How to Choose the Perfect Groom’s Attire – A Complete Guide to Wedding Suits, Formalwear and Accessories

The groom’s attire plays a significant role in the overall appearance of the wedding, which is why choosing the right outfit requires careful consideration. It is a common misconception that any suit will do — but think about it: almost every man at the wedding will be wearing a suit. As one of the main figures of the event, the groom must stand out and wear a special, wedding‑appropriate suit.

Wedding suits come in many styles, just like weddings themselves vary in atmosphere and formality.

 
1. The groom’s outfit must match the bride and the wedding style
The first and most important rule when choosing the groom’s attire is that it should harmonize with the bride’s dress and the wedding venue.

If the bride wears a voluminous, royal‑style gown with a train, the groom should also choose a more traditional, elegant outfit. In such cases, the groom may opt for one of the classic formalwear options described below, or a black or very dark grey wedding suit.

 
2. Classic formalwear – morning coat, tailcoat and tuxedo
These traditional garments follow strict rules in both color and styling. They are ideal for couples who envision a wedding “as written in the etiquette books.”

Morning Coat (Zsakett)
The coat is always dark grey.
The trousers are grey‑black with thin stripes.
The waistcoat is dove grey.
The cravat (plastron) may be light grey, silver or even yellow.
Tailcoat (Frakk)
For weddings, the tailcoat is always black.
White or colored tailcoats are worn only by stage performers.
It must be paired with a white waistcoat and a white bow tie.
A black bow tie should never be worn with a tailcoat — it may make the groom look like part of the serving staff.
Traditionally, tailcoats are not worn during daylight.
Morning Coat vs. Tailcoat
Morning coats are daytime formalwear, while tailcoats are evening attire. Both are extremely elegant, but their long back panels look best on tall, slim gentlemen.

Tuxedo (Szmoking)
In Hungary, tuxedos are commonly worn at weddings, although internationally they are considered evening wear. A tuxedo differs from a black suit by:

satin lapels,
satin stripes on the trousers,
peaked or shawl lapels.
They are most elegant in black, but white‑jacket versions also exist.

 
3. Modern wedding suits – elegant yet versatile
Many grooms choose modern ceremonial suits, which can later be worn for other special occasions.

Wedding suits may be made of wool, silk, acetate, viscose or blends of these materials. The most important factor is that the fabric should be wrinkle‑resistant, ensuring the groom looks flawless even at the end of a long wedding day.

Prestigious brands such as Egon von Fürstenberg and Lancetti offer luxurious, slightly shiny ceremonial fabrics.

The most popular cut today is slim fit, which follows the body’s shape elegantly.

Color choices
Blue and grey tones are especially popular.
Grey suits pair beautifully with pure white bridal gowns.
Blue and black suits look stunning with off‑white, ivory, champagne or ecru dresses.
Our full groom’s collection can be viewed on our website or in our salon.

 
4. Accessories – essential elements of the groom’s look
A groom’s outfit is incomplete without:

a ceremony waistcoat,
a matching cravat,
and a coordinating pocket square.
Ceremony Waistcoat
This tradition comes from classic formalwear such as tailcoats and morning coats. Most grooms wear a waistcoat under the jacket, especially during the ceremony.

Some worry about wearing a waistcoat in summer, but the ceremony usually takes place in a church or registry office, where temperatures remain comfortable. After the ceremony, if the wedding is not overly formal, the groom may remove his jacket — and thanks to the waistcoat, he will still look the most elegant among the guests.

Ceremony Cravat
These special cravats differ from regular ties and are traditionally reserved for the groom. They are sold pre‑tied and adjustable at the neck. The knot is often decorated with a pin. If the groom removes his waistcoat later in the evening, he should keep the cravat on.

Color Matching
The waistcoat should harmonize with the bride’s dress:

With white bridal gowns: white, silver, grey or dark grey waistcoats.
With ivory, ecru or champagne dresses: warm tones such as ivory, beige, gold, old gold, mocha, taupe or champagne.
Brown suits also pair well with these warm shades.
These waistcoat sets are available at the Elite Bridal Salon in Budapest.

Shirts and Cufflinks
Most grooms wear a formal shirt with cufflinks. Our blog on cufflinks provides more details.

No appointment is needed to purchase or rent a groom’s suit, tuxedo, waistcoat set or cufflinks at the Elite Bridal Salon.

 
5. Buying or renting?
At the Elite Bridal Salon in Budapest:

Tuxedos and morning coats are available for rental,
Groom’s suits and ceremonial suits are available for purchase.
Rental Process
Similar to bridal gown rental:

After choosing the garment, it should be reserved as soon as possible.
The deposit is usually 50% of the rental fee.
A rental contract is signed, listing all details: garment, accessories, deposit, pick‑up and return dates.
Rental Prices
Tuxedo rental: 30,000 Ft
Morning coat rental: 60,000 Ft
Tuxedo rental includes: jacket, trousers, bow tie and cummerbund. Morning coat rental includes: jacket, trousers, waistcoat, cravat and pocket square.

Purchasing
Buying a groom’s suit works like in any store — once selected, it can be purchased immediately. Payment can be made in cash or by card.

 
We warmly welcome every groom and family at the Elite Bridal Salon!