Groom Style #19: Tux Alternatives

My friends at Evolution of Style are true masters at making amazing tux alternatives for the groom and his wedding attendants. Paired with custom dress shirts from 9tailors and ties from their new accessories collection the look can still be sophisticated, stylish and, most importantly, affordable. Plus, it's way better than renting a tuxedo that's been worn by many, many, many times. Face it ladies (and gents), it's time to take better care of our grooms! After all, they deserve to look distinct and fabulous on their special day too.

All photos below were taken by the most talented photography team, David & Jo, from Allegro Photography.

Color me pretty

Shirts from 9tailors.com via Christian Schlubach

If you're wearing ivory, should your groom wear a white or ivory shirt? Check out my answer on the most amazing wedding site: Style Me Pretty. Yes. We're big fans too.

Groom Style #15: The Way We Were

Inspiration? Melissa Sweet Embroidered Gown

Dress: Melissa Sweet; Tuxedo: Hugo Boss; Ring: About Time; Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo; Cuff links: Tiffany; Watch: Victorinox Swiss Army; Bag: Dolce & Gabbana; Shaving Brush & Cream: Art of Shaving

Over the weekend, I watched The Way We Were for the first time. To be honest, I thought the movie was a bit on a dull side (I know. Don't hate me). But, I couldn't take my eyes off of the very, hunky Robert Redford, who plays Hubbell Gardner, an all-American athlete. His look was clean-cut, simple and classic. Again, as fate would have it, I received an e-mail from Michele, a beautiful bride from New York, asking me to help style her athletic, all-American groom, Greg.

Michele's very lovely gown is from Melissa Sweet with delicate bead work and embroidery. She needs her groom to have an equally classic look with delicate and simple details to match. Keep the lines simple - this particular tuxedo jacket has one button and a shawl lapel. Keep the accessories minimal - a bow tie, watch and silver cuff links are all you need. The Victorninox Swiss Army watch is rugged and tough, transitioning easily from the athletic field to the reception. The silver cuff links from Tiffany are a beautiful, yet simple way to style your shirt. Your groom can achieve a clean shaven look by using The Art of Shaving shaving brush and cream. Finally, don't forget your weekender bag for a quick pre-honeymoon trip to a bed & breakfast upstate.

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Or, let us know if you need help styling your groom. E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com

Groom Style #13: Something Blue

Bought a pair of fabulous blue shoes? Get accessories to match!

Inspiration? Christian Louboutin's Blue Patent Ankle Strap Sandals

Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Men's Shoes: Grenson; Tie: Zegna; Cuff Links: Ernest Jones; Watch: Rolex

Something blue featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

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Need help styling your groom. E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com

Groom Style #11: Mad Men

I've been watching episodes of Mad Men lately. However, I find myself wavering over my feelings towards Mr. Don Draper, the main character. In every episode, I have sudden urges to throw trash at the TV (when I hate him) or throw myself at the TV (when I love him). Regardless of his mysterious past, shady interactions with other women aside from his wife, Don Draper always looks dapper in his well-cut suits and slicked back hair. Anyway, I've got retro perpetually on my mind. So, it was very serendipitous when I received an e-mail from Sara, a beautiful bride from Chicago. She'll be wearing her grandmother's gown to her wedding. Love it.

Taking cues from Mad Men's classic tailoring and Sara's extraordinary gown, I decided on a three-piece, two-button pin stripe suit. Keep the suit slim to keep it modern. Sara also mentioned that she was particularly drawn to the bold, graphics of marimekko fabrics. So, a single, red poppy boutonniere would be a perfect, yet subtle nod to this designer. Also, the floral design on the cuff links also add a nice touch to the outfit. My favorite piece is probably the vintage Rolex. It's timeless, unfussy design make this a worthwhile investment.

Inspiration? Grandmother's Vintage Gown

Dress: Vintage; Suit: Roderick Charles; Vest: Dog Funk; Shirt: Jil Sander; Tie: Kaiser Enterprises; Shoes: Paul Stuart; Cuff Links: Loma Collection; Watch: Rolex

Mad Men on Polyvore.com

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Or, e-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com if you need help styling your groom.

Groom Style #9 and #10: Retro Action

Today's groom's style questions come from bride, Andrea. At first, she purchased a cocktail dress by Melissa Sweet for the wedding. Then, her groom felt so strongly that she wear a long gown that Andrea decided to buy a second dress from Maggie Sotero! Because both dresses are totally different, Andrea's having a hard time figuring out what her groom should wear!

Since it's fairly common for the bride to change twice during the wedding, there's absolutely no reason that a guy can't change either! In fact, I attended a wedding where the groom changed from his black tuxedo to a full-on traditional Chinese ensemble (silk slippers and all!).

I also took cues from her wedding ideas. Funky and retro. They love motorcycles, planes, Battlestar Galactica, etc. to create the following looks for her.

Inspiration? A lace sweetheart gown, Krisha Marie by Maggie Sotero

The first look is more formal and classic. But, instead of getting the tuxedo at just another rental-store, I decided to pair the look with a 1970s vintage tuxedo with a new cutaway dress shirt. To toughen up the otherwise very polite look, I added a skull & crossbones bow tie, a pair of silver bar-bell cuff links, and a pair of ultra sophisticated oxford shoes with a tan and silver buckle.

Dress: Maggie Soterro; Tuxedo Jacket: Vintage; Tuxedo Pants: Lincole Square; Dress Shirt: Moss; Shoes: Dries Van Noten; Bow Tie: J. Press; Cumberband: Thomas Nash; Cuff links: Harry Winston

Crossbones wedding - on Polyvore.com

Inspiration? Cocktail dress by Melissa Sweet

Andrea's second dress..um, so pretty! I'm really hoping that she'll wear a feather in her hair like the model below. After a quick change, Andrea's groom can transform his look - part modern, part retro, part biker. I chose a black and white checked tuxedo jacket with a black trim. The pants and shirt are still the same, but I would drop the bow tie. Since Andrea's groom likes motorcycles, I thought that he would feel comfortable in a pair of biker boots, a studded belt, skull & crossbones cuff links.

Dress: Melissa Sweet; Tuxedo Jacket: DSquared; Cuff Links: Cufflinks.com; Boots: Bike Boots; Belt: Vans; Ring: Joolia

Biker Wedding - on Polyvore.com

Like this look? Leave a comment!

Also, if you need help with your groom's outfit, e-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com.

Grooms Style #5: Bali Hai

My brother and his lovely fiance, Joan, are getting married in Bali. Jealous? Um, yes. It can seem like a daunting task to get married on a beach (e.g., the heat, the sand, the humidity). However, I created a very carefree groom's look that complements an equally breezy wedding dress by J. Crew. Lightweight suits in linen are a great way to beat the heat (no one likes underarm stains) and stay stylish. I also like a good ol' pocket square as an alternative to some kind of orchid boutonniere (talk about predictable). Since I know my mom would have a fit if she saw my brother in flip flops at the wedding, I completed the look with a pair of white, lace-up sneakers.

Inspiration? Tulle Dress by J. Crew

Tulle dress: JCrew via Brides.com; Linen/silk suit/pants: Jaeger; Linen shirt: James Pearse; Sunglasses: Ray Ban; Sneakers: Lanvin; Stainless steel ring: J. Leigh Jewelry

Bali Hai - on Polyvore.com

Grooms Style #4: White at Night

I received an e-mail from Abbey yesterday. She sent us an image of a Jenny Packham wedding gown. The use of crystals, beads, silk and metallic hues make Jenny Packham's dresses ultra luxurious. Think old Hollywood style. For the groom, I chose a white dinner jacket and contrasting black tuxedo pants - very Humphrey Bogart. But, I updated the look with a modern black zirconia ceramic ring by JGD and well-fitting, non-bunching black undergarments!

Inspiration? Crystal encrustred dress by Jenny Packham

Dress: Jenny Packham; White Dinner Jacket: JosABank via blacktieguide.com; Boxers: Paul Smith; Tuxedo Studs: amazon.com; Black Dress Shoe: Olrick; Ring: John Greed Design.

White at night - on Polyvore.com

Grooms Style #2: Urban ethereal

A non-traditional wedding dress calls for a non-traditional suit. Guys will need to keep their look simple, clean and unfussy.

Inspiration? Vicente Villarin Chiffon dress.

dress: Vincent Villarin; Suit: John Lawrence Sullivan Ring: Mondera; Shoes: Ted Baker;Shirt: Zegna; Sunglasses: Mykita Rolf

Urban ethereal - on Polyvore.com