8 New Rules for Dressing Your Groomsmen

These days the big-day uniform for the groom and his groomsmen does not have to be uniform at all. Ray Li, founder of Suitable, an online made-to-measure suit company, is encouraging the wedding party to show off more of their personalities with their nuptial attire. Here, his style tips on how guys can mix it up and still come across as a complete entourage.

The groom chose them for a reason, so why not allow them to flaunt what makes them one of a kind? "It's important that personal style shows through on a bride and groom's wedding day and suit selection is a great place to start," Li says. He sees more and more gents reading through GQ or scrolling Pinterest for ideas, which he encourages. But he says it's also easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, home in on one plan for getting the guys outfitted that will allow them to flex their sartorial muscle within it.

"We love this idea!" Li says. "Just remember, if you'd like your groomsmen to wear mix-and-match colored suits, make sure to rein in the color options to three max. That way your groomsmen will look cohesive versus scattered." Here, the groomsmen wear navy and black suits while the groom pops in a white tux. Consider letting the best man stand out in a special color as well, like a deep red blazer. Just be certain to run the color palette by the bride to make sure the groomsmen will coordinate with whatever the bridesmaids are wearing.

"It's also popular for grooms to pick their suit or tux color and then ask their groomsmen to wear a slightly different shade of the same color," says Li. "This is a little less bold, but still adds variety." To go this route, Li suggests a dark gray suit for the groom and suits in a lighter shade of gray for the groomsmen.

Bridesmaids have been donning one hue in a variety of silhouettes, so why not follow their lead? After the groom chooses his tux style and the palette, he can share it with the guys. "His groomsmen can then each wear differentiating suit styles that fall within the color story," Li says. 

Matched—and unexpected—accessories are a great way to visually communicate that birds of a feather flock together! While boutonnieres are often arranged from flowers, these ones, made from real feathers, look dapper against a mix-and-match color palette of black and gray suits and tuxes.

Proper grooming goes a long way in making any ensemble go from special to spectacular. A few days before the wedding, get the guys together for a bachelor party trip to the barber to get haircuts and a straight-razor shave—or a beard trim, if they've spent years growing one out to perfection (like these grooms did).

The ladies have been making a day (Champagne included) out of getting ready for the wedding for decades. Steal the idea and meet the boys for a pre-ceremony toast—or two. Just be careful to get the party started slowly and surely.

Who says you can't walk down the aisle in sneakers? For a bash with a rock 'n' roll edge, take a cue from Mick Jagger and let the guys strut their stuff in neutral sneakers. Think classic white Nikes or all-black Converse. "Don't forget to ask for pictures of each groomsman's sneakers before the big day," Li says. "That way there won't be any surprises."

Custom Suits: Suitable
Photography: Judy Pak
Rentals: Two of a Kind
Venue: 501 Union
Liquor: Long Island Spirits
Barber: John Riviera
Hair and Makeup: La Voila Beauty Concierge
Table Manufacturer: David Flatt for Two of a Kind
Flowers: We Create and Co
Models: Billy Sarna, Conrad Clevlin, Fazon Gray, George Trinovitch