Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Octopus
more by Mrs. Octopus (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Octopus
Mrs. Octopus's Picture
Mrs. Octopus, Boston, MA/Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 25, Grad Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Graphics Operator for TV News Engagement Date: May 6th, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heinz Chapel Ceremony, Museum Reception About Me: When my best friend dragged me to a toga party in our freshmen year of college, I was not expecting to meet my future husband; but seven years later, here we are. I'm a crazy-organized planner at heart, and I am a great lover of random trivia, books, chocolate, blogs, new and exciting adventures, mockumentary-style television, and anything heavily flavored with bright orange fake cheese powder. We're planning a festive and fun mini-destination wedding in the place where we met: fabulous Pittsburgh, PA! I can't wait to marry the man I love!
About Mrs. Octopus

Groomsmen, Keepin’ It Classy

April 26th, 2010 @ 10:19 am by Mrs. Octopus

“Picking” the groomsmen’s outfits was, if you can believe it, an even simpler process than our one-and-done bridesmaids’ dress search. I say “picking” because, actually, I’m leaving it almost completely up to them. I’ve been to two weddings in the last year in which the groomsmen just wore color-coordinated suits of their own choosing, and both times, it looked really simple and classic.

I also preferred this route because, if I can be totally honest, I don’t love Mr. O in a tuxedo. He had to wear one for all of his choir concerts in college, and it’s just not him; he’s too low-key of a guy to really rock such a formal outfit. On the other hand, I think he looks absolutely dashing in a suit, so it was really a no-brainer.

At first, we opted for black suits, because I figured a black suit is timeless. I also knew that at least half of our groomsmen already owned one, and I wanted to make it convenient for them. Then, after I chose black, I started fussing and worrying that maybe charcoal gray would have been a better choice; maybe it would offset the bridesmaids’ red dresses better, maybe it would be more stylish…

Groomsmen, Keepin' It Classy :  wedding menswear pittsburgh Suits

(Source)

And then I said,” oh, to hell with it.” Let’s get real: black and charcoal gray are extremely similar colors, black IS timeless, and as soon as the reception gets rolling, their outfits are going to go from this:

Groomsmen, Keepin' It Classy :  wedding menswear pittsburgh Groomsm02

Mr. Octopus and three of his future groomsmen looking gentlemanly at Groomsman Nick’s wedding last year.

to this:

Groomsmen, Keepin' It Classy :  wedding menswear pittsburgh Groomsm03

It didn’t last long.

Anyway. What does it really matter? Black suits, it is!

Now, the only thing left to take care of are their ties. I’m thinking a subtly patterned or textured red tie, maybe something like this:

Groomsmen, Keepin' It Classy :  wedding menswear pittsburgh Redtie

(Source)

I’m also wondering if maybe we should choose a slightly different tie for Mr. O, to set him apart a little. What do you think? Do you prefer the all-matching look, or a little variation?

What are your groomsmen wearing? Will the groom be matching perfectly, or standing out a bit? If so, how?

Tags: menswear, pittsburgh |
advertisement below
Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Octopus
more by Mrs. Octopus (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Octopus

21 Responses to “Groomsmen, Keepin’ It Classy”

1 2 

1.
Gerbera
Member
Gerbera (message)  4,481 posts, Honey bee

=D We’re doing black suits as well. FI will be wearing a solid silk red tie while the GMs will be wearing solid silk “citrus green” ties.
We starting shopping this weekend for them. Black suits are not as easy as you think! Which is why I wanted to start 4 months early! Haha

 
2.
JanieLeigh
Member
JanieLeigh (message)  581 posts, Busy bee

our groomsmen are matching- khaki pants, brown vest, cream shirt, purple tie. they will all have different bouts though. the groom’s tie is going to be a patterned cream tie to match my dress. i wanted him to stand out a little. :)

 
3.
ChiDIY
Member
ChiDIY (message)  184 posts, Blushing bee

We’re doing navy suits, because tuxes were almost as much!!

Im a little concerned, though… my future in laws arent great at… well… buying things that fit? or following directions? and they dont live here, so i wont know what they are wearing literally until the day of.

oops.

 
4.
CinnamonStick
Member
CinnamonStick (message)  160 posts, Blushing bee

I love the look of suits! Originally we were going to have all of the groomsmen in suits, but then, faced with the dilemma of how to set Groom apart from all of them, we decided he’d be the only one in a jacket- the rest are just wearing nice shirts and ties. It works well since we’re having a rather informal affair.

 
5.
HisSouthernGirl
Member
HisSouthernGirl (message)  18 posts, Newbee

I have been debating this for a while now, and am so glad to see someone post on this! All the groomsmen and groom are wearing the same suit. We bought ties for the groomsmen that are all the same colors from the same store but there are different patterns on each. And now, a year later…I don’t know what tie for my fiance to wear! Cannot wait to see what you decide.

 
6.
Mrs. Pug
Bee
Mrs. Pug (message)  3,753 posts, Honey bee

heehee i love that “major mental drama” graphic. good for you to just let it be and go with black. can’t go wrong with black. as for the ties, hm, i kinda like the idea of the groom wearing something a little different to help him stand out, but either way people will *know* he’s the groom!

 
7.
SanDiegoAli
Member
SanDiegoAli (message)  3,076 posts, Sugar bee

Our GM’s are wearing black suits. I don’t even care if they all match. I am providing their ties which will co-ordinate though. :)

 
8.
sapphirebride
Member
sapphirebride (message)  1,750 posts, Buzzing bee

My fiance is going to have a slightly different tie than the groomsmen–I like the slight difference.

 
9.
Lo
Member
Lo (message)  538 posts, Busy bee

My FI looks out of place in a tux and I prefer him in a suit anyways so we are going that route. He actually just bought a charcoal suit for an event a few months ago and we are going to have the rest of his wedding party wear charcoal suits. Some already have one and others would have to buy a suit no matter what color so I think it will all work out.

 
10.
Member Icon
Member
trishisadish (message)  433 posts, Helper bee

Love the idea of suits! I think maybe somethign a bit different for the groom

 
11.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Hamster (message)  4,046 posts, Honey bee

I think it’s a great look, and so practical as well! I’m all for a little variety among the ties :)

 
12.
alivoo01
Member
alivoo01 (message)  2,625 posts, Sugar bee

I like the idea of the groom standing out a bit because it adds a little extra something in photographs. Awesome picture revolution from clean and well dressed to frat boy-esque! haha!

 
13.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Frog (message)  505 posts, Busy bee

Very classic! I do agree though that having his tie differ from the groomsmen - just an added element to help identify the happy couple. :)

 
14.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Cola (message)  2,870 posts, Sugar bee

Haha, I love the “after picture” with all the jackets off….I know this will be the same at our wedding!

We have a mix of different ties, all the same color, but with slightly different patterns. I had too much trouble finding enough in the same color and pattern, so a sort of matched look was what we went with.

 
15.
jordynrose
Member
jordynrose (message)  6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

I love the before and after shots. Too funny!

 
16.
Member Icon
Member
badgerbee (message)  19 posts, Newbee

the groomsmen will all be wearing the same black suit (coincidence!) and we bought them all purple ties.

my fi will be in a different suit (slimmer cut) and a different tie!

 
17.
Miss Giraffe
Bee
Miss Giraffe (message)  4,219 posts, Honey bee

The “later” photo is too funny!

 
18.
tea
Member
tea (message)  7,295 posts, Bee Keeper

hehe, i think the “after” picture is my favorite

 
19.
mrspaetz
Member
mrspaetz (message)  3,805 posts, Honey bee

we went with existing black suits too, esp in light of the crappy economy last year. we added vests + ties (off ebay!) for cheap!

 
20.
cnuptain
Member
cnuptain (message)  330 posts, Helper bee

We’re doing the same thing! Their own suits, ties as a part of their gift and plenty of comfort all the way around.

 
1 2 

Leave a Reply


You can also just...

Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Octopus
more by Mrs. Octopus (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Octopus

Visit our sister sites eHarmony
Online Dating
eHarmony Advice
Dating Advice
Project Wedding
Wedding Songs
JustMommies
Pregnancy Calendar

Copyright 2004-2012, Weddingbee.com
 

Find your vendors on Weddingbee

Real reviews from brides in your area!

Favors by Weddingbee

  • Favors by season

Shop Now »

Mrs. Octopus
Mrs. Octopus

Mrs. Octopus, Boston, MA/Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 25, Grad Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Graphics Operator for TV News Engagement Date: May 6th, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heinz Chapel Ceremony, Museum Reception About Me: When my best friend dragged me to a toga party in our freshmen year of college, I was not expecting to meet my future husband; but seven years later, here we are. I'm a crazy-organized planner at heart, and I am a great lover of random trivia, books, chocolate, blogs, new and exciting adventures, mockumentary-style television, and anything heavily flavored with bright orange fake cheese powder. We're planning a festive and fun mini-destination wedding in the place where we met: fabulous Pittsburgh, PA! I can't wait to marry the man I love!

Boards
Classifieds

Blog Calendar
February 2012
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2930311234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
26272829

Weddingbee Bios
by FutureMrsGeels
by machop93
Wiki
More