When Should Groomsmen Get Their Suits (Or Rent a Tuxedo)?
Timing is crucial when selecting wedding suits for your wedding party. Whether you're planning early or cutting it close, knowing when to start the process can ensure everything goes smoothly.
Ideally, you should begin 6-9 months before the wedding to allow plenty of time for selection, ordering, and alterations.
But if you're short on time, there are still ways to keep your wedding party looking sharp.
From rush orders to rentals, we’ll guide you through the best timelines and fitting strategies to guarantee everyone is ready for the big day.
Ideal Timeline for Groomsmen Suit Shopping
The best time to start shopping for wedding suits is 6-9 months before the wedding. This timeline gives you access to seasonal styles and provides ample time for fittings and alterations.
If you’re a bit behind schedule, you can still finalize wedding suit selections 3-5 months ahead.
For those in a pinch, last-minute rentals and rush orders are available but may limit style choices.
6-9 Months Before the Wedding
Shopping for wedding suits 6-9 months ahead allows you to explore various styles and collections while ensuring the perfect fit. For fall weddings, ordering well in advance aligns with seasonal trends.
The first fitting should ideally occur 4-6 months before the wedding, allowing for alterations and ensuring your wedding suit looks great on the big day.
3-5 Months Before the Wedding
If you’ve missed the ideal window, don’t worry. Ordering wedding suits 3-5 months before the wedding still allows enough time for fittings and adjustments.
First fittings should occur 2-6 months before the wedding, with final alterations done two months before. This period gives you time to handle any last-minute changes without stress.
Last-Minute Options
For those who find themselves in a last-minute situation, rush orders and rentals can save the day.
These options allow you to secure wedding suits close to the wedding date, though your choices might be limited. Follow up on suit orders to ensure they arrive on time and fit perfectly.
Scheduling Fittings for Groomsmen
Scheduling fittings for your wedding party is essential to ensure everyone looks their best.
Starting alterations at least three months before the wedding accommodates any weight changes and provides enough time for adjustments.
Group fittings can make the process fun and efficient, keeping everyone on the same timeline.
First Fitting
The first fitting is critical for getting accurate measurements and ensuring the wedding suit fits comfortably.
Make sure to schedule this fitting at least 4-6 months before the wedding to allow time for adjustments. Picking up the wedding suits a week before the event ensures any last-minute tweaks can be made.
Final Fitting
The final fitting should take place 1-2 months before the wedding. This step ensures the wedding suits are properly tailored and ready for the big day.
Schedule this fitting with enough time for final adjustments to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Group Fittings for Convenience
Organizing group fittings can be a fun and efficient way to ensure that everyone is on the same page and timeline.
It creates a bonding experience for the groomsmen and ensures that everyone’s suits are fitted and adjusted simultaneously. This can streamline the process and make it more enjoyable for everyone.
Coordination Tips for Groomsmen Attire
Coordinating the wedding suits for your wedding party ensures a cohesive look. Consider factors like venue, formality, and color when selecting attire.
Whether you choose matching or mismatched suits, clear communication is vital. Accessories like tie clips and pocket squares can help unify the look without making the outfits too uniform.
Communicating Dress Code
Communicating the dress code ensures everyone knows what to wear, aligning with the wedding’s formality and style.
Groomsmen attire should complement the bridesmaids’ outfits and reflect the couple's vision. Group texts or email threads are effective ways to share suit choices and color coordination, keeping everyone on the same page.
Matching vs. Mismatched Suits
Choosing between matching or mismatched suits depends on personal style. Traditional matching suits offer a formal look, while mismatched options work if colors are coordinated.
Accessories can unify the look by incorporating the wedding’s color scheme, ensuring cohesion without complete uniformity.
Accessorizing Groomsmen’s Suits
Accessories enhance the overall look. Matching ties, hats, cufflinks, and other elements with bridesmaids’ dresses ties the party's outfits together, ensuring a polished, stylish appearance that complements the wedding’s theme.
Shop Groomsmen Accessories:
Budget Considerations for Groomsmen Suits
Budgeting for wedding suits is an essential part of wedding planning. Compare prices, shop at outlets, or consider renting to keep costs down.
Discuss who will cover the cost of the suits with your groomsmen and look for discounts to manage expenses effectively.
Who Pays for Groomsmen's Attire
Traditionally, the groom covers the cost of his groomsmen’s wedding suits, but it’s common now for groomsmen to buy or rent their own.
If finances are tight, the groom might choose to help. Always consider the financial situation of your wedding party to ensure affordability.
Affordable Suit Options
There are budget-friendly wedding suit options available for those who need to watch their spending. Brands like H&M and ASOS offer stylish suits under $100.
Renting is another great way to keep costs low while still ensuring the wedding party looks polished.
Special Discounts and Deals
Taking advantage of special discounts can save on wedding suits. Many stores offer deals for bulk orders, such as discounts on purchasing multiple suits for the wedding party.
Shop around and check various retailers to maximize savings while ensuring everyone looks sharp.
Seasonal Suit Shopping Tips
Seasonal suit shopping ensures groomsmen outfits complement the wedding theme and weather. Tan suits suit beach or rustic weddings, luxurious wool fits formal occasions, and lightweight linen works best for casual settings.
Selecting the right fabric and color based on the season enhances both comfort and style, ensuring groomsmen look their best year-round.
Spring Weddings
For spring weddings, it’s best to start shopping for suits in late fall or early winter. This ensures that you have enough time to place your suit order and receive it before the wedding. For April weddings, aim to place your suit order by December to avoid any delays.
This ensures that your groom’s suit and groomsmen are stylishly dressed for the season.
Summer Weddings
Summer weddings call for lightweight fabrics such as linen to keep you cool and stylish. Lighter fabrics and tones are preferred to enhance comfort during warmer weather.
Choosing the right fabric is key for comfort and style in summer weddings.
Fall Weddings
Rich tones like burgundy or dark green are recommended for fall weddings to complement the seasonal palette. The right suit colors and materials for fall weddings reflect the seasonal vibe. These colors not only capture the essence of fall but also enhance the wedding’s overall theme and atmosphere.
Winter Weddings
Opting for heavier fabrics can provide warmth and elegance for winter wedding suits. Winter wedding suits should prioritize warmth while maintaining a formal appearance for a formal wedding, often leaning towards darker colors. Choosing the right wedding attire is essential for achieving the desired look.
This way, the groomsmen look stylish and stay comfortable during the chilly season.
Managing Weight Changes and Alterations
Managing weight changes is key to ensuring groomsmen’s suits fit perfectly on the wedding day. Inform your tailor about any planned weight changes and schedule timely alterations.
Regular fittings allow for necessary adjustments, ensuring comfort and style. This preparation avoids last-minute issues, keeping everyone looking sharp and feeling confident for the big day.
Informing the Tailor
Communicating any expected weight changes to the tailor can facilitate necessary adjustments to the suit’s fit. Proactive communication regarding weight changes is essential for achieving the best fit for groomsmen suits.
This ensures the tailor can make necessary adjustments in time for the wedding, providing a perfect suit fit.
Timing for Alterations
Managing weight changes is crucial as they can impact the fit of groomsmen’s suits leading up to the wedding. Inform the tailor about any planned weight changes to ensure the best fit on the wedding day.
Regularly re-evaluate the fit of the suit during fittings to make necessary adjustments before the final wedding day.
Picking Up and Returning Suits
Picking up and returning suits on time is crucial to avoid penalties and last-minute stress. Ensure you understand the rental store’s pick-up and return policies.
This helps maintain the overall timeline, allows for final checks before the wedding, and ensures that all suit pieces are returned in good condition, avoiding late fees.
Here’s a closer look at these timelines.
Pick-Up Timeline
Groomsmen should pick up their suits one week to a month before the wedding. This timeline ensures that groomsmen have their suits ready for final checks before the big day. This timeframe allows groomsmen to address any fitting issues or required alterations ahead of time.
In summary, aim to have suits picked up within the week to month leading to the wedding for optimal preparation.
Return Process
Groomsmen should be aware of the rental company’s return policies to avoid penalties. Usually, rented suits should be returned by the specified date outlined in the rental agreement. To avoid late fees, groomsmen must return the suits on time.
Double-check the suit upon return to ensure all pieces are accounted for and in good condition.
