If you are planning your wedding in a highly formal and very elegant style, or considering a reception in a palace, a manor house, or another classic location, then a glamour wedding suit or a formal wedding tuxedo will be the perfect attire for such an event. With such an ensemble, we do not make any compromises and we ensure that it strictly follows all the rules of classic mens elegance, while simultaneously bringing out the absolute best in the male silhouette. See our sample tailoring projects for a glamour style wedding below.
The black wedding tuxedo
This is the absolute classic of classics, the James Bond in the world of tuxedos and suits. Such an ensemble consists of a black jacket and trousers that are exquisitely finished with shimmering details—we cover the lapels, pockets, and buttons with silk, and we sew a traditional side stripe, or galon, into the trousers. In a custom made tuxedo, you can freely change several stylistic elements, such as the button arrangement or the specific shape of the lapels, but the overall form should remain strictly classic. For the ensemble to be fully complete, it requires an elegant white shirt, a black hand-tied bow tie, silk braces, as well as a cummerbund or a formal waistcoat. The absolute best shoes for this occasion are classic black patent leather oxfords.
The tropical tuxedo
This is an exceptional garment that serves as the perfect summer variant of the classic tuxedo. The most important difference compared to the previous ensemble is the beautifully tailored cream jacket, which may or may not feature silk-covered lapels. If your wedding is taking place during the hot summer months or you are planning a destination celebration in warmer regions, such as picturesque Tuscany, the tropical tuxedo will be an absolutely ideal choice for your formal groom attire.
The tuxedo with a velvet jacket
A velvet tuxedo jacket is a highly recommended solution for the colder months and spectacular weddings taking place in the evening. Velvet possesses a beautiful, incredibly deep color under artificial light due to the unique way it absorbs and reflects illumination. In the photographs, we showcase a smoking jacket, an ornate velvet tuxedo jacket with rich detailing, which is perfectly paired with tartan check trousers. The entire ensemble serves as a beautiful nod to the timeless classics of British elegance.
The tuxedo with tartan check trousers
Thematically quite close to the previous ensemble, yet steering in a much more modern direction—a black tuxedo paired with tartan check trousers is a phenomenal solution for men seeking a perfect bridge between Italian and British fashion. To tailor this specific tuxedo jacket, we utilized a high-quality seersucker wool with an exceptionally unique texture. Although in the vast majority of cases we would suggest sticking to strictly classic solutions, sometimes one can comfortably allow for a greater degree of sartorial variety.
Tuxedo rental services
It cannot be denied that a formal wedding tuxedo is a garment with a relatively narrow spectrum of everyday applications. If you do not wish to commission a custom made tuxedo for your own wedding, but you would still absolutely love to appear in one, we meet this desire head-on in our showrooms by offering high-quality tuxedos for rent. We possess a classic, timeless model with a straightforward, elegant cut available in a wide variety of sizes to ensure you look your absolute best for a black tie wedding.
Different wedding attires:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tuxedo a good idea for your own wedding?
Absolutely! A glamour-style wedding and a classic-style wedding are the perfect celebrations where an elegant wedding tuxedo will perform brilliantly. This comes down to the appropriate levels of formality—a tuxedo is the pinnacle of formal evening menswear, making it an ideal choice for an event as monumental as your own wedding.
My wedding takes place before 6PM—will a tuxedo still be appropriate?
It depends—from the strict perspective of classic male elegance rules, a tuxedo should only be worn after “sartorial dusk,” which traditionally means after 6 PM, as black woolen fabrics and black silk catch artificial lighting beautifully. However, if your heart is set on a tuxedo, it is worth keeping in mind that we no longer live in the 19th century or in an era where a rigid dress code must be followed at all costs. A small departure from this rule will certainly not take away from the beauty of your celebration.
What is the difference between a tuxedo and a “tuxedo suit”?
A proper tuxedo is a highly elegant garment thoroughly defined within the established rules of classic menswear. A “tuxedo suit”, on the other hand, is a hybridization that is heavily discouraged. It is neither a true formal suit—which is meant to be versatile—nor is it a proper tuxedo, and consequently, it fails to perform well in practically any situation requiring appropriate attire. It is best to leave the “tuxedo suit” to mass-production brands looking to optimize factory tailoring costs; for your own celebration, you should firmly choose between a proper made to measure suit or an authentic tuxedo.
What kind of shirt should you wear with a tuxedo?
A tuxedo can only be paired with a crisp white shirt featuring French cuffs and a classic turndown collar that comfortably accommodates a bow tie. A proper tuxedo shirt can feature a covered placket—meaning concealed buttons—paired with a smooth front, or it can feature decorative dress studs alongside a pleated or piqué bib front. The latter version offers a more cinematic and dignified look, while the former can easily double as a formal suit shirt later on, making it a much more versatile option for the groom.
What kind of bow tie goes with a tuxedo?
A tuxedo bow tie must strictly be black, and ideally self-tied. A white bow tie is reserved exclusively for a formal tailcoat under a white tie dress code. The only scenario where a white bow tie might interact with a tuxedo is within specific hospitality settings, where guests wear black bow ties and the staff wears white bow ties to clearly distinguish between the two groups. A black tuxedo bow tie can come in various shapes, the most popular being the classic butterfly, the diamond end with pointed tips, and the narrow batwing.
Will a regular suit work for a glamour-style wedding?
A glamour wedding is the most elegant type of wedding celebration, and a tuxedo remains the absolute best choice. However, you can successfully opt for a formal black suit or a deep midnight blue suit instead. When paired with a white shirt with French cuffs, black leather oxfords, and a white linen pocket square, you will absolutely look exceptionally sharp, sophisticated, and perfectly dressed for the occasion.
Should you choose a tuxedo or a suit made from high-twist wool?
High-twist wool (meaning fabric with a high Super S number) is woven from finer, highly twisted fibers, giving it a higher natural sheen and a silkier hand feel. However, this type of wool is inherently more delicate and can wear out faster under heavy use. For a tailored wedding tuxedo, high-twist wool (around Super 150s) can be an excellent choice because a tuxedo is an investment piece meant for formal occasions and is not worn on a daily basis. For standard business or wedding suits, we generally recommend opting for wool with a more traditional twist count up to Super 130s to perfectly balance elegance with long-term longevity.
Should the tuxedo fabric have a noticeable sheen?
For a classic tuxedo, barathea wool is most commonly used—it is a fabric with a unique, slightly pebbled weave that naturally absorbs light, making the black tone incredibly deep and elegant. Against a matte barathea background, the silk-faced lapels, silk-covered buttons, and pocket jettings stand out beautifully. Ultimately, the final choice remains a stylistic decision, as a stunning tuxedo can be crafted from either high-sheen or matte wool depending entirely on your personal taste.
Can a groom wear a black suit to his own wedding?
Choosing a black wedding suit for your own ceremony is entirely appropriate if the wedding follows a highly elegant and formal concept, but it will always look its absolute best under evening lighting. If a major part of the wedding and outdoor reception takes place during the day in bright sunlight, a deep navy blue suit will likely prove to be a much better and more flattering option.
Does a tuxedo require a satin stripe on the trousers?
A tuxedo is strictly defined by the rules of classic elegance, and yes, the trousers absolutely must feature a side stripe, also known as a galon. To be considered a true tuxedo, the jacket must feature silk-faced lapels (the only exception being the cream tropical tuxedo), silk-covered buttons, and silk-trimmed pockets, and it should feature a ventless back. Furthermore, the trousers must be cut for braces and feature a single silk side stripe down each leg. Even when opting for a cream tropical tuxedo jacket, the trousers always remain black.
Is a cummerbund necessary for the groom?
The essential accessories required to complete a proper black tie dress code include a black bow tie, a white pocket square, silk braces, and a cummerbund. The cummerbund is designed to elegantly cover the waistband area, preventing the white shirt from bunching out between the trousers and the jacket while also concealing the metal adjustments of your silk braces. If a cummerbund does not align with your style, we highly recommend opting for a custom-tailored low-cut tuxedo waistcoat instead.
What shoes should you choose for a wedding tuxedo?
Black patent leather shoes are the ultimate choice to pair with a wedding tuxedo. The most frequently selected style is the classic oxford, which we proudly offer in our collection. In many cases, we actually recommend choosing high-quality smooth grain leather oxfords instead of patent leather, which we can mirror-shine to a brilliant high gloss. This approach makes the footwear much more versatile for the future; while patent leather shoes can only ever be paired with a tuxedo or a tailcoat, smooth grain leather oxfords can easily be worn later with a formal business suit or a sharp coordinated outfit.
Is it acceptable to go without a tie to your own wedding?
It is perfectly acceptable to go without a necktie, provided you have a beautifully tied bow tie around your neck! Your own wedding is one of the most significant days of your life, and you should be dressed appropriately, especially when discussing a glamour or classic wedding style. The only real opportunity to appear completely without any neckwear is a boho or rustic style wedding, which we describe extensively in another section of our wedding guide. This is an inherently informal style where you can experiment with a wide array of distinct made to measure suits or casual separates, and within a highly sport-oriented combination, you can comfortably omit the necktie or bow tie entirely.
