The groom’s attire deserves as much thought as the wedding dress, but the process is often more straightforward. Here’s everything grooms need to know about choosing the perfect wedding suit.
Hire vs Buy
Hiring a Suit
- Typical cost: £100-£400 including all accessories
- Rental period: Usually collect 1-2 days before, return 1-2 days after
Pros:
- Significantly cheaper than buying
- No storage after the wedding
- Includes all accessories (shirt, tie, shoes, cufflinks)
- Perfect for formal styles you won’t wear again
- Ideal for groomsmen (keeps costs equal)
- Professional cleaning included
Cons:
- Limited to available sizes and styles
- May not fit perfectly
- Can’t keep it as a memory
- Need to return promptly
- Alterations limited or impossible
- Damage deposits required
Best for: Morning suits, tuxedos, formal styles, budget-conscious grooms, coordinating groomsmen easily
Buying a Suit
Typical cost: £300-£1,000+ depending on brand and quality
Pros:
- Keep it forever
- Can be tailored for perfect fit
- Rewear for other occasions
- Choose any style or fabric
- No rental restrictions
- Better quality often
- More sustainable long-term
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires storage
- Need to buy shirt, tie, shoes separately
- May go out of style
- Groomsmen must buy their own (can be expensive for them)
Best for: Lounge suits, contemporary styles, grooms who’ll rewear, those wanting perfect fit, smaller weddings
Made-to-Measure
Typical cost: £400-£1,200
Pros:
- Perfect fit
- Choose fabric, style, details
- Unique result
- Quality construction
- Rewearable
Cons:
- Most expensive option
- Requires multiple fittings
- 6-8 week lead time minimum
- Weight changes affect fit
Best for: Grooms wanting perfection, those with difficult-to-fit proportions, special fabric or style requirements
Wedding Suit Styles
Lounge Suit
What it is: Standard two or three-piece suit in any colour
Formality: Semi-formal to formal (depending on fabric and styling)
When to wear:
- Afternoon or evening weddings
- Most common choice for modern weddings
- Works for any venue style
- All seasons
Advantages:
- Rewearable for work or events
- Familiar and comfortable
- Wide availability
- All price points accessible
- Easy to coordinate groomsmen
Fabric choices:
- Wool (year-round)
- Linen (summer only)
- Tweed (autumn/winter)
- Cotton blends (warmer weather)
Popular colours: Navy, charcoal grey, mid-grey, tan, light grey, burgundy, forest green
Morning Suit
What it is: Formal daywear—tailcoat, waistcoat, striped trousers
Formality: Very formal
When to wear:
- Traditional formal weddings before 6pm
- Church weddings
- Stately home or castle venues
- When bride is wearing formal ballgown
- Royal Ascot-level formality
Components:
- Morning coat (tailcoat)
- Waistcoat
- Striped or checked trousers
- Dress shirt
- Cravat or tie
- Top hat (optional, for photos)
Colour options: Black, grey, or navy coat; buff, grey, or matching waistcoat
Consideration: This is formal. If your wedding is relaxed or contemporary, it may feel too stiff.
Tuxedo/Dinner Suit
What it is: Black-tie formal evening wear
Formality: Very formal
When to wear:
- Evening weddings after 6pm
- Black-tie dress code
- Formal hotel or ballroom venues
- When that James Bond vibe is desired
Components:
- Dinner jacket (single or double-breasted)
- Formal trousers with silk stripe
- Dress shirt (usually pleated or wing collar)
- Bow tie or long tie
- Waistcoat or cummerbund
- Patent or highly polished shoes
Colours: Traditionally black, though midnight blue increasingly popular
Modern twist: Velvet dinner jackets, patterned bow ties, coloured jackets
Three-Piece Suit
What it is: Jacket, trousers, and matching waistcoat
Formality: Semi-formal to formal
When to wear:
- Any time of year (though warm in summer)
- Adds formality to lounge suit
- Vintage or rustic weddings
- When you want waistcoat detailing
Advantages:
- Remove jacket when warm
- Waistcoat looks polished
- Additional styling opportunity
- Photographs beautifully
Consider: Waistcoats add warmth—less comfortable in height of summer
Colours and Fabrics
Classic Colours
Navy: The most popular choice. Versatile, flattering on everyone, works year-round, photographs beautifully.
Pairs with: Any shirt colour, burgundy or navy ties, brown or black shoes
Charcoal/mid-grey: Second most popular. Sophisticated, modern, slightly less formal than navy.
Pairs with: White or light blue shirts, burgundy, pink, or grey ties, black or brown shoes
Light grey: Perfect for spring/summer weddings. Fresh, modern, photographs well.
Pairs with: White shirts, pastel or bright ties, brown shoes
Black: Very formal, evening appropriate. Can look too severe for daytime.
Pairs with: White shirts, black bow ties or long ties, black shoes
Contemporary Colours
Burgundy/wine: Rich, sophisticated, trendy for autumn/winter.
Tan/camel: Perfect for summer, beach, or Mediterranean weddings.
Forest/sage green: On-trend, works beautifully for rustic or outdoor weddings.
Dusty blue/powder blue: Soft, romantic, excellent for spring/summer.
Fabric Choices
Wool:
- Year-round workhorse fabric
- Breathable yet warm
- Takes dye well for rich colours
- Drapes beautifully
- Available at all price points
Linen:
- Summer only (wrinkles easily)
- Very breathable
- Casual, relaxed look
- Perfect for destination or beach weddings
- Not suitable for formal venues
Tweed:
- Autumn and winter only
- Rustic, country aesthetic
- Very warm
- Textured, interesting
- Perfect for barn or countryside weddings
Velvet:
- Winter only
- Luxurious, rich
- Dinner jackets or waistcoats
- Makes a statement
- Very warm
Coordinating with Bridesmaids
Option 1: Match Bridesmaid Colours
Groom’s tie/pocket square matches bridesmaid dresses. Classic, coordinated look.
Option 2: Complement Wedding Palette
Groom and groomsmen wear colours that complement but don’t exactly match.
Option 3: Neutral Groomsmen
Groom and groomsmen in navy or grey; colour comes from ties/accessories.
Groomsmen Coordination
Full Matching
Everyone in identical suits. Creates cohesive, formal look. Works best with hired suits (equal cost).
Mix and Match
Same colour, different shades or textures. Modern, relaxed. E.g., all grey suits in varying tones.
Groom Standout
Groom in different colour from groomsmen. Clear visual distinction. E.g., groom in burgundy, groomsmen in navy.
Just Waistcoats
All wear navy/grey suits, groom’s waistcoat differs from groomsmen. Subtle distinction.
Accessories
Essential
Shirt: White or light blue most versatile. Ensure proper fit—collar shouldn’t gape.
Tie or bow tie:
- Long tie: Traditional, easy to wear
- Bow tie: More formal, fashion-forward
- Knitted tie: Casual, textured
- Cravat: Very formal, morning suit standard
Shoes:
- Oxfords or brogues most common
Belt: Match shoe colour. Or wear waistcoat/braces (suspenders) and skip belt.
Socks: Dark socks matching trousers. No white socks with formal wear.
Optional But Recommended
Pocket square: Adds polish and colour. Linen or silk.
Cufflinks: Personal touch. Can incorporate hobbies, initials, or wedding details.
Tie bar/clip: Keeps tie in place and adds detail.
Boutonniere: Fresh flower matching wedding flowers.
Watch: Classic watch completes the look.
Where to Shop: Hire
Moss Bros
Nationwide chain including Yorkshire locations. Extensive range, reliable, all price points.
Hire cost: £100-£300 Best for: Traditional styles, morning suits
Slaters Menswear
Large menswear retailers with Yorkshire locations. Hire and buy options.
Hire cost: £100-£250 Best for: Value, variety
Suit Direct
Affordable hire and buy. Multiple Yorkshire locations.
Hire cost: £80-£150 Best for: Budget-conscious grooms
King & Allen
Formal hire specialists.
Hire cost: £150-£350 Best for: High-quality formal hire
Where to Shop: Buy
High Street
Next: £150-£300. Reliable, modern cuts, widely available.
M&S: £200-£400. Classic British quality, good fit.
Reiss: £400-£600. Contemporary styling, excellent quality.
Ted Baker: £350-£600. Fashion-forward, distinctive details.
Department Stores
John Lewis: £250-£600. Range of brands, expert advice.
House of Fraser: £200-£500. Multiple brands, various price points.
Independent Menswear
Slaters: £200-£600. Yorkshire locations, alterations included.
Local independent tailors: Check York, Leeds, Harrogate for bespoke services.
Online
ASOS: £80-£300. Trendy, affordable, wide size range.
Suit Supply: £300-£500. Contemporary European styling, excellent value.
Timeline
12 months before: Start researching styles
9 months before: Begin shopping if buying
6 months before: Order made-to-measure suits
3 months before: Book hire suits, purchase off-the-peg
6-8 weeks before: Collect hire suits for fitting
2 weeks before: Final check, collect suits
Day before: Ensure everything fits, steam if needed
Fitting Tips
Jacket
- Shoulders should fit without overhang or pulling
- Sleeves show 1/4-1/2 inch of shirt cuff
- Length covers bottom but doesn’t cover hands
Trousers
- Sit at natural waist (not hips)
- No pulling or gaping at waist
- Comfortable through thighs
- Break once at shoes (modern) or have no break (contemporary)
- Hem doesn’t drag on ground
Overall
Should be comfortable to sit, stand, raise arms, dance. If it restricts movement, it doesn’t fit properly.
Common Mistakes
Leaving it too late: Hire companies book up; made-to-measure needs time.
Ignoring fit: Properly fitted suit makes huge difference to appearance.
Wrong formality level: Morning suit for casual barn wedding feels off; lounge suit for black-tie feels underdressed.
Uncomfortable shoes: Break in shoes before wedding day.
Forgetting accessories: Tie, belt, pocket square, cufflinks complete the look.
Not coordinating with partner: Groom’s formality should match bride’s.
Budget Guide
Budget-Friendly (Under £200)
- Hire from Suit Direct
- High street off-the-peg from Next or ASOS
- Keep accessories simple
Mid-Range (£200-£500)
- Hire from Moss Bros or Slaters
- Buy from M&S, Next, or Reiss
- Include quality accessories
Premium (£500-£1,000+)
- Made-to-measure from local tailor
- Buy from Ted Baker or Suit Supply
- Invest in quality shoes and accessories
The Bottom Line
Grooms have more options than ever. The key is matching your suit style, formality, and budget to your wedding style and personal taste. Whether you hire a traditional morning suit for a castle wedding, buy a navy lounge suit you’ll wear for years, or commission a made-to-measure masterpiece, choose something that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and authentically you. After all, whilst the bride may be the traditional focus, the groom deserves to look absolutely brilliant too.
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