Finding the Perfect Attire for Every Wedding Style
Let’s be real, most of the attention on the wedding day is on the bride’s attire. If there are two brides and they both chose to wear a dress, then the limelight is shared. But if one person in the couple decides to wear a suit or tuxedo, most of the time no one really notices them, right? Ok, mom does but does that count? 🙂
Even though the groom might play second fiddle (did I really just use that phrase?), that does not mean their attire is any less important on the big day. In the past, grooms would typically wear a tuxedo, suit or their military uniform. However, today’s style offers more options depending on the wedding style, location, and of course, the groom’s personal style.
A tuxedo is a classic look and comes with various options, such as pinstripes, vests, tails, and even ruffles. Yes, ruffles were trendy in the 70s. Could they make a comeback? Tails were all the rage in the 80s. There are also a few color options to consider. Traditionally, grooms wore white while groomsmen wore black or another color. If you prefer a very classic and minimalist look, a standard black tuxedo without tails or ruffles is a timeless option. This choice is also the easiest because you can simply select the tuxedo you want the men in the wedding party to wear, have them get measured at the rental store, or send in their measurements, and the rental store takes care of the rest.
A suit is a great option because it is something that can be worn again. Yes, so can a tuxedo but how many black tie events are you invited to in a year versus weddings, funerals, or work events? This may be an easy option too if you can find someplace to rent suits. If not, this could be a very costly option if the suit must be purchased.
If you plan on having a beach wedding, the look of a light tan -colored linen suit gives off a breezy beach vibe. Top it off with a white shirt to complete the look. You can always wear a suit or tuxedo, but I feel like that is a bit too stuffy looking on a beach. Shorts are an option if you are going for a super casual look, but IMHO, that is a bit too casual for me.
In my area, there have been a lot of “barn weddings”. There are several venues created from renovated barns or pole sheds. This gives a country feel and some wedding parties opt for a casual look with jeans. I attended a wedding where the men in the wedding party wore jeans with button-down shirts, ties, and vests. The look was casual but very classy.
While outdoor weddings don’t always need to be less formal, you can still wear a tuxedo or suit, the simplicity of khakis just seems to go with the scenery of the outdoors. For my daughter’s wedding (see picture above), the men in the wedding party wore casual dress pants, either tan or navy blue depending on which side of the couple they were on, button-down shirts, bow ties or regular ties and suspenders. They opted to purchase a suit for my son-in-law and that set him out as just a bit different from the rest of the men in the wedding party. The look was great but it was more work to find the same pants, shirts, and ties for all the men in the wedding party.
In the end, this is your day. Choose a style and outfit the groom(s) will be comfortable in and goes with the wedding style and location.
Remember, less is more
~ Melissa
