The ultimate wedding suit checklist: everything you need, sorted.
It’s one of the biggest days of your life. You’ve sorted the venue, chosen your flowers, and (meticulously) outlined the seating plan. Now let’s make sure you actually look the part. Introducing: your ultimate wedding suit checklist.
We’re big believers that this should be the really fun part. The part that’s purely for you – the groom – to add your personality into the day. And with our wedding suit checklist, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Not even a tiny bit.
Read on for our tried and tested guidance on everything from your first appointment to the morning of the wedding.
SAVE FOR LATER: STRESS-FREE SUIT PLANNING: YOUR TIMELINE, SORTED.
Step 1 – The big decisions (9-12 months out)
This is where it all begins – your opportunity to nail all of those major decisions. It’s also the time to find a wedding suit provider who is actually going to tick all of your boxes (not sure how? Read this blog about what makes a wedding suit fitting enjoyable).
So, the first things to consider on your wedding suit checklist are:
☐ Hire, buy or made-to-measure?
☐ Style – morning suit, lounge suit, tweed, dinner suit or something else?
☐ Colour and fabric – consider your season!
☐ Two-piece or three-piece? (Hint – a three piece keeps you looking smart and distinct, even once the jackets have come off!)
☐ How will you stand out from your groomsmen?
☐ Book your private Hunter & Grey’s consultation
The decisions made here affect everything downstream. Get them right – with the help of a professional (👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻) – and everything else will be smooth sailing.
RELATED: WHY YOU SHOULDN’T WAIT TO BOOK YOUR WEDDING SUIT FITTING
Step 2 – getting everyone sorted (3-4 months out)
Time to get the party together – here’s when your wedding party (the adults, anyway) will come in for their first fitting. AKA, when the celebrations really start.
Your wedding suit checklist actions:
☐ Groomsmen booked in for their first fitting
☐ Fathers of the party accounted for
☐ Sizes confirmed – no guessing
☐ Colour coordination agreed
☐ Any body changes since booking? Let us know ASAP
We always recommend you make a day out of the fittings. We can recommend some cracking pubs nearby… Just saying 🍺
Step 3 – The details (6-8 weeks out)
This is all about those finishing touches. The details that turn your suit from ‘meh’ to ‘HELL YEAH’.
And these details are crucial. Not just to make sure you’re looking your best… But also for your enjoyment of the day. We won’t mention the groom who bought brand new shoes the week before the wedding, only to have them cripple him by the first dance. Or the one who turned up with odd socks (we’re sure you can imagine how well that went down)…
Explore these wedding suit checklist items:
☐ Shirt – collar style, cuff style, colour
☐ Tie or bow tie?
☐ Pocket square
☐ Cufflinks
☐ Belt or braces?
☐ Shoes (and breaking them in – don’t skip this)
☐ Socks that actually match 🫣
☐ Boutonnière – coordinated with the wedding flowers?
☐ Kids being fitted? Bring them in around 1 month before
It’s vital that we nail all of this down by the fitting to ensure we have everything in stock.
Check in with your overall wedding vibe and make sure that everything slots in seamlessly. Remember – it’s about the entire aesthetic.
Step 4 – The final fitting (3-4 days before)
Cue the dramatic music – it’s time for final checks, collection and… THE WEDDING DAY.
To get this rolling, make sure you’ve checked off:
☐ Final fitting booked (Mon/Tue/Wed evening for Sat weddings)
☐ Any body changes flagged in advance
☐ Full party’s suits accounted for
☐ Handy hints from the H&G team noted down
☐ Return date confirmed
While nerves may have set in by now, we promise you: this is the easy part. It’s our job to do the heavy lifting. You just need to show up.
Step 5 – The morning of the wedding
The big day has arrived! Stick on the tunes, pour yourself a bevvy, and make sure these tasks are done:
☐ Steam/hang suit the night before (not the morning of)
☐ Lay everything out – jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, shoes, cufflinks, the lot
☐ Break those shoes in before today (too late now if not)
☐ Eat something. Seriously.
Most of all? Enjoy it – you’ve done the hard bit. Now it’s time to shine with the love of your life.
FAQ: quick answers for panicking grooms
When should I book my wedding suit?
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. We recommend booking your first consultation 9-12 months in advance. You’ll have more stock choice and more room for body changes between booking and the big day.
What accessories do I need for a wedding suit?
Shirt, tie/bow tie, pocket square, shoes, cufflinks, braces or belt, watch, heirlooms – the list can be as long as you want it to be. Read our guide to the best wedding suit accessories.
Do my groomsmen need to match?
We recommend coordination rather than matching. Subtle differences that reflect their different roles (and personalities). Read our grooms vs groomsmen wedding suit guide.
Can my wedding suit be altered if my size changes?
Yes, but what’s possible depends on whether you’re buying, hiring or going made-to-measure. Let your suit provider know what changes you want ASAP. Read our wedding suit alterations blog.
Start your wedding suit checklist with Hunter & Grey’s.
You’ve got the wedding suit checklist – now you need the suit. Book your private consultation at our Shedfield showroom. Low pressure, no hard sell… And possibly a beer at the end.
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