One of the most common logistical questions we receive when organizing custom suits for a wedding party is: What happens if one of my groomsmen doesn’t live in Toronto?
Fortunately, this is rarely a problem.
Just about every wedding party has at least one person who lives outside Toronto. In larger groups, it is very common to have groomsmen living elsewhere in Ontario, another province, the United States or outside Canada entirely.
At Empire Customs, we have nearly two decades of experience working with wedding parties, and we have developed a detailed virtual measurement process that allows an out-of-town groomsman to complete virtually the entire custom-suit process remotely.
The objective is straightforward: distance should not prevent the wedding party from achieving a coordinated custom look.
How Does Remote Measuring Work?
Rather than simply emailing a measurement chart and asking the groomsman to figure everything out himself, we arrange a live video measurement appointment.
The appointment typically takes approximately 25 minutes.
During the video call, we personally guide the groomsman through the measurements required for his suit. We explain exactly where each measurement needs to begin and end, how the measuring tape should sit on the body and how the client should stand.
The groomsman will need two things:
- A flexible measuring tape
- A friend or family member who can assist with physically taking the measurements
We provide the instructions throughout the entire appointment.
This is important because seemingly small differences in how someone interprets a measurement can create significant differences in the final number. Instead of leaving those decisions to the client, we can watch the process and provide corrections or clarification in real time.
We Don’t Rely on Body Measurements Alone
One of the ways we make the remote process more comprehensive is by collecting more than one type of information.
In addition to the required body measurements, we generally ask the client to have a favourite well-fitting suit jacket and pair of trousers available.
During the video appointment, we provide instructions for taking measurements directly from those garments.
Why?
Because a garment that already fits the client well provides valuable additional information about his proportions and preferred fit.
Someone may tell us that he likes a slim fit, for example, but “slim” can mean very different things to different people. Measuring a jacket and trouser that he already enjoys wearing gives us another objective reference point.
We can then compare those garment measurements with the body measurements collected during the call.
This cross-referencing process provides us with a much more complete picture than simply receiving a list of numbers.
Can Styling Choices Be Made Remotely Too?
Yes.
The measurement appointment is only one component of the remote process.
If the entire wedding party is wearing the same design, we can review those details with the out-of-town groomsman over video. We can also assist remotely with personalized choices such as lining selection and monogram details.
The objective is for the remote groomsman to remain part of the custom experience rather than simply receiving a suit that someone else ordered on his behalf.
Depending on the wedding-party design, we can explain the fabric, jacket styling, lapels, vest, trousers, shirt and other relevant details so he understands exactly what is being created.
What Happens When the Suit Is Finished?
Timing becomes particularly important when working with a remote client.
Whenever possible, we want the suit completed and shipped with plenty of time before the wedding.
The groomsman can then try on the complete garment at home and assess the fit well in advance of the event.
This creates an important layer of reassurance for everyone involved.
Rather than having a groomsman fly into Toronto immediately before the wedding and try on his suit for the first time, we already know how the garment is fitting.
If a small adjustment is required, there is time to address it.
What If Alterations Are Required?
Even with highly accurate measurements, custom clothing may occasionally benefit from final adjustments. This is true whether a client is measured remotely or in our Toronto showroom.
If an out-of-town groomsman needs a minor adjustment and will not be in Toronto before the wedding, the alteration can generally be handled by a competent local alterations tailor.
Whenever possible, however, we plan the timeline so that there are options.
If the groomsman will eventually be travelling to Toronto for the wedding, we can also assist with final alterations here.
In some situations, a member of the wedding party may not arrive until shortly before the event. Because he has already received and tried on the suit beforehand, we are not discovering the overall fit for the first time at the last minute.
Instead, everyone already has the peace of mind of knowing how the garment fits, and any remaining work should generally involve smaller finishing adjustments rather than major surprises.
Why Experience Matters With Remote Measurements
Remote measuring requires more than simply knowing which measurements to collect.
The measurements need to be interpreted in context.
After nearly two decades of creating custom clothing and dressing thousands of grooms, we have developed a strong understanding of how different body measurements, garment measurements, proportions and fit preferences relate to one another.
That experience is particularly useful when something does not look right.
If one measurement appears inconsistent with the others, we can question it during the appointment, take it again and compare it with other measurements rather than blindly submitting the number for production.
This is why our virtual process is deliberately detailed.
Planning Ahead Makes the Process Even Easier
The best way to manage an out-of-town wedding party member is simply to identify him early in the process.
When we know where each groomsman lives and when he expects to be in Toronto, we can recommend the most convenient approach.
Some groomsmen may be able to visit Empire Customs months before the wedding and be measured in person. Others may visit Toronto only once. Some may not arrive until the wedding itself.
There is no reason to force everyone into exactly the same process.
Instead, we can combine in-person appointments and remote appointments based on the circumstances of each member of the wedding party.
Keeping the Entire Wedding Party Coordinated
Ultimately, having a groomsman living outside Toronto—or even outside Canada—should not prevent you from creating the wedding-party look you want.
The fabric, suit design and overall styling can remain consistent regardless of where each person is measured.
For the remote groomsman, we arrange a live video appointment, guide him and a friend through the body measurements, collect measurements from a favourite jacket and trousers, and assist with his personalized details.
Once production is complete, we aim to get the suit into his hands with enough time to try it on and confirm the fit before the wedding.
If he is eventually travelling to Toronto, we can assist with any final finishing adjustments when he arrives.
For us, this is not an unusual exception—it is a routine part of dressing modern wedding parties.
Our goal is to make the process convenient for the groom and every member of his wedding party while maintaining the level of accuracy, consistency and personal service we would expect from an in-person Empire Customs appointment.
