What do you personally feel more in tune with – traditional formalwear or something more relaxed? It’s important to wear something that feels true to you and a reflection of your unique personality.

But grooms – this one does come with a caveat. The amount of grooms who have come to us swearing against a certain type of suit, only to realise how damn good they look once they actually try it on, is HUGE. So, go in with your preference – sure. We just encourage you to be open-minded.

And it of course bears repeating: do not make this choice without consulting the other half. No one needs that kind of surprise, throwing a spanner in the works on their big day.

📝 What’s your comfort priority on the day?

Similar to our previous checkpoint, it’s worth asking yourself what comfort means to you, and how much it matters. We’ll be frank; if you’re a sweater, then there’s materials you’re simply going to want to avoid. Likewise, if there are areas in your body you aren’t as confident about, you can opt for a suit that totally flatters you in all the right places.

Here, you can also consider the time of year you plan to get married, as this will have a hefty influence on the material you choose.

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📝 Do you want to stand out or coordinate subtly with your party?

Is the theme going to be cohesive throughout your entire wedding party, or do you deliberately want to make more of a statement with your groomswear? This is an important one, as it all comes back to dotting all the i’s and crossing the t’s. ‘Cos it’s crucial to remember that your groom’s suit isn’t just an item on its own – it’s part of an entire ensemble.

Smart questions to ask your Hampshire wedding suit provider

Once you’ve asked yourself the big questions, it’s time to turn your attention to your suit provider. This isn’t your average shopping trip. It’s a one-time outfit for a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you want to get it right.

Here are the key questions we recommend bringing to your wedding suit fitting in Hampshire:

❓Can I customise elements like lapels, lining, or stitching?

Spoiler alert: you absolutely can at Hunter & Grey’s. We have a partnership with a first-class company called Etch who offer over 100 fabrics, linings, buttons and stitching options. This means that we have the option of tweaking the actual design – think pocket and lapel styles – as well as tons of shirt options.

We also work with an epic factory who will make absolutely anything out of fabric that you wish. When we say the sky’s the limit, we really mean it. If you’ve got a bit of trust and imagination to hand, this is a pretty exciting option.

The option to customise matters, as it’s those unique details that can make a big difference when it comes to personality and polish for your big day.

❓What’s the lead time for a made-to-measure suit?

This can vary, so don’t leave it until the last minute. We typically recommend starting your groomswear fittings at least three months before the big day. However, with a five to six week wait for appointments, it’s crucial that you start looking at least six months before. An important note to remember – your final size? We don’t need to worry about that at the initial consultation.

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❓What happens if my body changes before the big day?

Listen; life happens (and so do gym routines – or *cough* lack thereof – and family-sized bars of Galaxy). Ask about alteration options to give yourself some wiggle room – literally.

For us, we ask that you get in touch ASAP if you think your size or shape has shifted since fitting. It’s important that additional fittings are done sooner rather than later to make sure there’s enough time to get your suits exactly as you want them before you-know-what.

Whether hire or purchase, you can expect your final fittings and collection to land around 3-4 days before you hit the aisle. However, if you do just want to buy a suit, we will always strive to work this out according to your wedding time frame. If you’re ready to jet off for a destination wedding, remember that we’ll need to work backwards from your travel date, rather than the wedding date.

❓Can I bring my groomsmen to coordinate looks?

You know the saying “too many cooks”? It really does apply here.

When you’re choosing your groomswear, it can get pretty overwhelming. Your initial consultation is groom plus one, and typically this will be the other party getting married; however, we have seen the father or best man at this appointment.  

The fittings, on the other hand – that’s an opportunity for a lads afternoon out. They’ll keep it honest, keep you laughing, and (hopefully) keep their sarcastic digs to a minimum.

We encourage you to make a day of it – think fittings, feedback, and maybe even a celebratory pint after (or an entire cooler if you’re feeling the call).

❓Can I have more than one fitting?

We think this isn’t a question of can you – but more, how important is it to you? You want your wedding suit to be perfect; for that reason, we offer packages that include additional fittings. If you think one fitting will be enough for you, then you can always opt for our base package.

❓Do you offer personal styling advice?

If you’re not sure where to start, this is gold. A good provider (*brushes off shoulder* Hunter & Grey’s) will offer guidance and suggestions based on fit, formality and flair. However, we’ll never tell you “this is what you must wear” or stare at you aghast as you walk out of the fitting room.

You’re going to the professionals for a reason. Lean on them, and trust that they’re there to make you look and feel like a million bucks.

❓What’s included in the price?

Don’t ever assume! Find out if your suit comes as a full package (shirt, tie, pocket square, accessories, aftercare, etc!) or just the jacket and trousers. Also, explore the differences between hire and purchase cost.