Q: Do groomsmen wear tuxedos, or is it just the groom who wears one?

A: Whether or not the groomsmen wear tuxedos will be determined by the tone the bride and groom wish to set for the wedding. When the wedding calls for a formal atmosphere, the groomsmen will generally be required to wear tuxedos. Usually, the cummerbunds and ties worn by the groomsmen will reflect the wedding colors.

Q: When should the wedding party begin shopping for their tuxedos?

A: The wedding party should begin shopping for their tuxedos only after the bride has chosen her wedding colors. The bride and groom will normally pick out the style of tuxedo that the wedding party will be wearing, and the vests and cummerbunds worn will need to reflect the colors of the wedding. Only after these decisions have been made should shopping for the wedding tuxedos begin.

Q: How soon before the wedding should the wedding tuxedo be rented or purchased?

A: The groom and groomsmen will want to make the actual purchase or rental reservation of their wedding tuxedos approximately three months prior to the day of the wedding. This time frame will ensure that the style of wedding tuxedo desired and the size of the wedding tuxedo needed are available. Fitting should be done later.

Q: How soon before the wedding should the tuxedo be fitted?

A: Tuxedos for weddings should be fitted a few weeks prior to the wedding day. This allows enough time for alterations to be made, but also puts the fitting close enough to the wedding date so that there will not be time for significant body changes (such as weight loss or gain) to affect the fit of the tuxedo.

Q: What type of tuxedo should the groom wear?

A: What style of wedding tuxedo the groom wears will largely depend on how formal the wedding is and the time and location of the event. White-tie weddings call for full tailcoats, while a daytime wedding in the park may call for a less formal ensemble.

Q: Should the groom rent or buy his tuxedo?
A: Whether the groom purchases or rents his wedding tuxedo will largely depend on his personal preferences and his budget. Oftentimes the groom will opt to purchase a nice tuxedo and will keep it for future use. Some rental stores will rent the groom's tuxedo for free if the groomsmen all rent their wedding tuxedos from the same tuxedo rental shop. If budget is the main concern; that may be the route to go.

Q: If I rent a wedding tuxedo, when will I have to return it and what happens if it becomes damaged?

A: The return date of your wedding tuxedo will be set when you pick up the tuxedo. This date is usually set for the business day after the wedding date. Generally, when you pick up the wedding tuxedo, you will be required to put down a damage deposit. If the tuxedo is returned unharmed after the wedding, this deposit is returned to you. If the tuxedo is damaged, you may lose the entire deposit, a portion of the deposit or you may be responsible for additional charges, depending on the severity of the damage and the policies of the rental store. Obviously, if you decide to buy a tuxedo, this is not an issue.

Q: If I'm not in the wedding party, am I required to wear a tuxedo?

A: If you're not in the wedding party, but the invitation you received says "Black Tie Required" or "White Tie Required", you will need to wear a wedding tuxedo when attending the event. When attending a formal wedding, not wearing a tuxedo can make a guest stick out like a sore thumb.

Q: What else am I going to need for my tuxedo ensemble, besides the jacket and trousers?

A: When putting together tuxedos for weddings, a vest or cummerbund, shirt, tie, shoes, socks and accessories all need to be purchased in addition to the jacket and trousers. Exactly what additions and accessories you need will be determined by what style of tuxedo you are wearing to the wedding. The accessories, such as studs, cuff links and pocket squares, can all be chosen according to personal tastes unless you're in the wedding party and the bride has made specific requests in regards to what the groomsmen will wear.

Q: What type of shoes should I wear with my wedding tuxedo?

A: When wearing tuxedos for weddings, you'll need dress shoes made of a patent-leather material or a material with a patent-leather look to complete your tuxedo ensemble. Tuxedo shoes worn at weddings are generally black or white, depending on the color of the tuxedo. Also make sure that you wear dress socks, as regular cotton socks are not suitable for wear with a wedding tuxedo.