Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life, and when you line up with your groomsmen, all eyes should naturally fall on you. But here’s something that often catches grooms off guard: if everyone is wearing near-identical suits, the photos can end up looking more like a corporate team shot than a celebration of you and your partner.

The good news? Making yourself stand out from your groomsmen doesn’t mean going over the top. A few considered choices – a different suit, a distinctive accessory, a bolder tie — can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple, stylish ways to ensure the groom always steals the show.

Why Does the Groom Need to Stand Out?

On your wedding day, your guests and your photographer need to be able to identify you at a glance. When the whole wedding party wears matching suits from top to toe, it creates a uniform look that can make the groom difficult to pick out in group shots. Beyond photography, it’s also simply a lovely tradition: the groom should look and feel like the centrepiece of the day.

The aim isn’t to clash with your groomsmen, it’s to complement them while clearly being a step above. Think of it like a smart team kit: cohesive, but with a captain’s armband.

1. Choose a Different Suit Colour or Shade

One of the easiest and most effective ways to differentiate yourself is to wear a different colour suit entirely, or a noticeably different shade of the same colour family.

Go Darker or Lighter

If your groomsmen are in mid-grey, consider a charcoal or a rich navy for yourself. If they’re in navy, you could opt for a midnight blue or a classic black. Going a shade or two darker immediately draws the eye to you in group photos.

Try a Different Suit Entirely

Some grooms go for a contrasting look with groomsmen in grey lounge suits while the groom wears a traditional morning suit or a sharp black tuxedo. This works particularly well for formal weddings and creates a beautifully clear visual distinction.

Consider a Three-Piece

If your groomsmen are in two-piece suits, wearing a three-piece (with a matching waistcoat) instantly elevates your look. It adds structure and a sense of occasion without straying too far from the overall aesthetic.

2. Use Accessories to Make Your Mark

Accessories are where a lot of grooms find their favourite way to stand out, because the changes are subtle but instantly noticeable up close and in photos.

Ties and Cravats

If your groomsmen are wearing ties, consider a cravat or an Ascot for yourself. It’s a classic signal that you’re the groom, and it looks wonderfully distinguished. Alternatively, if they’re wearing the same coloured tie, switch yours for a complementary but different colour or pattern — a silk tie in a deeper tone, or a tasteful paisley against their plain silk.

Pocket Squares

A pocket square is one of the most underrated differentiators. Your groomsmen might have a simple flat fold, while yours could be a more elaborate fold in a contrasting fabric, a silk or linen pocket square in ivory or a colour that picks up your partner’s bouquet, for example.

Buttonholes

Traditionally, the groom’s buttonhole is different from his groomsmen’s. Groomsmen might have a single bloom or a small cluster, while the groom has a larger, more elaborate arrangement, often matching the bride’s bouquet. This is a beautiful, meaningful detail that photographs wonderfully.

Cufflinks

Personalised or statement cufflinks are a small but special touch. Groomsmen might wear classic silver cufflinks from your hire package, while you opt for something personalised, perhaps with your wedding date or initials. Nobody will know from a distance, but you will.

 

 

3. Don’t Overlook the Shoes

Shoes might seem like a minor detail, but in full-length shots, they can make a real difference. If your groomsmen are in black Oxfords, consider a tan or cognac leather shoe for yourself, especially for an outdoor or countryside wedding. The contrast is subtle but creates a lovely visual anchor that draws the eye downward in photos.

Alternatively, keep the same shoe colour but upgrade to a more formal style, a cap-toe Oxford versus a plain Derby, for example. Small differences read clearly on camera.

4. Consider Your Lapel Style

The cut and lapel of your jacket is another way to differentiate without breaking the overall look. A peak lapel on the groom’s jacket against notch lapels on your groomsmen’s suits creates a clear, elegant distinction. Peak lapels are more formal and have a slight grandeur to them, perfect for making the groom’s jacket feel a little more special.

Similarly, if your groomsmen are in single-breasted suits, a double-breasted jacket for the groom is a confident, stylish choice that sets you apart immediately.

 

5. Keep the Whole Party Looking Coordinated

The key to all of the above is ensuring that, while you stand out, the whole wedding party still looks like a cohesive group. A few principles that help:

• Stick to the same colour palette, just use different tones or shades
• Match accessories loosely; if you’re wearing a navy tie, your groomsmen could wear a lighter blue
• Brief your groomsmen on the look in advance so nobody ends up in an unexpected colour
• Take reference photos along when visiting your suit hire specialist — they’ll be able to advise on what reads well together

At Salters of Rugby, we help grooms and their wedding parties put together a cohesive look where the groom genuinely shines. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building around an existing colour theme, our team will guide you through every detail.

 

 

Ready to Look the Part on Your Wedding Day?

Getting your wedding suits sorted is one of the most enjoyable parts of the planning process — especially when you have the right team helping you. Whether you’re after a full wedding party package or simply want to find the perfect look for yourself, we’d love to help.

Book an appointment with Salters of Rugby and let’s start building your wedding day look together. Our experienced team will make sure you and every member of your party feel and look incredible.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the groom wear the same suit as the groomsmen? It’s entirely a matter of personal style, but many grooms choose to wear something slightly different — whether that’s a different colour, a three-piece versus a two-piece, or a distinctive accessory — to ensure they stand out in photographs and feel special on the day.

What is the easiest way for the groom to look different from groomsmen? Accessories are the simplest starting point. A different tie, a more elaborate buttonhole, or a distinctive pocket square can all create a clear visual difference without changing the overall aesthetic of the wedding party.

Can the groom wear a different colour suit to his groomsmen? Absolutely. A common approach is for groomsmen to wear a lighter shade — such as mid-grey — while the groom wears charcoal or navy. This creates a natural visual hierarchy without the party looking mismatched.

What tie should a groom wear if groomsmen are wearing ties? If your groomsmen are all wearing the same tie, consider switching yours to a cravat, a different colour, or a more luxurious fabric — such as silk — to mark yourself out as the groom.

How far in advance should a groom book his wedding suit hire? We recommend booking as early as possible — ideally six to twelve months before the wedding, particularly for popular dates in spring and summer. This gives you time to ensure the perfect fit and make any adjustments.

Does the groom’s buttonhole need to be different from the groomsmen’s? Traditionally, yes. The groom’s buttonhole is usually larger or more elaborate than the groomsmen’s, and is often chosen to complement the bride’s bouquet. It’s a lovely tradition that reads beautifully in photos.

What is the difference between a morning suit and a lounge suit for weddings? A morning suit — consisting of a tailcoat, waistcoat, and striped trousers — is the most formal option and is traditional for daytime weddings. A lounge suit is less formal and is widely worn at modern weddings. Your choice will often depend on the venue and overall formality of your day.

Can a groom wear a different shoe to his groomsmen? Yes, and it can be a great differentiator. A tan or cognac shoe for the groom while groomsmen wear black creates a subtle but noticeable distinction that reads well in full-length photographs.