Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life, and as the groom, you want to look your absolute best. Choosing the right wedding suit involves more decisions than many men initially realise—from timing your purchase to coordinating with your bridal party. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to find a wedding suit that makes you look and feel exceptional.
Timeline: When to Start Shopping
The question we hear most often is when to begin the wedding suit journey. The answer depends on whether you are buying off-the-rack, made-to-measure, or bespoke, but starting early is always advisable.
For off-the-rack suits with alterations, begin shopping six to eight months before your wedding. This allows time to browse different styles, order your size if it is not in stock, complete alterations, and schedule a final fitting close to the wedding date.
Made-to-measure suits require eight to twelve weeks for production, so factor this into your timeline. Bespoke suits from traditional tailors can take three to six months, requiring multiple fittings throughout the process.
Weight Considerations
Many grooms plan to lose weight before the wedding. If this is you, wait until you are closer to your goal weight before final measurements, but still start shopping early to decide on style, colour, and fabric. Most tailors can adjust for minor weight changes at the final fitting.
Choosing Your Style
The formality of your wedding should guide your suit choice. Consider the venue, time of day, and overall theme when making decisions about style elements.
Formal and Black Tie Weddings
Evening weddings at grand venues call for heightened formality. A classic black tuxedo with satin lapels remains the gold standard for black-tie celebrations. For slightly less formal evening events, a dark navy or charcoal suit with luxurious fabric works beautifully. Peak lapels add a touch of formality, while notch lapels keep things classic.
Semi-Formal Day Weddings
Most Australian weddings fall into this category. A well-tailored suit in navy, charcoal, or grey offers timeless elegance without being overly formal. Three-piece suits add sophistication and provide an extra layer for varying temperatures throughout the day. Consider lighter wool weights for summer ceremonies.
Casual and Outdoor Weddings
Beach weddings, garden celebrations, and relaxed venues allow for more creative expression. Linen and cotton suits in lighter colours—beige, light grey, light blue—suit these settings perfectly. You might even opt for a blazer and trouser combination rather than a matching suit.
Your suit should complement, not compete with, the overall wedding aesthetic. Consider the venue, your partner's dress formality, and the season when making your choice.
Colour Coordination
Coordinating your suit with the wedding colour palette requires thoughtful consideration. You want to complement the bridal party without matching exactly, creating visual harmony in photographs.
Working with Your Partner
Discuss colour choices with your partner early. While you do not need to match the wedding colours precisely, you should avoid clashing. If the bridesmaids wear dusty rose, a charcoal or navy suit provides elegant contrast without competing.
Groomsmen Coordination
As the groom, you should stand out from your groomsmen while maintaining cohesion. Common approaches include wearing a different shade of the same colour family, adding a waistcoat that your groomsmen do not wear, or choosing a more luxurious fabric in the same colour.
For example, if your groomsmen wear navy suits, you might choose a midnight navy with a subtle texture or pattern. Alternatively, opt for a three-piece while they wear two-piece suits.
Fabric Selection for Australian Conditions
Australia's climate presents unique challenges for wedding attire. Choosing the right fabric ensures you stay comfortable throughout the day, regardless of the season.
Summer Weddings (December to February)
Lightweight fabrics are essential for Australian summer weddings. Look for tropical weight wools around 200-250 grams per metre, linen blends, or cotton suits. These fabrics breathe well and resist showing sweat marks. Consider half-lined or unlined jacket constructions for maximum airflow.
Winter Weddings (June to August)
Heavier wool suits around 300-350 grams provide warmth without bulk. Flannel and tweed offer texture and seasonal appropriateness. Three-piece suits work particularly well in winter, with the waistcoat adding warmth during outdoor photographs.
Outdoor Ceremony Tip
If your ceremony is outdoors but the reception is air-conditioned, consider a medium-weight fabric that handles both environments. You can always remove your jacket during the ceremony if needed.
Essential Accessories
The right accessories elevate your wedding look from good to outstanding. These details deserve careful attention and should be organised well before the wedding day.
The Shirt
A crisp white dress shirt remains the most versatile and photogenic choice. Ensure it fits perfectly—the collar should sit comfortably without gaps, and sleeves should extend approximately 1-1.5cm beyond your jacket sleeve. For formal weddings, consider a spread or cutaway collar with French cuffs.
Ties and Bowties
Your neckwear choice depends on the wedding formality and personal style. Traditional ties work for most weddings, while bowties suit black-tie events or grooms wanting a distinctive look. Consider the width in relation to your lapels—they should be roughly similar in proportion.
Shoes and Belt
Invest in quality leather shoes that you will wear again. Oxford shoes in black or dark brown suit most wedding styles. Your belt should match your shoe colour exactly, or consider going beltless with side adjusters for a cleaner silhouette.
Pocket Square
A pocket square adds personality and a pop of colour. It should complement your tie or the wedding colours without matching exactly. Master at least one classic fold—the straight fold for formal occasions or the puff fold for softer settings.
The Fitting Process
Never skip or rush the fitting process. Even off-the-rack suits benefit from professional tailoring to achieve that made-for-you appearance.
Schedule at least two fittings: an initial fitting when the suit arrives and a final fitting one to two weeks before the wedding. Bring your wedding shirt and shoes to fittings so alterations account for these elements.
Key areas to check during fittings include shoulder fit, which cannot be easily altered, jacket length, sleeve length allowing for shirt cuff visibility, trouser break and rise, and overall comfort of movement for dancing and sitting.
Day-Of Preparation
Prepare your suit the day before the wedding. Hang it in a steamy bathroom to release any minor wrinkles, or use a garment steamer. Lay out all accessories—shirt, tie, pocket square, cufflinks, socks, and shoes—so nothing is forgotten in the morning rush.
On the day, dress last to minimise time in your suit before photographs. Have a trusted groomsman designated to carry a small emergency kit with a lint roller, stain remover pen, and spare shirt buttons.
Final Thought
Your wedding suit should make you feel confident and comfortable. When you feel great, it shows in photographs and in how you carry yourself throughout the day. Take the time to find the right suit, and you will have a garment you can treasure—and potentially wear again—for years to come.