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4 Most Asked Wedding Attire Questions

 Wedding Attire Advice

How to Decode the Wedding Attire Dress Code?

The invitation doesn't state the dress code. What to do?  Besides asking, which is appropriate to do so, examine the invitation.  Formal wedding invitations are printed on heavy paper, engraved, and will state "formal or black-tie attire".  The wording is also more formal and in the third person.

Note the venue and time of day as well. A wedding held in a country club would be more formal than one held in a park.  Additionally, daytime weddings are typically less formal. Exceptions are Catholic weddings, which are typically held in the afternoon and are more formal. 

Suggested Wedding Guest Attire

Formal Daytime

  • Men: suits
  • Women: daytime version of the little black dress (or equivalent) 

Formal Evening

  • Men: dark suits or tuxedos (if requested)
  • Women: long or elegant short cocktail dress with beading and sequins. Accessories should be top-notch

Semi-Formal Daytime

  • Men: suits
  • Women: street length dresses, quality separates, or suits 

Semi-Formal Evening

  • Men: dark suits
  • Women: cocktail dresses (or equivalent)

Informal Daytime

  • Men: dress shirts and slacks (sports jacket is optional)
  • Women: attire appropriate for a nice restaurant

Informal Evening

  • Men: suits or sport jackets and slacks if very informal
  • Women: attire appropriate for a nice restaurant—special attention to accessories   

How do I dress the men in the wedding?

Frequently, a bride wants her groom and his men to wear tuxedos.  This is especially true when she wants to wear a formal gown.  However, bridal attire should match the formality of all elements of the wedding.

For example, if it is a formal evening affair, tuxedos would be an appropriate choice.  Consequently, if the tuxedo is preferred, it's best to shift the wedding into the evening. 

Suggested Groom and Groomsmen Attire

Very Formal Daytime

  • Cutaway coat, gray striped trousers, wing-collared shirt, waistcoat, and striped tie or ascot

Very Formal Evening

  • Full-dress tailcoat, matching trousers, wing-collared shirt, white waistcoats and bow ties

Formal Daytime

  • Stroller, waistcoat, striped trousers, and striped ties—darks suits are an option

Formal Evening

  • Tuxedo, bow or four-in-hand tie, and vest or cummerbund

Semi-Formal Daytime

  • Suit

Semi-Formal Evening

  • Dark suit

Informal Daytime

  • Suit, blazer or sport jacket and slacks

Informal Evening

  • Dark suit

What is appropriate encore bridal attire?

All brides should choose attire based on the formality of her wedding, the venue (church attire should be more conservative), and her age.  She can choose any color for her dress, but should avoid including a blusher veil, as it is reserved for first-time brides. 

As MOG, what should I wear?

So as not to rock any boat, it is best to wait for the mother of the bride to choose her dress.  Coordinate with her, while avoiding dressing more formally than her.  The length of the dress is not as important as the formality: material, cut, beading, etc.  Therefore, it's fine to wear a slightly different length. 

Please Don't Wear

  • Red or anything too bright.
  • The same color as the mother of the bride unless it is black.
  • Beading or sequins during the day.
  • Strapless gowns or showing off too much skin. 

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