What to Wear to a Wedding: Guide for Men

Many men aren’t used to thinking a lot about what they wear. Whatever they feel like throwing on in the morning is good enough for them, especially with the trend toward more casual attire everywhere in society. But when it comes to a wedding, what you wear matters. Here’s how to figure out what to wear (and don’t forget to check out our do’s and don’ts of wedding attire).

What Does the Invitation Say?

Because formality levels are going down everywhere, it’s more likely that people wanting you to wear a tux to their wedding will say so. If the invitation says black tie only, then you should go with a basic tuxedo. If it says white tie or full evening wear, then it’s time to add a hat and tails to your tuxedo. If it says black tie preferred or optional, then what you wear depends on some of the other factors we’ll look at, but be prepared to tux it up. If black tie is mentioned, make sure you have a conservative tie to wear, even if you’re wearing a regular suit.

What Season Is the Wedding?

To a great extent, the season of the wedding dictates what people wear. In the winter, darker colors and heavier materials are preferred, with a tendency toward increased formality. In the summer, the trend is toward lighter colors and materials. It’s also toward lower formality levels. This is partly practical—an outdoor wedding in Colorado can get pretty hot in the summer.

Where Is the Wedding?

The formality level of the wedding also depends on the wedding venue. If someone is getting married in a place of worship with a reception at an upscale hotel, assume a greater level of formality. If the ceremony and reception are taking place in someone’s back yard, assume it’s going to be a more informal affair. Beach weddings are rarely formal.

What Time Is the Wedding?

You can also judge formality based on time of the wedding. If it’s in the afternoon, assume that the event is going to be less formal, whereas evening events are more formal, especially if a sit-down dinner is being served instead of a buffet.

How Close Are You to the Wedding Party?

If you’re very close to the wedding party, you’ll be expected to conform better to the norm. After all, you’ll be in more pictures, so it’s important you project the image they want to remember from their wedding.

You Can Always Ask

Don’t spend too much time fretting about this when a simple question can clear everything up. Talk to the couple and they’ll tell you what they’re expecting. If you’re not close enough to them, ask someone who is. Presumably, you’re at least a friend of a friend. If you’re being invited because you’re family, ask the person in your family closest to the married couple.

When in Doubt, Wear a Suit

Wearing a suit at a wedding will get you into the acceptable range for almost all situations where there was no requirement for black tie or white tie on the invitation. Bring a couple of different ties and watch people going up to the ceremony to pick which is right. If you want, you can also bring a more casual jacket. If it looks like you’re going to be overdressed, you can always ditch the coat and tie in the car and undo the top button on your shirt for a quick dressdown.

If you are looking for more wisdom about weddings. We have plenty of experience handling weddings, and we can help you set up the perfect wedding. To schedule a free tour, please call 303-557-2347 or contact Stonebrook Manor in the north Denver area.