How Early Should Grooms and Groomsmen Shop for Wedding Attire?

If you just got engaged, you probably panic about the endless list of things to do when planning a wedding.

The real secret to a stress-free planning experience is knowing what to do and when to do it. An excellent wedding checklist should encompass everything you need to do, including when to save the dates and send out the wedding invitations, when to order your wedding flowers, and even when to buy the wedding dress or get the wedding suits for the groom and groomsmen.

As the groom, one of the most important parts of planning the wedding is making sure you look and feel great on the big day. But one of the best ways to celebrate is by selecting your look for the ceremony and reception.

Formal or not, choosing the right men’s wedding suits or tuxedos to wear to your wedding is a big decision. And let’s not forget the groomsmen's suits, either! If we can offer one bit of advice, it’s this: Do not wait until the last minute to buy that suit.

Picking Suits for the Groom and Groomsmen

In short, you should purchase a wedding suit rather than rent one.

Who wants to have to put on a suit some other hot body wore last weekend? If you know you’ll reuse a great suit (read: future weddings and events), then renting may be an expensive mistake.

Most couples adhere to several guidelines when dressing for weddings. The bride usually buys her wedding dress far in advance of the wedding—around six months, on average. This can also be a useful rule of thumb for purchasing bridesmaids’ dresses and wedding suits not only for the groom but also for the groomsmen.

Most grooms begin shopping for their wedding day suit long before the event. But when should you order them? How much time in advance should you place an order to make sure you have a suit that fits properly and looks great? Read on for tips, advice, and a chart to help!

When should you buy groom and groomsmen suits for a wedding?

If you’re curious about when in the wedding planning timeline, the groom should purchase his wedding suit, consult the list below.

Find your wedding season and select the lead time for the groom to order his suit. Understanding what time of year to begin shopping ensures that you don’t procrastinate at the last minute!

For Spring Weddings

Shop for suits in late fall/early winter if you are getting married in the spring.

Suits Unlimited guide to March/April/May weddings (sic) Groom – choose and order your suit – November, December and January.

For Summer Weddings

If your wedding is in the summer, look for suits in late winter/early spring.

Suits Unlimited wedding suggestions for JUNE, JULY, OR AUGUST: choose and order the groom’s suit in February, March, and April.

For Fall Weddings

If you’re getting married in the fall, look for suits in late spring or early summer.

Suits Unlimited wedding advice: For a wedding in September, October, or November, choose and order the groom’s suit in May (September), June (October), or July (November).

For Winter Weddings

If you’re getting married in the winter, this means shopping for suits in the late summer/early fall.

For weddings in December, January, and February, Suits Unlimited recommends selecting a time to order the groom’s suit in August, September, and October, respectively.

That lead time provides plenty of time to make any finish or fit adjustments if necessary. Most of the time, the only thing that should be needed is to alter them to hem the trousers to the ideal length.