When it comes to weddings, most people usually focus on the bride’s attire. When it comes to the groom, most people only think of custom-made wedding suits for the actual wedding ceremony. However, like the bride, the groom also has to put some effort when it comes to picking outfits for different events associated with the wedding, like the engagement party and more. Below is a groom’s guide to navigating each wedding occasion.
For the engagement party
The engagement party is usually the first event you attend as a couple that is about to get married. For this event, as the groom, you need to go for a smart casual or cocktail look, depending on the venue of the event. For instance, if the venue is a backyard or a pub, then tailored chinos with a crisp long-sleeve button-down shirt would do the trick. On the contrary, if the venue is a restaurant or a winery, then a tailored blazer over a dress shirt with dark jeans or chinos would be the perfect groom’s outfit. Regardless of the venue, a rule that you could abide by as the groom is never choosing any colours that clash with your partner.
For the couple’s shower
After the engagement party, there is usually a couple’s or bridal shower. For this event, “casual chic” is the way to go. Most couple’s showers are usually held in restaurants, hotels, or backyards. Therefore, they require a relaxed but polished appearance. For example, you can put on a light-coloured blazer with a crisp linen-blend shirt or a high-quality polo paired with a pair of loafers or minimalist sneakers. However, you should not even think of wearing ripped jeans or an unironed shirt for such an occasion.
For the bachelor party
For the groom, perhaps the bachelor party is one of the most exciting events leading up to the wedding. There is more to a bachelor party than having some fun with the boys before walking into a lifetime of marriage. A good outfit or a few pieces, depending on the duration of the party, are a good way to make the bachelor party outstanding and memorable. For this occasion, you want to be as comfortable as you can be so that you do not have any hindrance for having fun. You need an outfit that will allow you to dance and participate in activity-based fun with your guys. The kind of activities and venues planned for the party will dictate your outfit. For instance, if you are planning to spend the night out, then a dark button-down shirt with dark jeans or a stylish blazer with a clean pair of trousers will do the trick. On the other hand, if you are planning a day activity, like at the beach, then a pair of tailored shorts paired with a printed button-down or polo would be perfect. If you intend to match outfits with the rest of your party, then make sure that your look as the groom stands out slightly. This way, you can still feel like the star of the event while still being in theme with the rest of the party.
For the rehearsal dinner
The rehearsal dinner is normally the last event before the “Big Day,” which is the wedding day. This is often a smaller, intimate event with close family and friends. Therefore, for this event, as the groom, you need to dress up a bit more than a regular night. Like the other events, the venue will dictate your outfit. For instance, if you are having the event at a formal venue, then a sharp suit or a tailored suit would be perfect. On the contrary, if you are having the event at a casual venue, then a stylish jumper or blazer paired with dark jeans and a pair of nice leather shoes would do the trick. For the rehearsal dinner, you have a chance to show your personality and your personal preferences. You can do so by putting on a unique pocket square, jacket, or any other accessory that speaks to your personality and style.
For the wedding
For the wedding day, as the groom, the best thing you can do is get a perfectly fitted ensemble that matches the venue, the theme, and the bride’s attire. You can never go wrong with a custom-made tailored suit. It allows you to tailor it to the theme and your desires. For instance, for a black tie theme, you can have a classic, well-tailored tuxedo with a bowtie coupled with a pair of patent leather shoes. For a casual theme, you can go for a light-weight linen suit or khaki separates. Whatever you choose for the wedding day, it would be wise to make sure you also pay attention to the finer details such as the shoes, the tie, and other accessories such as cuff links and pocket squares.
Tips for choosing the perfect outfits as the groom
The following tips, in addition to the information above, will also be useful for your wedding and other wedding-related events;
- Pay attention to the fit of your outfit, regardless of the event
- Start picking out and looking for outfits early so that you have time to make alterations if they are necessary. For the wedding suit specifically, you may need to start looking at least 6 months before the wedding and finalize the look at least a month or two before.
- Consider choosing pieces that you can re-wear after the wedding celebrations and events.
- Pay attention to the final details like the accessories for every outfit and event.
- Please remember grooming, as it will also affect your final look.
As mentioned in most of the chapters above, the kind of event and the venue will significantly influence your outfit as the groom. However, with the insights on this post, you should not have a hard time finding something that suits the different occasions and venues. In addition to the information here, you also need to consider the theme you have for the different events. Some couples usually opt for events with specific themes, which will naturally affect the outfit choices of both the bride and the groom. Regardless, some good custom-made tailored suits would be good to have. You can have a few made for the different occasions so that you always stand out from the rest of the party and have a memorable experience.