Who Chooses the Groom’s Suit? The Real Rules Behind the Look

It’s your wedding day. You’re standing in front of the mirror, suit jacket on, tie straight, shoes polished. But who actually picked that suit? Was it you? Your partner? Your dad? The tailor? The truth is, there’s no single rule-just a mix of tradition, personal style, and sometimes, quiet compromise.

The Old Way: Dad or Best Man Picks It

Years ago, the groom’s suit was often treated like a formal uniform. Families expected the groom to look sharp, but not necessarily himself. In many cultures, the father of the groom would cover the cost and choose the style-usually a classic tuxedo or dark suit, rented from a local shop. The groom didn’t get much say. If he objected, he was told, “It’s your wedding day, not your fashion show.”

That mindset still exists in some families, especially in conservative or traditional communities. But today, fewer grooms are happy to wear something that feels like a costume they didn’t pick.

The New Normal: The Groom Leads the Choice

More than 70% of grooms in Australia now take the lead in choosing their wedding suit, according to a 2024 survey by The Australian Wedding Collective. Why? Because modern grooms want to feel like themselves-not a carbon copy of their dad’s 1995 prom look.

That means choosing the cut, the fabric, the lapel width, even the colour. Think charcoal grey instead of black. A slim-fit suit with no vest. A patterned shirt under a navy blazer. A pair of loafers instead of oxfords. These aren’t just style choices-they’re identity choices.

The best suits don’t just fit the body. They fit the person.

What the Bride Usually Has to Say

Let’s be honest: the bride usually has opinions. Not because she’s controlling, but because she’s thinking about the whole picture. If she’s wearing a blush gown with lace sleeves, she doesn’t want her groom in a stark black tuxedo that looks like he’s attending a funeral. If she’s going for a beach wedding in a flowing dress, a three-piece suit might feel out of place.

Most couples talk about this early. Not in a meeting with spreadsheets, but over coffee or a walk. “I love how you look in navy,” or “Can we avoid the bow tie?” These conversations happen naturally when both people feel heard.

It’s not about one person deciding for the other. It’s about alignment.

The Role of the Wedding Party

Your best man might have strong feelings about matching ties. Your groomsmen might want to wear the same suit as you. That’s fine-but only if you’re okay with it.

A common mistake? Letting the groomsmen’s preferences dictate your look. Just because your buddies all want to wear grey suits doesn’t mean you should. Your suit is your spotlight. Theirs are supporting roles.

A smarter approach: pick your suit first. Then choose what your groomsmen wear based on what complements it. Maybe they wear the same fabric but a different colour. Or the same colour but a different cut. That way, you look cohesive without looking like a clone army.

When Budgets and Family Pressure Clash

Money talks. If your parents are paying for the suit, they might expect a say. If you’re on a tight budget, you might end up with a rental from a department store.

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose between pleasing others and looking good. You just have to be clear.

If your dad wants to pay but insists on a tuxedo, say: “I’d love your help covering it-I just want to pick something that feels like me. Can we look at modern suits together?”

Many tailors now offer payment plans. Or you can buy off-season. A suit bought in January for a June wedding often costs 30% less. You can get a custom-made suit for under $600 if you shop smart.

What You Actually Need to Decide

You don’t need to be a fashion expert. But you do need to know a few basics:

• Fit matters more than brand. A $2,000 suit that’s too tight looks worse than a $400 one that fits perfectly.
• Colour should match the wedding’s vibe. Navy, charcoal, and stone work for most outdoor or daytime weddings. Black is for evening, formal, or winter.
• Shoes and socks count. Dark socks with loafers? Big no. White sneakers with a suit? Only if you’re going for “I’m not taking this seriously.”
• Try it with your tie or bow tie. A suit looks different with a silk tie vs. a knitted one. Test it before you pay.

Real Examples from Real Weddings

In Melbourne, a groom named Liam wore a light grey double-breasted suit with a cream shirt and no tie for his seaside wedding. His groomsmen wore the same suit but with navy ties. His bride wore a simple white dress. The photos look like a painting.

Another couple in Brisbane chose matching linen suits in beige. They looked like they stepped out of a 1970s film. Their guests kept asking if they were models.

One guy in Perth bought his suit off Amazon. It wasn’t custom. But he tried it on 12 times, had it taken in at a local tailor for $40, and wore it with his grandfather’s pocket square. He said it was the most meaningful thing he wore all day.

Final Rule: It’s Your Day. But It’s Also Theirs.

There’s no law that says the groom must pick his own suit. But there’s also no law that says he has to wear something he hates.

The best outcomes happen when the groom feels confident, the bride feels proud, and no one feels forced.

If you’re unsure, start with this: “I want to look like me on our wedding day. Can we find a suit that works for both of us?”

That’s not compromise. That’s partnership.

What if You Just Don’t Care?

Some grooms genuinely don’t care what they wear. That’s okay. But don’t just hand it off to someone else and hope for the best.

Give them a few non-negotiables: “No tuxedo,” “No bow tie,” “No brown shoes.” That’s enough direction to keep it from becoming a disaster.

Then, show up on the day, breathe, and enjoy it. The suit doesn’t make the man. The man makes the suit.