We often talk about finding your dream dress, but what about finding your dream wedding suit? The search for the your perfect blazer and trouser combo can be just as epic and challenging, and it can be temping to settle for the first thing you try on! But wedding suits are reasonably large investments, so it's only fair that you walk away with something you're absolutely smitten with!

It really helps to do your research so, today, with the help of David O'Connor of Louis Copeland & Sons, we're bringing you some handy tips to make suit shopping easier, faster and less stressful for all involved. Follow this expert advice, and you should be able to find a sharp, affordable wedding suit that you can't wait to slip into on your wedding day!

Before you start looking for wedding suits:

• Check out our post on real groom style before you go shopping, to get a better idea of what's out there and what you like. "A groom should look online at key looks he likes and bring examples into the store," David tells us. "Then, one of our wedding specialists can advise whether this look is suitable and make suggestions."
• Try your best to do a run-through of your wedding day grooming routine on the day you go suit shopping. If you're not looking your best, you probably won't love any suit, or think it's right for your wedding!
• It's a good idea to have a chat with your partner before you go shopping, particularly if they've already purchased their wedding-day outfit. Most couples prefer to keep their outfits a surprise, but you can still decide on a style - formal, elegant, relaxed, colourful, fun, hip, classic, etc.

• Think about the season in which you're getting married. "Flannel and tweed fabrics are great for a winter wedding and give a warm, soft look to the groom's look," David says. "For summer or destination weddings, it's very important that the groom chooses a superfine wool or linen fabric, otherwise he will be too warm to keep his jacket on."
• Research the menswear brands that are stocked in your chosen store - there's no point scheduling multiple appointments with stores that all carry the exact same brands. Here's our guide to where to shop for grooms' suits in Ireland.
• Read our handy guide to groomswear lingo, so that you understand all the necessary language before your shopping trip. This will save you having to ask what a "peaked lapel" or a "band collar" is!
• Set a budget. A made-to-measure tuxedo and casual ready-to-wear suit, for example, will be priced very differently. "The main difference is the fabric," David tells us. "We have up to two thousand fabrics to choose from all varying in weight, composition and colour. The second factor is construction, whether the suit is canvassed or fused, and the final factor is the extras, such as pansy lining, pearl buttons etc."

What to bring when shopping for wedding suits:

• If you've already got your heart set on a certain accessory, for example, shoes, or cufflinks, bring them with you. Don't worry if you haven't bought anything yet - in fact, this is preferable! And the guys in store will help you choose the finishing touches.
• Leave gym or sports socks at home! Instead, opt for a thin pair of dress socks.
• Ask a friend or family member to go with you, but choose the person wisely! Ideally, it should be someone who you trust to give an honest opinion, and who also has a good knowledge of menswear and great personal style. Avoid bringing too many people - hearing four or five different opinions at once can be overwhelming!

The best time to shop for wedding suits:

• Buy your wedding suit in the same season as your wedding, if at all possible. "This means you will have the largest selection to choose from," the team at Louis Copeland & Sons explain. "Stores usually carry a larger collection of pale colours and lighter fabrics in summer and a larger collection of dark colours and warmer fabrics in winter."
• Avoid shopping for your wedding suit on the weekend. A weekday morning is the best time as the store is quiet and the wedding experts have plenty of time to show you all of the options and accessories available.
• Fittings take between 45 mins to 1 hour, so give yourself an hour minimum between appointments.

Things to remember while shopping for wedding suits:

Trust the experts. Staff at any well-known groomswear outfitters will have oodles of experience, so, once you explain your likes and dislikes, they'll able to recommend the best wedding suits for you.

• How do you know when you've found the suit for you? David tells us, "The groom should choose a look he feels comfortable in and that represents his own personality. There is no point asking him to wear a dickie bow, for example, if it's just not his style!"
• Don't forget your accessories - we've got a guide to some of our favourite places to shop for accessories here.

Need a hand finding your perfect wedding-day style? Try taking our fun groomswear quiz!

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