Jeanne Foley and Diana Ganz, co-founders of The Groomsman Suit, popped by the blog to share insight and tips for looking your best on your wedding day in something that suits you. All photos courtesy of The Groomsman Suit

When should a couple start looking for their formalwear?

We typically recommend a couple start looking into formalwear for their group 6 months in advance of the wedding date but there are a few variables to consider.

If a couple already knows the theme and style they want for suiting, ordering from us is fast and easy. Our online group coordination tool allows couples to set up a group and select a look within minutes and launch customized emails to their group with links to order. We take care of managing the group from there!

We ship within 24 to 48 hours from orders being paced and ship any needed exchanges before we get the original items back. While we are fantastic with last minute planning, we do typically recommend ordering at least 4 weeks prior to the event.

If a couple is unsure of the overall styling/look, they may want to start looking into options sooner. We offer free fabric swatches and a free home try-on for couples that want to compare options and see colors in person before setting up a group.

The great part is, we offer the flexibility of planning as early as the couple would like and can typically offer last minute services like overnight shipping for those wedding emergencies.

How are you different from other suit providers?

Our biggest difference is that we are not a rental when most affordable suiting options for weddings are. For under $200 you and your wedding group can each own a brand new, great fitting suit that you can actually keep and wear again.

Price aside, our suits are direct from the manufacturer, so we have cut out a lot of the “middleman” mark-up that traditional suiting retailers have. This allows us to provide a high-quality suit, at a fraction of the price.

We also offer one of the largest size ranges of any suiting brand and sell our suits as separates to allow our customers to select the options that fit their style and body type. This limits the amount of alterations that are required to get a like-custom fit.

We recognized early on that not every person is a groomsman, so we launched our women’s collection to make sure anyone wanting to get suited up for a special event, could find the perfect fit with us.  Our reviews speak for themselves as we offer award winning customer service and tools that make getting suited up for weddings fun and easy.

How will I know what size to get and if the suit fits correctly?

We have an amazing online fit finder that anyone can use to get a size recommendation without needing to take a single measurement. We work with the world’s leader in body scan/data technology to be able to predict what suit size a customer is, with over 80% accuracy!  Of course, if any items received do not fit as expected, we offer free and fast exchanges until we nail it.  If you just have no idea if your suit fit is the best it can be, check out this helpful blog post to learn what to consider when trying on your suit.

We also have 3 showroom locations; Chicago, Denver & Philadelphia. For anyone near a showroom location, we offer free fitting and styling appointments. If you do not live in one of those locations and want a little more personalized fitting advice, we offer virtual appointments with our stylists and can talk through fit and any other questions a customer might have.

What wedding trend are you currently obsessing over?

We are loving the shift from neutrals to bold colors, patterns and textures. So far this is a trend that the bride or groom are embracing, while keeping their wedding party attire more classic. We love when the couple finds a way to make sure their suiting look stands out and feels special. Couples can do this through the use of adding a vest, a different tie or bowtie or simple accessories like novelty cufflinks (check these out) or an artistically folded pocket square.

Do you offer tailoring? How long does it take?

Because we offer such a vast size range, the only alteration that should be needed is a simple pant hem. We do not currently offer alterations/tailoring but will happily assist in finding a referral near you. Typically, a pant hem can be done same day at most dry cleaners but it’s always safe to plan for 24-48 hours so that you don’t have to pay a rush fee. The pant hem is important to create the really tailored look and it can also be a style preference depending on the look you are going for. We provide a great hang tag on all of our pants to show the recommended visual and share with the tailor when getting them hemmed to take the guess work out of it. We always recommend a clean hem with “no break” to achieve that wedding ready finish.

What advice would you give a recently engaged couple?

Try to have fun with the planning and don’t stress! We love when couples find us because we know we are going to be able to take some of the stress of planning a wedding off of their plate. Once a group registers with us, the couple can count on us to make sure everyone will show up looking sharp in the curated look that they have selected for their big day. We know how much effort it takes to plan a wedding and want to make sure that every couple we work with knows they can rely on us for a stress-free suiting up experience!

Any tips for the day-of to make sure the suits look sharp in photos?

The pant hem is #1, if pants are hemmed too short or too long, it’s very noticeable, so we always recommend making sure you take the time to visit a tailor near you to get the perfect hem before the big day. Put your phone in your jacket pocket, not your pants or better yet, have a friend or family member hang onto it for you while you get pictures taken.

Remember to leave the bottom button of the jacket open, only button the top!  It’s a funny tradition dating back to King Edward VI. Long story short, he liked to eat (a lot) and eventually could not button the bottom button of his waistcoat. Out of respect, and solidarity, the rest of the British court and later all of England followed suit and made it a fashion tradition that we still follow today!  Regardless, when only one button is buttoned it prevents bunching and can help the jacket drape smoothly and look crisp in pics.

Boutonniere placement is also a key element to getting the perfect wedding pics. It’s also one of the most common mistakes that are made, and we get it, after all how frequently do you wear a boutonniere? To help, we wrote these tips to make sure every group gets the placement just right!

Getting everyone suited up has never been easier. The Groomsman Suit is not a rental company, just a company with great fitting suits you get to keep for the same price or less than a typical tuxedo rental. No hidden costs, no extra fees. Click here to learn more about outfitting your crew with TGS. 

Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza returned online for the second time this year because of pandemic conditions. But producer Shelly Danz created new ways to make the online format interactive, fun, and oh, so fashionable!

A few weeks prior to the show, brides and grooms could RSVP to a VIP limited attendance wedding fashion show taping, held at The Fox Theatre in midtown Atlanta. The NY-style show with fashions by Bel Fiore Bridal and Savvi Formalwear was professionally DJ’d by Exquisite Sound Entertainment and recorded and edited by video partner Made You Look Photography & Film to be screened during the virtual show for hundreds of brides and grooms!

Our virtual show attendees LOVED it! At the end of the fashion show screening, participating vendors came on live to answer questions and talk about the elements attendees had just seen, from dresses to special effects (cold sparklers in the finale!) to décor elements.

“When I thought about the gorgeous centerpiece of our in-person shows – the elaborate fashion show – I knew I had to figure out a way to bring it to our virtual experience,” said Danz. “We were thrilled that so many joined us to watch it, and interacted the whole time, sharing comments in the video chat and bringing their questions to the ‘after party!’”

Beyond the fashion show, the week-long Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza included a beautiful password-protected show site offered a place for brides and grooms to meet top wedding pros at their own pace, touring virtual booths with photos and videos, and special deals. Attendees could “favorite” vendor booths to win door prizes, find signature drink-of-the day reception cocktail recipes, try out a virtual photo booth, or win a digital couple caricature. Themed interactive video sessions with vendors and a speed dating night helped brides and grooms get help with wedding plans and find their ideal wedding partners.

The show week kicked off with a VIP curbside experience, with a pickup of cake tastings, flowers, gifts and more in a party atmosphere. A DJ crew, live musician, eye-catching decor and men in tuxes (in masks, of course) greeted our guests as they drove through to collect their gifts. Brides were dancing in their seats and posted pics of their wedding planning haul, including Atlanta Style Weddings’ most current issue!

Check out the virtual AWE January 2021 Fashion Show here.

Follow @atlantaweddingextravaganza for details about the next show: August 8, 2021.

Photo credit: MADE YOU LOOK PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM 

After months of construction, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture moved to a new, expansive Chicago location on North Rush Street with hundreds of gowns on-site and a VIP experience to match the lavish setting. Written by Shelby Rowe Moyer, Photos by Phillip Christopher Filmmaker & Photographer.

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Gowns, left to right: Anne Barge, Sareh Nouri, Isabella Margianu Bridal, Morilee by Madeline Gardner

Gowns, left to right: Savannah Miller, Jenny Yoo Collection, Rivini by Rita Vinieris, Ines di Santo via Elite Pour La Vie

LOCATION: Fairlie | PHOTOGRAPHY: Ashley Galminas Photography
STYLING: Styled by Ariana | HAIR: Zazú Salons
MAKEUP & NAILS: Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists
VIDEOGRAPHY: Edward Fox Photography & Video
MODEL: Ahlam Abbas; The Rock Agency
GOWN DESIGNERS: Alon Livné White | BECCAR | Eva Lendel | Jenny by Jenny Yoo | Pronovias | Sottero & Midgley
GOWN PROVIDERS: Bella Bianca Bridal Couture | The Crystal Bride | Eva’s Bridals International | Jenny Yoo Collection | LBR Bridal | Volle’s Bridal & Boutique
ACCESSORIES: Bella Belle Shoes | Bridal Botany | Dame Couture | Davie & Chiyo | Hearts on Fire | Hushed Commotion | Monte Carlo Design | Officina Bernardi | Simon G. Jewelry | State Street Jewelers | Veiled by ChaCha Bridal Boutique

Click to view the full photo gallery here.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMPRESS STATIONERY

$1,075+

Monograms are a unique and timeless way to express a new union as they typically consist of two or more letters intertwining to form one symbol. What a sweet element to include on your wedding invitation!

SPECIFICS

Created exclusively for each client, monograms can include up to three letters, a crest or wreath to be used on not only the invitation suite, but also on wax seals, thank-you notes, dance floors and more.

A standard four-piece invitation suite includes:

• Invitation
• Envelope with return address
• Response card
• Response envelope with return address

Customization of the paper thickness, printing process and add-ons may increase the investment.

BREAKDOWN

• 100 Digitally Printed Four-Piece Suites, $875
• 2 Letter Custom Monogram, $200
• Embellishments (wax seals, ribbon, etc.), Varies

The Designer Says:

We take so much care in giving our clients the very best in terms of design. Our semi-custom suites are uniquely typeset for each couple, letter by letter, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their paper is everything they envision. We want each piece — from save-the-dates to invitations to programs — to tell the story of the couple. Monograms are very much a part of that story and travel well beyond the wedding day into the home! They are truly heirloom pieces, timeless in every way.

– JESSICA HINTON, OWNER & HEAD CREATIVE, EMPRESS STATIONERY

Intimate Signature Events

Atlanta, GA | 404.913.9312 | intimatesignatureevents.com

Award-winning event planner Michelle Harrison of Michelle Harrison Signature Events launched a new suite of services called Intimate Signature Events, designed specifically for couples planning micro- weddings. The pandemic has created a higher demand for those who want a small, but beautifully planned, wedding day. Harrison’s Intimate Signature Events offers just that. The micro-wedding package for 30-50 guests is an all-inclusive ceremony and reception experience — event planning and design, a venue, photography, flowers, cake, champagne, live streaming and more — along with optional enhancements. It’s everything clients love about Harrison’s work, just on a miniature scale.

Ivry’s Delights

Columbus, GA | 240.695.3906 | ivrysdelights.com

Ivry’s Delights traded its Chicago zip code for warmer weather, making it Georgia’s newest choice for custom desserts. Made from scratch, the custom cookies are designed with every detail in mind. From the flavors to the designs to the packaging, your guests are sure to leave your event with a gourmet cookie that delivers a sweet tasting memory. Even if your event looks a bit different this year, Ivry Radford, head baker and decorator, also offers virtual cookie decorating classes, bringing your friends and family together no matter their location.

W Atlanta – Midtown

188 14th St. NE | Atlanta, GA 404.354.9417 | watlantamidtown.com

W Atlanta – Midtown recently received a major facelift with a top to bottom renovation including guest rooms, the event space and the lobby. The ballroom, located on the 27th floor, was designed to create a major visual impact with floor- to-ceiling windows that give guests panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline and Piedmont Park. The event space can accommodate an event of any style, from intimate to grandiose and can be customized to host your wedding ceremony, reception, room block and even after party.

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel

374 East Paces Ferry Rd. | Atlanta, GA 470.531.8930 | thesylvanhotel.com

Newly opened, The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel is Buckhead’s newest boutique property, offering unparalleled amenities, including a beautifully redesigned mid-century modern hotel, three unique restaurants and bars and a variety of enchanting event and wedding spaces. Couples seeking a one-of-a-kind Buckhead wedding destination may choose from The Sylvan Hotel’s intimate Camellia ballroom hosting up to 125 for seated receptions; Willow Bar’s lush outdoor garden oasis; St. Julep’s rooftop terrace; or the hotel’s Old Hollywood-inspired signature restaurant, The Betty. The Sylvan Hotel’s experienced team will work one-on-one to create each couples’ dream day.

$1,250+

If you’ve always wanted to see your name in bright lights, this is the perfect time! Illuminate your reception with a custom neon display that’s distinctly you, whether it’s the family name, wedding year, a nod to the wedding theme, or a favorite quote or idiom.

SPECIFICS

A custom LED neon sign, wedding florals, a wall of ferns at a rustic farmhouse, plus a wedding planner to connect all the moving pieces were instrumental in creating this gorgeous centerpiece.

BREAKDOWN

• 3- by 5-Foot Neon Sign $1,080
• Floral $175
• Fern Wall (Included with Venue Rental)

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS

• yellowpop
• Darby’s Cottage
• Meadows at Mossy Creek
• One Weddings Events

The Planner Says:

Neon signs make anything better. They are a way to personalize your wedding in a unique way that you can keep and use in your first home, at an anniversary party and throughout the rest of your lives together.

– ALY COLLINS, OWNER, ONE WEDDINGS EVENTS

$1,200+

A mobile bar turns standard bar service on its head with a fresh and Instagram-able alternative that exudes vintage charm and romantic whimsy.

SPECIFICS

The vintage bar experience includes everything from consultation to cleanup, creating seamless integration into your event without a worry. Customize the taps to serve any beverage combination – signature cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, cold drinks, iced coffee, kombucha – to better reflect your vision for the event and create the wow fact guests won’t stop talking about.

BREAKDOWN

Custom packages typically include:

• Beverage consultation Delivery and setup
• Hosts to serve drinks
• All accoutrement (ice, drinkware, cocktail napkins)
• Cleanup and pickup

The Owner Says:

Break free from the usual bar setup and watch your guests light up with joy while being served almost any type of beverage you can imagine. This mobile bar turned centerpiece is the perfect conversation-starter for any event! 

– ALICIA WALLACE, Founder & Event Planner, Tippy Tap Co.

$940+

Skyscraper-esque centerpieces certainly add a wow-factor, but they’re also a practical option. Your guests will want to chat with their tablemates without having to dodge and weave around bushels of flowers. So, you get the grandiose look you wanted, and your friends and family can mingle unhindered by blocked sightlines. Two birds, one stone!

SPECIFICS

Elevate your wedding, literally, with these tall, modern centerpieces consisting of baby’s breath, phalaenopsis orchids, blush and lavender roses.

BREAKDOWN

For a table of 8:

• Velvet Linen Rental $79
• Velvet Napkin Rental $44
• Modern Place Settings (Includes Dinnerware, Flatware and Glassware Rental) $80
  Tall Centerpiece with Stand Rental $590 Bud Vases with Roses and Astilbe $147

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS

• LUXE Atlanta Events
• Ten Point Floral Design
• The Prissy Plate Company
• Barn South

The Planner Says:

The baby’s breath was hand sprayed to add a hint of color, making it feel modern and luxurious, but still delicate. The result is a customized piece of floral art that will capture your guests’ attention. To complete the look, we selected a mauve velvet linen and modern gold accents, including gold flatware and tableware.

– VICTORIA MILLER, Lead Planner, Luxe Atlanta Events 

By Christina Oddo | Photography by Social Shots Photography

Bridal trends come and go, but these fabulous fabrics are here to stay.

A dream dress is only as good as the material it’s constructed with. Top notch boutiques will typically give their brides a quick list of “dos” and “don’ts” so they know exactly how to take care of their dresses, but in case you need a refresher, here’s our guide to a few of the most popular bridal gown fabrics.

TULLE: Reminiscent of ballerina skirts, this flirty, feminine fabric is lightweight and billowy. Tulle is well-loved for its ability to create volume and avoid fraying, but wearers be warned: Tulle is highly prone to snagging. To avoid unsightly pulls in your gown, skip bedazzled accessories and opt for smoother jewelry that won’t tangle and snare.

CHIFFON: This soft, delicate fabric is often used not only for gowns but also veils, capes, and other bridal accessories. Despite its slightly rough texture, chiffon’s dainty translucence makes it perfect for layering. This breezy fabric is the ideal choice for outdoor, summery weddings and romantic portraits.

SILK: Long revered for its glossy shine and smooth texture, silk comes in countless varieties and has been a go-to wedding dress medium for thousands of years. Satin, one of the more famous silk derivatives, spent the past century as one of the most elegant and sought after gown fabrics, but modern silk variations like taffeta and organza are currently stealing the spotlight. While silk gowns are certainly worth the hassle, storing them properly requires a bit of extra work in dark, dry environments, so be sure to store your gown in a cotton dress bag before tucking it away in your closet.

LACE: Like silks, lace comes in a myriad of styles and textures and has been adored for centuries by designers and brides alike. From elegant Chantilly and delicate Alençon to the recently popular three-dimensional lace, this gorgeous material is sought after all around the world. Lace’s intricate design makes it highly prone to minor rips and snags though, so take a few notes from the tulle to-do list and avoid accessories with sharp edges and rough links. It’s also worth noting that lace yellows faster than other fabrics, which makes professional dry cleaning and proper storage a must.

CREPE: This light yet elegant material is well-known in the fashion world for its versatile applications and gauzy appearance. Perfect for formfitting gowns, crepe typically fits like a glove and leaves very little to the imagination, which makes choosing your undergarments important. Avoid unsightly bumps and lines by choosing seamless underwear or shapewear and a smooth-cupped bra.

Before heading to the mailbox, read these helpful tips to avoid any costly missteps with your wedding stationery.

INVITATION SUITE

Not every couple opts to include all of these items, but this comprehensive list gives you a place to start. Add ribbon, wax seals and other details for a finishing touch.

• Outer envelope
• Unsealed inner envelope
• Envelope liner
• Invitation
• Reception Details card
• Guest Accommodations card
• Custom map
• Reply card
• Reply envelope, with postage

DAY-OF WEDDING STATIONERY

Work with your stationer to create on-brand material for a cohesive look throughout your wedding.

• Ceremony program
• Seating chart
• Favor tags
• Menus
• Table numbers
• Place cards
• Thank-you notes

Guests will likely always remember a few cornerstone wedding moments: the vows, first dances and the dessert! So, here’s your chance to have fun with it.

THE DONUT WALL

Just envision the beauty of dozens of donuts hanging like a giant piece of art for guests to choose from. You can select multiple flavors and no one can resist the doughy goodness of a perfectly glazed donut. The different flavors and colors provide a stunning visual, which is ultimately what most couples are looking to create with their dessert.

RAISING THE BAR

Bars aren’t just for drinks anymore. Bars of the dessert variety can be curated with all sorts of themes. Think: cookies, pie, ice cream and s’mores. There are a couple ways of doing this. Set up your unique dessert bar in a central location where guests can create their own dessert experience with different flavor options and toppings. Or you can bring the experience to your guests with mini bars set up at each table.

DITCH THE TABLE

Who doesn’t get excited about a food truck? Hiring a food truck for weddings has become increasingly popular and guests feel like they’re getting a VIP experience. Go old school with an ice cream truck; surprise guests with churros; or consider classic options like cupcakes, cake and cookies.