The Groom's Guide to Wedding Dressing
Your wedding day will most likely be one of the most important days of your life, as well as one of the most photographed, remembered, replayed (and reposted). It’s a day where what you wear matters, and how you feel matters even more. At Regent, we’re interested in clothes that make you feel confident, comfortable and quietly excellent. We believe in heritage, craftsmanship and investing in quality pieces that will still look great in twenty years’ time, when trends have come and gone, and you’re looking back at your wedding photos with a nostalgic fondness.
Or as Mr Porter puts it rather brilliantly:
“So, dearly beloved… we are gathered here today to make sure that, 20 years from now, you’re not thinking ‘Yikes’ when you see the suit you wore.”
This guide will walk you through your options, from timeless tailoring to the small details that make the day feel unmistakably yours. Whether you’re planning a classic country wedding, a black-tie evening celebration, a laid-back event with a modern dress code, or something completely your own, the goal remains the same: you want to look and feel like the best version of yourself.
The golden rule: invest in quality
A wedding outfit doesn’t need to be ‘edgy’ or trend-led to feel special. In fact, the pieces that photograph best and last longest tend to be the simplest ones, done properly.
The best place to start is always the same: a really good suit that fits beautifully.
Investing in a quality suit won’t only carry you through the wedding, but through everything that follows too: interviews, celebrations, funerals, important dinners, milestone birthdays. It’s one of the few items in a wardrobe that earns its cost time after time.
So rather than pouring energy into extravagant extras, focus on the fundamentals. A great wedding outfit is built on three essentials:
1. Fit – everything starts here
2. Fabric – how it looks, drapes and wears
3. Construction – what makes it last and feel ‘right’
When you focus on these three, you’re almost guaranteed an outfit that looks and feels right, from a suit that fits like it was made for you, a shirt that feels crisp and comfortable, and shoes that you can stand in all day without regretting your life choices…
Wedding style doesn’t need reinvention or spectacle, unless you want it to. It needs quality, fit and ease. It is a day about being present, enjoying your moment, and letting your personality shine through.
A note on suit colour
What you wear impacts the photography, the timelessness of your outfit and how you complement the overall theme of the wedding.
For most weddings, we recommend returning to three classics: navy, charcoal and black. They are widely flattering, timeless, easy to style and importantly: they look brilliant in photographs. You will never look back at a properly cut navy or charcoal suit and feel like it belonged to a specific year or micro-trend.
And if you are trying to keep costs sensible, here’s one of the most helpful rules we can offer: a grey suit tends to look more expensive on a budget than a cheap shiny blue.
The popular ‘wedding blue’, if not chosen carefully, can look harsh in flash photograph and turn a little costume-like if the fabric is too glossy. Charcoal grey, on the other hand, looks refined, and quietly premium even when it’s simple. You can always add on personality through texture and accessories.
The groom should look like the groom
This sounds obvious, but there is a difference between ‘wearing a suit’ and looking like the groom. It’s important to remember that it is your day, and it’s completely acceptable (even expected) that you’ll hold a little more presence. The role of your outfit is not just to tick the ‘smart box’, it is there to make you feel special and confident – to reflect the significance of the day.
That doesn’t mean you need to look like you’ve stepped out of a period drama (unless that’s your aim). It simply means you deserve something that feels considered, because it is.
Sometimes the groom stands out through:
· A sharper fit
· A richer fabric
· A waistcoat
· A different tie or pocket square
· A small signature accessory (watch, cufflinks, family piece)
It can be a subtle shift, but it makes all the difference. When you look in the mirror you should think: “Yes, that’s me. That looks right.”
Groomsmen and best man: complement, don’t compete
A cohesive wedding party is one of those details that makes the whole day feel elevated. But the key word here is cohesive, not competitive.
We always say this with affection: the best man and groomsmen should complement the groom, not outshine him.
Their job is to frame the groom. They help the photos look balanced and they make the day look intentional. The groom often looks even sharper simply by being surrounded by a smart, coordinated wedding party.
If you’re coordinating outfits (which we do recommend to a degree), one of the most reliable approaches is:
· Groom in a full suit
· Groomsmen in a blazers and chinos/trousers
· Shared shirts
· Shared (same-but-different) accessories: for example, different spotted ties, pocket squares in the same colour family, or subtly coordinated socks.
It’s all about maintaining a gentle hierarchy, so that the groom still feels distinct. Often, it’s the smallest details, (texture, tone, finishing touches), that create the biggest effect.
Wedding themes: complement, don’t match
There is a persistent myth in weddings that men’s outfits should match the colour scheme or the bridal party.
If the bridesmaids are in sage green, you don’t need to show up looking like an accessory to a bouquet. We’re not aiming for eucalyptus.
At Regent, we recommend a much more stylish approach: complement, don’t match.
Undoubtedly colour matters, and maintaining a cohesive colour palette makes the wedding feel put-together. But rather than matching like-for-like, pick up a colour through:
· A tie
· A pocket square
· A stripe
· A textured weave
· Socks (fun and surprisingly effective)
This is how you keep your wedding dressing elegant. When details feel intentional rather than overly forced, you will always read more stylish.
Five groom options (so you know exactly what suits you)
This is where we get practical. Think of this like a menu: you find the style that fits your setting, personality and budget.
1. The Morning Coat
If you’re having a classic ceremony, from a church wedding to a country estate or a formal daytime setting, then the morning coat is a timeless, traditional and iconic choice. It is not just ‘smart’, it’s ceremonial. It gives the day an important gravity.
A well-made morning suit is also an ideal moment for made-to-measure, (a service that we offer at Regent), because it is so dependent on proportion. Tiny fit errors are obvious, from a longer coat, the fall of the lapel or the line of the trousers. But when it’s right…it’s spectacular.
This is the option for grooms who want their wedding to feel like a proper occasion in the most classic sense.
2. The Dinner Jacket
A dinner jacket is one of the most elegant wedding choices a groom can make. It immediately creates atmosphere, especially for winter weddings, evening receptions, candlelit venues, or city celebrations.
It also does something psychologically important: it signals that this is not an ordinary night.
Dinner jacket dressing doesn’t need much. It’s sharp, simple and effortlessly timeless. And, secretly, it makes life easier, because it’s already a ‘complete look’.
It included these core elements:
· A crisp shirt
· A bow tie
· Well-polished shoes
· A pocket square
And one more note: if you wear a bow tie, learn to tie it yourself. It looks better, sits better and feels part of the ritual. If you’re unsure, ask one of the Regent team and we’ll happily show you in store.
3. Modern wedding dressing
This is one of the most wearable, popular modern wedding formats, and it’s incredibly photogenic. It works because it feels like real style rather than erring towards a costume. You’re still dressed for the day, but you look comfortable in yourself. And importantly, it’s instantly re-wearable for other occasions, so you get more for your money.
This option is particularly great for:
· Relaxed venues
· Outdoor weddings
· Travel weddings
· Modern couples who want elegance without overt formality
You can keep it cohesive with one unifying element:
· Shared waistcoat fabric
· Shared tie texture
· Shared pocket square colour family
4. The wedding on a budget
You don’t need to spend thousands to look brilliant. You just need clarity and smart priorities.
If you’re planning a wedding with a tight budget in mind, focus on:
· One strong suit (grey or navy) that fits well
· One excellent white shirt (clean colours always look more expensive)
· Decent shoes (quality where it shows)
· One signature accessory (think about fabric finishes)
That’s it. Luxury isn’t always about spending more or even buying more. It’s often about avoiding the cheap-looking choices. A simple charcoal suit and crisp shirt will always look better than something flashy and flimsy.
And one gentle note from us, especially if you’re tempted to rent: if you can, buy rather than hire. A suit that fits properly and feels like yours will always look better and feel more special than something borrowed for the weekend, and it’s far more likely to become a long-term wardrobe piece you return to for years. It’s worth remembering that your bride or partner probably won’t be renting their wedding attire…so why should you?
Make room in your budget for an outfit that belongs to you, fits you perfectly, and makes the day feel even more significant.
Remember: Simple, stylish. photographs beautifully…zero cringe.
5. The fashion-forward groom
We often encourage people to experiment with clothes to find and express their personal style, and there is no hard and fast rule saying that you can’t do this on your wedding day too. If you love clothes and want the day to reflect that, you absolutely can do something more individual.
Just bear in mind: tasteful is always better than gimmicky. This could look like:
· A textured wool suit
· A subtle pattern (herringbone, faint check)
· Richer accessories
· A statement pocket square
· A vintage-inspired double-breasted look
The key is keeping the statement rooted in good fabric and good proportion, so you feel distinctively you whilst still honouring tailoring principles.
The wedding details
This is where the fun begins, and where Regent really shines. The best wedding outfits aren’t built from loud statements, but from small, thoughtful choices. These are the details that make you feel special without relying on novelty, and they’re often what people remember.
1. Pocket Squares
Pocket squares are one of the easiest ways to add personality, and one of the most Regent details you can choose, especially our uniquely designed squares by Lula herself.
They bring lightness, colour, charm and confidence, and they make photos look instantly more styled.
Bonus practical tip: Refresh it later in the day. Pop it up again when the flowers start to wilt a little. It may sound silly, but trust us, it works.
2. Socks
Socks are one of the easiest places to add a bit of wedding personality, without dramatically changing the whole outfit. If you want a wedding party detail that feels fun without being cringe: Regent striped socks are your best friend. They create cohesion, look brilliant in photos, and creates a fun tradition. It makes you feel like you’re part of a club.
For a cheeky moment to remember, get a photo of you and the groomsmen sitting in a row with your trouser legs crossed so the stripes are proudly on show. It’s a fun, relaxed shot for the album, but is something that stays subtly hidden for the rest of the day.
It’s understated, and that’s exactly what makes it so good.
3. Watches, cufflinks and heirloom details
Say YES to the watch! The final touches are about making the day feel like yours. These small details won’t overpower your outfit but instead will make it feel intentional.
The best wedding outfits usually include something personal:
· A watch (the opportunity to wear something personal)
· Cufflinks
· A signet ring
· Something borrowed or inherited
And if you’re not sure what suits you, that’s exactly what personal styling appointments are for. We can take the guesswork out of it, and make sure you actually enjoy getting dressed.
4. And yes…cigars
Cigars are not for everyone. But they can be a small ritual with your best man and groomsmen: a quiet moment before the noise of the day begins, and often a moment that makes for iconic photos. Very main character. Very cinematic.
Same-sex weddings
We love styling same-sex weddings because there’s often more room for creativity and balance.
Sometimes couple choose:
· Both in tailoring, but different textures
· One in dinner jacket, one in suit
· Matching tones, not matching outfits
· Colour echoing through accessories (for example, pocket squares)
The same principles apply fit, fabric, comfort, confidence. The joy is the styling options become wonderfully wide.
Book a free groom styling consultation with Jason
If you’ve read this far, and thought ‘right, I want this done right, but I feel a little overwhelmed’… don’t panic.
This is exactly what Regent is for.
You can start your wedding outfit journey with us, by booking a free 30-minute styling consultation with Jason.
This includes:
· Planning your groom look
· Coordinating the wedding party
· Exploring options for made-to-measure
· Selecting the right accessories
· And making sure everything fits perfectly (and photographs well)
And if you wish to go deeper, we can explore full tailoring options too. Your wedding suit should make you feel like the groom, not like someone borrowing one.
Final word
You don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you definitely don’t need to guess. With over twenty years of tailoring expertise, we’ve seen every dress code, every venue style, every type of groom and everything in between.
We understand that wedding style should be elevated, considered, comfortable, and most importantly: it should feel like you.
We’re here to help you steer away from novelty suits, and stiff shiny trends, and to ensure there’s no future ‘yikes’ moment when you look back at your wedding photos in years to come.
Instead, we focus on proper tailoring, beautiful heritage fabric, exquisite craftsmanship, and those small Regent details that make it feel personal.
Ready to get it right?
Book a free 30-minute groom styling consultation with Jason and we’ll help you choose the right route, get the fit spot on, and pull together the details that make it feel like your day. Whether you’re going full morning coat, black tie, or something more relaxed, we’ll guide you through it with ease. If you're still looking for inspiration, our wedding photo gallery is the perfect place to start.
Pop into the shop, explore all three floors, or get in touch to book your appointment today.
Written by Becky Colyer