Your North East Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 34)

THE GROOM Make sure it’s not just the bride’s style guests talk about! Here’s groomswear advice from Lisa Aynsley of Alnwick’s Hotspur 1364 (hotspur1364.co.uk )… TWEED RULES “Tweed styles are still huge, but we are feeling a move back to a more classic navy colour popped with an accent grey or tweed waistcoat. Having said that, a statement navy suit is the look that could dominate – or at least rival tweed in 2020. We don’t doubt for a second tweeds are still going to be popular, but bolder colours are coming through. Green is another hue that’s more and more requested.” BUYING’S BEST “We have seen a switch from suit hire to actual purchase. The gents’ suit market is not so exclusive these days, with competitive pricing and larger collections coupled with mix-and-match sizing. More and more groomsmen are now wearing the jackets and waistcoats as separates for other occasions or simply on a night out, giving better value for money.” STANDING OUT “A lot of our wedding parties ask whether the groom should be different to his groomsmen. This is totally down to personal choice, and our opinion is it’s really obvious which one is the groom – he’s down at the front! You could simply contrast with a different waistcoat or tie just to give the groom a little more edge.” ADDED EXTRA “Finishing touches are key with our groomsmen, with shoes of course playing a big part in that role. Pocket watches and baker boy caps have also been very on-trend in recent months, and we are predicting a swing back to monogrammed touches. We have been embroidering the wedding couple’s names and the date of the marriage on to shirt cuffs and see this trend growing moving forward.” stanseatonphotography.co.uk SUITS YOU! Insider menswear advice from Colin Chandler at Whitley Bay’s Smart as Suit Hire (smartassuithire.co.uk )… WHEN SHOULD YOU START LOOKING? “If you’re hiring, start any time after you have confirmed your venue and know the palette you and your bride-to-be are after. Measurements can be taken early, as the advantage with hiring is that they can be amended nearer the date. “If you’re buying your suit, you can look at any time, but the purchase would need to be timed properly to take into consideration changes in trends and wearer sizes. After all, everyone says they intend to lose weight before the big day!” SHOULD YOU BE EXPECTED TO PAY? “It depends on the circumstances, but traditionally this has been the case. However, from experience it appears that more couples are sharing the cost these days. Planning a wedding starts early, and more couples seem to be discussing the budget more openly with the wedding party. I regularly get asked for individual invoices, which leads me to believe that the cost is being passed on to the wearer.” WHAT’S THE PERFECT FIT? “Using a tape measure is fine, but nothing beats a real suit on a real body to achieve the perfect drape. The jacket should close without a pull across the torso, with half an inch of shirt cuff showing on the sleeve. Special attention should be given to ensuring that the waistcoat is not too short, because that’s what you see in the more relaxed photos at the end of the evening. Trousers should be measured to the heel of the shoe, with a small wrinkle caused when the top of your shoe stops the trouser cuff falling to full length.” newcastlesweddingphotographer.co.uk IF THE SHOE FITS Wedding shoes aren’t just for the ladies! Here’s Simon Bourne from Durham’s The Hand Dyed Shoe Company ( handdyedshoeco.com ) on some great footwear for all you grooms… “I always say that designing your own pair of unique, handmade shoes for your wedding is the man’s version of the dress! They form a significant part of the groom’s day, and with this in mind you should always consider the following points… THE STYLE “Like most of aspects of society, I see a huge shift in the way people consider their style. We’ve gone from very introvert, regimental men who wear Oxfords for formal occasions to a much more elaborate, expressive culture. A great example is the monkstrap. Previously considered as the shoe of the show-off, it’s now regularly featuring with tailored suits and dark denims – and they’re fast becoming as popular as the wingtip brogue. THE FIT “I’m a classic victim of high street exclusion when it comes to fit – off-the- shelf shoes just don’t fit me properly, and I inevitably end up compensating style or fit. For example, I would have to buy a size 10 loafer from the high street when I am actually a 9 because I can’t get the width. That’s what makes my company perfect for me – just a small tweak makes all the difference, and the expression ‘fit like slippers’ has never been more appropriate.” gavinforsterphotography.co.uk gavinforsterphotography.co.uk 74