Modern Groom Fashion | The Modern Groom's Style Guide

Style for the Modern Groom

You saw the fun shoot we did (hubs included!) to announce our partnership with The Black Tux last month, right? We’re super excited to make 100LC more groom-friendly and what better way than with a modern groom’s style guide? The Black Tux created this handy resource for your perusal and the best part is that it can be shared in real life via their new hardcover book, The Groom’s Guide. (Engagement gift alert!) To celebrate, we’re taking a peek at the different styles your groom can rock for the wedding. Here’s to making groom’s fashion a little less intimidating and a lot more exciting!

Wondering why they chose to write a book? The crew at The Black Tux gets to know *a lot* of REAL grooms through their service. So they’re no stranger to the fact that guys are just as involved as their brides. This day is just as life changing for them, too! And the nerves and excitement? All there too. They realized that the core of their business wasn’t just about groom’s style, but helping guys show up as their best selves on their day. Enter a guidebook full of tips, advice, style inspiration (of course), as well as a lot of info about all that goes into a wedding in a way they’ve never had before.

It’s important that the bride + groom’s looks both follow the same dress code, as it sets the tone for your whole event. If you’re wearing an elegant, formal wedding dress, you might want your groom to consider a Black Tie ensemble.

Black Tie is of course the most classic of all formal dress codes. It’s clean, crisp, and perfect for modern and classic grooms alike. This pairs well with any elegant or romantic wedding gown, but its subtle nature also allows for a statement dress like the backless, gold shoulder Mark Zunino gown in this wedding at Big Daddy’s Antiques or Kelly of Studio DIY’s light, airy Chaviano Couture dress.

PS: Once you’ve scrolled through our style guide, grab your chance to win a copy of The Groom’s Guide over on The Black Tux’s Instagram! Details at the end of this post.

Black Tie Optional gives the wedding a more laidback vibe, without being super casual. If the groom is opting for something a little more relaxed like the gray suit + tie in this Modern Brooklyn wedding, it also sets the tone for wedding guests to arrive in something a bit more casual too. Overall, it’s still about being sleek and polished… If you want to get more adventurous with your color palette and style options, you’ll probably prefer the look below:

Let’s be clear: Creative Black Tie is still black tie. It’s not about going *too crazy* with mismatched pieces, but adding a creative element to an otherwise formal look.

The groom from our gold Grecian wedding totally pulls it off, in our opinions. Especially since it pairs well with the bride’s romantic gown with the lace overlay. It’s formal, but not too serious.

Onto Cocktail Attire, aka business casual. You’ve still got the suit, but no tuxedo. Groom’s can dress it down with brown shoes or a different colored shirt if desired.

Of course, it’s still gotta go with that bridal gown. We’ve seen a lot of lovely BHLDN brides like in this Lombardi house wedding up at the altar next to a groom in cocktail attire. There are so many ways to make this work!

Can’t forget the casual modern grooms! Beach weddings, destination weddings, this Post Ranch Inn elopement, there are so many reasons a groom might want to opt for casual suiting. Dress shirts and pants or chinos are fair game for this look. Just another reminder that a groom should go with whatever he feels best in.