My wedding day couldn’t have come sooner, with months of planning, making, organising, amending, purchasing and stressing it had come to the point of near burn out for both myself and my wife to be. My one wish was that the day of itself went to plan with no hiccups and surprises. The majority of the vision for our wedding was by my wife to be, who I suspect had been planning this day for many years, down to the tiniest of detailing. We both met 20 years ago while studying fashion design at university and now both work as professionals in this demanding industry.
It was logical therefore to have a sewing related theme running through, from the invites, favours to the table numbers. Coupled with floral inspiration and by adding our own personalities the theme evolved to become our own unique creation. I had little to say in the majority of the planning, I was more the labourer than designer and was the one who turned the ideas into reality. The one area where I did have my own say was the suits.
Specialisng in graphics and tailoring, it was one area where I felt I had more experience and control than my better half.
Skywall Photography
Navy was dictated to me by my future wife as the suits needed to compliment the bridesmaids and floral décor/graphic. I knew I wanted to stand out from the best man (Of which I had 2 of) and ushers (4) and to be viewed “an upgrade” to rest of the groomsmen. Due to time, logistics and budget constraints the option to hire the best man and ushers suits was a practical solution, with a 3 pieces fitted to suit the preferred choice, complemented with dark tan brogues and pink accessories. To distinguish the best man from the ushers a pocket watch accessory was added. For my suit I went that extra mile, and opted to make my own, choosing a wonderful Dugdale Royal Blue flannel cloth, that looked deep in colour with low light and more vibrant in sunlight. Still a 3 piece suit, I opted for peak lapels over the notched hire versions, detailed edge stitching, flash cuffs, slanted pockets and contrast lower buttonholes. I was after a semi-formal look, but still very smart and figure-enhancing. The lining I designed and printed on a polyester twill, combining the floral graphic from the invitations, bouquets, a drawing of my 1907 vintage Singer sewing machine and contemporary colour blocking to give a masculine touch to the otherwise feminine aesthetic.
As my wife to be had difficulties finding the right pink for the flowers and bridesmaids, I decided to play safe and vary the colour blocking in the hope that the range of colours worked with her final decision, even if only one of the colours matched.
The lining panels varied in scale and pattern to give a very personal and energetic feel, one of surprise and the unexpected. My waistcoat back was also printed and complimented the suit lining, with my 5year old son having a mini waistcoat to match his daddy and a Spiderman pocket watch to match his daddy’s steam punk version. I and the groomsmen all had pink cufflinks, ties, pocket hankies and pink pattern socks, (although these all varied). To complete my suit I opted for tan shoes and belt to compliment the lighter shade of blue my suit cloth went.
Tips For Selecting Your Wedding Suit
- Make sure you look better than your groomsmen – you don’t want your wife to be to wonder if she has picked the right man!
- Go that extra mile – it is all about the detailing – contrasting buttonhole thread, personalised undercollar, monogramming, carefully selected buttons all add up to make a difference.
- Make sure your suit fits the theme of the wedding – don’t deviate too much as if you stand out like a sore thumb in your wedding photos, your new wife won’t like you forget it.
- Make sure you are comfortable in your suit, it needs to fit and work with your size and posture. Don’t try it on for the first time, the morning of your wedding.
- Hire or buy new shoes for you and your groomsmen. Take a look on Pinterest at groomsmen shots, you are bound to find many where one person is wearing battered or the wrong coloured footwear.
- Add a bit of fun to the outfits – individual patterned socks for your party can create a great photo. There are some great cufflinks, lapel accessories etc all of which can give a joyous and playful element, doubling up to make great groomsmen gifts.
- If hiring the groomsmen suits encourage your groomsmen to get themselves measured by the store and not to phone through what they think their measurements are. What you actually measure and what you think you measure are not the same.
- Check your pockets before the day, if hired or new they will come with the pockets sewn shut, so you need to carefully unpick the stitch to allow it to open. You don’t want to be doing this in the church with dark lighting.
- Give one of your groomsmen a lint brush – make their job to ensure you are bit and hair-free – aim to keep your suit like new as long as possible.
- Wear your suit with pride and confidence. How you stand and present yourself will only help to convince others that you are the MAIN MAN!
David Morrish – Senior Design Lecturer
