The Groom's Wedding Tuxedo: Colour, Lapels and Groomsmen

A tuxedo is a fine choice for a groom when the reception takes place in the evening. Choose the colour to suit the venue and the bride's dress, choose the lapel to suit your build, and dress your groomsmen one step less formally so that you stand out. The rest is a matching set of accessories and a fitting schedule with room to breathe.

When a groom should wear a tuxedo

By convention, the tuxedo is evening wear. At a Vietnamese wedding, the family ceremony usually takes place in the morning, when an áo dài or a suit is the more fitting choice. The evening reception at a restaurant or hotel is where a tuxedo truly comes into its own.

That is why many grooms prepare two outfits: a suit or áo dài for the morning and a tuxedo for the evening. If you want a single outfit for the whole day, a well-cut dark suit is more versatile. But if the evening is the heart of your wedding day, the tuxedo deserves priority.

Choosing a colour for the venue and the bride's dress

Choose the tuxedo colour together with the wedding dress and the decor, never on its own. The table below will help you narrow it down.

Tuxedo colour	Works with	Keep in mind
Black	Any theme, a bright white or ivory dress	Classic; wedding photos that will not date
Midnight blue, navy	Cool-toned decor, warm amber lighting, a white dress	Keep black satin lapels for contrast
Ivory	Garden, beach and warm-weather evening receptions	Compare the cloth with the dress under the same light; wear black trousers
Burgundy, wine	Year-end weddings, warm themes, red and gold flowers	Minimal accessories, a black bow tie
Grey, patterns, metallic	Modern themes, receptions with a performance element	For a confident groom; try it under the lights first

A black shawl collar tuxedo like TUX-092, with one button, a black bow tie and a white pocket square, is a safe starting point for almost any theme. For a colour of your own that stays formal, the navy three-piece with a black waistcoat, TUX-059, has a soft sheen under reception lighting that photographs beautifully. For an outdoor evening reception, an ivory shawl collar jacket with black trousers and a cummerbund, as in TUX-106, feels light and suits a hot climate.

A note on white: a bright white cloth next to an ivory dress can make the dress look yellowish, and the reverse is also true. Bring a photo or a swatch of the dress when you choose your tuxedo cloth.

Choosing a lapel and cut for your build

Peak lapels lead the eye up to the shoulders and make you look taller and broader, which helps shorter or fuller grooms. A shawl collar is soft and classic, ideal for tall, slim men or for broad-shouldered men who want to soften the chest. A satin-faced notch lapel is easy to wear but less formal than the other two.

Each lapel is discussed in more depth in shawl, peak or notch. As for the cut, you will stand, sit, raise a glass and dance all evening, so do not have it made so close that it only looks good in still photos.

Coordinating with the groomsmen

The principle is simple: the groom stands out through detail, the groomsmen match through colour. A few combinations that work well:

• The groom in a black three-piece tuxedo, the groomsmen in black two-piece tuxedos or suits without waistcoats.
• The groom in an ivory dinner jacket, the groomsmen in black tuxedos. The contrast makes the groom stand out instantly in group photos.
• Groom and groomsmen in the same colour, with the groom set apart by a different lapel width, a different boutonnière or a bow tie in another texture.

Groomsmen usually wear their outfit only once, so renting makes good sense. Mon Amie offers tuxedo rental with fittings at the showroom, alterations for fit and cleaning included; rental prices vary by model, so please ask an advisor for details.

The groom's accessories

• Shirt: white, with a pleated or piqué bib. A turndown collar is the black tie standard, though many grooms choose a wing collar for an extra touch of ceremony.
• Bow tie: a black self-tie bow tie in the same material as the lapel facing.
• Studs and cufflinks: a matching set, in onyx, mother-of-pearl or metal.
• Cummerbund or waistcoat: one or the other, never both. If you wear a cummerbund, the pleats face upward.
• Shoes: patent leather oxfords or opera pumps, with fine black socks.
• Boutonnière: worn in the left lapel buttonhole, ideally using the same flower as the bride's bouquet.

Once you have every accessory, wear the full outfit at least once before the day to check sleeve length against your cufflinks and trouser length against your shoes.

Planning your fittings

Making time depends on the model and your fitting schedule, and your advisor will confirm it at the measuring appointment. What matters is to start early, leaving time for fittings, adjustments and choosing accessories without hurry.

If you are training or losing weight before the wedding, tell your advisor at the first measurement so the final fitting can be scheduled closer to the day. After you collect your tuxedo, alterations remain available if your measurements change.

How Mon Amie can help

At our five showrooms in Ho Chi Minh City, Mon Amie advisors can look after the groom and the whole wedding party: choosing a colour for your theme, comparing cloth against photos of the dress, tailoring the groom's tuxedo and renting matching outfits for the groomsmen. You will find more ideas on our wedding tuxedo page. Book a showroom appointment.