Kennedy Blue in 'Blush' | Lauren Myers Photography
A guide that explains everything needed to know about groomsmen attire?! YES, please!!
We've gathered up the top ideas, questions, and advice any bride or groom should know about suits and tuxes. We will share everything that will help you decide what you want the groomsmen to be wearing on your big day. There is even never-before-shared advice that is a surefire way to figure it out! Choosing your groomsmen's attire has never been this easy before!
*This post may contain affiliate links. While we can receive commission through affiliate links, opinions are entirely our own.*
Wedding Suit Rental: Groomsmen Shopping Etiquette
There are SO many details that go into shopping for a suit or a tux. It's important to think ahead and have a plan. Before you shop, stop, and make sure you have this figured out first: Color Palette, Aesthetic, and Theme (Venue). It'll make the shopping process run smoother and in-line with the vibe you're going for!
Who Pays for Groomsmen Suits?
When it's time to pick out suits and accessories, whose responsibility is it to pay? This is a decision for a couple to discuss before shopping. You and your partner may decide to pay for your bridal parties' expenses. But usually it is something your bridal party will take care of themselves.
Pro Tip: Place the entire order at the same time if possible- there may potentially be a group discount!
Wedding Suit Rental: When to Place Your Order
How far in advance do you need to place your order for groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits?
Ask the store what they recommend, as factors may vary depending on the busy season. Ideally, it's a few months before your wedding to ensure a timely arrival and time to adjust anything. However, stores can usually accommodate on shorter notice. We find it's helpful to browse ahead of time so that you have a good idea of what you're looking for and what stores you want to shop at!
Tuxedo & Suit Accessories: What 'Extras' Are Needed for the Groomsmen?
A groomsmen's attire isn't complete without accessories! Not only dressing up the look, it adds charm to the suit or tux! The two things to consider are which accessories you want and what color scheme to follow. Select one color or more for your bridal party. Pick the same color if you want to coordinate with the bridesmaid's dresses. Select a different color that pairs well with the dresses if you want a complementary style.
When pairing accessories with a suit or tux, some are essentials like belts or suspenders. Other accessories to consider are a tie/bowtie, vest, pocket squares, and cufflinks (for a tux). Ask the store what comes with a suit/tux rental as it may include some of these.
Men's Wearhouse Suit | Kendall Parsons Photography
Suit Rental vs. Purchase: What Should You Do?
There are different things you need to consider when deciding whether to rent or purchase a suit/tux. Either way works perfectly fine and each has its own benefits. The most important thing to keep in mind is your budget and options.
Kennedy Blue in 'Dew Drop' | Kacey Wyrick Photography
Renting Groomsmen Suits
Many wedding groups decide to rent their groomsmen suits because it's less complicated. Renting makes shopping simpler and relieves the stress of having to match it all on your own. It ensures that everyone can find the same styles of suits, dress shirts, and shoes for your crew to be ready to go on your big day! It is often a more affordable option (especially for tuxedos!)- so that is also a major plus.
We highly recommend Generation Tux when renting tuxes/suits. They offer a vast variety of styles and colors and have an effortless rental process. It's as simple as three steps- design, fit, get- and all conveniently done online! With their great collection, it's so easy to find the perfect items! Check out this guide and see how well GenTux pairs with our Kennedy Blue dresses!
Generation Tux 'Black Notch Lapel Tuxedo' | Lahzeh Photography
Buying Groomsmen Suits
Another option is that your crew could buy their suits. The plus to that is your groomsmen can wear their suit for more than one occasion. But it is much more expensive to buy than to only pay for a rental. Any extra accessories will also raise the price even if some come included with a suit purchase. The available selection to purchase from may be limited and not have the exact styles and colors you're looking for either. Overall, renting is usually a more affordable and flexible option. As you're planning, consider whether buying or renting would work best for you and your crew.
Tuxedos vs. Suits: Which is Right for Your Wedding?
This may be the ultimate style decision- tuxedo or suit?! This choice is what helps bring your whole wedding look together. Each has a certain tone that transforms the atmosphere and vibe of your dream wedding. It's important to figure out what would be perfect for what you're envisioning. As you think it over, take into consideration your wedding theme (venue) and aesthetic. This can help you visualize what style would look the best and get started planning from there!
Kennedy Blue in 'Fog' | Beth Joy Photography
Tuxedos for Groom and Groomsmen
It's a classic choice- tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen! And we can see why. Outfitting your crew with handsome tuxedos immediately dresses up a look- 10/10!
Tuxedos Are Preferable for Formal Weddings
A tuxedo is certainly classy and is usually selected for fancier evening events (black-tie). It's a distinguished style that delivers a grand presence. The exquisite satin details and striking color brings your look to a whole new level. You can never go wrong with a tux!
Tuxedos Include Different Accessories
It's a timeless look with a crisp white collared dress shirt and slick black patent shoes. What makes a tuxedo stand out are the jazzy accessories that dress it up. These include bowties, suspenders, vest/cummerbund, and cufflinks.
Suits for Groom and Groomsmen
It's always a solid choice- need a polished look!? Pick a suit! No matter what, you can't beat that!
Suits Are More Versatile
A great feature about a suit is how it's literally suitable attire for any time or occasion! It has a certain flair with the ways it can be worn. You can dress the suit up to be formal or dress it down to be more casual, all depending on the event. Suits are fun to bring out your own style and add a pop of personality. Wearing something like cool sneakers or a bold-print tie gives a modernized look to your wedding party!
What Color Suits Should the Groom & Groomsmen Wear?
When it comes to your wedding there isn't a set of rules or designated dress style you must follow. It's totally up to you! Choose what you like and what feels best for your wedding. This is your special day after all!
Black Suits for Groomsmen
A sleek black suit is generally more formal. It's a classic and timeless piece that matches everything. This is usually the primary choice for a traditional wedding look.
Other Groomsmen Suit Colors
Some couples envision a less formal and a more contemporary look for the groomsmen. Alternate suit colors are increasingly becoming popular to go with different wedding vibes. A few favorites are grey, blue, and tan. These are great neutral colors. With a wide color spectrum, they will coordinate well with the bridesmaid's dresses.
Grey Suits for Groomsmen
Suits with shades of grey always handsomely complement any color scheme. From soft light hues to deep rich tones, there's for sure a grey color that will match your wedding!
Kennedy Blue in 'Sea Glass' | Local Embers & Co. Photography
Blue Suits for Groomsmen
Suits in the blue spectrum add such a splash of color to your wedding party! Whether dark or light, blue is definitely a vibrant color that offers a chic elegance.
Kennedy Blue in 'Fog' | Kendra Elise Photography
Other Tips for Groomsmen Attire
Our Guide to Groomsmen Attire is almost complete- but we haven't shared the best advice just yet. We still have a few more gems that'll help you plan the wedding of your dreams!
Match Groomsmen Attire with the Theme & Style of Your Wedding
When you're imagining your dream wedding, what do you see? A wedding vision needs a color palette, aesthetic, and theme (venue). Your wedding will have a special ambience just from its surroundings. As you shop for the groomsmen's attire, make sure to take the type of venue you're using into consideration. Different types of formalwear are considered appropriate depending on where your wedding is. A grand ballroom, a cozy beach, and a rustic barn are each a distinctive setting. Match your groomsmen's attire with the theme and style of your wedding. A polished grey suit would look majestic with a stunning cityside backdrop. For a stately ballroom reception, a debonair black tuxedo would look phenomenal.
Remember your vision, but choose what you like best and what makes you happy. It will all come together!
Coordinate Your Groomsmen with the Bridesmaids
May sound simple, but it's one of our best tips! Pick out bridesmaid's stuff first, then the groomsmen's! Decide on your bridesmaid dresses and colors before shopping for the groomsmen attire. You can then color match the groomsmen's accessories, such as ties and pocket squares. This is essential to maintaining a cohesive color scheme with your bridal party. It's especially easy to pair colors when you use our KB line! The Kennedy Blue line was thoughtfully designed to make bridal party shopping better. Our assortment of men's ties coordinates impeccably with our Kennedy Blue bridesmaid's dresses- it's effortless! Check out the secret to coordinating bridal party colors for more tips!
Try to Make the Groom Stand Out
It's your big day and the bride will stand out- try to make the groom stand out also! This could be an entirely different color palette with the suit and accessories. It could also simply be a noticeable color variation. The groom's attire should have something that's distinguishing. Select a different color or style for the groom with his suit, tie, dress shirt, or anything in accessories. But also know that if you want the groom and his crew to share a cohesive look, that is absolutely okay too!
Whichever you do, choose what you like best and your wedding party will look amazing!
Conclusion
We hope that this guide was helpful and makes shopping a little bit easier! Always keep your vision in mind and remember three important things: color palette, aesthetic, and theme (venue). It will help you plan the perfect attire for your dream wedding!!
We are so excited for you and we know you'll find a look for your wedding party that you love!
You May Also Like
Interested in learning more about how to coordinate your bridal party's look?! It's something we've shared in 5 Reasons Color Swatches Make Wedding Planning a Breeze. This will DEFINITELY help you plan your big day!
Kennedy Blue in 'Latte' | Color Swatch in 'Latte'
Such a helpful article!
We’re getting married in May of 23 and my groom wants his groomsmen to wear green suits. I’m letting him have that. What are some good colors on this website that would compliment green suits? One thing I’m learning is it’s a bit of a challenge. I want to go with a desert rose because we are getting married in the spring. MOH would be in champagne. But that may be too many colors lol
I love the simple classic look of a navy blue suit. I esp love the look of mixing it up with groom men in gray and groom in another color tux or suit.
I liked the way you set up all of these little bolts to help people out I just finished the choosing grooms suits and grooms man’s.
This helped me a lot. I thought planning the guys outfits was as simple as pick a color for accents. I had no idea there was so much more to it!
This was so helpful! I was honestly clueless when it came to the men’s attire. I had no idea how the guys could coordinate but also make the groom stand out from his groomsmen. Thank you!
So helpful! Can’t wait to coordinate both sides of the bridal party.
This is very helpful on how to coordinate colors and outfits.
This article was so helpful!
Great article!