What to wear to a wedding: a suit guide for the groom, best man and guests

A wedding is one of the few occasions when everyone notices what we wear. The good news is that getting the suit right isn't hard: just think about three things — your role at the wedding, the time of day and the venue.

1. What's your role?

Groom

The groom is the only one who can (and should) stand out. A 3-piece suit is the most elegant choice: the waistcoat looks more ceremonial and stays sharp in photos, even after the jacket comes off. Navy, grey, green or a warm shade like terracotta all work very well — what matters is matching the wedding's colour palette.

Best man

The best man should be on a par with the groom, without competing with him. If the groomsmen coordinate, choose the same suit colour and vary the tie or pocket square. Navy is the safest bet: it suits almost everyone and goes with any decoration.

Guest

As a guest, you have more freedom. A 2-piece suit is enough for most weddings. Avoid head-to-toe white (many families reserve it for the couple) and, unless the invitation says so, there's no need to wear black.

2. Day or evening wedding?

During the day, especially in spring and summer, go for lighter colours and light fabrics: beige, cream, light blue, sage green. Linen and linen-blend suits are cooler — it's normal for linen to crease a little, that's part of its charm.

In the evening, dark colours are more appropriate: navy, charcoal, black or dark brown. A dark 3-piece suit with a plain tie is always elegant.

3. The venue matters too

• Country estate or outdoors: light colours or earth tones, loafers instead of very formal shoes.
• Church and reception hall: a more classic suit, white shirt, tie and Oxford shoes.
• Beach: linen, shirt without a tie and light footwear.

4. The accessories that make the difference

A coordinated tie and pocket square lift any suit. Simple rule: your belt should match your shoes, and your socks should match your trousers or shoes. Oxfords are the most formal option; loafers are more relaxed, ideal for daytime weddings.

5. The right size is half the battle

A well-fitted suit always looks more expensive. Before ordering, follow our quick measuring guide: you measure a garment you already own, not your body, and it takes two minutes. At Dilectus you save your measurements in your profile and, if the suit doesn't fit first time, we pay for the first alteration at a tailor of your choice.

Not sure what to choose? Message us on WhatsApp (+351 915 887 644) — we'll help you put together the complete look for your wedding. See also our wedding suits page.