With summer right around the corner, it’s time for warm weather grooms to start thinking about which accessories they’ll be utilizing on their wedding day. To help get the conversation started, we asked a few of our favorite wedding industry experts to chime in on the topic. photo credit: long’s photography

What’s your favorite way for the groom to accessorize for a summer wedding?

BRIAN LEAHY (Founder, The Groom Says)

The secret to summer accessorizing is not what you wear but what you don’t. If you think you’re sweating up there at the altar, how do you think Groom Jr. feels? So in the chaos of getting ready, take a minute to remember the ring but conveniently forget the boxer briefs. You may not be a free man anymore, but at least you can free-ball your way through the most important day in your life.

On a serious note … grooms should check out Good Heavens, Cape Town-based designers with affordable, all-cotton, summer-approved neckwear (I get compliments on my GH tie every time I wear it).

KARA HORNER (Blogger, The Man Registry)

Depending on the style of wedding, grooms can give a nod to the season with a pair of fabric or rope knot cufflinks that have a nautical feel to them. I also like to see the groom in lighter-colored suit (think gray, tan or khaki) in the summer months. That way, he can still look dapper and be a little more comfortable when it’s warmer outside. Think this or this.

IAN (Founder, A Groom’s Diary)

I’m not going to pretend to be a “guy’s guy.” I love sports but really only play golf and go to the gym.  I own tools but don’t really know how to use them.  And I definitely spend more on dry-cleaning every month than I do on guns and ammo, but I draw the line at “accessorizing.” If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and said, “I really need a ______ to spice up this outfit.”, it is probably time to talk to your counselor about your parents not signing you up for team sports as a child.

SHARON NAYLOR (Wedding Author, SharonNaylor.net)

With brides adding color to their summertime looks, in vivid aquamarine earrings or coral bangle bracelets, grooms also get a chance to Color It Up by skipping the ‘groom wears a white tie, vest and boutonniere flower’ and being the guy in the colored tie and boutonniere while his guys wear the all-white. We’re not talking 1980s promlike neons. We’re talking a long tie in that aquamarine or coral, or subtle aquamarine stripes in that black tie. Just a little pop of color. You might even use colored button covers or colorful cufflinks. One of the greatest summertime colorworks I’ve ever seen was the groom’s tie and flower chosen to match his own to-die-for light blue eyes, with the bride coordinating her blue earrings to match. Talk about a wedding photo pop of color!

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Now that you’ve heard what our experts have to say, it’s your turn to chime in. What’s your favorite summertime wedding accessory for the groom (or bride)?

It’s always so impressive when the guys come up with some brilliant unique find.  It shows you’re thinking about the details that would make your wedding day creative and thoughtful.

So, boys..let me help you out with a fashion tip:

Check out this etsy shop, Cyberoptix Tie Lab

With hundreds of beautifully, hand-screened ties.  There’s definitely one that would fit your wedding theme.  Or better yet, create your theme from a tie of your choosing…[nudge, nudge!]

Yes, I’m looking out for you guys!

Gretchen Viles of MyWedding.com is a weekly guest contributor to the GroomsAdvice blog. She specializes in blogging about groom’s issues from a bride’s perspective. Founded in 2002, MyWedding.com has grown into the most comprehensive easy-to-use local wedding guide on the Internet. They recently launched a wedding ideas and trends content section that focuses on all aspects of wedding planning.