Formal Wear Guide
Contemporary · Traditional
| Contemporary |
Very Formal Evening |
Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Semi-Formal Evening |
| Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat), white or other color tailcoat acceptable. Shirt coordinates with tailcoat, tie and vest match tailcoat in color, except if wearing black full dress wear white wing collar shirt with white vest and bow. Shoes: Patent. |
Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors - dark for fall and winter, pastels for spring and summer, white for any time of year. Shirt white or coordinate with tuxedo in color, may be pleated or flat. Shoes: Patent. |
Updated cutaway usually gray, with striped or matching trousers, white shirt, striped tie or ascot; or tuxedo in conservative colors, dark for winter or all gray cutaway outfit with wing or laydown collar formal shirt and striped gray ascot or four-in-hand tie. Shoes: Patent |
Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors, dark for winter, white and pastels for spring and summer or tropical climate. Updated stroller coat with striped trousers. Shoes: Patent |
| Best Man, Groomsmen, Ushers, and Junior Groomsmen |
Similar to groom in style. Most formal: identical tailcoat suits. |
Formal wear similar to groom in style, however, if groom chooses a tailcoat ushers can wear similar color tuxedos. Shirts white, ties, and vests match tuxedos. |
Similar to groom in style or can wear matching stroller coats with striped or matching trousers. Usually same color as groom. |
Similar to groom, coordinated in color. |
| Ringbearer |
Same as groom. |
Same as groom. Can use colored tie and cummerbund or vest to match the flower girl. |
Same as groom, but can also wear stroller coat. |
Same as groom or to coordinate with groomsmen. |
| Fathers & Grandfathers |
Same as groom or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedos. |
Similar to ushers, or in classic black tuxedos. |
Same as groom or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedos. |
Either similar to the male attendants, or formal wear of own choice. |
| Guests |
For an elegant mood specify "Black Tie" on invitations; guests will wear black tuxedos. |
Formal wear optional. For an elegant evening specify "Black Tie" on invitations; guests will wear black tuxedos. |
Formal wear optional. |
Formal wear optional. |
| Traditional |
Very Formal Evening |
Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Semi-Formal Evening |
| Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat) with white wing collar formal shirt, white vest and bow. Shoes: Patent. May wear sprig from bride's bouquet as boutonniere. Shoes: Patent |
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 climate. Shoes: Patent |
Cutaway coat, gray striped trousers, gray vest, ascot or striped four-in-hand tie. Optional top hat and white gloves. Shoes: Patent. |
Gray stroller with striped trousers, pearl gray vest, four-in-hand tie with white pleated formal shirt. Optional: top hat and white gloves. Shoes: Patent |
| Best Man, Groomsmen, Ushers, and Junior Groomsmen |
Identical to groom with different boutonniere. |
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. |
| Ringbearer |
Same as groom. |
Same as groom. |
Same as groom. |
Same as groom. |
| Fathers & Grandfathers |
Identical to groom, with different boutonniere. |
Same as groomsmen. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers. |
| Guests |
May wear tuxedos or if "White Tie" is specified on invitations, guests should wear full dress identical to groom. |
Should be formally dressed. Specify "Black Tie" on invitations, guests will wear black tuxedos. |
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. |
Formal wear optional. |
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