Going shopping for your morning suit can be overwhelming, so it’s worth taking along a friend or family member who can offer you a second opinion.
Do some research by looking through magazines – and talking to your fiancée – and don’t rush into anything.
Set a realistic budget for your suit, decide whether you will buy or hire, and give yourself plenty of time to find the right outfit.
Make sure you and your fiancée are on the same page – she probably won’t give you chapter and verse on her dress, but she you can at least discuss the style and theme of your wedding.
Find out the colour she’s chosen for the bridesmaids as well. You can go for matching cravats or waistcoats but, whatever you do, make sure they don’t clash.
Talking of cravats – remember they are for the groom and best man only, other members of the wedding party traditionally wear ties.
Bear in mind that an ivory-coloured shirt can look better than a white one, which can end up looking like something you wear to the office.
And make sure you wash and iron it the day before so you don’t end up with unsightly fold marks.
Traditionally, morning suits should be black on the morning and grey in the afternoon.
Remember that morning wear is not the only style of suit acceptable – try every kind of jacket from a lounge suit to a frockcoat or Nehru-style jacket but, above all, wear something you are comfortable in.
Don’t buy anything tight fitting as it will certainly become more and more uncomfortable as the day goes on.
Make sure your trousers are the right length and that the sleeves of your jacket allow for an inch of shirt cuff to be visible.
It’s worth thinking ahead with your wedding shoes as well and buying them at least a month in advance to give you time to wear them in.
Grooming
Pre-wedding skincare isn’t just for the girls – the groom should also live up to his title and be immaculately groomed from top to toe.
Even if you’re one of those guys who think exfoliating is something do to with horses and waxing is something you only do to cars, there are a few things you can do to ensure you look your best on your big day.
• Get into the habit of drinking plenty of water every day to prevent dehydration and help the elimination of toxins from the body, which, in turn, reduces spots. Hydrated skin means no horrid dry patches.
• Cleanse your face thoroughly every day, using either a cream or warm water and mild facial wash. Pat your face dry and avoid pulling the fine skin around your eyes.
• On the day, shave after your shower or bath, as this is when the bristles are soft and easier to cut. Never use a razor blade more than five times – a blunt blade will cause irritation.
• On the subject of bath or shower, use a gel or body wash that matches your aftershave or eau de toilette and the fragrance will last far longer.
• After shaving, use a moisturiser or even better, a soothing aftershave balm. Even just the application of these products means that you are massaging your face and neck, stimulating circulation and boosting overall skin tone.
The Speech
Perhaps even more nerve wracking than getting married is the speech you’ll have to make.
But don’t panic – there are a few foolproof techniques guaranteed to make sure your speech is memorable for all the right reasons.
Start working on your speech about two months before the wedding day. In a nutshell, it should be about five minutes long, thank everyone who has helped out and, of course, say a few words about your beautiful bride.
Don’t be too flowery – the temptation might be to put on airs and graces, but that will take away your natural speaking voice and normal mannerisms.
Remember to concentrate on your opening and closing remarks to make a memorable impression.
If you’re musical, you may even want to take a leaf out of McFly’s Tom Fletcher’s book and sing your speech instead!
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