you and your groomsmen can get matching socks to wear on your big day, which makes for fun photos.
You can't wear a belt with a tuxedo, but a belt can enhance your look if you choose to wear a suit. A formal leather belt that matches your shoes can pair well with a suit, but a belt is not necessary. As long as your suit jacket and pants fit well, you can choose to skip the belt.
Ties come in many options. Neckties come in different sizes, and wider neckties are the most traditional option. Thinner neckties are more modern and trendy, but if you want to be even trendier or shoot for a western look, you can opt for a bolo tie with braided leather or a cord.
Tuxedos require bow ties, but you can also wear a bow tie with a suit for a more formal look. Four popular bow ties include the classic butterfly shape, the taller wide butterfly shape, the slimmer and narrower batwing shape and the diamond tip with pointed ends.
A dress watch can complement your wedding day look. A black leather dress watch pairs perfectly with a tuxedo, but you can wear a different kind of watch as long as it matches your suit. Make sure it is unadorned and simple. It should also be slim, so it fits under your cuff without bulging or sticking out.
Pocket squares are square cloth pieces you tuck into your jacket's breast pocket. A pocket square can add a touch of color to your suit and help you tie your look in with the wedding party. Similar to pocket squares, boutonnieres are flowers that you attach to your lapel. These can match the wedding colors or your partner's flower bouquet.
Cufflinks fasten the sides of shirt cuffs together. They're usually decorative, and they can add a splash of sophistication to your suit. Choose cufflinks that are discreet but match your personality and style. Cufflinks are best for single-cuff or French cuff dress shirts.
Lapels are the folded pieces of cloth on the front of a jacket. The shawl, the notch and the peak are the three types of lapels. The most common lapel type, the shawl, forms a continuous curve down the jacket. It is best for grooms with slimmer body types.
Notch lapels feature a slit or "notch" that forms an angle where the lapel top meets the collar bottom. A notch lapel is a good option for any occasion, body type and single-breasted jackets. The peak lapel is the most formal option, and it features edges that point toward the shoulders. Peak lapels have a slimming effect, and they work best on double-breasted jackets.
A black tuxedo is the perfect classic look for black-tie weddings and other formal wedding styles. For a wedding that's not quite black-tie but still formal, a blue three-piece suit is a classic choice. Dark blue, solid blue, cobalt blue and midnight blue are classic color options that you can choose. Opt for a single vent suit with three buttons, jetted pockets and four sleeve buttons to complete this classic look.
If contemporary or modern is more your style— or your partner's preferred style for the wedding— there are many options to choose from. Modern looks are popular for beach weddings. Suits for this wedding style can be beige, white, light blue or light gray. A cotton and linen blend can give you a relaxed, casual look, while a wool and silk blend can give your look a little shine.
Many modern wedding suit ideas also leave room for creativity. Maroon or burgundy suits can give off a unique modern vibe, and brighter colors can add a trendy cheerfulness to your wedding attire.
As a groom, choosing your wedding attire is an important part of your big day. If you're in the San Antonio area, you can visit Penner's to browse our wide selection of wedding suit options, many of which you can purchase for the same cost as renting.
Call us at (210)-226-2487 to learn more about our affordable wedding suit packages. We provide quality service and on-site tailoring to help you find the wedding suit that's right for you.