Grooms. This one’s for you.
It’s so easy to act nonchalant about what you and your gentlemen are wearing on your wedding day.
But you (and your gentlemen) deserve to look amazing. In fact you SHOULD look amazing, because how your suits/tuxes fit can pull the whole wedding party look together. It’s one of those things that guests notice subconsciously – a baggy jacket, sleeves that are too short, pants that are too long… That’s the difference between a bunch of guys standing there in suits, and a group of gentlemen looking SHARP.
***If you want to know how a suit should fit, this article from The Art of Manliness explains everything perfectly. Read it. Save it. Screencap it.***
But when it comes to the renting/buying and tailoring process – the process that actually gets you to that perfectly fitting suit – we’ve got some tips for you.
If you’re renting your suit/tux:
No tailoring. But that means the initial fit is even more important.
We love, love, LOVE The Black Tux. You rent your suit/tux based on your exact measurements, and if it’s not right, you send it back and they send you a new one. Our couples who have used them have been really impressed with their customer service, and every time we have a group of groomsmen looking particularly fly, I ask “where are the tuxes from” and the answer is almost always The Black Tux. If your groomsmen are spread out all over the country (or even if they’re not), it’s the perfect option.
I hate to be negative in this post, but we’ve had so many couples who have had negative experiences renting their suits/tuxes at Men’s Warehouse that I can’t recommend strongly enough that you weigh your options before you assume that Men’s Warehouse is the best (or only) option you have. It’s certainly not your only option, and in many cases, it might not your best. Before you decide on renting from Mens Warehouse, just give The Black Tux a peek, or consider buying a suit and having it tailored.
If you’re buying your suit/tux:
Look at:
J Crew – A classic. These suits will never go out of style, and they are a worthy investment. J Crew also has some pretty phenomenal sales and (specifically) suit sales, so once you know the wedding date, sign up for their emails and keep an eye out.
Indochino – They’re custom suits made to your measurements so you don’t even need a tailor. Keep an eye out for promo codes because while they are expensive, you can easily get several hundred dollars off if you know where to find their promos. (Check out any of Crooked Media’s podcasts – they sometimes mention promo codes during their ads that can save you hundreds of dollars.)
Now let’s talk about the most important part: Tailoring.
Here are our tips:
- Don’t wait till the last minute. By this time in your life, you probably already know that buying a suit off the rack and expecting it to fit perfectly is not an option. So that means you need to take the time to buy the suit, then assume you need at least one (if not two) fittings to get it right. Plan in advance. This is an important part of your responsibility as groomsmen.
- Don’t assume that the in-house tailor will be cheaper, because they often aren’t. Look around. Read reviews. If you’re buying a suit from a retail store, oftentimes the store reviews won’t even mention the tailor. Why would you get an expensive suit tailored by someone you can’t read reviews about (especially when they might be charging more than the fabulous independent tailor down the street)? Do your due diligence, and if you don’t already have a tailor you love in your area, now is a great time to find one. It’s a relationship you won’t regret having. We love our tailor, and once you find a good one, it’s pretty wonderful to know that you can really trust that person to make sure you look phenomenal.
- Speak up during your fitting. Again, if you want to know how a suit should fit, this article should be your guide. Screencap the graphics in that article, and bring them to your appointment, because they are excellent and super helpful. If you don’t feel like it looks right, or if you don’t like how you look, say something.
Bonus tip: Know your suit etiquette. Know which buttons to button and when. Learn how to tie your bowtie in advance, if you don’t already know how. Learn how to pin on a boutonniere. All it takes is 15 minutes, a few YouTube videos, and you’ll be set. Plus, if you’re already armed with this knowledge, then YOU get to shine in that picture where you’re helping the groom tie his bowtie and pin on his boutonniere.
Find more of the “For Brides” blog series here!
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Lindsay Campbell is a wedding photographer specializing in natural, romantic wedding photography with a bright and airy film look. She photographs weddings in Chattanooga, Franklin, Nashville, Sewanee, and the surrounding areas, and travels across the country to photograph weddings! If you’re looking for a Chattanooga wedding photographer, Sewanee wedding photographer, Nashville wedding photographer, or Franklin wedding photographer, get in touch!