The Little Black Tie Book: The Groom

All your questions about what to wear to a wedding, answered

By The Editors
May 2, 2017 9:00 am


The Invite Says:

YOU’RE THE GROOM



Congratulations, sir! You’re getting married.

Now, tradition decrees that no one — you included — should outshine the bride. But to hell if you let anyone besides her outshine you. That’s why we cannot in good conscious recommend anything less than going bespoke for your big day.

There is, however, one handicap when recommending a custom tailor: locality. A proper bespoke experience comes down to individual tailors and their respective shops. “Tailor” is the keyword here, because bespoke means absolute, 100% customization. Unlike made-to-measure (in which an existing pattern is cut to fit the wearer), true bespoke means a completely new suit pattern.

If in doubt, Brioni is a respected Italian-suit specialist that offers a bespoke service nationwide. Pair with one of the best shoemakers in England and you’ve got one helluva getup.

Yes, it costs twice as much. Yes, it involves more fittings. And yes, no detail is spared.

Which is the sort of thing you kinda want for your wedding day, no?

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A Few Words on Choosing a Wedding Band …

Consider the wedding band.

No, we mean really: consider it.

Unlike 99% of the purchases you’ll make in this life, this one is for keeps. So unlike most phases of planning a wedding — which can and should be deferred to the bride, with your stamp of approval, of course — this one is all you.

But here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Metal: Platinum, gold or palladium. Other options exists (titanium, silver), but you should stick to those three. White and yellow gold are the most traditional. Platinum is the most resilient. Palladium is budget platinum. Rose gold is slightly offbeat. Consider pairing it with your watch.

2. Details: Once you choose a metal, think about how you want it finished (polished is the standard; matte or hammered are more modern alternatives). Whether you want it engraved (stick to the inside of the band if you do) or braided. For something that really stands out, try some detailing work, like this “wave” band by Digby & Iona.

3. Matching: You don’t need the same exact band or even metal as your partner, but they should complement one another care of a shared detail (braiding, say) or engraving.

4. Comfort: If you’ve never worn a ring, you might want to opt for a rounded edge over a flat one. Whatever you do, try it on. Wear it for a few minutes. Make sure you’re not going to want to be taking it off every second you wear it for, you know, the rest of your life.

5. Quality check: An honest jeweler will put his trademark on the inside of the band to prove he stands behind his work. You’ll also want to look for a quality mark verifying the fineness of the metal (24k, e.g.).