Tuxedos: a guide for LDS Groomsmen
TUXEDO RENTALS (OR PURCHASE): A quick checklist:
- Tuxedo Jacket
- Tuxedo Pants
- Shirt
- Vest or Cummerbund
- Tie
- Shoes
- Socks
- Cufflinks
Tuxedo Jacket
Tuxedo jackets come in many styles ranging from a single-breasted one button to double breasted six buttons with tails. 
Just kidding- tails are reserved for the most formal wedding and other very formal occasions.
The groom will decide which style best compliments the majority of the figures of the Father of the Bride (FOB), the Father of the Groom (FOG), the Best Man, and the Groomsmen.
Note: Having everyone wear the same tuxedo style (single breasted or double breasted) is nice, but not mandatory. Some members of the wedding party, usually the FOB or FOG may own a tuxedo. Sometimes the bride and groom may want the groomsmen to use the bridal colors as accents in the ties, cummerbunds or vests to bring the look of the wedding together. If this is true, they’ll let you know. All the Tuxedo’s should be the same color, usually black – no blue tuxedos please (remember Steve Martin’s character, “Mr. Banks” as the FOB in the film “Father of Bride?”)
Tuxedo Pants
Your tuxedo pants must match the tuxedo style, and the color and fabric that has been selected for the jacket. Formal tuxedo pants have a traditional racing stripe down the leg, usually made of silk. There may be an option on the tux pants with pleats or with no pleats.
Tuxedo Shirt
Tuxedo shirts come in many styles, with pleats and without. There are several types of collars available. Make sure that you get the same style as the other men in the wedding party. Most tux shirts come with French cuffs (requiring cufflinks) and they have studs instead of buttons on the shirt. If you have questions about any of this, ask the sales person at the tux shop; they shoud help you.
Tuxedo Vest or Cummerbund
To most affairs, it is acceptable to pair a tie with a cummerbund or vest. A cummerbund is that large oversized silk belt-looking thing that is worn around the waist over the top of the tux pants and the bottom of the tux shirt. Select the color and style to coordinate with the other men in the wedding party.
Groomsmen often ask the question: “Which way do the cummerbunds pleats face: Up or Down?” The correct answer is the cummerbund’s pleats always face UP. And please note, if the bride and groom have decided on a vest, you will Not wear a cummerbund with the vest.
♥ Dr. Howard Edward Haller
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