Bear in mind that the clothing worn by the groom and male entourage sets the tone for the other guests, and is determined by factors such as the style and theme of the wedding as well as the time of day it is being held.

A groom's options range from the universal appeal of a well-tailored suit in charcoal or black to an elegant dinner jacket or ultra-sophisticated black tie look for late afternoon and evening weddings. Customary morning wear, which consists of striped trousers with a tailcoat, waistcoat with matching tie or cravat and top hat, can be worn at any time of day.

Military grooms in the army, navy or air force may choose to wear a formal uniform for the wedding. However, if some of his attendants are in the military and some civilians, those in the military should dress in civilian clothes for a unified effect.

Families with Scottish ancestry have the option of incorporating formal kilted outfits into the retinue. Tartan kilts make for an impressive, colourful scene, which can even be carried through to the bride's attendants, with tartan sashes for the bridesmaids and flowergirls.

If there is a set dress code, such as tails, this generally extends to the ushers and family members on both sides. It's also wise to get matching suits for the groom, best man and groomsmen. While you don't want their styles to clash, there should nevertheless be some subtle variation in their clothing. For example, the buttonholes, waistcoats or ties could be different colours.

Looking the part doesn't mean simply bowing to convention, and traditional takes on men'’s fashion are giving way to a host of new trends. Try out something a little edgy with one of these stylish wedding day looks:

• Contemporary – A smart and stylish black suit is shown to its best advantage by the contrast of a crisp white shirt finished off with an ultra-modern tie in shades of white and grey.

• Traditional – Elegant, tailor-made suits are guaranteed to look great, and definitely do not have to be old-fashioned. Consider pairing a classic grey morning suit and top hat with a shirt, tie and waistcoat in complementary pastel shades.

• Ethnic – Embrace our country's diverse heritage with a Nehru collar suit with embroidered collar and cuffs or vibrant African print shirt.

• Avant-garde – Coloured suits are currently cutting-edge fashion, with pink being the colour of the moment on catwalks around the world!

• Retro-rocker – Indulge in Edwardian-style cravats and brocade vests for that romantic 80's look.

• Island style – Take advantage of the tropical heat to opt for something less formal – a white suit teamed with a casual open-necked shirt looks great at a beach wedding.

While you could have a suit tailor-made, today's suit hire companies have an extensive range of dress and high fashion suits, morning and evening wear, tuxedos, tails, dinner suits and accessories, as well as providing tailoring services and expert advice.

To be on the safe side, especially if suits in larger or children's sizes need to be booked, approach the outfitters in plenty of time to ensure availability.

Like the bridesmaids, the groomsmen are expected to pay for their attire, and it is the best man's responsibility to return any hired clothes after the wedding.