When should I steam or press my wedding outfit?

The night before is ideal. Steam or press your jacket, pants, shirt (especially collar and cuffs), and any vest to avoid wrinkles in photos and reduce day-of stress.

Do I need to do a full try-on before the big day?

Yes—do a head-to-toe try-on at least a week in advance with your suit or tux, shirt, tie or bow tie, belt or suspenders, socks, and shoes. This is the easiest way to catch fit issues or missing items early.

What are the rules for buttoning a suit jacket?

When standing, button the top button (or the only button). When sitting, unbutton your jacket. If your jacket has multiple buttons, do not button the bottom button.

Do my shoes really matter in wedding photos?

They do. Shoes show in walking shots and detail photos. Polish leather, brush suede, and make sure any casual footwear is clean and photo-ready.

Who should help with last-minute details while I’m getting ready?

Assign a detail-focused person (often your best man) to check threads, tags, tie alignment, boutonniere placement, and lint. It keeps you calm and ensures you look polished.

Wedding Day Tips for Grooms: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I really need to cut the threads on my suit jacket?

Yes. Many jackets arrive with temporary stitching (often the back vent and sometimes pockets) to hold shape during shipping. Carefully cut and remove those stitches before the wedding so the jacket moves correctly and photographs well.

Q: Should I remove the brand tag from my jacket sleeve?

Yes. The designer label stitched onto the sleeve is meant for display, not wearing. Removing it creates a cleaner, more tailored look.

Q: What should I eat or drink on my wedding day?

Eat something light and hydrate. Weddings move fast, and steady energy helps you feel present during the ceremony, photos, and reception.

Q: What should be in a groom’s emergency kit?

Bring breath mints, deodorant, tissues, bandages, a lint roller, a small cloth, and small scissors for any jacket stitching. A simple kit prevents avoidable distractions.

Feb 2
3 min read

Your wedding day comes with a lot of moving parts, and while much of the attention is on the bride, grooms have a few important details of their own to get right. These frequently asked questions cover the most common (and most overlooked) wedding day tips to help you look sharp, feel confident, and avoid last-minute surprises.

Tips for the Groom on wedding day — A Bride & Groom kissing on their wedding day

Do I really need to cut the threads on my suit jacket?

Yes, absolutely.

Most new suit jackets and tuxedos arrive with temporary stitching meant only for shipping and display. This often includes:

The back vent sewn shut
Pockets stitched closed
Small X-shaped stitches near pockets or vents

These threads must be removed before the wedding. Leaving them in restricts movement and is very noticeable in photos. Have scissors on hand while getting dressed and ask someone to double-check before you head out.

Should I remove the brand tag from my jacket sleeve?

Yes.

That label sewn onto the jacket sleeve is not meant to be worn. It’s a common oversight and an easy fix. Removing it gives your jacket a clean, tailored look.

When should I press or steam my wedding outfit?

The night before the wedding is best.

Press or steam:

Jacket and pants
Shirt (especially collar and cuffs)
Vest or waistcoat
Tie or bow tie

Doing this ahead of time avoids morning stress and ensures everything photographs well.

Do I need to try everything on before the wedding day?

Yes, always do a full try-on.

At least one week before the wedding, try on:

Suit or tux
Shirt
Shoes
Tie or bow tie
Belt or suspenders
Socks

This gives you time to fix fit issues, break in shoes, or replace anything missing.

What’s the proper way to button my suit jacket?

Follow these simple rules:

Standing: Button the top (or only) button
Sitting: Unbutton your jacket
Never button the bottom button on a multi-button jacket

These guidelines keep your suit draping properly and looking sharp in photos.

Should I polish my shoes for the wedding?

Yes, your shoes will be photographed.

Polish leather shoes, clean suede carefully, and make sure any casual footwear is spotless. A quick wipe before photos can make a big difference.

Who should help with last-minute details?

Designate someone, usually your best man, as the detail checker.

They can:

Make sure threads and tags are removed
Straighten your tie or bow tie
Check boutonniere placement
Hand you tissues or mints

This allows you to focus on the moment, not the mirror.

What should I eat or drink on my wedding day?

Eat something light and stay hydrated.

Skipping food can leave you feeling tired or lightheaded during the ceremony and photos. A simple meal and water go a long way.

What should be in a groom’s emergency kit?

Keep a small kit nearby with:

Breath mints
Deodorant
Tissues
Band-Aids
Oil-blotting sheets or a clean handkerchief
Small scissors (for jacket threads)

Prepared grooms stay relaxed.

What’s the most overlooked wedding day tip for grooms?

Cut the stitches and check them twice.

It’s one of the most common mistakes and one of the easiest to avoid. A well-prepared groom looks confident, comfortable, and timeless in photos.

A Final Word from J. Major’s Bridal Boutique

At J. Major’s Bridal Boutique, we’ve been helping couples prepare for their wedding day since 1984, and we know it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference. While our heart is always with our brides, we believe a confident, well-prepared groom completes the picture beautifully.

Whether you’re walking down the aisle in Charlotte or celebrating somewhere far beyond, our team is honored to be part of the journey that brings everything together on your wedding day.