Getting married is a huge milestone and a significant moment in your life. When looking back on the big day, you want to remember feeling and looking your absolute best. While there’s a lot of focus on the bride, it’s time for grooms to share the spotlight.

More men are showcasing their personality through fashion with bold patterns, androgynous clothing and vibrant colours. But translating this to a wedding suit, while following a certain dress code, can be challenging.

Carla Bicknell, marketing manager at New & Lingwood, said: “There is a big emphasis on how women look at weddings, whether that’s the bride, bridesmaids or female guests. However, more men are dressing to impress too. Grooms, groomsmen and male guests want to get creative and express their character.”

Although several men enjoy embodying James Bond with a classic dinner suit at weddings, some would sooner pick something more unique that represents their style and pushes boundaries.

So, what’s the best way for grooms to stand out on their wedding day and make the dressing experience special?

When would men treat themselves to a made-to-measure suit?

When brides shop for their wedding dress, they often make a day of it with friends and family, trying on many different styles until finding ‘the one’, while sipping on champagne.

On the other hand, grooms often see it as a chore and try to get it done quickly. However, this takes all the fun out of it and can lead to rushed decisions, leaving you with a suit you aren’t happy with.

Before going suit shopping, it helps to know if your wedding has a colour theme which you may want to mirror in your suit or accessories. If you have any accessories that you want to wear, such as cufflinks, bring them with you to try on with the suits.

Although your partner might want to keep their outfit a secret until the wedding, make sure you’re on the same page with the level of formality. Also, decide whether you want your groomsmen to match or complement your look with similar colours or style.

Also consider the season you’ll be getting married in. If your wedding is in summer, you’ll want a lighter suit that won’t make you too hot on the day just as you wouldn’t want to feel too cold in winter. The time of year might also influence the aesthetic of your suit, for example, choosing a light colour for spring.

Should you get a made-to-measure or bespoke suit?

A tailored suit is the epitome of luxury and the perfect attire for a special occasion. A suit that is specifically designed for you will flatter your proportions and ensure you feel completely comfortable.

A made-to-measure suit is made from an existing pattern that is modified to exact measurements, while a bespoke suit is made entirely from scratch with no base pattern.

When getting a made-to-measure suit, you can specify whether you want subtlety or a standout piece. The tailor will want to know whether you have a preference for the type of cloth and style of the suit, including pockets, lapels, buttons and linings.

In a recent survey conducted by New & Lingwood, almost 40% of men said if they were to treat themselves to a made-to-measure suit, it would be for their own wedding. While over a quarter said they would make the purchase for a special occasion.

Jamie Hamilton, made-to-measure specialist at New and Lingwood, said: “A tailored suit can reflect your signature fashion sense. Grooms who want an understated look could opt for a plain grey two-button suit, while men wanting to put their individual spin on it may want to experiment with bold colours.”

When choosing your wedding outfit, ensure your suit differs from your groomsmen to emphasise who is marrying who.

“You could go for something in between which adds decadence without being overly excessive such as a navy suit with embossed patterns or a black velvet suit,” Jamie added.

A made-to-measure service usually takes between eight and 10 weeks, depending on the fabric choice, so don’t leave this task to the last minute.

How to accessorise




If you would rather invest in a versatile suit that can be worn again and again, you can subtly exude personality through accessories.

Personal brand stylist Nick Hems, said: “From an accessories point of view, there are so many things you can play around with to stamp your personality on to what you’re wearing. It’s the small details that really count here.”

A pocket square, tie and waistcoat can either mirror the wedding’s colour theme or make a statement with contrasting colours and patterns. This can also set the groom apart from the groomsmen.

A white collared shirt can enhance a classic look, while a shirt with large lapels or a colour palette that contrasts the suit, such as a blush pink shirt with a midnight blue suit, can look more distinct.

However, if you’re wearing a blue suit, ensure you wear black shoes instead of tan.

How to accessorise

Male guests usually have a bit more freedom to dress more eccentrically than the groom, but it’s important not to upstage him and to follow dress attires.

A quirky style is more suited to certain dress codes, such as:

• Dressy casual – Male guests could wear a pair of colourful chinos with a stylish blazer, or a playfully patterned suit.

• Cocktail – Trousers paired with a different coloured blazer and a collared shirt is a great combination for this dress code. Dark colours are generally preferred.

“It’s great to get dressed up for a wedding and look your best. The thing to remember here is that it’s not your big day, so make sure what you wear isn’t going to make you stand out too much,” Nick continued.

“You can be quirky with the finer details of a suit and accessories and still make an impact but try not to overshadow proceedings.”

White tie is the most formal dress code and calls for an ensemble of an evening tailcoat, trousers and a white tie. A tuxedo with a black bow tie is required for a highly formal black tie event. A classic suit and tie attire is suitable for a semiformal dress code.

On the big day

Like brides get ready with their bridesmaids to add to the excitement of the wedding day and commemorate the moment together, grooms and groomsmen should set time aside to do the same.

Nick concluded: “Give yourself and your groom party plenty of time to get ready and make sure you have somewhere with enough space and mirrors to do so.

“It’s good to have someone on hand who understands the dress code and can help put together all of the finishing touches. This may include ensuring all of the pocket squares are folded in the same manner and all the boutonnieres are ready to be worn.”

This could be the perfect time for the groom to give gifts to his groomsmen, such as cufflinks they can wear on the day.

Nick said: “Whether you like it or not, this will probably be the day you’re photographed more than ever before. You and your partner will look back on the day in years to come as well as your children if you have any.

“Work with your partner to establish your look well in advance of the day and have a firm idea of what you want to achieve and aim to have all purchases finalised at least four weeks before the big day just to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

Times have changed since men were restricted to wearing grey morning suits to weddings. Grooms and guests can either stick with the classic look or exude uniqueness with a bold suit. From buying the suit, getting ready before the ceremony and wearing it on the big day, the experience can be just as fun and joyous for men as it can for women.