You finally popped the question (or maybe your partner did). This is it and you know it—arguably the most important day of your life is coming.

And so is the question: what will you wear?

Because you know any off-the-shelf suit just won’t cut it for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Just like you didn’t pick a mail order bride or groom, you’re not just going to pick any suit off the rack hoping it will fit you like a glove.

The question is: what style? Formal, but how formal? And what fabric? How can you make sure it’s in line with the wedding and with the bridal party?

And let’s face it, you’ll have to make many decisions in preparation for the wedding. But choosing the garments you’ll be wearing on the day is right at the top of the most important ones. Because how you feel in your suit, from comfort to how the style reflects you, is going to translate into how you experience the whole day. So you want it to be...well..perfect.

We've been dressing grooms since our very first day, so we know a thing or two about weddings and how to dress for them to feel at their best. We put all we know into one handy article to help you navigate this important decision.

It’s not every day one gets married. Chances are you might only do it once.

Things to consider

Of course your personal style comes into play when it comes to your wedding suit, but there’s more than that. You can (and should) look at this decision from different angles:

By style
By venue and time
By seasons

And that’s exactly what we did for you below. We broke it down into all these decision-influencing factors. Your wedding suit is usually a significant investment, and you want to be well informed to make the best decision for you.

By style

Classic

An elegant classic dark suit works for most weddings. The timeless two-button jacket is flattering for most builds, while a three-button or a double-breasted jacket carries a more retro feel and works well if you're quite tall.

As for colours, blue is a classic choice, and you won’t go wrong with a variation on a dark blue - cobalt blue, midnight blue, solid blue are all great choices.

Three-piece suit

If you’re after a classic ensemble, but that little bit extra elegant to mark the occasion, the three-piece suit is a perfect choice. Even after you take your jacket off, you’ll look perfectly dressed up in your perfectly fitting vest. The three-piece suit is also a good mix of traditional and contemporary. Plus, you can play with colours and patterns to suit the season and type of wedding.

Contemporary

If a look that breaks with tradition somewhat suits your personality better, you have plenty of options to experiment with. You can do it with colour - light blue, beige or off-white are elegant options. Wool or silk blends are more elegant, while cotton and linen blends keep it casual. But make sure you choose a three-piece suit to stand apart at your own wedding.

Tailcoat

A tailcoat—the unmistakable one-button, long, rounded behind jacket, is an option for weddings early in the day. That’s because English gentlemen wore one when they rode a horse, normally during the day. So if you do go for a tailcoat, make sure you follow these protocols.

Country

If you want to escape to the country on your wedding day, keep in mind the temperature and the time of the day. If it’s a casual setting, you can play with textures and fabrics, as well as colours—think tweed, even flannel in winter, or linen in summer.

If you’re walking down the aisle in the middle of the day, keep in mind how cool you want to feel under a summer sun, and pick the cloth accordingly.

By season

Spring-summer

Spring and summer are probably the most popular times of the year for a wedding. There are three main things to consider when choosing your groom’s suit for a wedding in the warmer seasons: the fabric, its weight and the colour. All have to be suitable for wearing comfortably in higher temperatures. Choose breathable fabrics, like wool or silk blends, and make sure the cloth it’s lightweight.

For ultra lightweight and a more casual look, go with a linen suit. And don’t be afraid to go with lighter colours that speak to the season.

Seersucker is another hot weather slightly non-confirming option, one that will give you comfort, and a name for being a style risk taker.

Autumn-winter

Autumn is a great season to get married during, not least because of the colours in nature, the Australian mild winds, and the abundance of suiting options.

Flannel groom’s jacket crafted by Zink&Sons

As the weather turns cooler, you’re safe to go for a heavier fabric. You’ll be grateful for the extra layer of three-piece suit at this time of the year. And if you’re game for a truly sophisticated look, tweed is your choice.

If you’re going for a tuxedo in winter, make sure it’s a black one.

Now...to get married

You only get one chance at being a groom, and while these rules are great to be aware of, the most important thing is to feel comfortable, to feel stylish, to feel like yourself. And you can best do that in a suit that represent you and your personality.

The first and best thing to do is take yourself to an appointment with some of the most experienced bespoke tailors in town. They’ll know exactly what to ask you, and how to guide you to make the best decision for you and your wedding.

The important thing is that you feel great in your own skin on your wedding day—and for that you need the right master tailors on your side. Get in touch.

A groom’s guide to the perfect wedding suit