Formalwear Etiquette & Issues
<b>Q</b>: Can I wear a tux at my daytime wedding?
<b>A</b>: Ultimately you can wear whatever you want, but bear these guidelines in mind:
Daytime: lf your entire wedding will happen when the sun is up, tuxes are out. For an ultra formal affair, men traditionally sport a morning suit. lf the event is formal but not over the top, focus on gray stroller coats or formal suits in shades to suit the season. If it's semiformal, men can simply wear nice suits, and in warm weather, if the setup is casual, you can even wear a sports jacket and trousers.
Evening: lf your reception will begin after 6p.m. (5:30's fine, too-and in winter you can stretch it even earlier), you can officially don evening wear. lf this is a super formal occasion, get ready for white tie, complete with black tailcoats (the top hats and canes can stay in the closet). A formal evening wedding calls for black tie-that means tuxedos or James Bond-style white dinner jackets. lf it's a semi formal affair, tuxedos are appropriate, or the guys can just wear nice dark suits.
<b>Q</b>: Is it okay to take my jacket off at the reception?
<b>A</b>: Keep it on during cocktail so everyone can see how dapper you look! It's fine to remove your jacket for the dance floor later (after the first dance, please). If you wear a vest, consider a style with a back instead of one with an adjustable waist and open back-you'll still look put together without your jacket.
<b>Q</b>: Tuxes seem so boring. Are there any ways to dress one up and make it more me?
<b>A</b>: Unique vests and patterned ties make a standard tux special. Pastel colored shirts are also a trend. Or keep it classic on the cover and go crazy with fun socks, cool boxers and novelty cuff links (all make great groomsmen's gifts). Also consider incorporating elements of your ethnic heritage with a kilt, a kente cloth accent, or a Chinese silk vest.
<b>Q</b>: I want to wear a tux, but I don't want my guests to have to go out and rent them. How do I let them know they don't have to?
<b>A</b>: Include the phrase "black tie invited" or "black tie optional" on your invitations. This tells male guests that the men in the wedding party are going to be decked out in tuxes, and that they are invited to wear them as well, but that dark suits are just as appropriate. It also clues women in to the fact that they should wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
Courtesy of <a class='navitem2' href='http://theknot.com'>The Knot </a> via <a class='navitem2' href='http://scrippsmedia.com'>Scripps Media</a>
