We all know the bride's dress is a massive deal when it comes to wedding planning, but the groom and groomsmen's suits are just as much of a priority in my opinion.
In the age where men are paying more attention to their appearance than ever, it's important to follow a few golden rules when thinking about what suit to pick and the etiquette surrounding it.
So this week, we're going to have a chat about some things to consider when choosing your suit and some surprising little ideas and tips that I've picked up along my journey as a wedding photographer.
1. Tailoring
It doesn't matter how much money you spend on your suit, if it doesn't fit properly, it can stand out like a sore thumb! As much as we know ladies pay lots of attention to alterations on their wedding dresses, In my honest opinion, the fella's should be doing the same. Regardless of if you're hiring your suit or buying, you and your groomsmen need to be checking the fit, not only when you buy your suit, but before the big day too. It's just as easy for men's weight to fluctuate in the run-up to the wedding, and the last thing you want is to be caught panicking hours before the ceremony because your suit doesn't fit. If you opt to hire your suit, most companies will be able to provide alterations to get the cut of your suit right, and equally, if you go down the route of buying your own suit, tailoring and alterations aren't as expensive as you'd think and it's an avenue that's worth considering!
Remember, the vents at the back of your jacket should lie flat, if they're wide open when standing, you need to go up a size!
I can't recommend Sasina and Melvin enough at Fit Right Alterations in Daventry both for dress and suit alterations, because that little bit of tailoring will honestly make all the difference!
(Incidentally, I'm photographing Sasina's and Melvin's wedding in just 2 weeks, which I absolutely can't wait for!)
2. Shirts
It's no secret how hot it's been recently, and I think in one way or another we've all struggled with the heat. Add some wedding day jitters into the mix, and all of a sudden you're going to spend the whole day sweating, and I can guarantee you won't feel in the slightest bit comfortable.
PACK A SPARE SHIRT!!
You'll thank me for this one, as by the time it comes to your evening reception, you'll want nothing more than to freshen up slightly, which is the perfect time to excuse yourself for a few minutes to get changed into a second shirt.
3. Shoes and Belts
This one is a bit of a pet hate of mine. Make sure your shoes and belt match!
Brown Shoes, brown belt. Black shoes, black belt. Generally, if you're going for a black suit, go for black shoes and belt. If you're going down the route of blue/navy, brown shoes and a brown belt for me, is the perfect combo. Grey suits can work with both brown and black, but please for the love of god, make sure your belt and shoes match!
If you're going for a proper dapper gentleman's attire and wearing braces, ditch the belt altogether!
4. Buttons
This one more refers to etiquette than anything else, but carrying yourself properly and following the rules when it comes to actually wearing your suit is a nice touch.
If you're going for a 3 piece suit, always keep your waistcoat buttoned up except for the bottom button, and if you choose to show the waistcoat off a little, it's more than acceptable to leave your jacket unbuttoned completely.
When it comes to the blazer, whenever you're standing, keep all the buttons done up, except for the bottom fastened, and undo your jacket entirely when sitting down. If nothing else, it'll give you a bit of breathing room, but it is the correct etiquette. As you're standing up remember to button it back up again too.
5. Ties
No schoolboy knots here! Tie's should always end at your belly button and should never be lower than your belt when standing. I'm a huge fan of a nice neat Windsor knot just to keep everything tidy, so they're definitely worth learning ahead of time for yourself and the rest of the groomsmen. Youtube is your friend for this one! There are countless video tutorials out there!
6. Shaving
Now, believe it or not, this can make a huge difference. I know of lots of grooms who opt for a traditional cutthroat shave the morning of the wedding, and whilst it's a luxury I think all men need to experience at least once, inherently it can lead to the odd nick and cut here and there. Shave the day before to give your skin time to recover, and invest in some decent grooming products. There's nothing worse than the irritation of your shirt collar rubbing against a shaving rash, and when it's hot like it has been, it gets even more uncomfortable.
For the bearded gents. Keep things neat and tidy! Trim those stray hairs and make sure your tash is trimmed! Beard oils, balms and waxes are another fantastic addition to that epic mane you're cultivating and will 100% help when it comes to the soup course!
For help and advice on this one, give my old mate Tigg a shout, what he doesn't know about mens grooming isn't worth knowing!
Follow these golden rules and you'll not only look fantastic, but you'll feel fantastic too! it's one thing wearing a suit, but wearing it with pride and confidence is just on another level completely!
And thats another week completed! I'm absolutely melting in this heat, so I'm off for a nice cold shower and a beer!
See you next week!
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