How Your Wedding Suit Should Fit, Why You Should Buy It Not Rent It + Practical Tips for Alternative Groom Attire

Wedding Suits for Men: Elevating Your Wedding Day Look

It’s no secret that weddings often perpetuate the notion that the groom is merely an accessory to the bride. However, it's important to remember that this is your wedding too. As the groom, you play a significant role because guess what? There wouldn’t even be a wedding without you. Because considering the heavy financial investment you're likely be making, you better have something to show for it, and it will show on how you choose to dress for your own wedding.

Unfortunately, many grooms overlook this aspect, influenced by the belief that weddings are primarily focused on the bride.

If by chance you're already well-versed in suit etiquette and confident in your fashion choices, feel free to skip this guide. However, if you consider yourself a laid-back guy who doesn't pay much attention to fashion or relies on your girlfriend to pick out your outfits, this guide is here to assist you. Whether you're here because you genuinely care about looking your best on your wedding day or simply want a refresher on how to properly wear a suit or tuxedo, you've come to the right place.

Now, you might be wondering why all these rules must be followed. While I don’t have all the answers for you, I can assure you that by adhering to the advice laid out in this very lengthy guide, you will undoubtedly look sharp and showcase your dedication to looking your best on your wedding day. I understand that some of these rules may seem puzzling or even dumb at first, and trust me, I'm no fan of dressing up or wearing uncomfortable shoes either. But it's a necessary step to make a lasting impression. Lastly, I ask you to bookmark this page and frequently refer to it as your wedding day approaches. Soon enough, you'll realize that looking dashing for your wedding is not as daunting as it may initially appear.

What Do Grooms Wear: Choosing Your Wedding Attire

Did you know there's no written rule saying that you must wear a suit or tuxedo for your own wedding? That’s right! You are free to wear whatever the hell you want to your own wedding. However, only if you put the same equal amount effort into your attire as your bride does into hers.

For instance, if your bride wears a simple short white dress, you can consider slacks paired with a crisp or light blue dress shirt as a suitable alternative. If she goes all out with a fancy dress, well, you too have to go balls deep with a fancy suit.

However, if a traditional three or two-piece suit isn't your style, explore options like suspenders and a bow tie or a dashing vintage tweed sport jacket with chinos. All of which you can be picked up at your local thrift store. The key thing to remember is to ensure that the pieces are well-tailored and flatter your body type. Expensive is not and should not be synonymous with fashionable style.

Wedding Tuxedo Rental: Just Say No

So, both you and your fiancé have decided on going formal for the wedding. Congrats. Now, the average guy will simply settle with renting a suit either online or from a rental house, that has been worn by God knows how many men, treated God knows how, and then pay to wear that same suit for their own wedding. Why?

Worst yet, deciding to have groomsmen (which I’m adamantly against), with matching suits and accompanying accessories. Why? It’s your wedding my guy, not the military for everyone to have the exact same uniform.

It’s for this reason I cannot overstate my recommendation for buying your wedding suit instead of renting it. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting you go out and buy a $5,000 suit, but hey, more power to you if you do. What I am saying, is that even if you buy your suit from the thrift store and if it fits your body type, it will look a million times better than what a big box rental house will send you. Because it’s something you choose, you put it together. I’m not into sports, so I don’t understand the tribalism of wearing the same jersey, but again, this is your wedding, not a sports event.

And it doesn’t matter if you’re planning an intimate elopement, a backyard civil wedding, or even an extravagant affair, avoid the temptation of the tuxedo rental. Because as I keep mentioning, rented suits are often off the rack and fail to provide the perfect fit for your body type. But can you get a well-fitting suit from a rental house? Of course, you can, eventually. But if you’re going to go through the trouble of driving to multi day measurement appointments or keep shipping back what the rental house sends you until you find the right fit, you might as well just buy your own suit at that point. It’ll cost you about the same in both time and money anyway.

Please, invest the time to find a suit that complements your physique and go the extra mile by having it tailored to your body type. Nothing conveys practical elegance like a well-fitted suit. Keep in mind that even a cheap suit can look expensive when tailored properly, while an expensive suit can appear cheap if not tailored for you.

The best part of buying your suit? It can be worn on various occasions beyond the wedding day, such as job interviews, romantic date nights, your friend’s wedding, or even somber events like funerals (if the suit is black). The value of your tailored suit will extend far beyond a single use by simply purchasing a suit that fits impeccably. An investment that will pay off in the long run, both in terms of style and practicality.

Off-the-Rack Suits: How to Make Them Your Own

So, you decided on buying your suit, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on a bespoke suit. Nothing wrong with that. And you ask, can I rock an off-the-rack suit from a department store? You bet your ass you can.

As I keep stressing thought out this guide, a well-fitting suit is key to looking impeccable, whether you pay $100 or $1,000 for your suit or tux.

Because regardless of cost or style, a baggy suit will make you look cheap AF. Just give yourself plenty of time to browse around different stores and follow these essential guidelines to help you achieve a flawless fit with ease:

• First, seek the expertise of a professional tailor to have your measurements taken accurately. Once you have your measurements, and assuming you don’t gain or lose weight, you can then easily pull things off rack ensuring an almost perfect fit each time.

• Or simply ask your fiancé to measure you at home by following this video: “Knowing Your Body Measurements”

• Pay particular attention to the fit around the shoulders. The suit jacket's seam should align precisely with the edge of your shoulders, neither hanging off nor restricting your movement.

• Consider the appropriate length of the jacket. It should cover your buttocks and crotch area while ending just at the knuckles of your closed fist.

• The sleeves should reveal approximately half an inch of your shirt cuff when your arms are relaxed at your sides.

• Ensure the collar of your shirt rests comfortably against the back of your neck, devoid of any gaps or wrinkles.

• The trousers should sit at your natural waistline, neither sagging nor pulling. They should break slightly at the top of your shoes with minimal fabric bunching.

• Aim for the trouser length to create a slight break at the front, where the hem grazes the top of your shoe and forms a small fold.

• If necessary, consult a tailor for any required adjustments to achieve the ideal fit.

• And do not overlook the dress shirt: “Understanding Bespoke Shirt Measurements”

How to Button a Suit, Tie A Necktie and Other Practical Tips

The accessories you wear WILL make or break your suit. From the boutonnière to the color palette of the accessories, each element will contribute to the entire ensemble, elevating your overall look and exude a sophisticated style that enhances the impact of your suit. And understanding how to wear them correctly is surprisingly simpler than it looks:

• Consider having your trousers tailored to fit you, eliminating the need for a belt. This not only reduces accessory clutter but also creates a sleeker profile around your mid-waist area.

• When choosing a leather belt, ensure the color tone matches that of your shoes. However, matching the leather band of your watch to your shoes or belt is optional.

• Always tuck in your shoelaces or replace them with shorter laces if they are too long. Trust me, it looks goofy AF seeing grown men with shoelaces sticking out of their shoes in photos.

• Choose between wearing a belt or suspenders—never both simultaneously.

• When buttoning your suit jacket, only the top button should be fastened. NEVER fasten both buttons! And don’t ask me why. Because I don’t know. I just know you’ll look like 5th grader wearing your dad’s jacket if you fasten both buttons.

• The colors of your shirt, suit, tie and pocket square should NEVER match. They must complement each other. Aim for complementary colors rather than matching ones. If you don’t know jack shit about color theory, this handy color wheel will show you which colors complement each other. The video “How to Combine Pocket Squares with Ties, Shirts & Suits” provides valuable insights into coordinating these accessories.

• If you are planning on wearing a boutonnière (the little flower that goes on the jacket), ask the florist to make it as minimal as possible. A single flower is more than enough because you do not want to be carrying a pound of flowers on your chest all day slapping everyone shorter than you each time, they hug you. Or worse, poke their eye out with the needle sticking out. The jacket has a specific place for lapel pins and boutonnières, watch the “How Use a Boutonnière The Right Way” video to show you what I mean.

• Learn “How to Fold a Pocket Square” and “How to Properly Tie Neckties (Bowties)” weeks in advance if you’re planning on wearing either or both. You do not want to be late to your own wedding because you’re stuck using the venue’s slow ass Wi-Fi trying to figure this shit out ten minutes before the ceremony.

• Avoid dressing identically to your groomsmen. Choose a different color palette to distinguish yourself as the groom. While your friends and family will undoubtedly recognize you, it's visually appealing to have distinct attire in photographs. It's your wedding, not prom.

Sadly, many photographers won’t give a rat’s ass if you follow the advice I listed above, some photographers can’t even dress themselves let alone give any sort of fashion advice. However, if I happen to be your photographer, you best believe I will not take a single photo unless all these things are checked off. Practice makes better, so practice wearing your suit and fancy shoes, practice tying your tie and practice your smile in front of a mirror weeks ahead before your wedding day.

How to Dry Clean Your Suit at Home

Dry cleaning a suit at home can be challenging as it requires specialized equipment and chemicals. It's important to note that at-home methods may not achieve the same level of cleaning and care as professional dry cleaning. For deep cleaning or delicate fabrics, it's still advisable to seek the services of a reputable dry cleaner. However, you can follow these easy steps for a basic at-home alternative:

• Spot Cleaning — Inspect the suit for any visible stains or spots. Use a mild detergent or a specialized stain remover to gently treat the affected areas. Follow the product instructions and blot the stains instead of rubbing to prevent spreading. Simple liquid dish soap works for me.

• Odor Removal — If your suit has developed an odor, hang it in a well-ventilated area or use fabric fresheners to help eliminate any unwanted smells. I blast it with 212 cologne and air it out for a few days.

• Steam Refreshing — To remove wrinkles and freshen up the suit, consider using a handheld garment steamer. Hang the suit on a hanger and steam it carefully, keeping the steamer nozzle a few inches away from the fabric to avoid direct contact.

• Deodorizing — For suit jackets, you can use a fabric deodorizing spray specifically designed for dry-clean-only garments. Follow the product instructions and spray lightly, allowing it to dry thoroughly before wearing.

• Brushing and Lint Removal — Use a clothes brush or a fabric brush to gently brush the suit, removing surface dust, lint, and pet hair. Brush in one direction, following the natural grain of the fabric.

• Proper Storage — After refreshing and cleaning specific spots, store your suit in a breathable garment bag or cover to protect it from dust and potential damage. Hang it on a sturdy, wide-shouldered wooden hanger to maintain its shape.

How to Take Care of Your Suit

Keeping your suit impeccable to enjoy its timeless elegance for years to come is not too difficult, but it does require some attention on your end. To help keep your suit in pristine condition, I recommend the following routine:

• Hang your suit on a sturdy, wide-shouldered wooden hanger to maintain its shape and prevent unwanted creases.

• Allow your suit to rest and breathe between wears by rotating it with other suits in your wardrobe. This helps to prolong its lifespan.

• Minimize dry cleaning to preserve the fabric's integrity. Instead, spot clean or steam refreshing when necessary.

• Use a clothes brush or fabric brush to delicately remove surface dust and lint from your suit.

• Safeguard your suit by storing it in a breathable garment bag or cover, shielding it from dust, moths, and potential damage.

• If your suit becomes wet, hang it in a well-ventilated area to air dry naturally. Avoid using a dryer or exposing it to direct heat sources.

• Exercise caution while wearing a suit during meals to prevent stains. Utilize a napkin and handle food and beverages mindfully.

• Attend to minor repairs promptly, such as loose buttons or loose threads, to prevent further damage.

• For significant alterations or repairs, consult a professional tailor to maintain the suit's original integrity.

• When traveling, employ a garment bag to safeguard your suit from wrinkles and damage. Consider folding techniques or packing cubes to optimize space.

• And please for the love of God, remove your jacket when driving or sitting in the passenger seat of any car. If possible, remove your jacket whenever your sit down.

Poses for Groomsmen: Tips from The Drunk Wedding Photographer

I know, it’s your wedding, who am I to say anything? Do what you want. But know that these tips come from several years of photographing countless weddings and I’m just here looking out for you man. Because again, if you’re going to spend all this money on your wedding, might as well look damn good while doing it. And note that the following tips apply to both you and your groomsmen:

• Assuming you don't already follow a healthy diet or exercise routine. Lose weight. Simply loosing 10-20lbs. will have you feeling great and present your best self on your wedding day. Don’t get lazy though, prioritize your physical well-being months before your wedding.

• If following a strict workout regimen and diet is challenging, consider skipping salty foods and excessive alcohol for a month prior to the wedding to minimize bloating. Intermittent fasting for two weeks can provide a substantial boost but remember, individual metabolic rates vary.

• Know that every camera and phone will be pointed at you on your wedding day. Smile and establish good eye contact with the camera at all times, unless otherwise told by your photographer. Last thing you want is a photo of you with your mouth open and eyes closed blasted on the internet.

• I get it, you’re not a model. But make the effort to figure out your best angle by asking your fiancé to take photos of you from various angles if you’re not used to being in front of the camera. Keep in mind however, that when posing for formal pictures, women are traditionally positioned on your right side due to the boutonnière placement on your jacket.

• Prioritize a timeless and classic appearance for both hair and facial hair, avoid trendy and edgy looks. Because what looks cool today might make you cringe tomorrow. Consult with your barber or stylist to identify the most suitable style based on your face shape. For further insights, watch the "Best Hairstyle for Your Hair Type" video.

• Have a blast on your wedding day BUT! Refrain from excessive drinking and salty, fried foods the night before your wedding, ideally two nights prior. Looking hungover and bloated on your wedding is not the business.

• In group photos, place one hand on the shoulder of someone seated in front of you. If standing, rest your arm or elbow on the shoulders of a gentleman, or wrap one arm around the waist of a woman on either side of you.

• DO NOT place your hands behind your back! This is your wedding, not military academy. Instead, place one hand in your pocket during the ceremony, and lean against a wall or rest one hand on a chair while posing for the camera.

• AND PLEASE! I beg of you! Avoid covering your crotch in pictures! This goes for the groomsmen especially. This a wedding, not a soccer match in the middle of defending your goal post from a direct free kick. You’re groomsmen not secret men in black secret service agents. Instead, place your hands in your pockets or keep one hand in your pocket when standing for extended periods, such as during the ceremony.