Groom wedding attire in a black suit and tie as he kisses his bride’s temple during sunset, with a soft bouquet and desert skyline.

How to Choose Groom Wedding Attire That Feels Like You (Not Just Tradition)

Let’s be real, groom wedding attire has officially entered its cool era. Gone are the days when every guy defaulted to the same traditional black tux that doesn’t reflect who they really are. Today? We’re talking rich color, intentional textures, and fit that actually works for your body, that fits the actual vibe of your wedding day. Whether you’re deep in the desert or tucked away somewhere with just enough room to breathe, your outfit should feel like you. Not a costume. 

Groom wedding attire featuring a light tan suit with a white shirt and dark tie, captured during a heartfelt ring exchange in an outdoor ceremony.

Ditch the One-Size-Fits-All Look

We’re here for outfits that move with you and match the energy of the day, not stiff, copy-paste rentals that forget who’s actually wearing them. That means your groom wedding attire should never feel like a rental uniform. Start by rethinking the idea that you need to match everything perfectly. Mixing tones, materials, and styles is way more modern, and way more you!

Adventurous groom wedding attire in an all-black suit, standing with his bride on a dramatic cliffside in Sedona with sweeping canyon views.

Try pairing a wool blazer with chinos. Rock a velvet jacket over a printed shirt. Add a leather belt that looks like it’s seen some life. Unexpected textures and layers? Incredible. 

Comfort = Confidence

If you can’t squat in your pants, they’re not the right pants. The same goes for jackets that pinch, collars that choke, or anything that makes you want to get changed halfway through portraits.

Groom wedding attire featuring a dark maroon suit styled for a cliffside elopement at Dead Horse Point, with soft pastels in the sunset sky.

We always tell our grooms: do the fitting-room stress test. Sit, squat, hike a few stairs, hug someone, bust a mini dance move. Make sure everything moves with you, not against you. For the hikers, elopers, and barefoot-on-the-cliffside types, you’ll need gear that looks great and performs. Stretchy suiting fabrics are a game-changer.

Accessorize Your Groom Wedding Attire Like You Mean It

Accessories aren’t just extras; they’re the storytelling pieces. A bolo tie with family roots. A floral necktie that nods to your bouquet. A wide-brim hat that keeps the sun (and nerves) at bay. Layer in pieces that add dimension and meaning.

Other faves:

  • Suspenders that actually work (and look fire in photos!)
  • Belt buckles with vintage flair
  • Statement cufflinks or a minimalist pocket watch
  • A cardigan or overcoat for cold-weather elopements
Groom wedding attire prep moment with groomsmen tying a red tie, highlighting earthy tones and laid-back wedding day vibes.

Pro tip: Leave room for layers! If your ceremony location could get chilly, plan your fit accordingly. That slouchy coat or thick-knit sweater? Yeah, it’s allowed, and totally encouraged!

Bring Your People to Fittings For Groom Wedding Attire

Trust us, you don’t have to navigate this solo! Grab a couple of friends with good taste who get your vision and aren’t afraid to speak up. It’s not about making you look like someone else’s Pinterest board groom. It’s about you feeling like the most confident version of yourself!

Groom wedding attire styled in a modern black suit as the couple walks hand-in-hand across desert red rock during sunset.

Arizona Groom Wedding Attire: Seasonal Style Tips

Arizona isn’t just cacti and sunshine; it’s got legit seasonal shifts, and your wedding day wardrobe should match the mood (and the weather!).

Spring: Mornings are chilly, and afternoons warm up fast. Layers are your best friend. Think: a breathable button-up layered under a textured blazer or a light jacket you can ditch once the sun starts showing off. It’s all about versatility.

Summer: Skip the heavy fabrics; this is your linen moment. Go with short sleeves if the vibe fits, or a relaxed-fit suit in a light color. Dark shirts in the summer heat? They’re a bold move, just know you’ll be battling the sun, not just your nerves.

Groom wedding attire in a tan suit with a green tie, reading personal vows during a red rock ceremony filled with emotion and joy.

Fall: Arizona fall hits different, think golden hour glows and cooler desert nights. Wool textures and dusty desert hues made for chilly evenings feel super in-season and super photogenic.

Winter: Surprise! It gets cold. Especially up north or in higher elevation elopement spots. Go full cozy: thick blazers, layered knits, maybe even a peacoat or a chic overcoat. Add in warm tones or jewel hues for a luxe cold-weather vibe.
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Wherever you’re tying the knot, Arizona style is about embracing the landscape and leaning into what feels natural. Let the season lead the look.

Desert Color Stories = Style That Pops

When your backdrop is red rocks, cactus blooms, or open skies, your color game matters. Here are a few desert-inspired tones we love seeing on grooms:

Groom wedding attire in a black suit and tie as he kisses his bride’s temple during sunset, with a soft bouquet and desert skyline.
  • Sage Green – Soft, earthy, pairs great with creams and browns
  • Terracotta / Rust – Feels bold, grounded, and super photogenic
  • Navy or Midnight Blue – A rich neutral with tons of depth
  • Sandstone / Taupe – Subtle, sun-washed, totally timeless
  • Copper or Burnt Orange Accents – Think tie, socks, or lapel details

These aren’t just stylish, they also bounce beautifully in golden hour lighting.

Dress Codes, Arizona Edition

Cliffside elopement featuring groom wedding attire in a rich maroon suit, twirling his bride in the golden canyon breeze at Dead Horse Point.

Navigating what “semi-formal” means in the middle of the desert? Welcome to the land of cactus-lined aisles and 90-degree dance floors. Check out these tips:

Trail Casual
This is your off-grid elopement energy. Stretch chinos you can scramble rocks in, boots that eat dirt for breakfast, a printed button-up, or a layered tee + vest combo. Function meets flair.

Semi-Formal Sunset
Picture this: golden hour, a breeze, and a blazer that fits like it was made for this exact moment. Think tailored pants, open collar, no tie stress. Add one killer accessory and you’re golden.

Festive Desert Night
You’re the guy who shows up and owns the after-sunset scene. Velvet or patterned blazer. Bold tones. Maybe a floral tie, maybe a wide-brim hat. You’re not just attending, you’re setting the tone.

The goal: honor the moment, nail the vibe, and never let sweat stains steal the spotlight.

Groom wedding attire in a beige suit, walking hand-in-hand with his bride along a red dirt trail surrounded by Sedona’s lush desert greens.

What Not to Do (AKA, Lessons from the Lens)

We’ve watched zippers give up, blazers bunch in all the wrong places, and grooms sprint barefoot because they forgot to break in their boots. So take it from two people who’ve seen it all:

  • Skip the stretch? You’ll rip a seam mid-vow. We’ve got the photos to prove it!
  • No layering plan? Cue the goosebumps during golden hour portraits.
  • Dark shirt, midday sun? You’ll shine, literally. And not in a good way.
  • Shopped last-minute? Expect tailoring panic, shipping drama, and that frantic Target run you swore you wouldn’t make.

The fix? Try everything on early! Move in it. Dance in it. Sit in the dirt if you have to. Basically: dress for the real day, not just the mirror selfie.

Groom wedding attire in an all-black look, embracing his bride at sunset on a cliff above Sedona’s lush, expansive valley.

Our Go-To Brands for Groom Wedding Attire

Suits + Separates:

  • ASOS – Trendy, budget-friendly, great for unique colors
  • Indochino – Custom-fit suits you can design online
  • Twisted Tailor – Bold prints, edgy tailoring
  • Bonobos – Chill silhouettes that still look sharp
  • Suit Shop – Try-ons at home, inclusive sizing
  • The Black Tux – Easy rentals, sleek and stylish
  • Soho FlexTech – Super comfy and made for movement
  • Express – Clean basics that hold their own

Accessories:

Book Us As Your Arizona Elopement Photographer and Videographer Team

Intimate moment during a vow exchange in front of Bell Rock, with groom wedding attire styled in a light beige suit and open-collar white shirt.

Groom wedding attire doesn’t have to be boring, stiff, or overly traditional. You get to wear something that feels as good as it looks, and tells your story in the process. So whether you’re getting married on a mountaintop, in a backyard, or in a vintage airstream, own your look. We’ll be there to capture every detail (and probably hype you up when you put it on). Inquire here today!

Explore additional blogs for planning your wedding or seeking guidance on wedding attire below.

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Attire for Adventurous Elopements

How to Get the Dance Floor Poppin’ at Your Arizona Wedding Reception

A Wedding at Havasu Springs Resort: Lake Views, Laid-Back Vibes, and Pure Joy

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