Your Wedding Suit Guideline

Wedding is the day when all eyes will be on you and your bride, so you will want to look good and feel good on your big day. Whether this is your first wedding, or you are about to start the next journey of your life, your story is just as unique as your look. Understand that finding the perfect fit for your wedding can be tricky, we have put together a Wedding Suit Guideline for you.

What to wear? Suit vs Tuxedo

The very first question to answer is: Are you going to wear a tuxedo or a suit? and what are the differences?

The main difference to start with is that tuxedos don’t have belt loops, as they are usually held by suspenders, no belt needed. Tuxedos also have satin lapels, and satin piping down the outside seam `of the pant legs, and satin- or cloth-covered buttons. The other differences between tuxedos and suits are:

Tuxedo

• Satin lapels
• Satin – or clothed-covered jacket buttons
• Satin stripe on pant legs
• No belt loops
• White shirt with stud buttons
• Bow tie 

Suit

• Lapels in the same suiting fabric
• Plastic or fabric jacket buttons
• No satin stripe
• Belt loops or outside adjusters
• Standard dress shirt
• Necktie or no tie

Unlike tuxedo, there are four main types of suit: Two-piece, Three-piece, Double-breasted, and Morning suits. Below are the wedding types that each suit is best for:

Two-piece suits (most popular): daytime weddings, casual weddings, summer weddings, outdoor weddings, beach weddings.

Three-piece suits: evening weddings, fall weddings, winter wedding, outdoor weddings

Double-breasted suits: evening weddings, fall weddings

Morning suits: Formal daytime wedding (commonly worn in Europe)

 If your bride has set on a white- or black-tie wedding, a tuxedo has already been decided for you. Tuxedo is more formal so it is also suitable for a grand venue. If you are getting married in the sand then you might want to explore suit options. At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong. It is more about your stylistic choice. Last but not least, it is better to first match or compliment your suit to your bride, and then match your groomsmen’s attire to you.

How to choose the perfect wedding suit

1. The fit

A perfect fit is the fit that complements your body type. So, having the suit tailored to your size is preferred by many grooms. Generally, there are two type of fits:

• Regular fit: a classic, comfortable fit that allows for a little extra room and movement. Good for those with an average or larger build.
• Slim fit: a more modern approach fit. Good for those with a slimmer body type.
• Or have it tailored to your exact measurement, you might want to seek out for a custom-made suit

2. The fabric

Fabric has a huge influence over suit style. Wool, wool-blended, and worsted suits have a stately, high-quality look to them and tend to be a bit heavier (and warmer). The same goes for textured fabrics such as velvet, tweed, and corduroy. The heavier weight fabrics are suitable for fall/winter weddings.

A linen suit, on the other hand, is incredibly breathable and light, and pairs beautifully with outdoor, summer, and destination weddings. Cotton and polyester suits are a great go-to for any occasion and budget.

3. The color

This is time to tie down all aspect of your wedding together in a bigger picture. Your suit should coordinate with your bride, your venue decoration, and your groomsmen. Depends on the season and the formality of your wedding to pick out the dress code. Deciding on a color of your dress code will also help you choose the right accessories.

If you are having a summer wedding, consider lighter color options, while winter wedding could inspire a darker colored suit. Sometimes, despite the season, we would recommend darker color for bigger build grooms, as darker colors are slimming. Again, this is your wedding, go with what make you comfortable.

When to start planning/ order your suit

6-9 months in advance

• Decide on the dress code

Figure out what you and your groomsmen will wear. Make sure your wedding suit style matches the formality of the overall wedding as well as the wedding venue and setting. You should also decide whether the groom will wear the same attire as the groomsmen or something different to set him apart.

3-5 months in advance

• Go shopping

Once you've decided on groom and groomsmen attire, it's time to start picking our fabrics and details for your suit.

• Get measured

Next, it’s time to get measured to ensure your perfect fit. If you are buying off the rack suit, allows at least 2 months for measure and alteration. Meanwhile, custom made items take up to 3-4months.

• Buy it

Purchasing your suit at least 5 months in advance allow time for any additional fitting and tailoring. Also give the tailor time to ensure that the suit meet your expectation.

 2-7 days in advance

• Pick up your suit

About a week before your wedding day, pick up your suit. If you order a suit from an out-of-state vendor, make sure the delivery is on time.

• Try it on

Try the complete look on, including suit, pants, shirt, tie, shoes, and accessories, and have your bride approve it. If there is any last-minute alteration, contact your tailor right away to make the adjustment.

Wedding day

• Get ready
• Shower, shave, and get dressed either with or without your groomsmen
• Get married!

All pictures are our Savile Lane's grooms and groomsmen. Photo credit to owners.