What Should the Groom Wear to a Wedding

For a casual wedding, you can skip the formal suit and choose a smart outfit that still feels special. A blazer with chinos or smart trousers, a crisp shirt, and loafers or clean trainers work well. You might add a pocket square or a knitted tie for a bit of polish. The key is to look intentional, not as if you have just thrown something on. Check the dress code on the invitation or ask the couple if you are unsure. If the wedding is outdoors or in a relaxed setting, you can be more flexible with fabrics and colours. A linen shirt or a light cotton suit can be a great choice for a summer or daytime casual wedding. Remember, even for a casual wedding, you should avoid jeans with holes, t-shirts with slogans, and worn-out trainers. You want to look like the groom, not a guest who wandered in from the pub.

Beach weddings call for lightweight, breathable fabrics and a relaxed but polished look. Choose a linen or cotton suit in a light colour such as sand, beige, or light grey. You can wear the jacket for the ceremony and take it off for the reception. A short-sleeved shirt or a crisp long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up works well. Loafers, boat shoes, or even barefoot sandals are fine if the couple is happy with that. Avoid heavy wool suits, dark colours, and formal shoes that will sink into the sand. If the wedding is on a very hot day, consider a suit without a waistcoat and skip the tie. You can still look smart with a pocket square and a well-fitted shirt. Remember to pack a change of shirt if you might get sweaty, and think about how you will look in photos with the sea and sky behind you. Light colours photograph beautifully against a beach backdrop.

Winter weddings give you the chance to wear richer fabrics and darker colours. A wool or tweed suit in charcoal, navy, or deep green will keep you warm and look seasonal. You can add a waistcoat for extra warmth and formality. A three-piece suit is a classic winter choice and looks great in photos. Choose a tie in a festive colour or a subtle pattern, and consider a pocket square in a complementary tone. For outerwear, a long wool coat or a smart overcoat is better than a casual parka. You can also wear leather gloves and a scarf that match your suit. If the ceremony is in a cold church or venue, you might want to keep your jacket on for the service. For the reception, you can remove the jacket and roll up your sleeves if you get too warm. Just make sure your shirt is well ironed and your waistcoat fits properly, as you will be without the jacket for part of the evening.

For a black tie wedding, the groom usually wears a dinner jacket, which in the UK is called a tuxedo. This means a black or midnight blue jacket with satin or grosgrain lapels, matching trousers with a satin stripe, a white formal shirt with a wing or turndown collar, and a black bow tie. You can also wear a white waistcoat or a cummerbund. Black patent leather shoes are the standard, and you should wear black socks. If you prefer, you can hire a tuxedo for the day, which is a common option for grooms. Make sure the fit is perfect, as a well-fitted tuxedo makes all the difference. You can add cufflinks and a pocket square for a personal touch. Avoid wearing a normal suit with a black tie instead of a proper tuxedo, as it will look out of place. If the invitation says black tie optional, you can wear a dark suit with a white shirt and a dark tie, but a tuxedo is still a safe choice. Remember to break in your shoes before the wedding so you are comfortable dancing all night.

For an Indian wedding, the groom often wears a sherwani, which is a long coat-like garment worn over a kurta and churidar or trousers. A sherwani can be in rich colours like ivory, gold, red, or deep blue, and often features embroidery or embellishments. You can also wear a Nehru jacket with matching trousers, or a bandhgala suit. It is important to respect the couple's traditions and ask if there is a specific dress code, such as a colour theme or a particular style. Many Indian weddings have multiple events, so you might need different outfits for the mehndi, sangeet, and the main ceremony. For the reception, you could wear a more formal suit or a tuxedo. When choosing a sherwani, make sure it fits well in the shoulders and chest, and that the length is right. The bottom of the sherwani should fall around the knees or slightly below, and the sleeves should end at your wrist. You can pair it with a turban or a safa if the family tradition calls for it, and wear mojari or jutti shoes. If you are not familiar with the customs, it is always best to ask the couple or their family for guidance. They will appreciate your effort to dress appropriately.

There are a few things you should avoid wearing as a groom, no matter the style of wedding. Do not wear white, as that colour is traditionally reserved for the bride in many Western ceremonies. You should also avoid wearing a suit that is too casual, such as one with jeans or shorts, unless the couple has explicitly asked for a very casual dress code. Do not wear a suit that is poorly fitted, as this will look sloppy in photos. Avoid wearing trainers with a suit, unless it is a very casual beach wedding and the couple is fine with it. Do not wear a tie that clashes with the bridal party's colours, and avoid wearing a hat indoors unless it is part of a cultural tradition. You should also avoid wearing anything that is too flashy or that might distract from the bride. Finally, do not forget to check the dress code and ask the couple if you are unsure. It is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed, but you also do not want to upstage the couple.

The groom's suit does not have to match the groomsmen's suits exactly, but they should coordinate. A common approach is for the groom to wear a slightly different colour or a more detailed suit, such as a three-piece or a different shade, while the groomsmen wear a simpler version. For example, the groom might wear a navy suit with a waistcoat, and the groomsmen wear matching navy suits without waistcoats. Or the groom could wear a charcoal suit while the groomsmen wear grey. The key is to have a cohesive look that does not make the groom disappear into the group. You can also coordinate through ties, pocket squares, or boutonnieres. If the groomsmen are wearing hired suits, make sure they are all from the same place and fit well. Talk to your partner and the bridal party to decide on a style that works for everyone. Remember, the groom should stand out, but not clash with the rest of the wedding party.