Pre-wedding photos: how many tuxedos and which colours

Two to three outfits is the sensible number for a pre-wedding shoot. It gives the album some rhythm without turning the groom into someone who changes clothes all day and is tired before the camera. Among them, one should be a classic that anchors the whole album, and one in colour to add a point of difference.

Plan by concept, not by count

Before choosing any suit, settle the concept with your photographer: outdoor or studio, formal European mood or light and relaxed. Only then does each outfit have a job to do.

• First outfit, classic: a black or midnight blue tuxedo with a shawl or peak lapel faced in satin, a white shirt and a hand-tied bow tie. This is for portraits and formal couple shots, the one that still looks right ten years on.
• Second outfit, colour: burgundy, petrol blue, charcoal, or an ivory dinner jacket. It suits a setting with strong colour and keeps the album from feeling repetitive.
• Third outfit, optional: something lighter, such as a waistcoat and rolled-sleeve shirt, for candid frames of walking and laughing.

If you can only have two, keep the classic and the colour, and drop the third.

One classic, one colour: making them truly different

A common mistake is to pick two outfits that look alike in photographs, say black and deep navy. In daylight, midnight blue and black are hard to tell apart, and viewers assume the groom wore one suit.

To separate them, change at least two things at once: cloth colour and lapel style. For example, black with a shawl lapel and burgundy with a peak lapel. Or change the styling: the first has a hand-tied bow tie and pleated shirt, the second drops the tie and opens the collar. You can preview colour groups in the black tuxedo collection and the burgundy and jewel tones, or look at TUX-097, a velvet-look burgundy as a colour option.

Matching the shoot gown

The shoot gown often differs from the wedding gown: an evening gown, lace, or a coloured dress. So find out the gown first, then choose the tuxedo, not the other way round.

• White or ivory gown: black, navy or charcoal all work; avoid an ivory tuxedo so the two of you do not blend together.
• Deep-coloured gown (red, emerald): keep the tuxedo neutral and let the gown carry the colour.
• Heavily detailed or metallic gown: choose a plain tuxedo with a clean satin lapel.

A simple rule is that in each frame only one person should hold the colour. For more on gown colours, see matching your tuxedo to the bride's gown.

Outdoor shoots need extra thought

Heat, sea wind and long walks all affect the suit. For outdoor shoots, have at least one outfit in a lighter cloth with modest lining so it breathes and does not show sweat. The article on outdoor pre-wedding shoots goes through locations such as Da Lat, the beach and old quarters.

Rent, or reuse the wedding suit

There are three routes, each with a trade-off.

• Reuse the wedding suit: economical, and the photos match the main day. But if you shoot outdoors before the wedding, the suit must be finished before the shoot, and there is a risk of stains, sweat and dust on the suit meant for the big day. If the shoot suit is the wedding suit, have it professionally cleaned and pressed afterwards.
• Make a second suit for the shoot: sensible if you want a coloured suit you will wear again at receptions, galas or company dinners.
• Rent: good for a colour outfit worn once. Mon Amie offers tuxedo rental with fitting in the showroom, adjustment to fit and cleaning included; rental price depends on the model, so ask a consultant.

A balanced approach many grooms take: have the classic suit made and wear it for both the shoot and the wedding, and rent one coloured outfit for the shoot. See wedding tuxedos for how a full outfit comes together.

Book a fitting at Mon Amie

Making time depends on the model and the fitting schedule, so book early before your shoot date, especially if you want a new suit. Bring a photo of the shoot gown or the mood board from your photographer, and a consultant will propose two or three outfits that work together. Book a fitting at a showroom.