GROOM'S FORMAL WEAR

The groom should select his formal wear based on the formality of the wedding. For a semi-formal or formal wedding, the groom will need a tuxedo. A tuxedo is the formal jacket worn by men on special or formal occasions. The most popular colors are black, white, and gray.

Options: Use the following guidelines to select customary attire for the groom:

Informal wedding:

• Business suit
• White dress shirt and tie
  

Semi-formal daytime:

• Formal suit
• White dress shirt
• Cummerbund or vest
• Four-in-hand or bow tie
  

Semi-formal evening:

• Formal suit or dinner jacket
• Matching trousers
• White shirt
• Cummerbund or vest
• Black bow tie
• Cufflinks and studs

Formal daytime:

• Cutaway or stroller jacket
• Waistcoat
• Striped trousers
• White wing-collared shirt
• Striped tie
• Studs and cufflinks

Formal evening:

• Black dinner jacket
• Matching trousers
• Waistcoat
• White tuxedo shirt
• Bow tie
• Cummerbund or vest
• Cufflinks

Very formal daytime:

• Cutaway coat
• Wing-collared shirt
• Ascot
• Striped trousers
• Cufflinks
• Gloves

Very formal evening:

• Black tailcoat
• Matching striped trousers Bow tie
• White wing-collared shirt
• Waistcoat
• Patent leather shoes
• Studs and cufflinks
• Gloves

Things To Consider: In selecting your formal wear, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, the time of day, and the bride's gown. Consider darker colors for a fall or winter wedding and lighter colors for a spring or summer wedding. Make sure they have a wide variety of makes and styles to choose from.

Reserve tuxedos for yourself and your ushers several weeks before the wedding to insure a wide selection and to allow enough time for alterations. Plan to pick up the tuxedos a few days before the wedding to allow time for last minute alterations in case they don't fit properly. Out-of-town men in your wedding party can be sized at any tuxedo shop. They can send their measurements to you or directly to the shop where you are going to rent your tuxedos.

Ask about the store's return policy and be sure you delegate to the appropriate person (usually your best man) the responsibility of returning all tuxedos within the time allotted. Ushers customarily pay for their own tuxedos.