By Melanie Walker

5-minute read

Are you feeling the pressure to choose the perfect wedding suit, one that showcases your style and complements your special day?

Many grooms struggle to find a starting point when they need to choose the right ensemble amid ever-changing trends.

At Zion Springs, set against the scenic landscapes of Loudoun County, Virginia, we bring over 15 years of experience guiding couples through their wedding planning journey. Our wedding trends and traditions expertise positions us as your trusted advisor in selecting attire that reflects your taste and the spirit of your celebration.

This guide will walk you through selecting the perfect wedding suit by aligning with the latest trends, ensuring a fit that complements your wedding theme, and offering tips for personalizing your look.

Selecting the Right Attire for Your Wedding Matters

looking your best and with your outfit complementing the wedding’s theme. Whether your day is smart, casual, or anything in between, we’re here to help you find the perfect match.

We’ll discuss top suit choices for various weddings and offer advice to avoid common errors, such as selecting an unsuitable or uncomfortable suit. We want you to feel fantastic and look polished on your big day.

Tuxedo or suit? Deciding what sets the right tone

With their satin lapels, buttons, and a sleek stripe down the leg, tuxedos are a top pick for evening and formal events. They’re typically worn with bow ties, waistcoats, and glossy patent leather shoes, showcasing ultimate sophistication. The classic black tuxedo is a go-to for black-tie weddings.
Suits work for all types of weddings, from formal to relaxed. You can pair them with long ties and add pocket squares and lapel pins for extra flair. Navy, grey, and charcoal are popular choices.

Understanding men’s wedding dress codes: From black tie to casual

Black tie: The pinnacle of formal wedding attire for men, a tuxedo with a smart white shirt, black bow tie, and patent leather shoes.
Formal or black tie optional: Provides more leeway, permitting either a tuxedo or a dark suit with a tie; it’s a formal look without the full tuxedo’s rigidity.
Semi-formal: This code bridges formal and casual, suggesting lighter suits for daytime and darker ones for evening events.
Casual: Moving beyond jeans and t-shirts, this dress code favors relaxed suits, chinos with blazers and encourages personal style with various colors and patterns.

With this information, you can choose attire that fits you nicely and aligns with the wedding’s setting. Moving forward, we’ll explore the latest men’s wedding suit trends.

Explore the Latest Trends in Groom’s Wedding Attire

The traditional black suit is no longer your only choice for the big day. Now, there’s a world of colors, styles, and materials. Let’s explore the exciting trends in wedding suits that mix classic looks with a modern twist, all tailored to fit your style and your wedding’s atmosphere. Ready for a peek?

Suit colors and what they say about your style

Navy: A versatile and sophisticated choice, navy suits work well across various wedding settings and easily pair with different accessories.
Gray: With shades from light dove to deep charcoal, gray suits introduce a contemporary twist, with lighter shades ideal for daytime and darker tones for evening events.
Unconventional hues: Bold choices like burgundy and forest green stand out, perfect for grooms looking to make a personal style statement.

The role of fabric and texture in your wedding look

Velvet: Gaining popularity for its rich texture and sheen, velvet suits are especially suited for cooler weather or formal evening weddings.
Linen: The go-to for beach or summer weddings, linen offers a lightweight, breathable option that keeps it relaxed and stylish.
Patterns and prints: Checks, herringbone, and pinstripes add depth and personality, balancing formality with individual expression.

After covering the basics, the focus shifts to the latest trends shaping men’s wedding attire.

Match Your Suit to the Wedding Venue: A Style Guide

Your wedding venue sets the tone, and we’re here to ensure your suit is spot-on, whether you’re saying “I do” in a grand church or with your toes in the sand. Let’s find the perfect suit that makes you look sharp and is just right for your special day.

Suits for formal weddings: Dressing up for the occasion

For grand church ceremonies, choose elegant black, navy, or dark gray suits. A three-piece suit adds sophistication.
For the luxury of banquet halls, go for high-quality wool or wool-silk suits in deep colors like midnight blue or charcoal, ideal for evening events.

Stylish men’s suits for outdoor and destination weddings

Beachside I Do’s call for breezy elegance in lighter fabrics. Think linen or cool wool blends in soft neutrals or pastels that reflect the ocean’s hues.
Garden or countryside weddings? Go for suits in gentle colors and textured fabrics, like soft gray or earthy sage, with subtle patterns that harmonize with the natural surroundings.

Now that you’re up to speed with the latest trends, it’s time to select a suit that complements your venue’s style and includes those personal details that make it perfect for you. Suspenders and vests over dress shirts, paired with comfortable loafers or chinos, can create a laid-back yet stylish ensemble, ideal for a less formal setting, adding a personal touch to your wedding attire.

Accessorize Your Suit: Personal Touches For the Groom

Your wedding celebrates love and offers an ideal opportunity to express your style. The right accessories and a perfectly tailored suit can take your look from good to exceptional. Let’s explore how to add those special personal touches:

Groom’s wedding accessories

Ties and bow ties: Choose from various fabrics and colors to either complement the wedding theme or make a bold statement
Pocket squares: Add a pop of color or a dash of sophistication with a carefully selected pocket square, considering color and folding technique.
Cufflinks: Personalize your look to the details with cufflinks, from classic silver to custom designs.
Shoes: Complete your outfit with the right shoes, from formal leather oxfords to more casual loafers.

Tailoring: The perfect fit

With a professional tailor, you can get your suit to fit just right, from the length to the waist and shape, tweaking your suit for better style and comfort.

A perfect fit and choosing accessories, like a tie-themed after your first date or cufflinks engraved with your wedding date completes your look. Next, we will look into sustainable and ethical wedding suit choices, highlighting their positive environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Choices: Sustainable Suits For Your Big Day

With growing interest in sustainability, couples are excited to have their weddings showcase their eco-conscious values. Choosing an eco-friendly wedding suit is a chic way to celebrate your big day with a nod to the environment. Here, we’ll take you through the enjoyable process of picking out wedding attire that’s stylish and earth-friendly.

Eco-friendly groom attire

Organic and sustainable fabrics: Look for suits made from organic cotton, linen, bamboo, or recycled materials, which have a lower environmental impact.
Ethical brands: Choose brands that prioritize sustainable production, fair labor practices, and transparency in their supply chain.

Renting vs. buying

Consider groom suit rental to promote garment reuse and reduce waste, especially if the style is unique or for one-time use.
If you decide to buy, choose a timeless, adaptable suit that can be worn on various occasions, extending its usefulness and maximizing value.

Choose wedding attire from brands with certifications like GOTS or Fair Trade to meet high environmental and ethical standards. Next, we’ll show you how to find the perfect suit, whether you’re visiting local shops, custom tailoring, or shopping online.

Where to Find the Perfect Suit: Shopping Tips For Grooms

Whether it’s the custom fit of a tailor, the ease of online shopping, or the personal touch of local boutiques, each option offers something valuable. Here’s a straightforward guide to wedding suit shopping tips:

Local boutiques: At local boutiques, you can touch the fabrics, try on different suits, get expert advice, and make on-the-spot alterations, all while supporting your local community and economy.
Custom tailors: Choosing a custom tailor means your suit is made just for you, from the choice of fabric to the perfect fit.
Online stores: Shopping online lets you explore a vast selection of suits from global brands, easily compare options from home, and rely on reviews to make informed choices. Plus, with easy return policies, there’s less worry about making the wrong pick.

Every choice brings advantages: personalized attention at local boutiques, the perfect fit of a tailor-made suit, or the extensive range and simplicity of online shopping. Wrapping up, we’ll underscore the impact of the perfect wedding suit in elevating the groom’s confidence and adding a dash of style to his special day.

Expert Answers to Your Wedding Suit Queries

When should I start looking for my wedding suit?

Begin your search 3 to 6 months before your wedding to allow ample time for selection, fittings, and any necessary alterations.

Can I wear a suit I already own to my wedding?

How should I maintain my wedding suit after the event?

Seal Your Wedding Day With Style: Final Thoughts For the Modern Groom

The journey to select the perfect wedding suit often begins with excitement and uncertainty, reflecting the desire to include your style while honoring the occasion’s significance. This guide has navigated the essentials of wedding attire, from understanding the nuanced differences between a wedding tuxedo vs. suit to embracing the latest trends and ensuring your choice resonates with the wedding’s setting and theme.

With these insights, the path forward is clear: selecting a suit that looks impeccable and feels authentically you. The following steps involve exploring options that align with your vision, whether through local boutiques, wedding suit tailoring, or online selections, always keeping sustainability and ethical considerations in mind.

For those eager to look further into wedding planning and style, Zion Springs offers a wealth of resources. We invite you to explore further articles on our Answers and Advice page, such as insights into writing your wedding speech and tips for building your wedding website. These resources aim to inspire and guide you through every aspect of your wedding journey.

All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs’ in-house photographer.