Yes, in many cases. For "Smart Casual," "Cocktail," and rustic/winery weddings, a polished pair of R.M. Williams Craftsman boots (specifically in yearling leather) is a staple of Australian style and perfectly acceptable. However, for strict "Black Tie" weddings, traditional patent leather dress shoes or velvet loafers are preferred. Always check the venue: boots are great for Hunter Valley vineyards but might be too heavy for a Noosa beach wedding.

"Cocktail" attire is the most common and often most confusing code. It sits between "Smart Casual" and "Formal." For men, a suit is expected, but it doesn't have to be a dark business suit. You can experiment with textures, lighter colours (like light grey or blue), and patterns. A tie is recommended but not strictly mandatory if you wear a crisp, high-collared shirt and a pocket square. Jeans are generally not appropriate for Cocktail attire.

There is no strict rule in Australia. Traditionally, if the groom requires a very specific custom suit, he may contribute to the cost. However, a common modern approach is for the groom to pay for the accessories (ties, pocket squares, shirts) as a gift, while the groomsmen purchase their own suits. We can provide a group discount code to help make this more affordable for your party.

Buying is generally recommended for the groom to ensure a perfect fit for photographs. Rental suits often have boxy fits and limited alteration options. A custom-made suit is an investment that can be worn again for work, the races, or other weddings. If budget is a concern for groomsmen, many parties choose to have the groom in a custom bespoke suit while groomsmen wear high-quality ready-to-wear or rental options that are color-coordinated.

You don't need to be in the same room to get matching suits. With our virtual management system, the Groom selects the fabric and style (the "Master Look"). We then send a digital invite to your groomsmen whether they are in Perth, London, or Melbourne to enter their own measurements using our video guides. We review all measurements to ensure consistency before production.

We recommend starting the process 3 to 4 months before the wedding date. This allows 4-6 weeks for the production of your custom suit, plus a "safety buffer" for shipping and any final local alterations (like hemming trousers) before the big day. If you are coordinating a large group of groomsmen, try to start 5 months out to ensure everyone gets measured on time.