Tuxedo vs Suit - What Should The Groom Wear?

We have the answers to help you make the perfect decision.

Groomsman Gear - November 15, 2024

Tuxedo vs. Suit - What Should The Groom Wear?

Wondering if you should wear a tuxedo or suit for your wedding day?

We’ve gathered the best information to help you make the perfect decision for your big day. This is one of the most important days of your life, and your outfit should reflect that. So read along and get ready to suit up (or tux up!).

What Is The Difference Between A Suit And Tux?

The difference between a suit and tuxedo basically comes down to satin. That’s the shiny material you see on jacket lapels and along the sides of pants.

Tuxedos have satin detailing, but suits don’t.

Tuxedos are more formal than suits. They are typically black but can come in navy, white, and burgundy. You’ll probably wear your tuxedo with a black bow tie and shiny black shoes.

Suits lack that satin finish and can work for a range of dress codes. They come in various fabrics and colors and can be worn with all different types of ties and shoes.

For both suits and tuxedos, your jacket and pants will match each other perfectly.

Suits have a few similar (but different) variations: the blazer and sport coat. These are less structured jackets and are designed to wear with different colored pants or slacks. They work great for casual daytime weddings and complement simple wedding gowns.

Should The Groom Wear A Tux Or Suit?

The classic (and classy) choice for a groom is to wear a tux. There aren’t many occasions when you get to wear such a formal outfit. Especially if you wear a suit regularly for work, you might want to elevate your wedding look by going for a full tuxedo.

But if a tux seems a little too formal for you, then a suit is a perfectly fine choice - even for a more formal ceremony.

If your ceremony or reception will be more on the casual side, you may want to consider going with a suit.

A dark suit color like black or navy is a great option for evening and indoor ceremonies. And a lighter color suit looks great for daytime and outdoor weddings.

Consider Your Partner’s Attire

Even if you aren’t seeing the dress before the wedding, the bride can still help you pick attire that will pair well with the style of her dress (and her bridesmaid’s dresses).

A tuxedo can look great with a range of dress styles, from sleek and fitted to poofy and extravagant. If the bride is donning a dramatic train, a cathedral veil, or a ball gown, then it may be best to wear a tuxedo.

A suit works well with most formal gowns, and you should definitely choose a suit if the bride’s dress is more casual or if it’s not full-length.

If you get overwhelmed by options, then a tuxedo will have fewer choices for styles and colors. On the other hand, suits have endless choices in color, material, and patterns if you decide you want something more specific or unique.

Which Is More Expensive?

Cost is another big factor in the debate between tuxedo vs suit.

Tuxedos generally cost more to buy than suits. According to The Knot, the average cost to buy a tuxedo is $700-1,000. While the cost of the average suit ranges between $300-700.

If you decide to buy your suit or tux, you may want to consider the long-term investment. Purchasing a suit will allow you to wear it again at other weddings, work, or nicer social events in the future. Whereas a tuxedo will likely have less opportunities for re-wear.

Another option to save cost is to rent a tuxedo or suit for your wedding. This may be the best option if you decide to go with a tuxedo. But if you pick a suit, make sure to check the cost of renting vs. buying - because sometimes it will actually be a similar price to buy the suit outright.

What Should The Groomsmen Wear?

Groomsmen typically match the groom. So if you are wearing a tuxedo then your groomsmen should too. That will elevate the look of the entire wedding and define the formality of the event. Plus it ensures nobody looks out of place.

If your groomsmen already own tuxes from past events, it’s ok if you aren’t all perfectly matching. Just avoid having one groomsman in a different color tux.

Grooms who wear suits usually have their groomsmen match them. But for casual daytime weddings, groomsmen will sometimes wear a simplified version of the groom’s suit. Maybe just slacks and suspenders, or a vest with a tie.

Other Considerations

Tailoring Your Suit.
No matter what you decide to wear, we would highly recommend getting a tailored fit. This can really elevate your overall wedding look.

Avoid Wrinkles.
You also want to make sure your ensemble is wrinkle-free. Steaming is probably the best way to remove any wrinkles, but check with the salesperson or tailor.

Find The Right Accessories.
In addition, you’ll need the right type of tie to go with your selection. Bow ties typically go with tuxedos, so if you want to wear a more unique tie for your wedding then you should opt for a suit or blazer.

Just because you wear a tuxedo doesn’t mean you have to wear a cummerbund and bow tie. Suspenders and slim black ties are great ways to dress down the tuxedo without ruining its classy appeal.

Don’t Worry About Being Overdressed.
Don’t be afraid that you’ll be dressed more formally than your guests. People will be pleased to see you in a sleek tuxedo or dressy suit, even if they are in more laid-back attire.

Need More Help?
Still having trouble deciding? Menswear stores will likely have both options, so you can try on both a tuxedo and suit and decide what feels best for you.

Suit Up and Say ‘I Do’.
There is so much attention (and magazines and TV shows) focused on brides choosing what they’ll wear for the wedding. But the groom’s attire is still incredibly important. Choose something that you are excited to wear, and you’ll look your absolute best on your wedding day.

Have you made a decision? Once you’ve decided on a suit or tux it’s time to finalize your other accessories like socks, ties, pocket squares, tie bars, etc. Check out our collection of groom and groomsmen accessories here.