Practical Style Guide: Wedding Suits for Men
How Your Suit Should Fit and Why You Should Buy a Suit, Not Rent It
If you’re paying for your own wedding, you’ve got every right to wear whatever the hell you want. But if you’re going to do something, do it right. So, if you’re wearing a suit, don’t be one of those grooms I’ve seen far too often, showing up in a baggy rental suit with LOUIS XIII bottles on every table. Because no matter how much you spend on your wedding, a poorly fitted suit can make everything else look cheap. Maybe the groom doesn’t notice, and maybe most guests don’t either—but trust me, I see it. And those who know "the rules" do, too.
You’d be surprised how many wedding photographers and videographers overlook this as well, often clashing with me when I make last-minute suggestions to fine-tune the groom’s look. I’ve worked in the fashion industry for a few years (and watched The Devil Wears Prada more times than I’d care to admit), so I know that fit is everything. But the fact that you’re here means you’re already a step ahead of the guys who don’t care to look their best on their wedding day. And while finding and wearing the "right suit" takes a bit of time, it’s one of those things you only have to get right once.
How a Suit Should Fit
The biggest mistake most men make is not wearing a suit that fits properly. In less than 60 seconds, the creative director of Daniel George will show you exactly how a suit should fit. For a more detailed look, check the second video by Ashley Weston. And don’t forget to tuck in your shoelaces.
Avoid Wedding Suit Rentals
Look, I get it—not everyone wears a suit to the office every day or gets invited to fancy dinners or weddings regularly. So, owning a suit might not seem essential, but maybe it should be. Now, I’m not saying you need to go out and buy a $5,000 suit. Honestly, even a thrift store suit, once tailored, will look a million times better than anything a big rental chain will send you—and two million times better than the baggy rental some grooms settle for. Because a rented suit is made to fit anyone, but not you.
Can you get a well-fitting suit from a rental place? Sure, eventually. But if you’re going to go through the hassle of multiple appointments or keep shipping suits back and forth until you find the right fit, you might as well just buy one. It’ll cost about the same in the end. Renting a suit runs around $300 on average, while an off-the-rack suit from a department store costs between $300 and $400, plus about $100 for minor alterations if needed.
The best part of owning your suit is that it’s not just for the wedding. You’ll have it for job interviews, date nights, and even your friend’s wedding. If you go with a black suit—and I hate to sound morbid—it can also be worn to a family or friend’s funeral. When someone close passes, the last thing you want to worry about is what to wear. Owning a well-fitted, versatile suit covers you for all these moments.
The Difference Between Off-the-Rack, Made-to-Measure, and Bespoke Suits
Without getting too technical, it’s essential to understand the three main types of suits—because not all suits are created equal. The good news? There’s a well-tailored suit for you, no matter your budget.
Off-the-Rack — suits are mass-produced and available in standard sizes directly from retail stores. They’re ready to wear immediately but may need some minor tailoring for a better fit. The average price for off-the-rack suits ranges from $300 to $500.
Made-to-Measure — suits are customized based on your measurements, but they use pre-existing patterns. They offer a better fit than off-the-rack and allow for some customization. And usually require 1-2 fittings and a few weeks to complete. The average price for made-to-measure suits ranges from $500-$1,500
Bespoke — suits are fully custom-made, built from scratch based on your unique measurements and specifications. They are crafted by skilled tailors and offer the highest level of personalization and quality. While bespoke suits require multiple fittings and take several weeks to months to complete, they offer a complete personalized fit and are the ultimate expression of style and sophistication. Bespoke suits typically start at $2,000.
How to Put on a Boutonniere
A year ago, at a high-profile wedding I was covering, I ended up in a heated back-and-forth with the video team and wedding planner over the boutonnière on our client’s jacket. I saw it was in the wrong spot, made the correction, and seconds later, the videographer came rushing over, insisting it go back where she had placed it because, to her, it "looked weird." While the groom—our client—was confident I made the right call, he reluctantly moved it back after the videographer brought the wedding planner into the mix. As you can imagine, there was bad blood between me, the video team, and the wedding planner for the rest of the night.
You’d think these people, working luxury weddings, would know something as basic as boutonnière placement on men’s jackets. But don’t worry—I won’t let you get caught with your pants down. Below—albeit kind of boring, ain’t even gonna lie—a video from the Gentleman's Gazette will show you THE proper placement of the boutonnière. And keep it simple: a single flower is enough. There’s absolutely no reason you should be carrying a boutonnière the size of the bride’s bouquet on your jacket.
The Devil is in the Details
And there you have it, friend—my top recommendations on how a suit should fit and why you should invest in one. Of course, this only scratches the surface, but since many men aren’t familiar with the basics, I thought I’d start here without going too deep into every detail. I’ll leave some essential videos below to dive further. And don’t forget: shoes, belt, and watch strap should always match, but not the tie and pocket square.