Consultation: The Key to a Great Wedding Day Look
Choosing the tuxedo or suit that will fit you best can be a challenge, especially if you're unused to dressing in formalwear. To avoid problems, always consult your partner concerning the look of her wedding dress, and ask for input on colors, styling and local tailors or formal shops. Chances are, she has put much more thought into the choice of clothing than you have, and will be able to give you plenty of input about what sort of outfit for you will best complement her gown and accessories. Special Tux Tip: Unless you're interested in getting an earful from your Jersey girl, never buy or rent your tuxedo before the bride has picked out her wedding dress.What's Hot: Summer Suits for a New Jersey Wedding
Formal suits of all kinds have recently come back into fashion as a great choice for wedding menswear. Instead of a traditional black and white tux, today's groom might opt for a nicely tailored suit and silk tie. Choosing a suit over a tux may make your purchase more useful in the future, and will certainly look more modern, rather than traditional. A suit also allows you to experiment a bit more with colors, fabrics and styling options, such as matching a dark jacket with a complementary silk shirt and light-colored slacks. Favored summer formalwear fabrics include linens, silks and cottons for a cool, comfortable outfit.Buy a Tux or Tuxedo Rental?
To rent or to buy? This quintessential question might have an easy answer, based on your body type and future needs. If you shop in "Big & Tall" stores or have an otherwise hard-to-fit frame, buying will likely be your best option for a great wedding day look and fit. Buying ensures that the suit will be tailored exactly to your needs and specifications. For those with more average body types, the decision comes down to how many times you think you might wear your tuxedo in the future. If you plan on staying about the same size, and think that you might wear a tux even two or three times in the future, it is almost always worthwhile to buy.Purchasing your tux makes sure of a perfect fit, but keep in mind that you'll also be buying accessories that would normally be included with a rental, such as shoes, a cummerbund, vest, waistcoat or tie. Since this is a purchase which will last for years, consider your options carefully and pick a comfortable, year-round tux that won't quickly fall out of style. Fine tailors and tux shops throughout New Jersey can offer further advice and tailor your tuxedo to match your shape.
For informal guys who don't need dressy attire, wedding tuxedo rentals are always an option. A good rental shop will have all of the top name designers, such as Perry Ellis, Andrew Fezza, Geoffrey Beene, Lubiam, Lord West Black, and Oscar de la Renta. Your rental shop will probably be able to adjust inseam and arm length, but not much else. Compared to a purchased, tailored tuxedo, the fit is likely to be a bit off. However, with the right package you will get all the extra accessories (shoes, tie, etc.) included with your tux rental. This can be a big time saver.
Don't Wait for Last Minute Alterations
A good tuxedo fitting takes time. Once your bride has chosen her gown and the dresses her bridal party will wear, shop in advance and schedule your fitting a few weeks before the day you marry. This leaves plenty of times for your shop or tailor to make any necessary alterations, with room to spare.Wedding Tuxedo Deals
Are you and your groomsmen dressing in matching tuxedos? If so, keeping a lookout for tux packages offered by local shops. These collective buys can save you hundreds of dollars which you can sock away for the honeymoon or put towards gifts for your best man and attendants. Shopping together will also help you to coordinate your look, making a nice presentation during your ceremony.Tuxedo Shoe Options
For a formal event, the traditional male wedding shoe is black patent leather with a soft, thin sole. These shoes are perfect for dancing and are generally quite comfortable. However, depending upon your wedding theme or location, other types of footwear may be appropriate. A beach wedding, for example, might allow you to wear your favorite pair of nice leather sandals, provided they're in excellent condition.Special Tux Tip: Are you renting your tux? Be sure to ask about a shoe upgrade! The basic shoe that comes with most tuxedo rentals is cheaply made and uncomfortable. For a modest price increase, most shops offer a shoe which is much better made, and which won't give you blisters on your wedding day.
In summary, remember that your tux choice should revolve around your bride's gown and her wedding day vision. Suit or tux, rent or buy, this will ensure that both of you are happy and comfortable when you tie the knot.