Wedding Outfit Checklist for the Groom

You want to look your best and feel as relaxed as possible on your wedding day. But planning your wedding day outfit can feel overwhelming — deciding which style to wear, where to buy it, when to buy it, which accessories to add — it can feel stressful and confusing.

Wishing for a comprehensive groom outfit checklist that will take the worry and guesswork out of pulling it all together? Your wish has come true — this guide provides everything you need. Our practical timeline will help you know how and when to start planning. Then it will take you to the finish line so you’ll feel relaxed and look spectacular on your wedding day.

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8-12 Weeks Before the Wedding: Start Your Outfit Preparation

Discuss your wedding dress code with your fiancé. Your dress code will determine the formality of your wedding and what you should wear.

Once you’ve decided on the style of your ensemble, plan to purchase your suit or tuxedo at least 8 to 12 weeks before your ceremony. This will allow time to schedule fitting appointments, tailoring, and adjustments.

Selecting Your Suit or Tuxedo

In addition to deciding on whether you’ll wear a suit or tuxedo, you’ll want to consider various cuts and styles. Do you prefer modern slim cut styling or traditional, classic styling? Knowing your style preference will definitely narrow your choices and help you choose wedding suits more easily.

Choosing the Perfect Shirt

Once you’ve decided on whether you’re wearing a suit or tuxedo, and whether you prefer traditional or modern styling, it’s time to choose the perfect shirt. You’ll wear a white tuxedo shirt with a tux or a dress shirt with a suit.

Whether you choose a standard fit or trim fit, go with a shirt that enhances your body type and style preference. Learn how to measure for a dress shirt.

In addition to the cut, shirts come with various collar styles that are designed to enhance your face shape and accommodate certain tie knots. A spread collar works well for a formal wedding, as it allows space to tie a Windsor knot. For a narrow tie with a smaller knot, a point collar style works well.

Dress shirts in a crisp cotton with a tight weave look elegant and refined. Avoid polyester and other synthetics that look shiny or don’t hang properly. Once you’ve decided on your shirt, try it on for fit, remove tags, and wash it.

Deciding Between a Tie or a Bow Tie

You’ll wear a black silk bow tie with a tuxedo for a black tie wedding dress code. If your wedding will be formal but not black tie, you can choose to wear either a tie or bow tie with your suit.

Some grooms prefer to wear a bow tie with a suit while the groomsmen wear neckties. This styling allows the groom to stand out from the groomsmen.

4-6 Weeks Before: Finalizing Accessories

From your shoes to your cufflinks, carefully chosen accessories will enhance your wedding ensemble.

Selecting the Right Shoes

If you think no one will notice your shoes, you’re wrong! Your shoe choice is an integral part of your overall wedding attire.

Dress codes call for particular types and styles of shoes. Black tie requires black patent leather oxfords. Formal dress codes specify black leather oxfords or brogues. You can wear dress loafers, monk-strap, or lace-ups for semi-formal or casual dress codes.

Choosing Accessories

Like icing on a wedding cake, the accessories you choose will put the final fashionable touch on your ensemble.

Cufflinks: Formal wear calls for a dress shirt with French cuffs that you’ll fasten with cufflinks rather than buttons. Select a simple style that matches the metal of your watch, or your wedding rings.

Tie Bar: If you choose to wear a tie, a tie bar can refine your look. Go with an unfussy, elegant style. Tie pins are often the choice for formal wear and will enhance your tie when worn with a three-piece suit.

Pocket Squares: A pocket square adds balance to your suit, and provides a subtle but interesting touch to your attire. Important tip: never match your pocket square to your tie or bow tie. Always choose a complementary color that coordinates but isn’t the same color.

Coordinating with Groomsmen

You’ll want to stand out from your groomsmen while maintaining a cohesive look with them. Many grooms will choose the same tie color the groomsmen will wear, but in a darker or brighter color. Another option is to choose neckwear in the same color but in differing styles — the groomsmen wear a necktie while the groom wears a bow tie.

1-2 Weeks Before: Final Fittings and Preparations

Suit or Tux and Shirt:Try on your outfit 2 weeks before the wedding to allow for any final tailoring or adjustments.

Shoes: Break in your wedding shoes by walking in them for about 30 minutes a day until the ceremony.

Your Chosen Tie Knot: If you’re not familiar with your chosen knot, start practicing. You won’t be able to rely on one of your groomsmen to help you if they don’t know the tying method. Avoid last minute stress and start practicing how to tie the chosen tie knot or bow tie ahead of time.

Hair and Grooming: Get your hair cut 7 to 10 days before the ceremony. Schedule a manicure.

Rings: Rings are sized. Place them in the inside pocket of your tux or suit for safekeeping.

The Day Before: Preparing Your Outfit

Lay out or hang all items of your wedding ensemble the day before the ceremony. If you’ve packed for a destination wedding, take EVERYthing out of your bags. Allow time to steam out wrinkles and ensure all items look crisp and fresh.

• Hang
  • Suit or tuxedo
  • Clip pants at the waist to hang full length
  • Dress shirt
  • Tie or bow tie
• Lay out
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Cufflinks
  • Shirt studs, if wearing a tuxedo shirt
  • Belt or suspenders
  • Pocket square
  • Shoes

Wedding Day: Getting Dressed

Your clothes and accessories are laid out. Now — allow plenty of time to get dressed.

1. Shower, shave, floss, and brush your teeth. Style your hair. Don’t forget to apply deodorant!
2. Get the undies on — socks, briefs, and if it’s very hot, a cotton undershirt to absorb sweat.
3. Slip on pants, shoes, shirt, cufflinks, neckwear, and belt or suspenders.
4. Tie your tie or bow tie. At this point, some photographers have planned to document you tying your tie, slipping on your jacket, or fastening your boutonniere.
5. Slip into your jacket and insert your pocket square.
6. Get help attaching your boutonniere.
7. Take a deep breath or two and smile!
8. Hand over the rings (inside pocket of jacket) to your best man.

Find Your Perfect Wedding Outfit at The Tie Bar

Screenshot this wedding outfit checklist and refer to it often to stay on track. You may even want to set reminders on your phone to check off items on the 8-12 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 1-2 weeks, day before, and wedding day checklists.

As soon as you establish your dress code with your fiancé, start exploring The Tie Bar’s wedding collection. You’ll find high-quality, stylish suits and tuxedos, dress shirts, accessories, and so much more. Shopping at The Tie Bar will make preparing for your wedding fast, fun, and easy.

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