Wedding Planning Information and Advice
Men's Wedding Outfits
By Carly Hughes
Most wedding literature focuses solely on the bride and the wedding dress, but a wedding is not only for the bride to look amazing - it is also very important for the groom to feel and look his best too. After all, any man in a badly fitted suit will leave him looking shifty and uncomfortable and this doesn't bode well for the wedding pictures!
Here are some top tips to help the groom feel and look good on the big day:
Hire or Buy?
Depending on the formality of your wedding and the size and of your male wedding party - it may work out more cost effective to hire your suits. Remember formal attire such as morning jackets are seldom worn more than once. However if it is a less formal wedding a standard suit is much more versatile and can be worn on many occasions. Moss Bros do a fantastic range of suits to hire and buy at very reasonable prices.
Dress To Flatter Your Body Type
You don't want to end up looking like a child drowning in his dads clothes so if you are a bit larger around the waist consider choosing a lower buttoned jacket rather than one with a higher placket - this will give the illusion of a longer silhouette. If you struggle with your height a double breasted jacket may make you appear smaller than you really are so stick to a single breasted jacket.
Comfort
It's not always possible to account for the weather especially in the UK but try to pick a fabric for your suit that is appropriate for the season; there is nothing worse than being hot and bothered. If you sweat a lot it might be worth taking a spare shirt to change into later on for the evening. Wear your shoes in by walking around the house in them a month before to break them.
The Perfect Fit
Make sure when you are measured they take your waist size, leg inseam (length from the crotch of the trousers to the bottom of your leg), collar size, sleeve length and your jacket size.
- The trousers should break over the instep, about 1/3 of the way down the shoe
- Your jacket should fit well and you should allow a broad range of movement when it is buttoned and unbuttoned - this is very important as you are likely to be very active - dancing, shaking hands etc.
- The waistcoat (if you opt for one) should button comfortably and hit just below the waistband of your trousers.
- You should be able to fit one or two fingers and no more between the collar of your shirt and your neck and the shirt cuffs should not ride up when you your arms are outstretched.
- Make sure you try everything on 1 - 2 weeks before the wedding to check it still fits - this will allow time for any last minute alterations.
Be Stylish
This is not the 70's, keep away from the frilly shirts and brightly coloured suits! There are plenty of other tasteful options for you to bring your personality in through your outfit.
- Ties - there are many different choices - Bow tie - for a very formal do, a cravat to look very traditional, or maybe a long tie for a slightly less formal wedding. Which ever style you choose try to keep the colour and pattern relatively conservative and ensure it co-ordinates with the wedding colour theme if there is one.
- Waistcoats - as with the tie, try and co-ordinate the waistcoat with the wedding party colour theme. Cream is a very versatile popular choice and gives that classic formal look.
- Cufflinks - are a must have accessory - providing the final touch to the perfect suit. Most popular are the classic silver square / rectangle which you can purchase from any jeweller or most clothing retailers. Personalised cufflinks make a great gift for your best man and ushers and you can get some great deals on websites such as eBay.
- Shoes - If you are renting your suits you can rent the shoes too, the shop should offer a wide choice and shoes to match each outfit - this may be the best option if your wedding is very formal and the dress code is a tuxedo for example. Again if the dress code is less formal smart shoes that you may already own would be fine - just make sure they are clean and polished. The comfort factor is very important too - as you will be on your feet all day.
Many suit retailers offer package deals for wedding suit hire. Moss Bros offer a package that includes hire of; - Suit / Shirt / Tie /Hankie and Shoes - that can be hired for a very reasonable price. Ensure you should use a creditable shop, as they will be qualified to advise on your choice and style and can help you to avoid mistakes that you may later regret. Finally to avoid any disappointment book or buy your suits at least 3 months before the wedding as some periods of the year are a lot busier than others (Jun through to Sept) and demand will be a lot higher.
For more great wedding ideas visit Complete Wedding Guide
Wedding Outfits
Select a link below for further information
