The concept of a groom’s style guide is still pretty new. For years, the groom’s uniform seemed pretty straightforward. Pick a black tuxedo. Match the groomsmen. Add a white rose boutonniere, and call it a day.

Today? That’s changed completely. One of our favorite shifts in the wedding world is seeing just how much creativity grooms are bringing to their wedding-day style. More than ever before, they’re realizing that their outfit doesn’t have to be an afterthought. It can become another way to tell the story of who they are as a couple.

The best part about modern groom fashion isn’t that one style has become more popular than another. It’s that there really aren’t many rules anymore. Whether your style is polished and traditional or relaxed and outdoorsy, there are countless ways to create a look that feels intentional without feeling overdone. If you’re starting to think about what you’ll wear on your wedding day, here are a few ideas that we absolutely love.

1. Traditional, Modern, or Somewhere In Between

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that a groom has to choose between “classic” and “different.” In reality, there is plenty of room in the middle. A black tuxedo will always be timeless. There is a reason it has remained a wedding staple for generations. It photographs beautifully, feels elegant, and works almost anywhere, from a luxury ballroom to a candlelit dinner after an intimate ceremony.

At the same time, today’s weddings have become much more personal. Couples aren’t choosing outfits simply because they’re expected to. Instead, they’re choosing attire that fits the overall atmosphere of the day. Imagine a beach elopement at sunset. A lightweight tan linen suit feels effortless there. Now picture exchanging vows beneath towering pine trees. A forest green jacket or textured tweed suit suddenly feels right at home.

None of these choices are more “correct” than the others. The best wedding attire simply feels like it belongs where you’re getting married.

EZ Tip: When you’re choosing your outfit, think about your location as much as your venue. A suit that complements the scenery almost always photographs better than one that feels disconnected from it.

2. It’s the Little Details That Make the Biggest Difference

This is where things start to get really fun. The suit itself may be the foundation, but it’s often the smaller details that make people stop and take a second look.

As photographers, we love detail photos. Before anyone gets dressed, we’ll often spend time capturing watches, cufflinks, ties, shoes, cologne, vow books, and other meaningful items. Those images help tell the story of the day long before the ceremony even begins. Some of our favorite details have been completely unexpected.

We’ve photographed custom jacket linings featuring engagement photos hidden inside the coat. Heirloom watches worn by three generations of men in the same family. There have been vintage pocket watches, engraved tie clips, custom belt buckles, and boots that had clearly seen a lifetime of adventures before becoming part of a wedding day.

Here are a few ideas we love:

• Custom cufflinks, linings, socks or other details you can mark with the date or special imagery.
• Heirloom or Vintage pieces that hold a special meaning.
• Pieces that reflect your lifestyle or trade.
• Pocket squares with subtle texture or color
• Custom belt buckles
• A guitar pick, golf tee, hiking compass, shotgun shell, or fishing lure incorporated into your boutonniere

Those personal touches don’t have to be expensive. In fact, many of them aren’t. The wonderful thing about these details is that they’re uniquely yours. They don’t change the overall style of your outfit, but they give it personality.

EZ Tip: Ask your photographer to spend a few extra minutes capturing these details before you get dressed. They’re often some of the most meaningful images in your final gallery because they preserve the little things that made your wedding uniquely yours.

3. Don’t Forget About Fabric, Texture, and Color

When most people think about wedding suits, color is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Black or navy? Gray or tan?

However, color is only one part of the overall look. Fabric and texture can completely change the personality of an outfit, even if the color stays the same. While black and navy will always be classics, we’re seeing more couples embrace earth-inspired tones that feel connected to nature. Forest green, chocolate brown, camel, slate blue, and deep burgundy have become some of our favorite choices because they photograph beautifully outdoors without feeling trendy.

That’s especially true for intimate weddings and elopements, where the surrounding scenery becomes part of your overall design. Instead of standing apart from the landscape, your attire becomes part of it. And honestly, that’s one of the reasons these colors photograph so well.

EZ Tip: If your ceremony is outdoors, don’t be afraid to pull inspiration directly from your surroundings. A forest, desert, coastline, or mountain landscape can often inspire a color palette that’s even more beautiful than something found on Pinterest.

4. Groom Florals Have Come a Long Way

Not too long ago, there was really only one option for groom florals. A small boutonniere. Usually a white rose. Maybe a little greenery. Today, florals have become another way to personalize your wedding day, and there are more options than ever before.

Of course, the classic boutonniere isn’t going anywhere. It’s timeless for a reason. Whether it’s a single bloom or a small arrangement that ties into the bridal bouquet, a boutonniere is an easy way to add a polished finishing touch to your look. At the same time, many couples are choosing something a little different. Pocket florals have become one of our favorite trends over the past few years. Instead of pinning flowers to the lapel, your florist creates a small arrangement that sits naturally inside your jacket pocket. The result feels fuller, softer, and a bit more modern. Rather than looking like a separate accessory, the flowers become part of the jacket itself.

For couples who love a fashion-forward look, floral lapels have also become increasingly popular. Flowers can be designed to extend across part of the lapel or, in some cases, the entire lapel. It’s a bold statement that works beautifully for editorial-inspired weddings, luxury celebrations, or couples who simply want something a little unexpected.

And here’s something we tell our couples all the time: Not every groom needs flowers.Sometimes a textured pocket square, a meaningful pin, or even no floral accent at all creates the clean, sophisticated look you’re after. There isn’t a right or wrong choice here. It all comes down to the overall style of your wedding and how you want the two of you to look together.

5. The Finishing Touches Pull Everything Together

Once you’ve chosen your suit, it’s time to think about the accessories that complete the outfit. This is where you can have a little fun. Neckties and bow ties each create a different feel. A classic silk tie is timeless and versatile, while a bow tie adds a touch of personality and works especially well for formal celebrations. For more relaxed weddings, many grooms are even skipping the tie altogether and leaving the top button open for a laid-back, effortless look.

Shoes can completely change the personality of your outfit, too. Traditional leather dress shoes will always be a great choice, but they’re certainly not your only option anymore. We’ve photographed polished cowboy boots in Texas, leather hiking boots for mountain elopements, loafers for coastal weddings, and even couples who kicked off their shoes entirely for a barefoot ceremony on the beach.

The same goes for hats. A felt hat can look incredible during a western-inspired celebration. A wide-brim hat may fit beautifully into a boho wedding, while a classic fedora can add a vintage touch if it complements the overall style.

The key is making sure your accessories feel intentional rather than random. Each piece should contribute to the overall look instead of competing for attention. Think of your outfit the same way you think about decorating a room. Every detail doesn’t have to be the focal point. Instead, each element should work together to create one cohesive design.

6. You Don’t Have to Match. You Just Have to Belong Together.

One question we hear quite a bit is whether the groom should match the bride. Our answer? Not exactly.

Your wedding attire shouldn’t feel like uniforms. Instead, think about creating a look that feels cohesive.

For example, if the bridal bouquet is filled with warm earth tones, the groom doesn’t necessarily need to wear those exact colors. A rich brown suit, forest green jacket, or textured pocket square may complement the bouquet much more naturally than trying to match it flower for flower.

The same idea applies to patterns, fabrics, and accessories. If one of you is dressed very formally while the other is dressed casually, the photos may feel a little disconnected. On the other hand, when both outfits share a similar level of formality, texture, and color palette, everything comes together effortlessly.

That’s one of the reasons we love planning intimate weddings. Every detail has a chance to work together. Your flowers, attire, location, and décor all become part of the same story.

EZ Tip: Bring inspiration photos for both outfits to your florist and photographer. Seeing everything together often helps create a more cohesive design than making each decision separately.

7. Dress for the Experience, Not Just the Ceremony

One thing we always encourage our couples to think about is everything that happens after the ceremony.

If you’re planning an adventure elopement, you’ll probably be walking more than you expect. Maybe you’re hiking to an overlook, climbing over rocks along the shoreline, or wandering through a quiet forest trail. The goal is to feel comfortable enough that you’re not thinking about your clothes all day.

We’ve seen couples laugh around campfires, pop champagne on mountain summits, dance barefoot on the beach, and explore city streets long after the ceremony ended. Those are often the moments that become their favorite memories.

Your attire should allow you to fully enjoy those experiences, not limit them.

There Are More Options Than Ever Before

Perhaps the biggest trend in groom fashion isn’t a particular suit color or accessory. It’s the freedom to make choices that feel intentional.

Some grooms will always love a timeless black tuxedo with a classic boutonniere. Others may choose boots, a velvet dinner jacket, pocket florals, or a custom jacket lining that no one sees until the reception. Every one of those choices can be the right one. After photographing more than 1,250 weddings, we’ve learned that the most memorable wedding style isn’t about following trends. It’s about creating a look that fits the experience you’ve planned and feels authentic to both of you.

When your attire reflects the atmosphere of your wedding, everything feels more natural. Your photos feel more cohesive. Your details tell a story. Most importantly, you look back at your wedding day years from now and still feel like you’re looking at yourselves, not a version of yourselves that was dressed for someone else’s expectations. At the end of the day, that’s what great wedding style is all about.

At EZ Elopements, we’re here to help you find the right choice for your wedding, and create a look you feel confident in. For more ideas and inspiration, head to our Website to read more of our blogs. You can also explore our Galleries or check out our Pinterest page to see elopements in action! Contact us today to get started.