We’re back for another juicy roundup of all the best bits from the year that was. Under the microscope today? It’s those delightful grooms in all their dapper duds and let us tell you, friends, there were some standout looks in 2021. From the casual-cool (think cream and olive linen) to the quirky (hello, tartan jacket and pants) to the uber-traditional three-piece suits and glamorous tuxes (yes, of course guys can be glamorous too), we’ve got some beauties to share with you. But of course, you’re already across them all in one way or another – after all, it’s your clicking that does the picking.
Hello May favourites M.J. Bale made a couple of appearances (what can we tell you? These guys know style…) and Oscar Hunt Tailors came through with some of their best work ever, we reckon. Custom bespoke suiting never looked so good! Of course, Gibson always has the goods, this time around in the form of a dashing linen jacket and pant in a warm neutral sand shade, while our mates at Joe Black kept things traditional with the classic tuxedo – très James Bond (minus the misogyny, duh).
Elsa Campbell, Alexandra Cohen, Beck Rocchi, Damien Milan and Georgia Verrells Photography are just a handful of the talented snappers who put these looks in the books, and we are so darn chuffed that they did – because it means we get to witness all the goodness from these gorgeous big days, grooms included!
Ready to meet your top 10? Get to it!
BONNY & ANDREW, WA
Crisp, fresh and so suave we can’t even deal, Andrew’s M.J Bale suit, bow tie and cufflinks made for a classic look that totally sidestepped ‘ordinary’. Paired with his simple R.M Williams boots (which, obviously, can totally wear again – winner!) and the look was a great match for bride Bonny’s divine slinky Grace Loves Lace gown. One of our fave photographers, Alexandra Cohen, was there capturing the day (and the well-dressed couple!) in all its glory and we’re so here for it.
BELLE & SHUBHO, VIC
We have to take our hats off to Oscar Hunt Tailors for Shubho’s custom look – it’s traditional, it’s sleek and dang, does he look dapper! “Shubho spent a few days looking around in the city for off-the-rack options but ended up deciding that something custom-made would be really special for the day,” shares his beautiful bride Belle (who was equally as glam in Georgia Young Couture, btw). “There were three consultations in total and the team at Oscar Hunt took care of pretty much everything from the shoes up. They were fantastic to work with and he would highly recommend them to everyone.” Check out all of the beautiful shots of their big day, by Hailey at One Spoon Two Spoon, right here.
SAM & ANDY, NSW
There is so much to love about this groom’s getup. First of all, that totally unique tartan – so fun! Then there’s the matchy-matchy guy tribe’s jackets (no standard black here!) and the suave-AF sunnies setting off the “cool” mood nicely… Yep, Andy and his groomsmen were an absolute treat in their Twisted Tailor ensembles when he and Sam got hitched. One of Hello May’s good friends, Beck Rocchi Photography, captured the guys in their schmick looks, while Sam was gorge in a long-sleeved backless number by CC Bridal. Take a look at Sam and Andy’s day in full here – then get in touch with Beck Rocchi Photography for pics as good as theirs!
JEAN & ED, QLD
We love a lick of linen here at HM HQ and Ed looked downright dope in his creamy-neutral Gibson Clothing suit made from the comfy and on-trend fabric when he and Jean said “I do” earlier this year. But the bride let us in on a little secret… not a whole lot of planning went into his big-day look! “Ed was dragged suit shopping by his best man the week of the wedding,” she spills. “He bought the first suit he tried on – classic Ed.” Hey, the method worked because he came out looking suitably snappy in head to toe Gibson Clothing, setting off the natural linen with a burnt orange bow tie by OTAA. Renee Green Creative applied her talent to the big day by way of some stunning pics (get in touch here) – and might we also suggest you take a squiz at this wedding in full and see the bride’s not one but two incred wedding jumpsuits!
MEL & ADAM, NSW
Just to be clear, the doggo isn’t the reason this one made it to the top of the pile – though you’d be forgiven for thinking that, given how cute this pooch is! (And we do love a pup-friendly wedding…) Nope, it’s the groom who stole the show for you, readers, in his subtly checkered grey M.J. Bale ensemble. And while we’re talking suiting, can we just say – we’re bloody loving this trend of guys steering clear of block colours and going for patterns on their big day. Like, why not, right? The girls get all the glory (though it must be said, Mel is a stunner in her sweet Cecilie Bahnsen dress). With Damien Milan behind the lens on the day (give him a shout here), this one’s a 10/10 folks.
STUDIO SUITS, MADI & ALEX, NSW
Guys, we honestly never could’ve guessed brown tweed could look this good! But Studio Suits made it happen, bringing groom Alex’s vision to life in the process. “I always knew that I had wanted to wear a brown tweed suit, but it was just a challenge to find the perfect one,” he reveals. “Through a friend I heard that you could custom make your own suit at Studio Suits. We took the risk and ordered it online, and one week later it was on our doorstep. After some minor alterations it was all I could imagine and more.” Nuff said, really. Slap on a gorgeous buttonhole (courtesy of Florals by Sophie Jean), get Benedict Sutton to snap the whole affair and bam – instant wedding winner.
MARIAN & ALEX, VIC
Oscar Hunt Tailors coming through with the three-piece suit glamour! On Marian and Alex’a day of days, the team who create some of the most beautiful bespoke suits were to thank for this gorge groom’s style. “It was Alex’s first experience with a tailored suit and the team at Oscar Hunt Tailors made him feel totally at ease with the whole experience,” shares bride Marian (who was also styling it up in Suzanne Harward). “The end result was mint!” We agree, gal – your guy looks fab! His groomsmen were also decked out in three-piece, this time from M.J. Bale, and the unbelievably talented lens lady Elsa Campbell captured the lot of them (and a whole bunch more. Check out more from her here!)
MNDATORY, MICHAEL & MICHAEL, VIC
Clearly checks were a winner this year, both with grooms in general and with you guys as you piked out your favourite guys’ looks of 2021, because here we have a few more thanks to Michael and Michael (yes, really!). The stylish folks at MNDATORY were responsible for the gorge garb these grooms wed in, with the lads sharing, “When we were planning our outfits we both agreed that we didn’t want to be completely formal. We still wanted to feel like ourselves and we didn’t want to be ‘matching grooms’ as we have different styles. We were able to achieve this with a lot of help from Brian H at MNDATORY who consulted with us to create made to measure suits we both love.” And, just as an aside, would you check out the stunning moody snaps taken by Georgia Verrells Photography on the day? Catch more from her here and here.
EM & DAN
If your guy tells you he wants a green suit for the big day, don’t freak out – because Em and Dan’s wedding is proof it can be a heckin’ good idea. InStitchu were responsible for this linen olive-green number and we have to say, we get why you loved it so much. “Dan always wanted to wear linen and he wanted a colour that felt authentic to him,” shares bride Em (who wore Ulla Johnson) of his fashionable pick. “He has had a suit made by InStitchu before, so we went to their website and the olive green linen was the perfect shade. Done.” If only everything in life was that easy, right?! Luckily, picking the right photographer for the job was a no-brainer, too, and Solis Photos did a stellar job – as usual!
WENDY & STEVE, NSW
Wrapping up our grooms’ roundup with a traditional tux feels quite fitting – and as much as we definitely do adore the different spins on big day suiting our real-life grooms bring to the table, there’s something chic and sophisticated about a classic black tuxedo jacket and bow tie that we just can’t go past. When Wendy and Steve got hitched, the groom brought old-world glamour to the end of the aisle in Joe Black and it was every bit as sleek and elegant as you’d imagine. With a dried floral buttonhole from Willow & Bear and the bride in elegant Elihav Sasson, this day (snapped by Hello May favie Janneke Storm) was a dream waiting to happen. Want more inspo from Joe Black? You got it… click here.