More often than not, the bride will usually be the centre of attention on your wedding day and understandably so, but that doesn’t mean that the you – the groom – has to sit on the side lines. At Whitfield & Ward, we believe that the groom’s wedding suit should be a stand out look that complement’s the bride and fits in with the venue. The most asked question from couples hiring wedding suits is, “how do we make the groom different to the rest of the groomsmen?”. A good point, because while it’s obvious who the bride is, a sea of suits can make it difficult for the groom to stand out, but a few subtle changes can make a dramatic difference! Here’s our 5 top tips on how the groom can make his mark:
1. Opt for a different suit
If you’re looking to make a statement and wear something that reflects your style and personality, opt for a suit in a different style, cut or colour to the rest of the groomsmen. As the groom, there’s no hard and fast rule that says you have to have to perfectly match the rest of the guys. In fact, more and more grooms are choosing to differentiate themselves by wearing contrast jacket and trousers. For example, you may want to wear a patterned suit, while your groomsmen wear plain suits. But of course, it depends on your personality and there are other subtler ways to stand out if this look isn’t quite for you.
2. Wear a contrast waistcoat
A contrast waistcoat for the groom is one our favourite ways of setting him apart from his groomsmen. It allows you to experiment with pattern and colour to create a dynamic look that will instantly show your guests you’re the main man! Our only tip is to be mindful of mixing prints when selecting your groomsmen’s waistcoats – in our view, it is best to opt for a plain colour that doesn’t clash with your own. However, if you’re looking for something a little more understated, you may want to wear an identical waistcoat to your groomsmen but in a different style. At Whitfield & Ward, we offer the same waistcoats in a large selection of styles from double breasted to contemporary horse shoe – all of which will give you that wow factor.
3. Pick a different tie & pocket square
While your groomsmen can wear plain ties and pocket squares, consider something much more elaborate for yourself in a different colour or pattern. The pocket square doesn’t even need to be an exact match to the tie; in fact, mixing and matching will allow you to put your own individual spin on your wedding suit. This is the easiest option for groom’s who don’t want to completely stand out, but still want to be different. Bow ties, which are often considered a formal accessory, are also becoming more popular choice for weddings.
4. Make a statement with accessories
There are a handful of ways to incorporate statement accessories to really personalise the groom’s look, such as a fob watch, tie bar or lapel pin. Braces are also a great addition to your wedding suit and can serve as an alternative evening look when worn with just a shirt, trousers and a bow tie.
5. Wear different shoes
As the groom, you can take it up a notch with your footwear by choosing a style or colour that is different to your groomsmen. In recent years, black shoes have given way to other colours such as navy, brown and oxblood . This is a great opportunity to find something that corresponds with your personal style and could totally transform your look.
Shopping tips when hiring your wedding suit
Plan in advance and don’t leave everything until the last minute. For us, we limit the number of weddings we cater for each weekend to ensure we deliver an amazing personal service. This means that key dates such as bank holidays, fill up extremely fast so we recommend starting the process at least 6-12 months before, which will also leave more time for perfecting your look!
At Whitfield & Ward, we work on an appointment only basis, which means we can give our customers our undivided attention. Unique to the North West, we offer a choice of bespoke, made to measure & hire suits to help you create a truly stylish look. With our skilled tailoring service and contemporary approach to men’s wedding attire, our entire focus is about bringing you fashionable, tailored wedding suits in a stunning range of high quality fabrics.
Visit Whitfield & Ward on stand J32 at our EventCity Manchester National Wedding Show.