Groom’s Guide: A Wedding Formalwear Etiquette Guide
Groom’s Guide: A Wedding Formalwear Etiquette GuideCourtesy of Jim's Formalwear
Traditional
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| | Black full Dress (tailcoat) with white wing collar pique shirt, white pique vest and bow tie. May wear sprig from bride’s bouquet as boutonniere. | Black Tuxedo, white pleated formal shirt, bow tie, vest or cummerbund to match tuxedo lapels. White dinner jacket with formal trousers for summer or tropical climates. | Cutaway coat, grey striped trousers, grey vest, ascot, or striped four-in-hand tie. Optional top had, spats, grey gloves. | Grey stroller, with striped trousers, pearl grey vest, four-in-hand tie with white pleated formal shirt. Optional homburg and gloves. |
| | Identical to groom with different boutonnieres | Same as groom, perhaps with different boutonniere. | Similar to groom in style, with possible variation in tie or shirt. | Identical to groom, perhaps with different boutonniere. |
| | Identical to groom with different boutonnieres. | Same as groomsmen. | Same as groom, or same as ushers. | Same as groom, or same as ushers |
| | Identical to groom. | Identical to groom. | Identical to groom. | Identical to groom. |
| | May wear tuxedos or, if you specify “White Tie” on invitations, guests should wear full dress identical to groom. | Should be formally dresses. Specify “Black Tie” on invitations. | You may suggest “Traditional Morning Attire” on invitations, if you would like your guests to be formally dressed. They would then choose formal attire similar to the groom’s. | Formalwear optional. |
Contemporary
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| | Black full Dress (tailcoat) or other color tailcoat applicable. Shirt coordinating with tailcoat, tie and vest or cummerbund matching in color, except if wearing black full dress, wear white vest and bow tie. | Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors… dark for fall and winter… lighter shades for spring and summer… white for any time of year. Shirts white or coordinate with tuxedo color. | Updated cutaway in black, dark or light grey shades with striped matching trousers, white shirt, striped ascot or tie. | Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors…dark for fall/winter…white and light shades for spring or tropical climates. Updated stroller coat with trousers. |
| | Similar to groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. | Formalwear similar to groom in style, however, if groom chooses a tailcoat, ushers can wear similar color tuxedos. White shirts or color to coordinate with tuxedos. Ties and cummerbunds can be of coordinating colors to bridesmaids. | Similar to groom in style, or can wear matching stroller coats with striped or matching trousers. Usually same color as the groom. | Similar to groom… coordinated in color. |
| | Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. | Similar to ushers, or in classic black tuxedo. | Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. | Either similar to the male attendants, or formalwear of own choice. |
| | Same as groom. | Same as groom. Can use colored tie and cummerbund to match flower girl. | Same as groom, but can also wear stroller coat. | Same as groom or to coordinate with groomsmen. |
| | Formalwear similar to groom. For and elegant mood, specify “Black Tie Invited” on invitation; guests will wear black tuxedos. | Formalwear optional. For an elegant evening, specify “Black Tie Invited” on invitations. | Formalwear optional. | Formalwear optional. |
