When it comes to dressing for a wedding everyone thinks guys have the easy job. But looking, and feeling great on your wedding day is more than just a matter of “putting on a suit”.

In many cases, finding the groom’s attire can be just as challenging as the bride finding the right dress and it also may require some coordination with the groomsmen and the general wedding themes. And since you’ll be making up 50% the pictures, thinking carefully about your clothing should be important.

The biggest challenge is that most of us guys don’t often consider the type of suit or tux we want until we walk into the tuxedo shop. But if you ask yourself a few questions ahead of time, you can make it a pretty easy process. In this guide I will walk you through the most important aspects when it comes to wedding attire for grooms so that you may look your best on your wedding day.

Should you stick with a wedding suit, or go all out with a tuxedo?

If you’re not sure, a good rule of thumb is to follow your partner’s lead! If they’ve chosen a formal gown themselves, then match their look with a tux. It’s up to you as a couple to set the vibe (and dress code!) you want for your wedding.

When should you get your suit?

The process of planning the outfit should start 2/3 months before the wedding. If you are going to get the suit or tuxedo made at a busy place and during the wedding season, it is always better to keep in mind that you might not get an appointment at the date you want, so keep your options open and start early.

Do you need to get fitted?

The most important part of choosing your suit is making sure that it’s sized appropriately for your body type. Getting measured by a professional tailor is vitally important to ensuring your wedding suit fits you perfectly and compliments your shape. Even if you’re going with a suit from a big box store instead of a custom tailor like most people do, a salesperson in any menswear store should know how to take your measurements. From there, the choices about suit vs. tux, individual garments, materials, and cuts will all be easier knowing exactly what sizes you should be shopping for.

Should you Rent or buy?

Tuxedos are typically rented instead of purchased because—let’s face it—they’re expensive. And how many times will you really wear a tux in your lifetime? A suit is more reasonably priced (in most cases) and you’ll probably wear it again, but when you throw in all the accessories to complete your wedding-day look, things can really add up!

What will the groomsman wear?

There’s two options: You and your groomsmen can all wear matching outfits or your groomsmen can wear matching attire while you dress in something slightly different.

Traditionally, groomsman wear a suit or a tuxedo that matches or complements what the groom has decided to wear. Matching with the style and feel of the groom’s look (as well as with the female attendants) will help ensure the entire bridal party look is cohesive.

Pro tip: No two white shirts are the same. Renting identical suits or tuxes and accessories ensures that all of your groomsmen will be perfectly coordinated. No slightly-off colors or noticeably different shoes making a cameo in your wedding photos!

Conclusion

At the end of the day the goal of your clothing is to help you look as good as you possibly can be. Your wedding is a special moment, and your appearance should be as well.