When to Start Planning Your Wedding Suit: A Step-by-Step Timeline

The best things are worth waiting for, and planning a wonderful wedding takes time. Most couples spend at least a year planning their wedding, and many wait several years to prepare for the wedding of their dreams. Brides are advised to order their dresses at least nine months prior to the big day, especially if they have a particular designer or boutique in mind, and it is important for Grooms to know that their outfits deserve the same consideration. 

We usually advise that a wedding suit should be ordered around three to six months before your wedding day, and this will give you plenty of time for a made to measure suit or to have your off-the-peg choice tailored to perfection. Let’s take a look at the wedding planning process.

Planning Your Wedding Suit

When you are planning your wedding, you’ll know that you have to book your venue and your services several months - or in some cases, years - ahead of your big day. However, ordering suits for the Groom and Groomsmen is one element of wedding planning that tends to get overlooked and we often see wedding parties where this becomes a last-minute rush. 

A made to measure suit takes around six to eight weeks to make and this includes fitting sessions to ensure that it is perfect for you. With this timescale in mind, you need to allow at least three to six months from your first appointment to give you a little flexibility in case things do not go to plan. A suit bought off the peg can be ready much more quickly, but you will not want to compromise on the fit for your special day, so it is well worth allowing plenty of time for tailoring to ensure it is the right fit for you.

Top Tips for Wedding Suit Shopping

When you’re planning the wedding you want, you need to allow plenty of time for all the details to fall into place. There are many things that can influence your choice of suit and the timeline to your wedding day, including:

1.  Your Body Shape. Your body shape and size can change significantly in a few months, so it is important to give yourself time to have your suit adjusted if necessary. If you are planning to start a training programme in the run-up to your wedding, be realistic about what this means for your outfit and ensure you have plenty of time for your tailor to make the changes you need.

2.  Your Preferences. Your own personality and choices will help you to decide on the look you want for your big day, and you should be open with your tailor about exactly what you are hoping for. Consider the style you like best, the fabrics that make you feel good and the way you like a suit to fit and ensure you have plenty of time to make the adjustments you need.

3.  Your Timings. You will need to make time for at least a couple of fittings for your suit, and these should be 2-4 weeks apart to allow time for alterations. You should aim to have your final fitting a couple of weeks before your wedding so that you do not have to schedule appointments at the last minute and ensure that your groomsmen do the same.

4.  Your Accessories. Finding and ordering your wedding suit in good time will give you plenty of time to decide on the perfect accessories, which will really make you feel good on your wedding day. Take your time to find shoes that are comfortable and well suited to your style and choose the ties and pocket squares that make you and your groomsmen look and feel great. You can add authentic touches such as a special watch, cufflinks or belts to coordinate your look and finish it off to perfection.

5.  Your Groomsmen. Of course, it is up to you whether your groomsmen wear the same suit as you or whether you choose a complimentary style or colour for your bridal party. Your look should be cohesive but allow for unique personalities to shine through, and you can try several different styles when you visit us at Suits.

6.  Your Venue. You’ll have thought carefully about the style of your wedding and chosen your suit with your wedding venue in mind, but did you know that a destination wedding will require extra consideration? If you will be travelling to your wedding venue - especially if you are going abroad - you should add an extra 3-4 weeks to your schedule to give you a little margin for error.

Your Timeline

You don’t want to feel rushed when you’re planning your wedding, and we recommend following this timeline to ensure that you end up with the perfect suit on your big day:

6-12 months prior to your wedding day: This is a great time for researching the options and deciding on a style you love. You should consider what your partner will be wearing to the wedding and even if you don’t see the design at this time, you can discuss preferences and themes so that it is easier to match your style. Decide whether you will be going for a suit or a classic tuxedo and define your budget before you start shopping in earnest.

4-6 months prior: This is the time to make your appointment with our tailors, to measure up for your bespoke suit and order your design in the fabrics and colours you love.

2-3 months prior: Now you will be coordinating your groomsmen's outfits and ensuring that you have a cohesive look and attending a fitting appointment to make any adjustments and ensure you are happy with your choices.

1 month prior: Time to attend your final fitting - tell your tailor if there is anything you are unhappy with as they will be very happy to make adjustments for you and it is worth getting it exactly right! You want to be comfortable in your suit all day, so don’t compromise on the fit now.

1-2 weeks prior: Collect your suit and check that you have all of the accessories you need for the big day. Try on everything together and make sure that you are happy with your choices and then store your suit somewhere safe until your wedding day.

Your wedding day: This is it… enjoy getting ready for your wedding with your friends or groomsmen and then make the most of your fabulous suit on the best day of your life!

Find Your Wedding Suit at Suits

Here at Suits, our experienced team can help you to curate the perfect look for your wedding, whether you are having a suit tailor-made or renting one from our collection. We know that your wedding day is an occasion to remember forever and we can take the stress out of the planning process for you. 

Our range of suits and accessories offers you the variety you need to create a bespoke look for your wedding, and we offer on-site measuring and adjustment services. We have an excellent choice of suits for the groom, the Father of the Bride and the rest of the bridal party, as well as for wedding guests. 

Visit us at our showroom in Ballycureen to find the perfect suit for every occasion, including two-piece suits, three piece suits and tuxedos. You’ll find our full collection in store or explore our website to find wedding suits and accessories in Ireland.