Groomsmen Attire: How to Dress Your Wedding Party With Style

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Match the formality to your wedding style

   Your wedding's formality level dictates the appropriate attire range. Black-tie weddings call for tuxedos — dinner jackets with satin lapels, formal trousers, bow ties, and dress shoes. Formal weddings suit dark suits in navy, charcoal, or black with ties and polished shoes. Semi-formal or cocktail weddings open the door to lighter suit colours, patterned ties, and loafers. Casual or outdoor weddings allow separates — chinos with blazers, linen trousers with open-collar shirts, or even smart shorts for beach ceremonies. The groomsmen's attire should sit at the same formality level as the bridesmaids' dresses and the overall venue aesthetic. If your ceremony is in a cathedral and your reception is in a marquee, dress for the most formal setting and plan for jacket removal later.

2. 2

   Choose between buying, renting, and mixing

   Renting is the traditional approach — everyone wears the same style from the same hire company, returns it after the wedding, and the cost is predictable. The downside is limited style options, variable fit quality, and the knowledge that many people have worn the garment before. Buying gives each groomsman a suit they can wear again, often at a comparable or lower cost than premium rental, but requires more coordination to ensure colour consistency across different purchases. The hybrid approach — buying trousers and shirts, renting or buying matching jackets — offers flexibility. Group buying from a single retailer often unlocks discounts and ensures colour matching. Whatever you choose, make the decision early and communicate the expected cost to your groomsmen before they commit to being in the wedding party.

3. 3

   Select your colour palette and coordinate with bridesmaids

   Groomsmen attire should complement, not match, the bridesmaids' dresses. If bridesmaids wear dusty rose, groomsmen in charcoal suits with dusty rose ties or pocket squares create a cohesive palette. If bridesmaids wear sage green, groomsmen in tan or light grey with sage accessories work beautifully. Avoid matching the exact shade head-to-toe — it looks costumey. The groom should stand out from the groomsmen through a different suit colour, a unique tie or boutonniere, or a distinctive accessory. Navy suits are the most versatile option for groomsmen as they pair well with virtually any bridesmaid colour. Discuss colour choices with your photographer — some combinations photograph differently than they appear in person.

4. 4

   Accommodate different body types with grace

   Your groomsmen will have different heights, builds, and proportions. What looks sharp on one person may be unflattering on another. Choose suit styles that work across body types — slim-fit suits look modern on lean frames but can be uncomfortable on broader builds, while classic-fit suits offer more room without looking baggy on slimmer figures. If you want a uniform look, choose a middle-ground fit and ensure everyone gets proper tailoring. Alternatively, let each groomsman choose his own fit within the same colour and fabric — the slight variations will not be noticeable in photos but the comfort difference is significant. Never ask a groomsman to squeeze into a size that does not fit him properly. Comfort shows in posture, expression, and enjoyment of the day.

5. 5

   Plan accessories and finishing details

   Accessories tie the groomsmen look together and provide an opportunity for personal expression. Standard accessories include: ties or bow ties (match the style across the group), pocket squares (coordinate with ties but do not match exactly), boutonnieres (coordinate with the floral design), cufflinks (a popular groomsmen gift), belts (match leather colour to shoes), and socks (matching or themed socks are a fun touch for photos). Decide whether accessories should be identical or coordinated — identical ties with varied pocket square folds, for example, or matching pocket squares with different tie patterns within the same colour family. Shoes should be the same colour and general style but need not be identical — black or brown Oxfords, brogues, or loafers in a consistent tone.

6. 6

   Manage fittings and logistics across locations

   If your groomsmen live in different cities, logistics require extra planning. For rentals, most national hire companies allow groomsmen to be measured at their nearest branch. For purchases, choose a retailer with multiple locations or reliable online ordering with free returns. Schedule fittings at least three months before the wedding to allow time for alterations. Send each groomsman a detailed brief: what to wear, where to get fitted, the deadline for ordering, and who is paying for what. Create a group chat specifically for attire coordination. If one groomsman is overseas, have him measured by a local tailor using a standardised measurement guide and order his suit based on those measurements with extra alteration allowance.

7. 7

   Set a budget and communicate it clearly

   Groomsmen attire costs typically fall on the groomsmen themselves, but this should be discussed openly before finalising choices. A rental tuxedo costs 100 to 250 pounds, a purchased suit ranges from 150 to 500 pounds, and accessories add 50 to 150 pounds on top. If your vision requires an expensive option, consider covering the difference between what you ask and a reasonable baseline, or gift the accessories as groomsmen gifts. Never assume your friends can afford what you have chosen without asking. Present the expected total cost early in the planning process — ideally at the same time you formally ask them to be groomsmen — so they can plan financially or have an honest conversation if it stretches their budget.

8. 8

   Prepare for the wedding day itself

   On the wedding day, ensure every groomsman has everything he needs. Create a packing checklist and send it one week before: suit or tuxedo (pressed), shirt (pressed, still in garment bag), tie or bow tie, pocket square, cufflinks, belt, socks, shoes (polished), and any other accessories. Bring an emergency kit with a lint roller, sewing kit, spare buttons, collar stays, tie bar, shoe polish, and stain remover. Schedule getting-ready time that allows each person to dress without rushing — 90 minutes is usually sufficient for a group of four to six. Assign the best man as the attire coordinator on the morning of the wedding: checking that everyone is properly dressed, ties are straight, boutonnieres are pinned correctly, and no one has forgotten their shoes in the car.

Frequently Asked Questions