royal Blue Tuxedo - Huw’s wedding part 3

Wedding Photography by Shawn Connell

For the grand finale the groom wore a delectable royal blue double-breasted tuxedo. In other words, Huw really brought this whole thing home in style!

Look a little closer and what you’ll actually see is a midnight navy tux with a coordinating dark navy satin peak lapel, sourced to match exactly, along with matching tuxedo pants.

- A Peak Lapel for a Classic Touch -

We love the peak lapel tuxedo for wedding suits. To some, the peak lapel might seem a tad retro, and somehow that’s often meant as a criticism. But we don’t see the peak’s particular brand of retro as a negative thing, in fact quite the opposite. Peak lapels and double breasted jackets are timeless and iconic when applied to the right suits, just like Huw’s here.

The main ceremony took place on the Amalfi coast of Italy, in a private villa apparently restored by Lord Astor at the turn of the 20th century. Actually it took place, according to Over The Moon, in front of the villa, in a garden containing thousands of blooming flowers and lush greenery.

In a context such as this, when only a tuxedo will do, we’re strong proponents of adding a slightly distinct flare that will help one stand out from the crowd just enough. That’s where the royal blue came in for Huw’s tux. Also referred to as midnight blue, and sometimes deep navy. It’s classic and traditional, without being rote or stock-standard.

The classic black tuxedo can still be a fantastic choice for a black tie event, obviously. But why not add just a subtle twist to it, without diminishing any of the garment’s inherent timelessness? That’s what Huw did for the finale of his wedding in Italy, and we think the midnight blue set the whole look apart, adding a whole new dimension to the idea of a classic and elegant tuxedo.

Wedding Photography by Shawn Connell

- A Double-Breasted Tuxedo Could Be The Answer -

On that note, something must also be said for the fact that this is also a double-breasted tuxedo. In recent years, the double-breasted tuxedo has been a bit maligned, again for being too much of a throw back. But we absolutely love it when the mood and setting are right. Our favorite way to do a double breasted jacket is to keep it minimal with just two buttons set horizontally, one button closing. The double breasted wrap (and silk satin lapel) should be the main feature, no need to muddy it up with a bunch of buttons. We also prefer a wide peak lapel for this style, the lapel has to travel a long way down the body so it needs to be substantial enough. Of course we will always make it proportional to the client’s shoulder width however.

For Huw and Elizabeth’s wedding, for instance, the aesthetic aimed to draw from the work of mid-20th century American photographer Slim Aaron, famed for his Mediterranean-poolside shots of Sophia Loren and other icons of the film and fashion world. The double-breasted tux look couldn’t have been more perfect for this kind of aesthetic.

Wedding Photography by Shawn Connell