In today's ever-evolving tuxedo culture, it can be difficult to discern a tuxedo from a suit even for those who are familiar with the distinction. The image of Daniel Craig as James Bond in his black dinner jacket and bowtie comes to mind for many people when they think of tuxedos, but many contemporary tuxes also have newer fashions in grey, tan, or blue.
You should know when to wear a tux and when to wear a suit, whether you're getting married or attending a formal function.
Most grooms have to weigh the pros and cons of wearing a suit or tux on the wedding day while making this decision. That's why a lot of guys ask their potential bride for advice. What if, though, you just can't decide between the two? How do you determine what the groom should wear to the wedding? Whether the wedding is a white-tie, black-tie, formal, or semi-formal ceremony is largely determined by the groom's dress. Confused about which option is ideal for your wedding? Here's how to figure out if a suit or tuxedo is better for your groom and your wedding.
Saying “I do” at Boutique events group is an elegant and luxurious affair.
What distinguishes a tuxedo from a suit?
The first step is understanding the fundamental distinctions between a tuxedo and a suit. The most noticeable distinction between a tuxedo and a suit is the appearance of satin on the former but not the latter. The tuxedo jacket has satin on the lapels, buttons, and pocket lining; the pants also have a strip of satin running down each leg. Suits, on the other hand, include plastic or cloth-covered buttons instead of satin. A cummerbund or vest are optional additions to a tuxedo, whereas a suit jacket is not required.
A modern take on formalwear that appears to unite the best features of tuxedos and suits. It combines characteristics of both of them! This contemporary style, sometimes known to in casual conversation as a "suit/tux," may be the ideal middle ground for couples in Tennessee who are shopping for wedding formalwear. The lapels of this alternative for dressy attire are made of thin satin, while the buttons are made of fabric.
Is the groom's wearing of a suit frowned upon?
Not if you want to be in trend this season! However, a tuxedo conveys quite different meanings than a suit does. A suit is the standard work attire, whereas a tuxedo is reserved for formal events like as weddings. Consider that the wedding dress the woman wears is likely to be the most spectacular and expensive one she has ever owned. The bride and groom might select if the guy should wear a tuxedo to match the bride's formal attire or a suit for a more relaxed affair.
When deciding between a tuxedo and a suit for your wedding, keep in mind not just the time of day but also the location. The groom may be less noticeable in a sea of guests if he wears a suit, yet there are situations when a suit is required or prefered. Consult a local expert on formal attire for advice on the topic.
If I were to buy a tuxedo, how much more would it cost than a suit?
As could be expected, this varies depending on whom you question; nonetheless, you can often find fairly reasonable pricing among local suppliers. The selling price of a tuxedo will always be higher than that of a suit. However, if you're looking at rental pricing, which is the more common alternative at the moment, you'll probably discover that tuxedo rentals start at a lower price point than suit rentals.
In what ways can I learn this most effectively? Make a call to your service provider to double check. However, in the end, it is important to look at the overall picture. Don't forget about the bride's clothing and accessories, and drive carefully to avoid crashing! When planning your wedding outfit, it's important to not get caught up in the minute details and lose sight of the broader image.
Cost of a Tuxedo Versus a Suit
Prices range from $300 to $800 for a high-quality three-piece suit. It's possible to discover a fantastic suit for an even more affordable price by waiting for a sale. You'll also need a dress shirt, a tie, and a pair of shoes, and you could have to spend an extra $30-$100 on modifications.
- Infinite rewearability. The garment you buy will certainly see more use than the tux you rent. Every man should have at least one well-made suit in his closet; they are appropriate for anything from business meetings to weddings. Even if the vest and jacket don't be worn again, you'll get a lot of use out of the shirt, shoes, and tie.
- Buying. The average cost of a tuxedo is between $700.00 and $1000.00. Tuxedos are often more expensive than suits, but you can luck out and discover a good deal. You should also have on a vest or cummerbund, shirt, tie, and shoes. Alterations are an additional cost that may arise.
- Renting. If you're worried about the expense, know that you can hire a top-notch wool tuxedo for between $150 and $250. The vest, shirt, shoes, and cufflinks are sometimes sold together in tuxedo sets. You should probably buy rather than rent a tuxedo if you want to wear it more than twice.
Special tuxedos. A tuxedo need not always consist of a black jacket, black trousers, and a white shirt. More and more grooms are showing off their own styles and tastes by donning tuxedos in nontraditional colours like grey and blue. To the point that tan tuxedos have made an appearance at weddings, it is safe to say that everything goes. You've certainly seen the "Tropical Black Tie" before in movies or on the red carpet; it's a novel take on the traditional tuxedo. Black slacks, a white dress shirt, and a black tie are all you need to pull off the tropical black tie look. One button down the front and self flap pockets are standard features of this jacket style. If you want to make a strong design statement that is uniquely you, a suit may provide you greater leeway in terms of colour and style.
Guidelines for Donning a Suit or Black Tie
Besides the obvious material distinctions, a tuxedo and a suit have quite different aesthetic conventions when worn to formal events like a wedding or formal black-tie ball.
- Tuxedo shirts are traditionally white. However, there is more than one kind of shirt that may be considered a tuxedo shirt. Depending on the formality of the occasion, tuxedo shirts may have a pique, plain, or pleated cotton bib front. These looks are all classic and suited for a formal black-tie event. When shopping for a tuxedo shirt, you'll want to take into account not just the variety of front possibilities, but also the variety of collar alternatives. The Classic Tuxedo Shirt is the most conventional choice; it features a wingtip collar and black stud buttons. The tuxedo shirt with a point collar is the more up-to-date choice. Your personal taste is the only factor in making this decision.
- White tuxedo shirts are frequently adorned with a stud set and cufflinks. The majority of tuxedo shirts feature a strip of buttons along the front that may be removed and replaced with a stud set, and the French cuffs are designed to accommodate cufflinks. Silver, gold, rose gold, pearl, and mother of pearl are just some of the metals and materials that may be found in stud sets and cufflinks. Choose a stud set and cufflinks that go well with the rest of your wedding accessories and outfit. Considering buying a silver stud set and cufflinks if the wedding's accent metal is silver and/or the bride will be wearing silver jewellery. If your tuxedo shirt has a concealed placket, you may get away with only a pair of cufflinks instead of a stud set. If you want to learn more about how to properly wear cufflinks with a tuxedo, then click here.
- Neckwear: With a tuxedo, it is considered etiquette to wear a bow tie, not a necktie. And in the past, black-tie gatherings demanded for wearing genuine black bowties, but this restriction has softened a bit over the years. You'll now see guys sporting bow ties of all colours, patterns, and materials. A necktie or bow tie will do with a business suit, but a necktie is the only appropriate option for formal events. A bow tie, especially one knotted by hand, is strongly suggested.
- Shoes: The cornerstone of every appearance is the footwear and donning a tuxedo is no different. Patent leather lace-up shoes are the traditional footwear choice for tuxedos. You can't go wrong with a pair of our Brooks or Gala tuxedo shoes. Smoking slippers, typically made of velvet or patent leather, have also risen in popularity as an accessory to tuxedo outfits in recent years. Black leather full cut shoes are a great alternative to patent leather lace-ups and smoking slippers. Shoes like these aren't nearly as formal as patent leather oxfords, but they'll nonetheless help you seem appropriate for a black-tie affair.
Dress to the nines in tuxedos for any and all black-tie events, such as weddings. Black-tie events need tuxedos as specified on the invitation. Black-tie events are traditionally not appropriate for suits, but if the invitation specifies that "black-tie is optional," you are welcome to choose a dark suit in navy, midnight, or black. Wedding planners who are on the fence about whether or not to request black tie attire would do well to think about the event's overall level of formality. Is a black-tie wedding required because of the location, decor, or theme of the wedding? The dress code should be black tie if the response is yes. If you're not dead-set on having everyone show up in tuxedos but still want a formal event, you may include "formal" on the invites and let people wear suits instead. Whatever you decide, be sure to include it on the invitation so that your visitors know how to dress appropriately.
The Big Differences
Not every tuxedo or outfit is the same quality. When it comes to the major distinctions, a tuxedo would typically include satin on the lapel, buttons, or as a side stripe on the pants. Suits are usually fashioned from a single cloth, making them feel less formal than they actually are. A cummerbund, waistcoat, and bow tie are just some of the optional extras that can be worn with a tuxedo. However, a tuxedo may look great without these additions.
To learn more, check out our post on How to choose a suit for the groom?
Time of Day Should Be Considered
Your husband would be foolish to wear a tuxedo to your wedding if it were in the morning or afternoon since tuxedos are reserved for the evening. If the ceremony is going to take place during the day, the groom should probably wear a suit.
Consider the Wedding's Formality When Making Your Choice
If your wedding is going to be formal, the groom must wear a tuxedo. You want the groom to set the tone that this is a formal affair, so he should wear the most refined choice. To avoid having any of your guests seem more dapper than the groom, I recommend against making black tie optional for your wedding.
A Matter of Taste
Your groom's ultimate choice will likely be influenced by his own preferences. Let him go for it if he's like sharp attire and would rather wear a tuxedo than a suit. A suit would be more suitable if he is the type of man who likes to accessorise. If he does not have a strong opinion and is willing to wear anything you pick, you can base your decision on the season and level of formality of your wedding.
Wedding Attire: Tuxedo or Suit?
Satin is the most obvious visual distinction between a tuxedo and a suit. The satin facing of a tuxedo's lapels, buttons, and pocket trim, as well as a satin stripe down the pant leg, are all standard features. Typically, buttons on suits are made of plastic or are covered in the same fabric as the coat (aka self buttons.)
Traditional accoutrements for tuxedos are bow ties and a vest or cummerbund; for suits, it's a long tie, either alone or with a matching vest. Do not take this to mean that you cannot pair a bow tie with a suit or a long tie with a tuxedo. That's right, you can. That said, conventional wisdom holds that the inverse is true. Every rule, of course, has an exception.
Now, the question of whether or not you should wear a suit or tuxedo to your wedding has less to do with the tangible distinctions between the two and more to do with the subtle but significant variations in the signals they convey. Our ideas are as follows:
You and your future bride are free to wear anything you choose on your wedding day. However, everyone at the wedding may share your experience of feeling spiffy and well-dressed in a beautiful suit. In addition, you can feel professional and well-dressed in that suit any day of the year. You should choose an outfit for your wedding day that is unique to both you and this special occasion. For such an occasion, a tuxedo is the appropriate attire.
In a wedding, appearance isn't the only thing that matters. That's a significant reason, but there's another: to celebrate your wedding with an outfit made just for the event. It's only fitting to have a strict dress code for your wedding day.
Wearing a suit communicates that you are a polished, capable, dapper, and useful member of society. That's why you should wear them to the office and to less stuffy social events. Nevertheless, a tuxedo conveys far more than that. Wearing a tuxedo is a way of saying, "I have come to share this moment with you. I would look out of place anyplace except here. There is nowhere else I'd rather be."
Not to add that, when done well, you'll never look better than you do in a professionally crafted, nicely tailored tuxedo.
Whomever your companion likes more. Not set on donning a suit or tux on your big day? Seek your partner's input. They may know exactly what they want you to wear. (Don't be shocked if you're also given advice on colour scheme and accoutrements.) If there are going to be two grooms, it's best if they wear similar attire (two tuxedos or two suits), though you may still reflect your unique personalities through the choice of each groom's clothing.
The groom and his attendants can maintain a sense of uniformity by all donning tuxedos. You may also want to have your groomsmen all wear suits if you want to make a bold fashion statement. You may also want to stand out from the rest of the groomsmen by accessorising differently than they are.
Look over the invitation to help you decide whether to wear a suit or tux to the wedding. A tuxedo is required attire if the invitation specifies "White Tie," "Black Tie Invited," or "Black Tie Preferred." You can wear a tuxedo or a dark suit if the invitation calls for "Black Tie Optional" or "Formal." Suits are the safest bet for attendance at any other type of wedding.
Conclusion
Having a formal wedding ceremony might make some people feel anxious. However, there are alternatives that allow you to express your individuality on your big day. The Unusual Wedding Rite offers advice on how to organise a memorable gathering without being coerced into doing anything you don't want to. "We exchanged vows, ringed hands, and kissed discreetly to hide any blush". Instead of just the couple, have a family wedding where everyone says their vows and exchanges hugs and kisses.
Have the parents of both parties "take in" the future husband as an adopted child. If you're looking for an alternative to traditional wedding attire, here are a few ideas to consider. Instead of traditional guests signing the guest book, have them sign a wishing tree or wish upon rocks. Or opt for a self-service beverage station and raise a glass instead of traditional champagne. As an alternative to the traditional bouquet and garter, guests might toss delightful items like stuffed bears or chocolates to the bride and groom.
Instead of serving individual desserts and favours, have them all set up as mini-stations in your table centrepieces. Popcorn wedding favours are a fun alternative to sweets if the celebration is going to be excessively sugary. Wedding party favours can be a fun twist on the traditional "open bar" at a wedding reception. Attaching custom engraved wooden maple leaf tags to wine bottles would be a beautiful touch. Do-It-Yourself.
Coffee Bean Party Favors are a great way to wow your guests. Salt is the most widely used seasoning in the world, but it can be fun to mix and match for party favours. Humanists at the helm of ethical organisations are licenced to perform marriages. Religious organisations qualify as such if and only if they have official government recognition. Having a loved one or acquaintance act as your officiant during an online ordination ceremony is a wonderful option.
The Society for Ethical Culture is licenced in all states except Virginia. If you're hoping for a non-standard wedding reception, try these alternatives. You might have a friend or family member who is legally able to marry you become a civil officiant. The cost of throwing a party is very high on a per-guest basis. There's a chance that back-up reception sites may need to be organised. Boutique Events Group is your ultimate Wedding Reception Venue to create your dream wedding.
Fewer attendees and an intimate ceremony site mean that additional security precautions might not be necessary. Larger weddings, however, may require further safety precautions. Consult with the caterer, photographer, and entertainer for the occasion.
Content Summary
- In today's ever-evolving tuxedo culture, it can be difficult to discern a tuxedo from a suit even for those who are familiar with the distinction.
- You should know when to wear a tux and when to wear a suit, whether you're getting married or attending a formal function.
- Most grooms have to weigh the pros and cons of wearing a suit or tux on the wedding day while making this decision.
- What if, though, you just can't decide between the two?
- How do you determine what the groom should wear to the wedding?
- Whether the wedding is a white-tie, black-tie, formal, or semi-formal ceremony is largely determined by the groom's dress.
- Confused about which option is ideal for your wedding?
- Here's how to figure out if a suit or tuxedo is better for your groom and your wedding.
- What distinguishes a tuxedo from a suit?The first step is understanding the fundamental distinctions between a tuxedo and a suit.
- The most noticeable distinction between a tuxedo and a suit is the appearance of satin on the former but not the latter.
- A modern take on formalwear that appears to unite the best features of tuxedos and suits.
- This contemporary style, sometimes known to in casual conversation as a "suit/tux," may be the ideal middle ground for couples in Tennessee who are shopping for wedding formalwear.
- Not if you want to be in trend this season!
- However, a tuxedo conveys quite different meanings than a suit does.
- A suit is the standard work attire, whereas a tuxedo is reserved for formal events like as weddings.
- Consider that the wedding dress the woman wears is likely to be the most spectacular and expensive one she has ever owned.
- The bride and groom might select if the guy should wear a tuxedo to match the bride's formal attire or a suit for a more relaxed affair.
- When deciding between a tuxedo and a suit for your wedding, keep in mind not just the time of day but also the location.
- Consult a local expert on formal attire for advice on the topic.
- The selling price of a tuxedo will always be higher than that of a suit.
- Make a call to your service provider to double check.
- However, in the end, it is important to look at the overall picture.
- Don't forget about the bride's clothing and accessories, and drive carefully to avoid crashing!
- When planning your wedding outfit, it's important to not get caught up in the minute details and lose sight of the broader image.
- Cost of a Tuxedo Versus a SuitPrices range from $300 to $800 for a high-quality three-piece suit.
- It's possible to discover a fantastic suit for an even more affordable price by waiting for a sale.
- Infinite rewearability.
- The garment you buy will certainly see more use than the tux you rent.
- Every man should have at least one well-made suit in his closet; they are appropriate for anything from business meetings to weddings.
- Even if the vest and jacket don't be worn again, you'll get a lot of use out of the shirt, shoes, and tie.
- Buying.
- The average cost of a tuxedo is between $700.00 and $1000.00.
- You should also have on a vest or cummerbund, shirt, tie, and shoes.
- Renting.
- You should probably buy rather than rent a tuxedo if you want to wear it more than twice.
- Special tuxedos.
- A tuxedo need not always consist of a black jacket, black trousers, and a white shirt.
- You've certainly seen the "Tropical Black Tie" before in movies or on the red carpet; it's a novel take on the traditional tuxedo.
- Black slacks, a white dress shirt, and a black tie are all you need to pull off the tropical black tie look.
- If you want to make a strong design statement that is uniquely you, a suit may provide you greater leeway in terms of colour and style.
- Guidelines for Donning a Suit or Black TieBesides the obvious material distinctions, a tuxedo and a suit have quite different aesthetic conventions when worn to formal events like a wedding or formal black-tie ball.
- Tuxedo shirts are traditionally white.
- However, there is more than one kind of shirt that may be considered a tuxedo shirt.
- Depending on the formality of the occasion, tuxedo shirts may have a pique, plain, or pleated cotton bib front.
- These looks are all classic and suited for a formal black-tie event.
- When shopping for a tuxedo shirt, you'll want to take into account not just the variety of front possibilities, but also the variety of collar alternatives.
- The tuxedo shirt with a point collar is the more up-to-date choice.
- White tuxedo shirts are frequently adorned with a stud set and cufflinks.
- The majority of tuxedo shirts feature a strip of buttons along the front that may be removed and replaced with a stud set, and the French cuffs are designed to accommodate cufflinks.
- Choose a stud set and cufflinks that go well with the rest of your wedding accessories and outfit.
- If your tuxedo shirt has a concealed placket, you may get away with only a pair of cufflinks instead of a stud set.
- If you want to learn more about how to properly wear cufflinks with a tuxedo, then click here.
- Neckwear: With a tuxedo, it is considered etiquette to wear a bow tie, not a necktie.
- A necktie or bow tie will do with a business suit, but a necktie is the only appropriate option for formal events.
- Shoes: The cornerstone of every appearance is the footwear and donning a tuxedo is no different.
- Patent leather lace-up shoes are the traditional footwear choice for tuxedos.
- Black leather full cut shoes are a great alternative to patent leather lace-ups and smoking slippers.
- Shoes like these aren't nearly as formal as patent leather oxfords, but they'll nonetheless help you seem appropriate for a black-tie affair.
- Dress to the nines in tuxedos for any and all black-tie events, such as weddings.
- Black-tie events need tuxedos as specified on the invitation.
- Black-tie events are traditionally not appropriate for suits, but if the invitation specifies that "black-tie is optional," you are welcome to choose a dark suit in navy, midnight, or black.
- Wedding planners who are on the fence about whether or not to request black tie attire would do well to think about the event's overall level of formality.
- Is a black-tie wedding required because of the location, decor, or theme of the wedding?
- The dress code should be black tie if the response is yes.
- Whatever you decide, be sure to include it on the invitation so that your visitors know how to dress appropriately.
- The Big DifferencesNot every tuxedo or outfit is the same quality.
- A cummerbund, waistcoat, and bow tie are just some of the optional extras that can be worn with a tuxedo.
- Your husband would be foolish to wear a tuxedo to your wedding if it were in the morning or afternoon since tuxedos are reserved for the evening.
- If the ceremony is going to take place during the day, the groom should probably wear a suit.
- Consider the Wedding's Formality When Making Your ChoiceIf your wedding is going to be formal, the groom must wear a tuxedo.
- You want the groom to set the tone that this is a formal affair, so he should wear the most refined choice.
- To avoid having any of your guests seem more dapper than the groom, I recommend against making black tie optional for your wedding.
- A Matter of TasteYour groom's ultimate choice will likely be influenced by his own preferences.
- Let him go for it if he's like sharp attire and would rather wear a tuxedo than a suit.
- A suit would be more suitable if he is the type of man who likes to accessorise.
- If he does not have a strong opinion and is willing to wear anything you pick, you can base your decision on the season and level of formality of your wedding.
- Wedding Attire: Tuxedo or Suit?Satin is the most obvious visual distinction between a tuxedo and a suit.
- Do not take this to mean that you cannot pair a bow tie with a suit or a long tie with a tuxedo.
- That's right, you can.
- Now, the question of whether or not you should wear a suit or tuxedo to your wedding has less to do with the tangible distinctions between the two and more to do with the subtle but significant variations in the signals they convey.
- You and your future bride are free to wear anything you choose on your wedding day.
- However, everyone at the wedding may share your experience of feeling spiffy and well-dressed in a beautiful suit.
- In addition, you can feel professional and well-dressed in that suit any day of the year.
- You should choose an outfit for your wedding day that is unique to both you and this special occasion.
- For such an occasion, a tuxedo is the appropriate attire.
- In a wedding, appearance isn't the only thing that matters.
- That's a significant reason, but there's another: to celebrate your wedding with an outfit made just for the event.
- It's only fitting to have a strict dress code for your wedding day.
- Wearing a suit communicates that you are a polished, capable, dapper, and useful member of society.
- That's why you should wear them to the office and to less stuffy social events.
- Nevertheless, a tuxedo conveys far more than that.
- Wearing a tuxedo is a way of saying, "I have come to share this moment with you.
- I would look out of place anyplace except here.
- There is nowhere else I'd rather be.
- "Not to add that, when done well, you'll never look better than you do in a professionally crafted, nicely tailored tuxedo.
- Whomever your companion likes more.
- Not set on donning a suit or tux on your big day?
- Seek your partner's input.
- They may know exactly what they want you to wear. (
- Don't be shocked if you're also given advice on colour scheme and accoutrements.)
- If there are going to be two grooms, it's best if they wear similar attire (two tuxedos or two suits), though you may still reflect your unique personalities through the choice of each groom's clothing.
- The groom and his attendants can maintain a sense of uniformity by all donning tuxedos.
- You may also want to have your groomsmen all wear suits if you want to make a bold fashion statement.
- You may also want to stand out from the rest of the groomsmen by accessorising differently than they are.
- Look over the invitation to help you decide whether to wear a suit or tux to the wedding.
- Suits are the safest bet for attendance at any other type of wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Groom
Never wear evening tails or tuxedos before 6 p.m. Put another way, simply don't wear evening tails or tuxedos during the day. If the groom has his heart set on a really extravagant daytime ceremony, he can wear a very formal morning suit or a semi-formal stroller.
Traditionally, a groom and his groomsmen wear matching tuxedos or suits, but today there are no hard rules. ... If you're having a fall, rustic wedding and are incorporating colors of blush and burgundy, the groom and groomsmen should follow suit.
Opt for a tuxedo if your wedding is a formal or black-tie evening affair, and stick with a suit for a more casual or daytime event. That said, there's no hard and fast rule—so if YOU just want to feel fancy go ahead and strut that tux no matter what type of wedding you're having!
Yes. If you're a groom or in the wedding party, you'll definitely need to wear a tuxedo to a wedding that's designated black tie. If you're a guest, you should also wear a tuxedo. However, if the dress code is black tie optional, you also have the option of wearing a dark-colored suit in lieu of a full tux.
Ideally, ordering your suit 4-6 months out is what we recommend. This gives the groom and the wedding party plenty of time to get their suits, try them on, and get any necessary in-person alterations made.