It is very important for the groom to participate in this part of the wedding planning. Even if your groom runs from the sight of tulle or his eyes glass over when you mention wedding cakes, he needs to be involved in this stage of your plans. And brides need to let go of some of the control in this area. Some styles compliment tall men and some make shorter men appear heavy. While his formal wear should compliment your dress and support the overall tone of the wedding, the primary concern should be his comfort.
First, agree on the color of the tuxedo. Black tuxes signify a formal evening wedding. Tails add to the elegance, but a well-fitting double-breasted coat will not undermine your formality. Gray works well for daytime or outdoor weddings. Gray suits with subtle black pin striping are becoming popular and can bridge the gap between day and evening weddings. Once you have agreed on his color, work on his attendants. You can set the groom apart by the cut of his jacket, the style of his vest or the color of his tie.
Once that decision has been worked out, the fun really starts. Brides must understand that not every tuxedo design flatters every body type -- your groom is not a dress up doll. Selecting a tuxedo style based on a picture from a bridal magazine or photo from the internet is not realistic. You must try on a tux to see how the collar, jacket cut and pants look on the groom. Single-breasted coats can make larger men appear round and a peaked collar will only make a tall man appear even taller. Pleated pants can accentuate a lean body type, but they become a disaster for shorter, stockier men. Let the groom have his say here. He will also be standing in front of friends and family. Grooms need to feel comfortable and handsome on this important day. Just as you would not want to be married in a dress with boning poking your ribs or a neckline which makes you feel immodest, the groom needs to feel he looks his best. His comfort and self image are far more important than a particular collar style or pant cut.
Find a reputable rental shop with knowledgeable employees to address all your issues. Ask friends and family for referrals to companies with trained professionals whose advice you can trust. What is most important is listening to the men in your wedding. Respect them enough to honor their opinions and concerns. Tuxedo Junction, in Wichita, offers a website where you can see all the different styles of shirts, vests, jackets and pants available. Save some time and rule out styles or colors which don't appeal to either of you. Unless you have real concerns he will reserve the sky blue number mentioned earlier in this article, let him and his best man head out for some preliminary shopping. The two of you can shop together later to finalize your plans from the styles he has selected.
Too often, brides focus on the smaller details of tuxedos and forget the men who will be wearing them. Treat the men's formal wear with the same level of importance you gave your dress selection. No man wants to be married in a tux that makes him feel foolish or with shoes cutting off the circulation to his toes. Take the time to listen and honor the input of the men in your ceremony. Thirty years from now, you won't notice a variation among pant styles in your wedding photos, but the smiles of the men wearing them will still shine through.