Gone are the days when the groom and groomsmen had to be clad in perfectly matched, pristine tuxedos. A hot trend in groomswear is enlivening wedding looks across the country, as husbands-to-be and their buddies discover the fun of mixing and matching their looks. It’s not about clashing— it’s about coordination and contrast. Get the scoop on the upcoming fall wedding trend of mix and match groomswear.
- Follow the Color Story
Just because grooms and their guys have the freedom to mix and match doesn’t mean they get to go too far with the color craze. It’s important for the wedding to look cohesive, so groomswear selections need to fall within the wedding color story.
Let’s say, for example, that the wedding color palette includes classic red, navy, sage, and champagne. The groom and his friends shouldn’t introduce colors like lavender, magenta, black, or bright green— those obviously wouldn’t jive with the rest of the color story.
However, the groom could choose champagne and red, or navy and red, or sage and champagne. Before making a final choice related to groomswear, check with your spouse-to-be, just to be sure you’re on the right track.
- Maintain the Formality Level of the Wedding
It’s important to keep a sense of unity in the look of the groom and groomsmen. Rather than having the groom in a tux and the guys in plaid shirts, keep the level of formality the same across that side of the wedding party.
You can still have some style variety— for instance, some groomsmen may look better in a double-breasted blazer, while others choose a single-breasted version. Maybe a couple of the groomsmen prefer to wear bow ties, while others wear regular ties.
That’s okay, as long as colors and other elements tie all the looks together. Just be sure that everyone’s outfits are equally casual or equally formal, depending on your wedding theme.
- Make Sure the Groomsmen Stand Out
Your groomsmen were chosen because of their family connection or friendly relationship with you or your spouse. They’re being honored as members of your wedding party, so they should stand out from the crowd a bit. Be sure that the mix and match styles you select set them apart in some way, so that everyone knows they are extra-special guests.
- Don’t Mix Up the Seasonal Fabrics
Think about the season of your wedding. Is it taking place in the late summer? In the fall? During the winter? Choose fabrics and styles that make sense for the season. For instance, you wouldn’t ask your groomsmen to wear linen tuxedos with plaid shirts to a fall wedding. Instead, opt for a combination of fabrics that make sense together, like a pair of cotton slacks with a wool-blend suit jacket.
- Give Direction to the Groomsmen
If you’re giving your groomsmen some freedom to choose their own mix-and-match suits and accessories, be sure that you also provide a few key guidelines. You don’t want someone showing up in an eye-catching (or horrifying) ensemble that takes the attention away from the groom and the bride.
Offer your wedding party some tips about the colors, fabrics, and formality you’re looking for. Ask them to send you a quick photo of what they plan to wear on the wedding day, or have an “outfit check” the week before the wedding.
As you’re planning your wedding, feel free to contact the event specialists at Nanina’s in the Park anytime. We’re here to make your life easier and to facilitate your wedding day— and we’re happy to help with all kinds of details, from vendor selections to estate tours to color choices.
