our friends at astor & black invade the blog today to discuss the debates that go along with wedding tuxes… and the custom options that exist.

Marshall and Michi. Photo by Allison Conklin.

The day has arrived. You’ve had a good night’s sleep, you’ve taken your vitamins and you’re ready to tackle this head on. It’s What You’re Going to Wear to the Wedding Day.

After a coffee with the wife-to-be and an hour of discussion, you’re feeling pretty good about your progress. After the second hour, you tell her: “Honey, it’s your day to shine. I just need to make you look good.” You’re rewarded with a smile, maybe a kiss, but no absolution from the meeting. After the third hour, you’ve already been to your honeymoon and back, plus you’ve made up a haiku about socks, and decided on a name for your goldfish.

Finally, the planning is over. And the shopping begins.

There’s a brief rent vs. buy debate, then a trip to the department store – for three hours and three hundred (or so) fitting room marches – an online search, a trip back to the department store, a fitting, a tailor, the fabric retailer downtown, and then another round at a different department store, the one with more variety at the outlet mall outside town.

Sound like a headache yet?

Charles and Lindsey. Photo by Manolo Doreste.

At this point, you’re beginning to wish there was a tuxedo genie that if you just promise to stop eating chocolate, or drinking so much beer, the genie will appear at night while you sleep. It will wake you with a touch of a feather and hand deliver an impeccably designed tuxedo that is timelessly classic, and yet perfectly suited for the wedding theme and color scheme. The fabric is soft, the satin is luscious, the seams sharp, and accessories you never even knew you wanted.

You step out of bed and change into the tuxedo. It feels snug and cool against your skin. You stand in front of the mirror with your and wow! The man looking back at you is definitely you, albeit an updated version, an upgraded version. This must be a dream, you pinch yourself, it must be a dream.

You grab the phone, “Honey, you have to get over here, right now!” She’s on her way before you hang up. She comes rushing through the door.

“Honey! Are you alright?” She’s in the hallway right around the corner. You’re still looking at your reflection.

“Honey?” and then she turns the corner. She stops in her tracks. You turn to her. She meets your gaze, speechless for a moment.

Then she’s not. “Omg, honey, you look amazing! This… I literally dreamed of this just last night! This is exactly how I always imagined you would look – so fantastic and dashing!”

“This must be a dream,” you both say at the same time.

But it doesn’t have to be.

When you opt for a custom tuxedo for your wedding day, it saves a lot of hassle, a lot of time, and the end product is perfect. The look and fit will be timeless, so your wedding night will never be dated, nor the photos. The quality is top tier so the tuxedo will last upwards of ten years. (That’s assuming you don’t eat too much pasta in the interim).

The primary advantage of custom is the limitless array of options at your disposal in terms of fabric, design and accessories to match any theme or style. At Astor & Black, our favorite custom clothing company*, you also have the benefit of the clothier as a personal fashion consultant who will guide you through the maze of options to finding the wedding attire best suited for you.

And not just you. And not just the tuxedo. They can outfit the best man, the groomsmen, or an entire wedding party. They also offer a full range of men’s and tuxedo accessories, including belts and shirts, and have special wedding packages for groom and groomsmen attire. It’s a sweet deal.

The greatest deterrent to going custom however, is the price tag. While there’s no denying that a custom wedding tuxedo is more expensive than renting or buying, the actual numbers might surprise you. It’s an investment and it could begin paying off right from the first day you make an appointment with an Astor & Black clothier.

It could be a dream come true.
—

astor & black is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice.com

Are you considering a custom tuxedo for your wedding day. What about the look makes makes it right for you? Tell us in the comments section below.

Fashion and style expert Sarah Nash is back with some wedding day attire tips for the groom.

Here are three totally different looks for the groom to check out!
NOTE TO SELF: The way you feel…should be the way you look. As the old saying goes…You are what you wear.

Did James Bond learn about tuxes at The Man Registry? Of course he did.

Classic-chic:
This look is for the more sophisticated-classic groom attire. The “not too fancy” -basic black tuxedo cut. You can also choose the classic tail tuxedo as well. This is style requires..simplicity, the basics , and the down to earth vibe…not too over the top!

This is a good choice, so that you don’t take away too much from the bride. Think… clean cut, polished, and photo ready! This tux style is very versatile and something you can wear again and again without being too flashy.

Retro-styling:
This look is for the more “Fashion Forward” man. The groom that wouldn’t mind getting some fun-loving attention from the bridal party and a few extra photos! You could ditch the basic black tuxedo and go with a white, cream, beige, forest green, dark blue, or pin stripes! You can even go with a tuxedo tail. Add a chic fedora or a tie with a unique pattern. Don’t forget to Accessorize! Keep it simple and sleek!

This look is very 21st century modern-hip man screaming style, confidence and definitely in touch with his feminine side.

When we say retro tux… we don’t mean this.

Contemporary-casual:
This look is for the more low-key man. The very laid back, small-intimate wedding style. A more carefree, by the beach or by the slopes atmosphere. Not too over the top! Again, keeping it simple and relaxed. You don’t want to look like you put too much time and effort into this look.

These days more bride & grooms aren’t splurging too much on their attire, but rather on longer honeymoons, or that dream home. What’s in YOUR budget? Less is more in this case. You can definitely go with a nice sports jacket with a collard shirt, a great pair of dress shoes, even dark-denim jeans. You’ll still want to look special for those wedding photos..so, make sure you coordinate with your bride to compliment each others look.

In addition, the casual look would definitely be something you could wear again and again. Not to mention a casual wedding frees you from picking out a pricey tuxedo, shining those shoes.. you’ll only wear once, and all that stress!!

Choose wisely and make it fun!

**Remember that tuxedos can be costly, so luckily you have the option to rent them out! Unless, you plan on doing a black tie event in the near future…A man should always purchase at least one nice black tuxedo to have in his wardrobe at all times**

– Sarah Nash

www.sarahnash.com

Certified-Professional Makeup Artist