Groom in a Tux with the Groomsmen in Suits

Yes. You don't wear a ball gown to a bbq, you don't wear a tux to brunch.

Its been done and looks fine.

ETA: Brunches generally are not "semi-formal". Though I have no issue with the bridal party dressing to the nines you wouldn't want to dictate to your guests a semi-formal attire request.

I preferred to have everyone's jacket/pants match but ours was decently formal (ceremony, cocktail hour, sit down meal, open bar, dj etc, 3:30pm- midnight).

I think your reasoning makes sense. Another option would be all tuxes or all suits but have the groom wear a different colored vest/tie than the GM. We actually had all the guys in tuxes but groom wore a bowtie and GM's wore a tie but jackets and pants were the same.

How formal is the brunch?

It's going to have an elegant garden party feel. It's at a historic building, and some things will be inside, but the ceremony and all of the regular seating will be outside in the gardens. We're planning on having either a harpist or a classical guitarist for the music. The brunch will be a buffet with two stations, and we're going to have a mimosa bar, beer, and wine.

That sounds really nice but there is literally not a formal enough brunch in the world to warrant a tuxedo. A morning suit maybe, but not a tuxedo. Would he consider a formal suit with a bow tie while the groomsmen just wear regular ties?

Mixing tuxedos and suits just ends up looking like a waiter leading a group of men to a table or a formal guest with body guards. Someone always ends up looking like an employee.

Semi-formal might not be the correct terminology. I definitely don't want casual, though.

Sounds silly ... Who wears a tux to brunch?

That sounds lovely! It's not semi-formal (think prom for semi-formal) What you are describing is more cocktail/creative cocktail but you don't need to put any labels on it. Just describe it exactly as you have here and people will get the idea. It sounds absolutely wonderful! Stick around I would love to see your BAM!

I agree with Jeanne. A tux just doesn't make sense for a brunch. Tuxes are meant for after 6pm.

I would go for a custom made formal suit in an amazing fabric, with a perfectly tailored look. Something very modern. He will look sharp and yet still dressy, but more appropriate for the formality of the event. He doesn't have to match the GM suits. His suit can be a darker color - eg, charcoal grey whole the GM are in lighter grey.

Do you know where everyone is getting their suits from? If its all one place I would just ask the people at the store. They will have a good idea of what would look good together and they could probably show you too. Then you could decide for yourself if it was weird or not.

Personally I don't see why dressing that formal would be an issue...you are the bride and groom! I think your wedding sounds sweet.

My dress isn't a ballgown, but it is pretty formal, so I don't see why the groom can't be formal too. We could definitely consider just a more formal suit. But if he's going to feel more special in a tux, then I don't see why he can't wear one. It's his day too, and we're not traditional anyways!

ETA: Thanks for the terminology clarification! I'll definitely show off my BAM once the time comes

Then why did you ask since you already decided?

I wasn't asking about FH's attire. I was asking if the groomsmen had to match FH because I was considering having them dress less formally than him. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.

It should look fine. Its your wedding day and if he wants to wear a tux i say let him wear the tux.

I agree. If he wants a tux, who cares? It's your day. I think the groomsmen not matching will be okay. I agree with Mackenzie that the store you're getting the rentals from can probably help. I'm doing a brunch too

A&W and Cat what did you end up doing?

I am also considering having the groom in a tux and the groomsmen in black suits. This has been a very recent switch to things and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Our wedding is at 5pm, buffet, and we already told guest cocktail attire.

I'm concerned that:

1) it will look funny the groom next to the GM

2) having the groom in a tux will "elevate" the formality of event and lead to other more formal expectations -like a sit down meal?

3) I don't want guest to feel under dressed

Thoughts??