A wedding is an exceptionally solemn and moving occasion, and couples approach it with the utmost seriousness. They carefully select the venue, decorations, and attire to harmonize with their aesthetic sense and the chosen theme. Those co-creating the wedding ceremony and reception face a significant responsibility and a vital task that, when executed with due diligence, brings immense satisfaction.
For this photo session, we featured a jacket, waistcoat, and trousers tailored specifically for Kacper Stachowiak. The photographs demonstrate how the garments perform in natural daylight. Please note that the trousers on the mannequin differ from those used in the session, though they were crafted from a very similar fabric in terms of color.
Every year, dozens – if not hundreds – of couples rely on our expertise and guidance to ensure the groom’s attire is both elegant and unique. We share this knowledge not only in our showrooms but also through online guides. This allows every groom to “do his homework” and consider not just his outfit, but the overall wedding style. Our consultants then refine this vision, discussing various solutions, selecting the finest fabrics, and proposing a cut that complements the entire celebration.
Boho and Rustic Wedding Style
Casual and informal weddings have enjoyed immense popularity for a long time. While the ceremony itself may take place in a church or registry office (or, in the case of humanist weddings, outdoors), the reception is often organized in venues with unique character. Here, the décor and surroundings play the lead role, dictating the style of the event. We most often see weddings in barns or palm houses – places dominated by wood, greenery, and earthy tones, featuring exposed beams and brickwork. These are typically referred to as rustic or boho weddings.
The Perfect Dress for a Boho Wedding
For such an occasion, brides have great freedom in choosing their wedding dress. However, it shouldn’t be a “princess” style, nor should it have a strictly formal, evening-wear cut. Details like lace and light, tulle forms work perfectly. Unique accents such as fringes, wool hats, or cowboy boots can break traditional conventions and highlight the bride’s individuality. While this is a general overview, as specialists in men’s tailoring, we focus on suits while subtly introducing gentlemen to the world of bridal gowns. The dress featured here was selected by the experts at Pracownia Stachowska in Poznan.
Choosing a Wedding Suit for Boho or Rustic Themes
We use these two terms interchangeably because the styling for these suits is usually very similar. In both cases, the attire must be informal to match the bride’s dress and the venue’s décor. It doesn’t strictly have to be a traditional suit, yet we most often recommend them in our ateliers – after all, a wedding is a prestigious event, and your outfit should reflect that. Keeping this in mind, we can head in two directions: either a solid-colored suit in an informal shade with sports jacket features, or a checkered wedding suit. In this post, we combined these approaches, opting for a beige jacket and waistcoat with a visible brown check, paired with brown wool-linen trousers.
Fabric, Cut, and Color: The Anatomy of a Boho Suit
This beige made-to-measure wedding jacket and matching waistcoat were custom-made in our workshop using an open-weave fabric. It is a blend of wool, linen, bamboo, and silk – a combination that guarantees breathability and wrinkle resistance. Wool and silk provide structure and durability, while linen and bamboo offer a textured finish and excellent moisture-wicking properties, perfectly suiting a summer climate. The material comes from the renowned Rising Sun collection by Dormeuil.
Bamboo is a fascinating raw material becoming increasingly popular among fabric manufacturers. Its properties are similar to linen, yet it is much more crease-resistant. However, one should note that bamboo fabrics have a slight sheen, which may not appeal to everyone.
Thanks to its matte structure, this fabric is ideal for tailor-made sports jackets. The checkered jacket from this set can easily be paired with jeans or chinos for other occasions. To lower its formality for the wedding, we chose notched lapels with double stitching, patch pockets, soft shoulders, and brown horn buttons. The sleeves feature Neapolitan-style shirring (spalla camicia).
Recognizing that a full suit in such a bold pattern might be too much for some, we opted for brown wool-linen trousers with a unique finish. The waistband is inspired by military fastenings and certainly draws attention. This is the beauty of made-to-measure tailoring – we are only limited by our imagination.
The Checkered Waistcoat: A Groom’s Essential
If your suit is single-breasted, we highly recommend adding a waistcoat. It can be made from the same fabric to create a formal three-piece set, ensuring you look elegant even after taking your jacket off. However, contrasting waistcoats are a popular choice. In this instance, the waistcoat matches the jacket, creating a cohesive, stylish look.
A men’s wedding waistcoat offers several advantages: it allows the groom to unbutton his jacket without worrying about how the shirt sits, providing great freedom of movement. Furthermore, it has a slimming effect, acting somewhat like a corset. It also ensures the shirt remains neatly tucked into the trousers. We recommend waistcoats with a “self-back” (the same fabric on the back), as they can then function as a standalone piece for smart-casual outfits.
When wearing a waistcoat, we advise against a belt, suggesting suspenders (braces) instead. A belt buckle can create an unsightly bulge under the waistcoat. High-waisted trousers lengthen the legs, and button-on suspenders remain hidden, keeping the trousers at the perfect height throughout the entire party and in every photograph.
For this look, we chose a double-breasted waistcoat with points. This cut is less common but builds the silhouette elegantly. The narrow button stance prevents the torso from looking too wide, while the pointed bottom visually elongates the frame.
The Wedding Shirt: Why White is Key
When considering what to wear to a wedding, the rule for the shirt is simple: only white. Regardless of the theme, a white shirt is the most appropriate for such a special day. We specifically advise against ecru, ivory, or off-white, as they often look worn or yellowed when surrounded by other guests in crisp white shirts.
A boho wedding shirt can feature button or link cuffs, and an Italian or semi-spread collar. Since the suit itself is less formal, you have more flexibility with textures. However, remember that if you plan to wear a bow tie, you should opt for a shirt with a hidden placket and French cuffs. For this session, we used an Oxford weave shirt from our collection, featuring a soft Italian collar and rounded button cuffs – a perfect choice for a rustic or boho setting.
Tie or Bow Tie for a Rustic Wedding?
Both options are suitable. If you choose a plain suit, avoid a plain tie to keep the outfit from looking dull. Regardless of your choice, a true gentleman should always tie his neckwear himself. For this set, we selected a wool-linen tie in a shade similar to the jacket, complemented by a silk pocket square featuring the Notre-Dame Cathedral. We kept the accessories in a similar color palette to avoid a cluttered look against the bold check of the suit.
Footwear: Completing the Groom’s Look
The final touch for an informal wedding is the shoes. Black Oxfords or patent leather shoes should be avoided, as they are reserved for formal morning dress or tuxedos. Instead, consider double monks or tassel loafers.
We recommend shades of brown or burgundy to emphasize the informal nature of the styling. Top-grain leather is usually better than suede for weddings, as it is more durable and handles “morning dew” during outdoor photo sessions much better. If you do choose suede, be sure to protect it with a nano-protector.
Socks can be matched in three ways: to the trousers (to lengthen the leg), to the shoes, or to an accessory like the tie. While they shouldn’t be too flashy, an informal wedding is a great time to play slightly with convention.
Summary: How to Dress for a Boho Wedding
In this guide, we’ve broken down the boho wedding suit, focusing on fabric choice, accessories, and why the white shirt remains king. In our next article, we will explore another version of the boho groom style, featuring different colors and patterns.
This suit, and many more, is available through our made-to-measure tailoring service. If you are looking for the ideal suit for the groom, contact one of our showrooms today!
Photos: Nina & Darek
Models: Zuzanna Kononowicz & Kacper Stachowiak
Wedding Dress: Stachowska Pracownia
Venue: Willa Berlińska
