The groom's outfit to match the wedding dress

Clothes, shoes and details for the groom, and what the groom actually needs.

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When should I as the groom have my wedding outfit sorted, so it suits the wedding dress?

The groom should have his wedding outfit sorted two to three months before the wedding. If the suit needs tailoring, that takes time, and if it is hired, it needs to be booked. Wait until the bride has chosen her wedding gown, so colour and formality go together. Try on the whole outfit at once with shoes and shirt. Have it fitted: a tailored jacket for DKK 2,000 looks better than a loose one for DKK 6,000. See the timeline in our questions about planning.

What is the difference between a dinner jacket and white tie at a wedding, and which goes best with the wedding dress?

A dinner jacket is a dark jacket with silk lapels, worn with a black bow tie and white shirt for evening receptions. White tie is the most formal: a tailcoat, white waistcoat and white bow tie, which is almost only worn at very formal weddings and balls. In Denmark an ordinary suit is by far the most common choice for the groom. Follow the dress code on the invitation, and let the level of formality match the wedding dress. Read more about wedding etiquette and dress code.

Should my wedding suit be black, navy or beige to go with the wedding dress?

Navy is the most versatile wedding suit and looks best in photos, because black can give a flat silhouette in daylight. Beige, light grey and sand suit summer, outdoor weddings and a simple wedding dress. Black belongs to the evening and the formal end. Keep the shirt in the same undertone as the dress, so a bright white shirt does not make an ivory dress look yellowish. See our simple wedding dresses to get an idea of the style.

Can the groom hire his wedding outfit instead of buying it, just as you can with a wedding dress?

Yes, the groom can easily hire his outfit, and it is a good idea for a dinner jacket or white tie he will not wear again anyway. If it is an ordinary suit, it can often be just as cheap to buy one he can wear to parties and work afterwards. Book the hire well in advance in high season, and have the outfit fitted. The bride can hire too: read about hiring a wedding dress.

Which shoes should the groom wear to the wedding, so they suit the suit and the style of the wedding dress?

The groom should wear smart leather lace-ups: black with a navy or black suit, and brown with beige, sand and light grey. Avoid brand-new shoes on the day, and break them in at home for a few evenings first. Polished shoes make a difference, because the shoes are clearly visible in the photos next to the wedding dress. If it is a long evening, a more comfortable pair for the dancing can be a good idea. The bride can find advice in our questions about bridal shoes.

Should the groom wear a buttonhole that matches the bridal bouquet and the wedding dress?

A buttonhole is a nice detail for the groom, but not a requirement. Choose a single flower that also appears in the bridal bouquet, so his look ties in with the bouquet and the wedding gown, and ask the florist to make it at the same time as the bouquet. Fasten it with a pin behind the lapel, not through the fabric at the front. Best men and fathers often get a smaller version of the same flower. Read more in our questions about flowers.

Should I choose a tie or a bow tie for my wedding, and how does it go with the wedding dress?

A tie is the most versatile choice for the groom and suits every suit. A bow tie belongs to a dinner jacket and the formal end, and a self-tie bow looks better than a pre-tied one in close-ups. If the wedding dress has a lot of lace, keep the tie smooth and simple so the two do not compete. Avoid matching the tie exactly to the bridesmaids' colour, it is often too much. See our wedding dresses with lace.

I am going to be the best man or maid of honour. What are the duties at a Danish wedding, and should I help with the wedding dress?

The forlover is a witness at the ceremony and signs, gives a speech, looks after the rings until they are needed, arranges the stag or hen party and is the person guests turn to, so the couple are spared. On the day, the forlover has the programme, the phone numbers and an emergency kit. If you are the bride's forlover, you can also help with the train of the wedding dress at the ceremony and for the photos. Agree the duties specifically and in good time, so two people do not think they have the same responsibility. Read more about the ceremony in our questions about getting married in Denmark.

Can the groom see the wedding dress before the wedding day, or is it bad luck?

There is no rule that the groom must not see the wedding dress, and it does not bring bad luck. Some couples choose the dress together, others keep it secret to have the moment in the church. If you want both, do a first look before the ceremony, where he sees the dress calmly and the reaction is photographed. If he wants to come to the fitting, he is welcome with us. Read more about wedding dress fittings.

Should the groom's outfit match the bridesmaids' colours and the wedding dress?

No, the groom's outfit should go with the bridesmaids' colours, not be identical. A detail in the same colour family, for example a pocket square or a flower, is enough, while a tie in exactly the same colour as the bridesmaids' dresses often looks like a uniform. Instead, keep the shirt in the same undertone as the wedding dress. If the bridesmaids are children from the family, as they often are in Denmark, there is no reason to match at all. Find more ideas on our wedding blog.

I am a big man. Where can I find a wedding suit in large sizes, and do you also have wedding dresses in large sizes?

The groom can find suits in large sizes at chains with their own big sizes and from a tailor who makes to measure, which is often cheaper than expected. The most important thing is the fit: the shoulders must fit, the rest can be altered. Try on in good time, because large sizes more often have to be ordered in. Ask whether the back and waist can be let out. For the bride we have plus size wedding dresses.