The groomsmen’s outfit is just as significant as that of the bridesmaids. Some people might think it’s not hard to find ideas for what the men should wear, but it can be challenging when planning a wedding how the groomsmen’s dress will show in the wedding photos.
What Should Groomsmen Wear?
So what do you wear if you are a groomsman at a wedding? The clothing for groomsmen can be as formal or casual as necessary. It might not be a day for suits and ties like most people think of when they think of a wedding.
The groom and groomsmen can have many different styles for their wedding. It includes tuxedos and casual clothing. Often accessories, like suspenders, boutonnieres, and bow ties, help to pull the look together.
Some wedding parties have all the men dressed in matching outfits. Other wedding parties have the groom in a different color or style from his groomsmen.
Pop culture has made wedding planning more fun as the bride and groom try to figure out their sense of style and personality for their big day.
Tradition says that the groomsmen wear formal clothes, including coats and ties. However, this is not always true. There are many ways to stray from traditional wedding clothes while still looking sharp.
How To Choose Groomsmen Attire
When arranging a wedding, selecting groomsmen’s clothing options may be simple. External conditions that can assist in determining groomsmen clothing for a particular wedding style include:
- Season
- Setting and Venue
- Formality
If you know what to look for, selecting the clothes for your groomsmen will be less stressful. Narrow your selections beforehand, and then you can decide without worrying.
Season
The wedding season can help you figure out what style to dress your groomsmen. The guys should be stylish for the big day but comfortable too. Dressing them in a formal suit and tie might not be the best idea for the season.
Usually, it is challenging to have a traditional wedding in the summer because of the heat. It is especially true for the men who have to wear thick suit jackets, cummerbunds, and ties. However, there is an easy solution. Choose suits of lighter materials that will not cause the men to overheat quickly.
If you are getting married in the fall or winter, you will need to dress your groomsmen in clothes that will keep them warm. You can choose to have them wear blazers or jackets that are made out of wool. It will make sure that they stay comfortable during the wedding.
Setting and Venue
Not all weddings happen in a church. Marriages can occur in other places, too, like barns for a rustic wedding, family property, or beaches. It means that you might need to wear different clothing for these weddings.
More planning goes into a wedding when friends and family are involved. On the other hand, eloping can be a more casual event for the bride and groom.
If you are getting married outside of a church, there are many possibilities for what the groomsmen can wear. Cowboy boots might be a good idea for a country setting, or sandals and shorts might be perfect for a beach wedding.
The men can wear a floral tie in soft colors with light gray pants if the wedding is outside. However, if the wedding is at a large church, the groom and groomsmen might need to wear traditional tuxedo attire.
Formality
What the wedding party will wear will help determine what the guys wear. Often, couples choose less formal attire than traditional suit jackets and ties.
A black suit or tuxedo is a classic formal wear clothing for a wedding. The groomsmen should all match the groom. Weddings in the early morning or late evening are still highly usual. You can add accessories like leather suspenders, boutonnieres, and bow ties to complete the look.
Ideas for Groomsmen Outfits
Look at these different choices to get inspired for what your groomsmen should wear.
Casual Groomsmen Attire
Casual groomsmen attire does not have to mean they cannot look sharp. Simple things like fresh white shirts and grey slacks can make them look as lovely as a suit in wedding images.
Regarding beach weddings, choosing more casual clothing for the groomsmen can be better. Try khaki pants or shorts with sandals and a short-sleeved dress shirt. It will help create a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Wedding style doesn’t always have to include suits and ties. You can be creative with your accessories. For example, you can wear hats, sunglasses, suspenders, or other eye-catching pieces.
You could also try pairing dress jeans with plaid shirts for a country wedding. Complete the outfit with boots and hats.
Casual dress does not have to mean a tie. For example, some weddings may be relaxed enough for the groomsmen to wear simple slacks and suspenders with a dress shirt.
Formal Groomsmen Attire
The groom and his groomsmen will look handsome in formal suits for a more traditional wedding. This attire usually includes dress pants, a suit jacket, and a tie.
Groomsmen can choose to wear tuxedos or tailored suit vests. For a formal look, navy suits, bow ties, and leather suspenders are wonderful options. The tie colors should match the bridesmaids’ dresses if everything is formal. It will make any wedding photo look great with all the colors.
Formal groomsmen clothing does not need that all guys wear identical outfits. At some weddings, each groomsman’s tie might be a different color to match a bridesmaid’s dress. The groom’s outfit doesn’t have to be the same color as his groomsmen, even if they are all wearing formal wear. However, some wedding parties might choose to have the groom in a different color than his groomsmen so he will stand out in photos.
Black Tie Groomsmen Outfits
Black tie weddings are incredibly formal affairs. They may occur in a church or another large venue selected by the couple.
Most of the time, these weddings occur in the early morning or at night. So, black-tie events don’t usually happen in places like beach weddings or the country, where people dress more casually.
On the big event day, the groom might wear a full black tuxedo with tails and sometimes a coordinating hat for a nice added touch.
The groomsmen will wear similar tuxedos, so they will all look the same in the wedding photos. They will be wearing white pleated shirts, vests, and bow ties.
Groomsmen Attire Etiquette
If you have never been a groomsman before, there are some things you need to know about attire and etiquette. You learn the right things to do when you are a groomsman at someone’s wedding.
Do Groomsmen Pay for Their Suits?
The groomsmen will usually pay for their suits for the upcoming wedding. This cost can be the price of a suit rental or buying a suit beforehand. The type of groomsmen attire that the marriage requires can also determine if it will be a rental or purchase. For example, some men might not want to buy a full tuxedo every time they are at a wedding party and might rent it instead.
Do Groomsmen Have to Match?
Traditionally, the groomsmen will all wear the same suit, but this is not a hard rule. As a result, many wedding parties will have mismatched suits, but they will still look good and be in the same style.
The physique shapes of all groomsmen will differ. It can make selecting an outfit for everyone difficult. Instead of using identical cuts, you can tackle this difficulty by coordinating colors and accessories. It will help many guests not notice how different the outfits are when they glance at them.
There are also times when all the groomsmen wear the same suit and tie but in different colors. It can be fun for your wedding photos to show who you are. The father of the bride and groom may want to match as well, but they can be a little different from the groomsmen.
Do the Groomsmen Match the Groom?
Most often, the groom and his groomsmen will have the same sense of style. They will usually wear black suits and ties, but this does not have to be the case. Sometimes, the groom will choose a different color suit than the other men in the wedding party. It is a common choice and can look great in group wedding photos.
When Should Groomsmen Order Their Outfits?
This question’s answer depends on what the groom and his groomsmen wear. They must order them about four to six months in advance if they wear formal suits or tailor-made outfits.
Suppose the groom and groomsmen wear more casual clothes, like regular ones. In that case, they should order them about six weeks before the wedding to ensure everything fits properly.
Final Thoughts
Please don’t worry about the boys’ clothing. You can choose a black suit or tuxedo, or you can choose something more unique. These ideas and tips should help you choose the best outfit for your friends on the big day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Groomsmen Attire
It is often customary for each groomsman to be responsible for the cost of their outfit for the wedding. It includes the purchase of their clothing, as well as any other associated costs.
For white-tie affairs, grooms should dress in their best clothes. A tuxedo, tailcoat, white pique vest, and white bow tie are all excellent choices.
When choosing your groomsmen’s outfits, could you keep it simple? Stick to neutral colors like gray or black and add pops of color with their accessories. It will make your wedding party look cohesive and coordinated instead of all wearing the same thing.
Before you decide what to wear, you and your soon-to-be-spouse should have decided where the wedding will take place, the colors, the theme, or the overall feel of the event. That way, you can figure out what your groomsmen should wear.
