Coordinating the groom's wedding suit with the bride's dress showcases a unified aesthetic and reflects the couple's style and attention to detail.

In this article, we’ll explore tips and ideas for achieving the perfect synergy, ensuring you both look your best and complement each other.

Creating harmony between bride’s and groom’s outfits

Coordinating wedding attire is important for several reasons, mainly because it creates a cohesive look in the wedding photos and videos. We all know that first impressions are important, and guests will notice when the couple's attire is thoughtfully coordinated and results in a polished appearance.

Furthermore, the bride and groom matching in complementary attire symbolize the unity and harmony of their union. It visually represents their commitment, reinforcing the idea that they are starting their life together.

Also, a well-coordinated look helps to underline the wedding theme and style, ensuring that every element of the wedding is cohesive and intentional. Remember that coordinating doesn’t mean matching exactly but, rather, finding ways to reflect each other's style. When the bride and groom feel they look their best and are in sync, it boosts their confidence, which will be evident throughout the day.

Wedding colour coordination

Ensuring wedding colour coordination in the groom's and bride's attire starts with wedding palette selection, which is a crucial step in planning your wedding, so, it’s advisable to consider it carefully. You can draw inspiration from the season, in which your wedding will take place. For spring, think pastels and soft pinks; for summer, bright and bold hues like coral and turquoise; for fall, warm tones such as burgundy and gold; and for winter, cool tones like icy blue and deep red. Additionally, consider your and your partner’s favourite colours and look at current wedding trends for ideas.

Wedding colour selection tip: decide on the mood you want to create—romantic, elegant, casual, or fun—and choose colours that align with your wedding theme, be it nautical, vintage, or bohemian. When selecting colours, don’t forget to consider the availability of flowers in your chosen shades, as seasonal blooms will ensure your palette is cohesive and beautiful.

Using the colour wheel can help you find complementary, analogous, or monochromatic colour schemes. Choose one or two primary colours and one or two accent colours to create a harmonious look. Pay attention to the warm and cold hues. Gather fabric swatches, paint chips, and other samples to see how the colours look together, and create a mood board with images of flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and décor to visualize your choices.

When you’ve finalized your wedding colour palette, you can move on to the bride’s and groom’s attire and decide whether you want to match the chosen palette seamlessly, or, in turn, to contrast it, or maybe just include some nods to it.

Returning to matching the bride’s and groom’s attire, since the wedding dress is often chosen first and can be more complex in design and colour, use it as the foundation for coordinating the groom's attire. Note the dress's colour, style, and any unique features such as lace, beading, or embroidery. Next, decide whether the groom’s suit will match the bride’s dress colour exactly or complement it. For instance, if the bride is wearing a white dress, the groom could wear a suit in a complementary colour like navy, black, or a shade of grey that suits the overall colour scheme.

Coordinating the groom’s suit and bride’s dress

Several tricks help create a cohesive look for the bride and groom. For example, a groom's suit accessories are an excellent way to tie the bride's and groom’s outfits together. The groom’s tie, pocket square, boutonniere, and cufflinks can incorporate colours or patterns from the bride’s dress or bouquet. Similarly, the bride’s accessories like shoes, jewellery, or a sash can reflect the groom’s attire colours. These small but important details can play a key role in creating a harmonious impression.

It is crucial to consider the fabrics and textures of both outfits. For example, if the bride’s dress is made of a luxurious fabric like silk or satin, the groom’s suit could feature a similar quality fabric. Whenever possible, bring fabric samples and colour swatches when shopping for attire. Having physical samples can help ensure that the groom’s suit and accessories perfectly match or complement the bride’s dress.

To finalize the look, do a trial run before the wedding day. The bride and groom should try on their outfits together to see how they look side by side. This allows for any last-minute adjustments to achieve the perfect coordination.

Matching different wedding suit styles with the bride’s dress

The key to achieving a harmonious look is keeping both garments – the groom’s suit and wedding dress – in the same style. Let’s look at classic wedding suits and the wedding dress styles that pair well with them.

A classic tuxedo is the most formal groom attire. It includes a black or midnight blue jacket with satin lapels, matching trousers with a satin stripe, a white dress shirt, a bow tie, and often a cummerbund or vest. To match the formal aesthetic, the bride can choose an elegant A-line dress or a grand ball gown. For a modern twist, opt for a sleek sheath dress.

Classic three-piece suit includes a jacket, trousers, and a matching vest. It can be more versatile, in terms of colour and fabric choices and, thus, more adaptable to different wedding colour palettes. It pairs well with a fit-and-flare dress or a vintage-inspired tea-length dress that can create a charming look.

A double-breasted suit is one of the most elegant wedding suits. It features a jacket with overlapping front flaps and two parallel columns of buttons. It matches perfectly with various elegant dress designs, like the sleek and statuesque silhouette of a column dress, the slight flare of a trumpet dress, or a romantic off-the-shoulder dress.

A morning suit is a traditional British formal suit, consisting of a tailcoat, waistcoat, and striped trousers. It is typically worn for daytime weddings and can be paired with, for example, a timeless A-line dress, or a modern high-low dress that adds a contemporary twist to the traditional morning suit.

A casual suit can range from light-coloured linen suits to more relaxed styles without ties or with less structured jackets. It’s ideal for less formal weddings or outdoor settings and pairs perfectly with more casual wedding dress styles like a flowing, bohemian-style dress or light and airy beach wedding dresses, especially if made from breathable fabrics like linen.

Modern wedding suits are characterized by slim cuts and minimalistic designs and often feature bold colours or patterns. They are sleek and fashion-forward and perfectly complement contemporary wedding dress designs like simple, minimalist wedding dresses or modern bridal ensembles.

Additional groom suit selection tips

Selecting and coordinating the groom's suit with the bride's dress involves attention to detail, as the smallest nuances will play a key role in creating a complementary look. Here are some tips to guide the process:

• Match the suit style to the wedding theme (e.g., formal, semi-formal, casual) and setting. The formality and setting are often related as more formal weddings often take place in elevated wedding venues like villas or restaurants, while more casual weddings can take place in nature. For formal weddings, consider a classic tuxedo or morning suit. For semi-formal, a three-piece or double-breasted suit. For casual, a lightweight or linen suit works well.
• Choose fabrics appropriate for the weather and explore seasonal wedding suits. Wool suits are great for winter, while linen or cotton suits are ideal for summer weddings.

• Focus on fit as a well-fitted suit is crucial. Consider custom or tailor-made options for the best fit. Tailored suits can be adjusted for a perfect fit, ensuring comfort and a sharp appearance. If opting for tailor-made groom suits, choose elements that reflect your personal style and wedding theme. Custom wedding suits allow to incorporation of details that tie in with the bride’s dress, such as lining colours, monograms, or matching embroidery.
• Aim to complement the bride’s dress rather than matching it exactly. For instance, if the bride’s dress has lace details, consider a groom’s suit with subtle texture or a matching accessory.

Creating a matching look

Coordinating the groom’s suit with the bride’s wedding dress is a vital aspect of wedding planning that contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic of the wedding. To achieve this harmony, a wedding stylist's expertise in style, fashion trends, and colour coordination, offers invaluable guidance. A wedding stylist works closely with designers and tailors to customize the bride’s dress and groom’s suit, incorporating personalized touches and unique elements. They consider the couple’s body types and preferences to ensure that both individuals feel confident and comfortable in their attire.

As you prepare for your big day, remember that the perfect alignment of your outfits will create lasting memories and beautiful photographs, capturing the essence of your partnership and the beauty of your wedding day.

Author: Renāte Berga

Photographers: Zoe Morley Photography, The Saums Photography, Sydnee Marie Photography, Love And Wolves Co Photography, Madeline Barr Photo,