TOP 10 FASHION TIPS FOR GROOM & GROOMSMEN

1. We are seeing a huge move away from the traditional (more formal) tux style suit, to a more relaxed style in shades other than black, like charcoal and grey. Black works best for formal wedding, but for the warmer months and for beach weddings linen suits with crisp white shirts look great too.
2. A good quality suit is paramount, shop around for one that has a cut to compliment your build. A slim fit suit looks great on a lean guy, however a European cut suit flatters most shapes. Single breasted suits flatter most, at the moment I would opt for one with one or two buttons over a three button style. The suit pants should be flat front with no pleats on them which can look very dated.
3. I like the groom to stand out, and feel his suit should be a lighter or darker shade from the groomsmen. For example, get the groom into a dark grey charcoal suit and dress the groomsmen in a light grey suit. They can all match with white shirts and black ties to have some continuity, or the groomsmen can wear ties that match the colour of the bridesmaids for a bit of colour.
4. When deciding whether to rent or buy your suits remember that these days purchasing an good quality suit can cost the same as hiring one.
5. If you want to look back at your photos in 20 years time and see a timeless, elegant look (who wouldn’t!) then I suggest dressing the boys in a very dark grey or black 2 button suit, with white shirt and black tie. That classic 1950’s and 1960’s style doesn’t date, and is particularly on-trend at the moment thanks to hit US series Mad Men.
6. Accessories are the key to bring your suit to life and make you look sharp. Consider your options of cufflinks, a pocket handkerchief, belt, tie-pin, watch and a flower in your buttonhole, those little touches will give your look an individual style.
7. Always wear a nice pair of leather shoes and ensure that your shoes are clean and polished. Avoid chunky shoe styles or that have a thick rubber sole and always match your shoes with your belt.  Leave the work boots at work!
8. If your wedding is during winter, getting a light self-tanner or spray tan is something you should consider. This definitely isn’t for all men, but it will prevent you from looking washed out and pale in the wedding photos next to a tanned bride and bridesmaids. You can either do it yourself with a very light self-tanner (making sure you use one specially formulated on your face to avoid breakouts) or by heading to a salon to get lightest spray-tan available.
9. On the big day have a great strong posture, shoulders back, chest out and smile, nothing looks worse than a slouchy guy in a suit. Be a man, not the hunch back of Notre-Dame.
10. Empty your pockets of excessive coins, key, phones or bulky wallets, just carry the bare essentials. If not, you will have balloon like pockets in all the photos, not a good look!

WEDDING ETIQUETTE – THE WEDDING SEATING PLAN

Organising the seating plan can often be a dreaded task for brides and grooms. Your Auntie Maude and his Grandma Helen can't stand each other, your friend Diego speaks Spanish only and your pregnant sister needs easy access to the bathroom and on top of all of this there seems a minefield of do's and don'ts! But don't panic! We've got a few tips to guide you through who sits where + with our Seating Planner tool it's super easy!

• Don't split up couples
• Put people with others whom they already know and get on well with.
• Place guests who don't know anyone next to people who are friendly and easy to talk to.
• Don't worry about sticking religiously to male-female, male-female. The most important thing is that guests sit next to people whose company they enjoy.
• Allocate an area for young children and babies if they are going to be at your wedding. This area should be equipped with highchairs perhaps some colouring books and crayons.
• Consider special circumstances like family members or divorced couples who don't get along and make sure they are not seated close to each other.
• If parents have been divorced and remarried, they should be seated next to their new partners.
• The closer people are seated to the bridal table, the more they are honoured. i.e. the closer a relative, the nearer they should be seated to the bridal table.
• If the reception is informal, you can let guests decide where they will sit. Another alternative is to decide who sits at which table but not designate specific seating arrangements at that table. People can then sit next to whom they choose at their table.
• Don't get stressed or fight over the seating plan. Accept that you will not be able to please everyone.

The bridal table is always at the centre of attention. Everybody wants to catch a glimpse of the happy couple. Traditionally the parents of both the bride and groom sat with them on the bridal table along with the best man and chief bridesmaid. Below are examples of bridal table arrangements that include parents

Most couples these days opt to have a parents' table and seat only the bride, groom and bridal party at the bridal table. Below are examples of this.

As with most wedding traditions, these are not set in stone and you can totally disregard these arrangements. It's best to select an arrangement that will make you and those around you happy, whatever that may be!