6 Groom Outfits for a Beach Wedding, and How to Wear Them

You're planning your dream destination wedding: Maybe you're saying your vows with the sea at your back, or exchanging rings on your favorite coast. But figuring out your groom outfit for a beach wedding isn't quite so simple. Groom wedding attire is a little different when it comes to beach weddings; guys need to consider fabric and color more than usual, so that they're comfortable and cool on the big day.

Ge Wang, president of Chicago-based men's clothier ESQ, has dressed countless grooms for beachy big days. "I think there are two proper ways to dress for a beach wedding," he says. "First, go classic black-tie—you can't go wrong with a tuxedo, and it will be timeless in any setting. Or second, fit in with your surroundings. Feel free to pull colors from the beach, ocean or trees into your look."

Here, Wang offers up some savvy styling tips, and we compile six different looks across dress codes to inspire your beach groom outfit.

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In this article:

• How to Choose Your Groom Outfit for a Beach Wedding
• Where to Buy Beach Wedding Groom Attire
• Groom Outfit for Beach Wedding Ideas

How to Choose Your Groom Outfit for a Beach Wedding

What does a groom wear at a beach wedding? For guys, there are really two camps when it comes to beach wedding attire: suited up or dressed down. Both are equally appropriate at beach weddings, but require thoughtful consideration when it comes to fabrics, footwear and accessories. Here are a few pointers.

Beach Wedding Suits for the Groom

When it comes to beach wedding suits for the groom, "look for linen and linen-blend fabrics that really capture the essence of a beach wedding," Wang says. "The concept of linen is great, but if you hate wrinkles, a linen-blend can have many benefits of the breathability and casual look of linen, yet keep wrinkles at bay. It would be odd (and hot and uncomfortable) to wear your navy wool suit to the beach."

Casual Groom Attire for a Beach Wedding

That said, "beach weddings can certainly be more casual," Wang adds. Look for the same materials—linen and linen blends—when it comes to slacks and even button-downs, or opt for something more on-theme like a patterned knit polo or a guayabera shirt (more on that below).

Bring in Color

Suited or not, planning a beach wedding offers an opportunity to get creative with your attire, so do something different than the classic black or gray. Wang suggests pulling suit colors from the surroundings—the sand and surf, for two. "For beach weddings, any lighter shade will work, from beige to blues, mauves, greens and yellows," he says. "Have fun with the color. We've done weddings in almost every shade of pastel, but light baby blues and off-whites are my favorite."

Consider Footwear

Your beach wedding groom outfit can have more casual shoes, too; consider the surfaces you'll be standing on. "Unless it's black tie, brown loafers will look better than lace-ups," Wang says. (Though he doesn't love going too casual. "I'm typically not a big fan of sneakers and suits.") Alternatively, ditch the shoes for sandy ceremonies.

Accessorize Accordingly

"Keep accessories simple; you don't want to overdo anything," Wang says. Depending on which dress code you opt for, a leather bracelet or on-theme pocket square can easily complete the look. Hats are acceptable, but keep them off during the vows.

Where to Buy Beach Wedding Groom Attire

Where to shop for beach groom attire depends on the formality of your event, but many places to buy suits have a broad range that includes suiting, vacation-ready linen pieces and even swimsuits. Here are a few of our faves for beach wedding grooms.

ESQ: If you're looking for a bespoke suit, ESQ is top of the line. Based in Chicago, the label serves clients across North America. Going custom is all about the experience, but once you're in ESQ's system, the process is easy. "We have to personally take your first set of measurements to ensure proper fit," Wang says. "After that, the reorder process is very simple." He's worked with professional athletes and grooms of all shapes and sizes, and is a master of the custom suit.

Banana Republic: An easy go-to in lots of menswear categories, Banana Republic is an especially great option for groom beach wedding attire. It boasts its own specialty linen shop full of pants, shirts, suits, sweaters and more in the breathable fabric.

Bonobos: Known for its suiting and pants, Bonobos has expanded into all sorts of attire, and we especially love the unique shirting options: polo sweaters, floral button-downs, seersucker short-sleeves and more. Pick up some swimwear while you're shopping to round out your wedding weekend wardrobe.

Abercrombie & Fitch: For more casual weddings and looks for all the beachy wedding weekend events surrounding them, check out this recently revitalized retailer. (The brand has made a new push into both wedding and vacation attire, so it's a shoo-in for combo destination events.) From suiting to linen to swimwear, you'll find it all here.

Cubavera: This brand truly specializes in beach wedding clothes for the groom. Its flagship item is the Cuban shirt known as the guayabera. It has its own linen department, and it even offers big and tall sizing to suit up just about anyone.

Groom Outfit for Beach Wedding Ideas

Beach wedding wear for the groom can be formal or casual, accessorized or toned down—but it must be breathable. Fabric and fit are key for comfort. Looking at men's summer wedding attire is a good place to start. To make it easy, here are our favorite options for the groom's beach outfit.

Outfit ideas: A Custom Suit & Bamboo Shirt | A Sage Suit & Loafers | Linen Pants & Polo Sweater | A Tuxedo | A Guayabera & Straw Hat | A Shirt & Vest

A Custom Suit & Bamboo Shirt

There's no better occasion to invest in a custom suit than your wedding; you can choose fabrics, colors and personalized details that fit the wedding vibe and will remind you of the big day when you inevitably wear it again and again. Equally as important is the shirt that you pair with it. "A crisp, clean shirt is a must," Wang says. "Fabric and fit are key." His label's bamboo dress shirt is award-winning. "Our bamboo shirt will no doubt be your best friend for a beach wedding. It drapes like a fine Egyptian cotton, but is moisture-wicking, odor-resistant and has a cooling effect."

Photo: Schyne Photography

A Sage Suit & Loafers

Photo: Indochino

Photo: The Tie Bar

Photo: Brooks Brothers

Indochino's brand-new spring/summer collection is full of pieces ideal for destination weddings, including a selection of groom suits for a beach wedding. The linen blend used to craft this sage linen suit will breathe without wrinkling too much, and its color plays well with the natural hues that come with seaside affairs. The double-breasted style lends an extra air of formality. Add an on-theme pocket square (Tie Bar has everything from florals to flamingos) and cream loafers worn without socks to complete the look. For orders from Tie Bar, use code TIEBARxKNOT15 for 15% off your purchase.

Linen Pants & Polo Sweater

Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

Photo: Bonobos

Photo: Myka

Photo: Sperry

Even if your event is more casual, and your beach wedding groom attire calls for something other than a suit, you'll still want to look polished. Start with slim-fit pants in breathable, beachy linen, then add a button-up polo sweater. (We love the seafoam geo colorway of this Bonobos one, but it also comes in classic tan, deep coffee or ocean blue). Bare arms call for an accessory, so add a simple leather bracelet with a personalized detail. Finish the look with casual leather drivers—or go barefoot in the sand.

A Tuxedo

Photo: Suitsupply

Photo: DSW

You simply can't go wrong with a full tux on your wedding day, no matter the location. But for this black-tie look, "the correct fabric is imperative for a comfortable outing," Wang says. He personally loves mohair for a beach tuxedo; sticking with linen beach wedding groom attire is another option. This linen option by Suitsupply fits the bill: It has the breathability of a summer suit, but all the bells and whistles of a black-tie ensemble. Tuxedos don't call for much accessorizing: For footwear, opt for a tuxedo slip-on instead of lace-ups.

A Guayabera & Straw Hat

Photo: Cubavera

Photo: Banana Republic

Photo: Two Roads Hat Co.

We highly recommend going all in on a beachy look for your destination wedding groom outfit. A guayabera is a traditional men's shirt in Latin America and the Caribbean, made most popular in Cuba. It often has vertical pleats or pockets and is traditionally worn untucked, so the look is best for more casual weddings. Lean into the loose look with slouchy beach pants, and add a straw hat after the ceremony.

A Shirt & Vest

Photo: Cubavera

Photo: Cubavera

Photo: Charles Tyrwhitt

Photo: Tommy Bahama

If you like the idea of suiting but don't want to go all in, a vest instead of a jacket is acceptable for groom attire for a beach wedding; we recommend purchasing it as a set with the pants so it still has the cohesive feel of suiting. As for a shirt, Charles Tyrwhitt's dress shirts are non-iron, so they'll stay wrinkle-free in the weather, and come in regular, slim or extra slim fit. This look also pairs well with a hat at the reception; Tommy Bahama's are packable.