One of the biggest decisions any man may face for their upcoming nuptials is what colour suit to wear on the big day. Whether you are the groom or a bride looking to assist your fiance in their decision, here are 5 essential considerations to make the process easier.

1. Traditional or modern?

The first thing to consider is whether you are going traditional or modern style – or, something in between for that matter! Traditionally, English men would wear a morning suit (in other words, a coat and tails) and Scottish men might opt for a kilt. Otherwise, you might go for a two- or three-piece suit.

Both morning suits and kilts will have their own designated colour that should be followed. However, if you are going to wear a simple suit you have much more choice when it comes to the suit colour.

2. What time of year are you getting married?

The season in which you will be getting married will likely inform the colour of your suit. For example, darker colours are usually better suited to the cold winter months, whereas lighter colours might work better for summer weddings. That said, greens in spring and browns and oranges in autumn are also modern choices.

In addition, you will also want to consider the weather. As darker colours absorb the heat, they can keep you warm in the cooler months but you might overheat in a dark suit come summertime.

3. What is the colour scheme of the wedding?

The colour of the suit should complement the overall colour scheme of the wedding, tying into your bride’s bouquet, floral decorations, table dressings, and your buttonhole.

That said, there are two ways you can go with this. Either your suit will be a neutral colour that complements the pop of colour – or, for a more modern twist, the blazer, waistcoat, or the entire suit will be the same colour as the colour scheme.

This largely depends on your answer to the next question —

4. What shirt and tie will you be wearing?

As mentioned before, your overall outfit should tie into the colour scheme of the wedding. As there are a variety of shirts for men to choose from, along with numerous ties too, your choice in shirt and tie will inform the colour of your suit.

For example, if you are opting for a classic white shirt, pairing this with a neutral tie will allow you to push the boat out with a more vibrant suit colour. However, if you are looking to go for a bright shirt or patterned tie, a neutral-coloured suit might be a better choice.

5. Do you want your groomsmen to match?

And last, but by no means least, ask yourself whether you want the groomsmen to match you exactly, or whether you want them to wear suits that match one another but simply complement your own.

If you are getting married on a budget, black will be the most sensible choice, as (almost) everyone owns a plain black suit – and black suits are more likely to match one another than the various shades of navy or grey that are out there.