The jacket is hanging in the fitting room. The shoes are polished. The wedding is getting closer, and suddenly one question becomes very real : what should the groom actually wear?
Choosing your groom wedding attire is about more than finding a suit that looks good. Your outfit needs to feel right for the place, the season, the level of formality and, most importantly, you.
A destination wedding in France adds another layer. A black tuxedo may look perfect in a Paris ballroom but feel very different under the summer sun. A linen suit can look effortless at a vineyard wedding, while a tailcoat can bring a wonderfully formal feel to an elegant celebration.
And what about the groomsmen? Should everyone match? Should the groom stand apart?
There are no universal rules. We prefer to think about your wedding as a whole, then build your outfit around it.
Start with the wedding, not the suit
Before looking at fabrics or colors, look at the wedding itself.
Where will you get married? What time of year will it be? Is the ceremony outdoors? Will dinner take place in a grand Parisian reception room or under the trees in Provence?
These details should guide your choices.
For an international couple planning a destination wedding, the setting can be very different from what you know at home. Our guide to planning a destination wedding in France can help you understand how the venue, season and overall experience influence your planning decisions.
Think about these elements first :
- The location
- The season
- The time of day
- The level of formality
- The wedding color palette
- Your partner’s outfit
- The outfits chosen for the wedding party
A formal evening wedding gives you more room for a tuxedo or a very structured suit. A summer celebration in the south of France may call for something lighter and more relaxed.
The best suit is not necessarily the most fashionable one. It is the one that makes sense in the story of your wedding.
Should the groom match his groomsmen ?
Matching your groomsmen can create a strong visual effect. It looks polished in group photographs and can make the wedding party feel united.
But you do not have to wear exactly the same outfit.
There are several ways to coordinate the group :
- Everyone wears the same suit and accessories.
- Everyone wears the same suit, while the groom has different accessories.
- The groomsmen share a color palette, while the groom wears a different suit.
- Everyone wears different suits that work together visually.
We often prefer the third option for a destination wedding. It creates harmony without making the groom disappear into the group.
You could wear a navy suit while your groomsmen wear charcoal. Or you could choose a darker suit and give the wedding party lighter shades.
A different boutonniere, pocket square or tie can also make the distinction clear.
Do you really want your guests to have to look twice to know which one is the groom?
The goal is coordination, not uniformity.
How to choose the right suit color
Color changes the entire impression of a groom wedding outfit.
Navy is one of the easiest choices. It works during the day or evening and pairs beautifully with many wedding palettes.
Charcoal offers a more formal feeling. Light grey feels softer and works particularly well for daytime celebrations.
Beige, taupe and brown can be beautiful choices for an outdoor destination wedding. They work especially well with natural surroundings, warm florals and summer light.
| Suit color | Works well for | Consider |
| Navy | Elegant daytime or evening weddings | Very versatile, but choose refined accessories |
| Charcoal | Formal celebrations | Can feel heavy in very hot weather |
| Light grey | Daytime and summer weddings | Softer and less formal than charcoal |
| Beige | Outdoor and destination weddings | Best with carefully chosen accessories |
| Brown | Autumn or relaxed weddings | Works beautifully with natural palettes |
| Black | Very formal evening weddings | Can feel impersonal for many weddings |
| Cream | Summer and sophisticated celebrations | Requires attention to the overall color palette |
Why we would not choose black for most weddings
Black is traditional. It can also be elegant.
But for many weddings, we find it too impersonal.
There is another practical issue. A groom wearing a simple black suit can sometimes look surprisingly similar to a member of the catering staff, especially during a formal reception.
Your wedding day is not the moment to blend into the background.
If you love dark colors, navy or charcoal can give you a more distinctive result while keeping the same level of elegance.
Of course, if black genuinely feels like you, there is no reason to reject it simply because of a rule. Your personal style still matters.
Should two grooms wear the same suit ?
For two grooms, the possibilities are even more interesting.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing identical suits. It creates a very strong visual connection and can look beautiful in photographs.
But different outfits can work just as well.
The same suit for both grooms
This is a simple and elegant option.
You can then create subtle differences through the details. One groom might wear a tie while the other wears a bow tie. You could also choose different pocket squares or slightly different boutonnières.
Different suits, same visual language
This is one of our favorite approaches.
The suits do not need to match perfectly. They simply need to belong together.
For example :
- Navy and charcoal
- Beige and cream
- Two different shades of blue
- A dark suit paired with a lighter neutral
- The same suit in different fabrics or cuts
The accessories can then connect the two looks.
Two completely different looks
This can also be beautiful.
If the two grooms have very different personalities, forcing them into identical outfits may feel unnatural.
Instead, create a common thread through the colors, flowers, accessories or level of formality.
You can see how a stylish celebration for two men can take a very personal direction in our story of a stylish gay wedding in Paris.
The most successful approach is usually not about making two people look identical. It is about making them look like they belong to the same wedding.
What should the groom wear for a summer wedding in France ?
July and August can be very hot in France.
That matters when choosing your groom wedding attire.
A beautiful heavy suit can become uncomfortable within minutes during an outdoor ceremony. Sweat, heat and direct sunlight can also affect how the fabric looks in photographs.
For a summer wedding, consider :
- Lightweight wool
- Linen or linen blends
- Breathable cotton
- Unlined or partially lined jackets
- Lighter suit colors
- Comfortable leather shoes
- A shirt made from a breathable fabric
The ceremony timing also matters. If you are getting married outside during the hottest part of the afternoon, your outfit needs to work in those conditions.
You can also plan for a change later in the day. Removing the jacket after the formal photographs can make the evening much more comfortable.
This is also worth considering when coordinating your look with your partner. Our summer wedding look guide explores the practical challenges of getting married during the warmer months.
The details that make the groom’s outfit personal
The suit is only the beginning.
Accessories can completely change the personality of your outfit.
Think about :
- Your shirt
- Tie or bow tie
- Pocket square
- Shoes
- Belt
- Watch
- Cufflinks
- Boutonniere
- Socks
You do not need an unusual suit to create a memorable look.
A small personal detail can be enough. Perhaps your boutonniere echoes the flowers from the ceremony. Maybe your cufflinks have a family connection. Or perhaps you choose a colorful pocket square that would never appear in your everyday wardrobe.
We also recommend thinking about your shoes early. They should work with the level of formality of the suit and remain comfortable throughout the day.
And do not forget alterations.
A well fitted suit can transform the entire silhouette. Give yourself enough time for at least one fitting, and preferably a final fitting close to the wedding.
When tradition meets personal style
Sometimes the right choice is not modern at all.
We once worked with a groom who had a very traditional vision for his wedding outfit. He wanted to wear a tailcoat.
Rather than trying to steer him toward something more contemporary, we helped him find a specialist in Paris who could provide the right formalwear.
It was a perfect reminder that tradition can be personal too.
If a tailcoat, tuxedo or another formal style feels like you, embrace it. The question is not whether the outfit is trendy.
The question is whether you will feel comfortable seeing yourself in those photographs years from now.
Groom wedding attire mistakes to avoid
A few choices can make the process more complicated than it needs to be.
Avoid :
- Choosing a suit only because it looks good in a photograph
- Ignoring the weather and season
- Copying the groomsmen too literally
- Choosing black simply because it feels like the safest option
- Waiting until the last minute for alterations
- Buying a suit that feels uncomfortable when sitting down
- Choosing a color without considering your partner’s outfit
- Following a trend that does not match your personality
- Forgetting that outdoor ceremonies can change the practical requirements
For a destination wedding, we would add one more point : try the complete outfit before you travel.
Wear the shoes, jacket, shirt and accessories together. Sit down. Walk around. Spend some time wearing everything.
You do not want to discover on your wedding day that your shoes hurt or your collar feels too tight.
Groom wedding attire checklist
Before finalizing your outfit, check :
You still feel like yourself
The suit matches the wedding style and venue
The fabric works for the season
The color works with the wedding palette
Your outfit is clearly distinct from the groomsmen
Your shoes are comfortable
Your accessories are chosen
Your boutonniere works with the flowers
Your suit has been professionally altered
You have tried the complete outfit together
FAQ – Groom wedding attire
Should the groom match the groomsmen?
No. The groom and groomsmen can wear identical suits, coordinated colors or completely different outfits. A small difference in accessories can also distinguish the groom.
What color suit should a groom wear?
Navy, charcoal, grey, beige and brown can all work well. The best choice depends on the season, venue, time of day and overall wedding style.
Is black a good color for a groom’s wedding suit?
Black can work for a very formal evening wedding. For many celebrations, however, we prefer navy, charcoal or another distinctive color because black can feel impersonal.
Should two grooms wear matching suits?
They can, but they do not have to. Identical suits create a strong visual connection. Different suits can work beautifully when they share colors, accessories or a similar level of formality.
What should a groom wear for a summer wedding in France?
Choose breathable fabrics and avoid heavy materials. Lightweight wool, linen blends and lighter colors can work well. The ceremony time should also influence your choice, especially in July and August.
When should the groom choose his wedding suit?
Start several months before the wedding if possible. This gives you time to compare styles, order the suit and complete alterations without pressure.
In practice
• Start with the wedding setting, not the suit.
• Matching your groomsmen is optional. Coordination is often more elegant than identical outfits.
• For summer weddings in France, choose breathable fabrics and consider the timing of the ceremony.
• Black is not the only formal option. Navy, charcoal and softer neutrals can create a more personal look.
• For two grooms, identical suits are one option among many. Different looks can be equally cohesive.
For further reading
If you are also planning a destination wedding in France, you may want to explore :
- French wedding traditions and what international couples should know for a better understanding of French wedding customs.
- 10 mistakes international couples make when planning a wedding in France for practical planning advice.
- Wedding color trends 2027 if you are still building your wedding color palette.
If you are planning a destination wedding in France, you can also discover our wedding planning experience in France.
