The Groom's Fashion Guide

Weddings are the great equalizer. No matter who you are, or what your own personal style is, wedding dress codes make well-dressed men out of all of us. And there's nobody at the ceremony under more pressure to look the part than the groom.

What he {and, by association, his groomsmen) wears helps to set the tone for the entire event. How lucky, then, that, as it turns out, there's a ton of amazing options out there for creating the perfect look. With a few choice tips and insights, and Long Island Bride and Groom magazine to find your outfit, your choice just became all the easier.

As the groom, you'll find yourself treading a fine line between two very important ideas: being the best dressed man at the ceremony, and wearing something that complements and accentuates your bride's gown. Remember that this is an occasion for photos. You want to look your best so your pictures are amazing years from now, but not over the top or inappropriate next to everybody else.

A short rule of thumb, before we begin: do everything you can to be the best-looking man at the ceremony. Keep that clear in your mind, and it becomes much easier to choose a suit or tux that works for you. Considering coat tails? A top hat or cane? Ask yourself whether these elements specifically are a better look for you, or if you simply like the idea of them. Build your outfit around this credo, and you'll find outfit building much less mysterious, overall.

And, on that note, let's start with a list of five style essentials you'll need to consider before deciding on your attire:

Weddings are the great equalizer. No matter who you are, or what your own personal style is, wedding dress codes make well-dressed men out of all of us. And there's nobody at the ceremony under more pressure to look the part than the groom.

What he {and, by association, his groomsmen) wears helps to set the tone for the entire event. How lucky, then, that, as it turns out, there's a ton of amazing options out there for creating the perfect look. With a few choice tips and insights, and Long Island Bride and Groom magazine to find your outfit, your choice just became all the easier.

As the groom, you'll find yourself treading a fine line between two very important ideas: being the best dressed man at the ceremony, and wearing something that complements and accentuates your bride's gown. Remember that this is an occasion for photos. You want to look your best so your pictures are amazing years from now, but not over the top or inappropriate next to everybody else.

A short rule of thumb, before we begin: do everything you can to be the best-looking man at the ceremony. Keep that clear in your mind, and it becomes much easier to choose a suit or tux that works for you. Considering coat tails? A top hat or cane? Ask yourself whether these elements specifically are a better look for you, or if you simply like the idea of them. Build your outfit around this credo, and you'll find outfit building much less mysterious, overall.

And, on that note, let's start with a list of five style essentials you'll need to consider before deciding on your attire:

SEASON

This is step one in deciding on any outfit, as it affects the basic structure of your entire wardrobe. Spring or summer weddings mean opportunities for suspenders, bow ties, higher ankles on pants, and rolled up sleeves at the reception. Having your nuptials in fall or winter, on the other hand, calls for layers, wool waistcoats, neckties, and sumptuous tweedy materials. Whatever the season, remember your outfit needs to be practical as well as look good on you.

TONE

Every wedding is a unique experience, and it's up to you to decide on what style you're looking for. That said, part of that decision is in dressing the part. Relaxed daytime weddings with a casual dress code can warrant a linen suit and lighter colors. Something more traditional, perhaps, and men's forma l wear you're in the running for a well-tailored suit in a dark color. Depending on the feel of the wedding, you could go as formal as a tux, white shirt, and stylish accessories.

VENUE

This is a question of practicality. Outdoor weddings don't often merit a set of mirror- shine black dress shoes and full evening dress. Nothing looks better on a ballroom dance floor, though. Similarly, while a hotel reception might not be the place for brown seersucker or khaki, these fabrics really work in a garden wedding.

THEME OR COLOR SCHEME

This one might sound obvious, but nothing goes without saying on a day like your wedding: try to dress to your bride, or, at least, to your overall color scheme. Ball gowns look best next to tuxedos, and flowing flower dresses complement linen shirts. Pick an accent on your suit to match to something she's wearing, like your cufflinks to her belt, and consider matching your tie or bow tie to the predominant color of the decor. If you won't be seeing her dress until the big day, ask her to be transparent about certain elements you could dress to match, without giving away the whole look.

PERSONAL FLOURISHES

It's a common belief that weddings are "for the bride", and that might be somewhat true for yours, as well. Keep in mind, though, that this is your wedding as well. A pair of argyle socks in your favorite color, or a subtle cufflink in the shape of Superman's "S" are examples of grooms having a little fun and showing off their own style in a reserved but meaningful way.

Now that we've covered the basics, you'll be happy to know there are some great trends to look out for in 2017, to give your ensemble a fresh, hip look. Bow ties, for starters, with short vests not falling below the belt line, are popular with grooms. Light shades like silver, white, and gray, for summer, and darker graphites and blues, in winter, are hot property, with designers opting for shaded graphite and grey suits, to give grooms a cooler, more hued effect.

A note on tailoring: one of the most commonly reported issues with wedding photographers among the brides and grooms are poorly-fitting suits that look out of place next to the fitted outfits of guests and the bride. Renting your tuxedo is a perfectly reasonable choice, if it isn't done at the last minute. You still need a suit or tux that fits and looks good on you -this means you should go rental shopping early, to make sure you don't look like you're wearing someone else's suit on your big day.

This is also an opportunity to buy a new, tailored suit, and you should give it some proper consideration. Get measured for your suit and allow for two to three months at the suit-maker, so as not to rush the project. With a few weeks left before picking it up, go in for a final measurement and fitting, so the tailor can adjust it. The final product will look phenomenal - a worthwhile investment and really one of the best ways to look your very best on your wedding day.

Lastly, remember this word of warning: you're only as strong as your weakest link. In this case, that means your groomsmen. Make sure everyone in the groom's party is measured and coordinated at the same time as you're arranging your own outfit. Groomsmen can match the groom in accessories or basic suit elements, such as waistcoats or ties. As w with your own suit, avoid outfits that might not match the style of your event, looking out of place.

Ultimately, your wedding attire should come down to the point we made at the beginning of this article: what would make you look your absolute best on your big day? Don't put off renting a tux or choosing a suit until the last minute - this is a big occasion for you as well as everybody else. Step out in style, with some choice accessories and groomsmen who look the part, and get ready for some good looking wedding photos you can show off for years to come.