Ten small items. That is the minimum a groom needs in hand on the morning of the wedding, besides the suit itself. Miss one, usually the boutonniere or the cufflinks, and the whole groomsmen party is sent running while the wedding car waits at the door. This article is a complete checklist of groom suit accessories, with advice on matching them to the wedding concept and to each type of formal suit.
Quick answer
Groom suit accessories include: a tie or bow tie, a pocket square, cufflinks, a lapel boutonniere, suspenders or a belt, socks, shoes, a watch, a tie bar or collar pin, and a waistcoat or cummerbund. Choose by concept, keep colours in the same family but vary the patterns, so each piece has its own place without repeating another.
Checklist of 10 groom suit accessories
1. Tie or bow tie
A suit usually takes a tie; a tuxedo takes a bow tie, normally black or matched to the concept. For a groom's tie, choose silk or a silk blend, a moderate width that matches the lapel, and a neat knot. Colour follows the concept: bordeaux and navy for a classic reception, moss green or brown for an outdoor party, silver and ivory for a modern one. Ties that flatter a groom are usually plain or finely patterned; avoid large motifs that are hard to photograph.
2. Pocket square
The chest pocket square is where the groom shows personality. A flat square fold (the presidential) suits ceremonial occasions; a lightly puffed fold suits a daytime party. The square should be in the same tone and should not repeat the tie's pattern exactly. White is always safe; a colour that coordinates with the bride's bouquet is a refined touch.
3. Cufflinks
Cufflinks only work with a shirt that has manchette-style cuffs, meaning a double (folded) cuff or sleeves with ready-made buttonholes. Confirm this with whoever is making your shirt first. Choose a metal in the same tone as your watch and pins: silver, rose gold or black onyx. Mon Amie has many cufflink designs for tuxedos and suits in the products section.
4. Lapel flower (boutonniere)
The groom's boutonniere is worn through the buttonhole on the left lapel, with the stem threaded through the hole and held by a pin or magnet behind the lapel. The groom's flower should be the same type as the bride's bouquet and slightly larger than the groomsmen's so he is easy to spot. Order fresh flowers for the morning of the wedding and wrap them in a damp cloth to keep them fresh. A silk flower is a durable choice that does not wilt and photographs well if the wedding is outdoors in hot sun.
5. Suspenders or belt
A regular suit: a plain, slim leather belt in the same colour as the shoes. A tuxedo: no belt, but suspenders or side adjusters at the hips so the line of the trousers runs unbroken into the jacket. A moderately high waist with suspenders lets the trousers hang straight and keeps them from sliding down when you raise your arms for photos.
6. Socks
Socks should be long enough that no skin shows at the ankle when you sit or walk. Match the tone of the trousers or go slightly darker. A groom in a light suit may choose socks in the shoe colour or a discreet accent colour. Avoid white socks, flashy patterns and sports socks.
7. Shoes
Shoes are the accessory most often forgotten and yet the most visible in photos. Choose the colour to suit the suit and the style to suit the level of formality; details are in the article what shoes to wear with a wedding suit.
8. Watch
A watch with a neat round face and a leather or slim metal strap. For a tuxedo, a thin watch with a white or black face and simple hands. Avoid sports watches or rubber straps, even when the watch is expensive.
9. Tie bar or collar pin
A tie bar clips between the tie and the shirt, roughly halfway down, no wider than the tie, and is only used when the jacket is buttoned or there is a waistcoat. A collar pin goes with a purpose-made shirt collar. Both keep the tie sitting neatly when the groom moves around a lot.
10. Waistcoat or cummerbund
The waistcoat is the third layer that lifts a suit to a formal level, usually made in the same cloth as the suit. The cummerbund (a waist sash) goes with a tuxedo, with the pleats turned upward. If the suit already has a waistcoat, the tie bar should sit hidden inside it so that it does not show.
Summary table: which items for a suit, which for a tuxedo
| Item | Regular suit | Tuxedo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tie | Yes | No | Silk, medium width |
| Bow tie | Optional | Yes (black) | Suits a classic concept |
| Pocket square | Yes | Yes (white) | Flat fold for ceremonial occasions |
| Cufflinks | Optional | Yes | Needs a suitable shirt cuff |
| Boutonniere | Yes | Yes | Same flower as the bride's |
| Belt | Yes | No | Suspenders instead of a belt |
| Shoes | Oxford or loafer | Polished black | See the shoes article |
| Waistcoat or cummerbund | Optional | Waistcoat or cummerbund | Only one of the two |
Matching accessories to the wedding concept
| Concept | Suggested suit colour | Matching accessories |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Black, navy, charcoal | Plain silk tie or bow tie, white pocket square, silver cufflinks |
| Modern | Mid-grey, beige, bright navy | Small-weave tie, green-leaf boutonniere, suspenders in the tone of the trousers |
| Classic with a vintage touch | Brown, grey check, three-piece | Small bow tie, leather-strap watch, collar pin |
| Outdoor wedding | Beige, cream, light blue | Silk boutonniere, light brown shoes, thin wool tie |
Settle the suit colour first and choose accessories afterwards; for a starting point, see the article what colour suit should the groom wear.
Accessories for the groomsmen
A simple rule: the whole party is coordinated in colour and style, and the groom stands out through a few details. Ways to create a subtle difference:
- The groom has a larger boutonniere; the groomsmen's are smaller and simpler.
- The groom's pocket square has a light pattern; the groomsmen's are plain.
- The groom adds a waistcoat or a tie in a slightly different material.
- The groomsmen's tie or bow tie is in the same colour family as the groom's, but not identical.
Mon Amie's Groom Styling service offers a bespoke groom suit together with coordinated accessories: ties, bow ties, pocket squares and cufflinks matched to the wedding concept, plus a plan for the groomsmen.
Accessory preparation schedule
- When choosing fabric: settle the concept and the accessory colour palette.
- 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding: buy shoes, cufflinks and a watch if you do not have them yet.
- Final fitting: bring all the real accessories so the tailor can adjust the collar, sleeves and trouser hem to match.
- The night before the wedding: pack everything into one bag and check it against the checklist.
- Wedding morning: collect the fresh boutonniere, and press the pocket square and tie again if needed.
How to count backwards from the wedding date is covered in the article made-to-measure wedding suit: the fitting schedule.
Common mistakes
- Over-matching (“matchy”): a pocket square and tie in the same pattern make the outfit look like a uniform.
- A belt with a tuxedo. A tuxedo needs suspenders or side adjusters.
- A boutonniere that is too large, hiding the lapel and getting in the way during hugs.
- Cufflinks with an ordinary shirt cuff, which cannot be fastened.
- Forgetting to confirm socks, shoes and watch before the final fitting.
Frequently asked questions
What are the bare minimum wedding suit accessories?
At minimum you need a tie or bow tie, a pocket square, a boutonniere, and shoes and socks in the right colours. Cufflinks, a tie bar, a watch and a waistcoat are upgrades, depending on how formal the occasion is.
Which side does the groom's boutonniere go on?
On the left of the chest, through the hole in the left lapel. The stem is threaded from front to back through the hole, and a pin or magnet holds it from behind so that it does not pierce the cloth.
What colour tie suits the groom?
It depends on the suit colour and the concept: a navy suit suits bordeaux, bronze-gold or silver-grey; a grey suit suits navy, dusty pink or moss green; a black suit suits silver, ivory or bordeaux. A matte silk photographs better than a glossy one.
What keeps the groom's pins and flower secure?
Use a pin or magnet behind the lapel for the boutonniere; use a secure clasp for the collar pin or tie bar. Check again before leaving the house, because the groom hugs and shakes hands a lot during the day.
In closing
Accessories are not an afterthought: they decide whether the wedding suit looks cared for or rushed. If you want to settle the suit, the groom suit accessories and the groomsmen on one coordinated schedule, book a fitting at a Mon Amie showroom so that a stylist can advise you according to your wedding concept.