By Judy J. Thompson

The big day is creeping up fast and the bride has picked out her gown.  Now it is time for the groom to think about his tuxedo.  Check out various formal wear companies and what styles they have to offer.  If you have any groomsmen from out of town and overseas, ensure that the tuxedo service belongs to the International Formalwear Association.  If they are, they can help the out-of-country groomsmen find a rental business anywhere in Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

The bride and groom should visit the formalwear store in 4-6 months in advance.  Calling the store prior would be a good idea to find out what days and times are best to visit, this ensures the bride and groom will get optimum customer service as well as time for the customer representative to answer all questions.

Once the style of tuxedo has been decided upon, the formalwear service will set up a registration card in the computer with all the information such as; who is in the wedding party and what styles have been chosen.  Groomsmen can go in for measurements any time after.  Measurements can even be done online.  When submitting measurements online, make sure someone does the measuring beforehand and they are true, otherwise the groomsman may run into a spot of trouble when appearing for the final fitting.  Measurements should be completed 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

If the groomsmen live out of town, the formalwear service will help them find a tuxedo store nearby, where fittings can be arranged.

The groom usually wears a different jacket or vest to set him apart from the rest of his party.  For example the groom may wear a jacket with tails while the groomsmen wear a tuxedo jacket or the groom may wear a black tuxedo while the rest of the party will be suited up in a dark gray.

The groom could also chose different accessories or the rest of the party my wear a coloured vest to match the bridesmaids dresses.  The vests may be similar to the grooms and compatible in style or pattern.

The style of the lapels must match.  The last thing the couple needs is a formalwear faux pas such as the groom wears a mandarin lapel while the rest of the party has a shawl lapel.

Final fittings usually take place the day of pick-up, which is 1-2 days before the wedding and the tuxedo be returned the next business day.  Example, the wedding is on a Saturday, so pick up should be on the Thursday or Friday before the wedding and returned the next business day after the wedding.  If the formalwear service is open on a Sunday, it should be returned that day.  If they are closed on a Sunday, then the tuxedo should be returned on the Monday.

One of the groomsmen may have lost a lot of weight, it maybe wise to go in for a final fitting a week before the wedding to give the seamstress time to make the adjustments.

Shoe rental is an option.  Some men don’t own a pair of dress shoes or have no need for a pair.  Renting a pair would be a good choice.  When at the formalwear store for a fitting, try on some shoes to see if they match, have the right size and are a comfortable fit.  Most tuxedo services carry different styles in regular and wide widths.  The cost of shoe rental could be a separate charge from the tuxedo rental cost.

Most formalwear services should carry a small size tuxedo for the ring bearer, starting at size 3.  They should be measured 3-4 months in advance.  Don’t be too surprised that the sleeve of the jacket and the leg of the pants have to be let down due to growth.

Shoes for the ring bearer are available also at an extra charge.

In most tuxedo rental businesses, there is no PST on a ring bearer’s rental, but be aware that the cost of a ring bearers tuxedo will cost the same as an adults.  Ring bearers tuxedos cost the same to be purchased as adults and quite often have to be replaced due to the active child.

A formalwear business should also carry sizes for the larger man such as 62 and 68.  Call in advance to make sure they do carry one for the larger groomsmen in the party.

Once the big day arrives, the groom will look as handsome as the bride looks beautiful. Standing proudly in a stylish tuxedo with a smile on his face.