The male half of the wedding party will be handsome in their ensembles, but the groom need not be part of the pack. He should be a standout. A star. If tuxedos are being worn, here are some suggestions for the groom.
The Reluctant Groom
Not every groom is happy with having to wear a tuxedo. He may feel that it’s not his style – he is, after all, a jeans and tee guy.
We’re convinced, however, that most men are just looking for a little encouragement.
Maybe it’s lack of confidence in being able to pull it off with elan. Maybe it’s a concern that he won’t look and feel like himself.
In our experience, when a man dons a tuxedo he feels cool. Handsome. His real self with an added plus. And he likes what he sees in the mirror. We’ve said it before. There’s nothing sexier than a man in a tuxedo.
Tie
A modern option is a long four-in-hand tie worn over a lay-down collar shirt. The groomsmen might wear black ties and the groom could wear white.
If the choice is a patterned vest, such as the popular paisley, the choice would be a solid cravat, perhaps worn over a wing-collar shirt.
Vest
There is a glorious assortment of vests available, but consider having the groomsmen wear the same style and pattern as the groom but in a different colour. A white vest is an elegant choice for the groom (or ivory, if the bride is wearing an ivory gown).
Jacket
Rely on the fashion consultant to guide you in the choice of jacket, because he will use your weight and height (as well as the formality and basic colour theme of the occasion) as his guide. The double-breasted jacket, once favoured by heavier men, is rarely worn today. A more contemporary choice for the heavier man is the two-button jacket with a notch lapel.
Boutonniere
The groom should have something special. The groomsmen might have baby orchids or a rose or carnation in a colour and the groom have white. Consider other types of flowers, such as freesias or asters.
Shirt
The best shirt is the classic white dress shirt. It may be pleated, but give the ruffles and pastel colours a pass.
Details
- The atttendants pay for the rentals of their tuxedos and the accessories, including shoes. (If the shirts have French cuffs, don’t forget the cufflinks.)
- The boutonnieres are provided by whoever is paying for all the flowers.
- The best man arranges dates and times for fittings.
- Each attendant is responsible for returning his suit and accessories within a specified date.
- The best man is responsible for returning the groom’s ensemble if the groom is immediately leaving on his honeymoon.
