Lori’s question from last week (about what to wear with bridesmaid dresses) started Katharine’s and my wheels turning about all of the different options out there for wedding day attire.
In this day and age (which makes me sound like a grandmother, but oh well!), there are SO many options, from super formal to just-rolled-out-of-bed casual.
With all these options, we thought it might be nice to do a brief overview of the many possibilities. (Okay, we won’t be covering just-rolled-out-of-bed. But you know what I mean!) You can use our guide to heed sartorial etiquette, or to gain general awareness of which rules you’re breaking :) Let’s begin!
The most formal option for daytime wear (anytime before 6pm) is a black or Oxford gray cutaway coat, black or gray striped trousers, a pearl gray waistcoat, stiff white shirt, stiff fold-down collar with gray-and-black striped four-in-hand tie or wing collar with ascot, gray gloves, black silk socks, and black kid shoes. Whew! This is NOT a common look for weddings today, but we did manage to turn up a few examples:
Image credit: Jen Huang. See more from this wedding here!
The most formal option for traditional evening attire consists of a black tailcoat and trousers, a white pique waistcoat, a starched-front shirt with a wing collar, a white bow tie, white gloves, black silk socks, black patent-leather shoes or pumps or black kid smooth-toed shoes. Tuxedos are also acceptable. Not as elusive as the formal daytime option, and more popular in the South than other regions of the country, but still fairly rare.
For a semiformal daytime wedding, the groom might wear a suit-style dark gray or black sack (straight-backed) coat, matching trousers, a soft or white pleated shirt, a four-in-hand tie, and black smooth-toed shoes. For all of you non-menswear experts, that’s basically your standard “nice suit.” A dove gray waistcoat was the traditional pairing with this look, but grooms are switching things up left and right these days. A very popular option!
For a semiformal evening wedding, the attire options are split by seasons. For a winter wedding, a black or midnight blue tuxedo is most appropriate. Here, Katharine’s groom Kyle models the look with aplomb:
In the summer, a white dinner jacket and black cummerbund can be substituted.
Either can be paired with a pleated or pique soft shirt with attached collar, a black cummerbund and black bow tie, and a pair of black patent-leather or kid shoes. No gloves.
For informal day or evening weddings, it really starts to get loose. Lighter-weight suits or jackets and trousers, white suits, seersucker suits, khaki suits, khakis and navy blazers, trousers and suspenders… the sartorial options are almost limitless. Just remember to keep whatever you do choose in good taste and in keeping with the ceremony and reception location and time of year.
So, ladies: what will your men be wearing on the big day? Leave us a note in the comments!
Lastly, let’s have a big round of applause for Mr. Bryan Johnson! I turned to A Bryan Photo for the lion’s share of these images. If you’re ever looking for wedding inspiration (and great photography, of course), look no further than their galleries!
I love the Pale Pink Check Cummerbund Set. It would look amazing with navy bridesmaids dresses and blush peonies.
About a month ago I was in Athens while a local shop was having a High Cotton sale. I was giddy when I saw the monogrammed cummerbund.
Being a University of Georgia graduate, I have to go with the Nantucket Red Seersucker Stripe Cummerbund Set. Seersucker and Red!!! How can get any more ‘Southern’ than that? I do have a second favorite for those times when wearing game day colors aren’t suitable: Pawtucket Patchwork Madras Cummerbund Set- It is a PERFECT spring time set.
Love the Soft Lavender Mini Check Cummerbund Set
For me the “Endzone Orange Gingham” cummerbund set is the epitome of the South because I live in Big Orange Country (Knoxville, TN) and SEC football is a way of life here – the endzones at UT are checkerboard orange and white! Go vols!
What could be more Southern than an honoring little college football tradition. I love the “Red and Black Tattersall Cummerbund Set” because the colors represent mine and my fiance’s Alma Mater… The University of Georgia! Go Dawgs!
I love the Carolina blue stripe set! Is there anything more Southern than a Chapel Hill wedding? No!
Also, the model is one of my boyfriend’s fraternity brothers- love it!
I absolutely adore the the Pale Pink Check Cummerbund Set…it could only be more southern with the addition of a monogram! However, I do love Clemson so the End Zone Orange is also near and dear to my heart!
Definitely like the Black Houndstooth. Southern and sharp.
I think the Soft Carolina Blue Stripe Cummerbund Set represents the South the most – our Carolina Blue skies and the perfect combo of white and blue!
I think the nautical blue is classic! and of course I love a plaid!
Could anything be more Southern than a madras Cumberbund set? I love it! It just reminds me of the South- gentlemen who can dress up and still appear laid-back, friendly, and not stuffy. Adore this! It would make for an awesome Charleston wedding… I can just see it!
I love the Orange and Navy Tattersall Cummerbund Set. It reminds me of Sundress-Saturdays spent in the Fall at Ben Hill Griffin stadium cheering for the Gators :)
I can’t pass up the chance to pick the red and black – Carolina – cummerbund set. Go Cocks!
Definitely the Crimson Gingham Cummerbund Set. It’s picnic table-like red and white checkers reminds me of summers in Tennessee. I can picture this cummerbund around the waist of my handsome fiance sitting with me on a blanket in the sun, eating a picnic together. It brings me back to the summer sounds of June bugs and the humidity of summer in the south.
I love the Crimson gingham set! All of them, especially the seersucker and the gingham patters were very Southern!
I think the Nautical Navy Stripe Cummerbund Set looks MOST southern charm!
I love High Cotton Ties. My fiance and I have been looking at their website lately trying to decide on bowties for the beaus in the wedding party! I think the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras Cummerbund is the epitome of southern and would be perfect monogrammed!
Although I’m tempted to pick the black houndstooth because it is soooo BAMA, I have decided to pick the Soft Carolina Blue Stripe Cummerbund Set. This color blue screams old south. The cummerbund and bow tie make me think of a good ole fashioned southern gentleman. It is classic, romantic, and perfectly soutern!! I love it!
Nothing is more southern than the Nantucket Red Seersucker Stripe Cummerbund Set. It’s seersucker!
I think the Red and Black Tattersall Cummerbund Set truly emphasizes the look of the south. It encompasses the University of Georgia’s colors with the uncanning style of a true southern gentleman that is best epitomized in the great state of Georgia.
Don’t they all scream “Southern”? But I do love the Aqua Seersucker Gingham!
The Aqua seersucker gingham absolutely emphasizes the south the most. Every Easter Sunday as far as I can remember all the men would stroll into church with their blue seersucker suits and I always knew spring was here! Easter picnic after service with fried chicken, fried okra, and seersucker as far as the eye can see.
I love the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras Cummerbund Set. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding! Love High Cotton Ties (and headbands, too!)
I love the Carolina Blue Gingham Cummerbund Set! What says southern more than the color of the beautiful blue sky on a spring afternoon in North Carolina in combo with gingham?!?
I love the Carolina blue stripe set! Screams southern gentleman at a college football tailgate! :)
nothing says Southern like the Endzone Orange cummerbund and tie set. Why? because who else than a Southern gent would sport a cummbebund and tie to a Saturday football game? Go CLEMSON Tigers!! :)
My fiance and I are so excited about this contest! Judy and James are the best! My favorite is the Carolina Blue Gingham. There’s nothing more Southern that a crisp pastel in amazing pattern like gingham. It matches the sky on a beautiful Southern day and starts the night off with your gentleman looking and feeling good. And can it get any better than the monogram on the side?!
Durham Ranger Madras Bow Tie most def!!! love the colors and its also Miami Dolphins :) So proud to be Southern!
Definitely the Carolina Blue! All Southerners love a Carolina blue sky!
Nothing screams South more than the Blue Violet and Pink Paisley Cummerbund Set! It combines the rich history which both the South and paisley print have in common with the fun, contemporary colors of blue and pink!!
I definitely think the Aqua Seersucker Gingham Cummerbund Set is the most southern, plus if we win it, I have the perfect dress to match him! ;)
Although it has Nantucket in the name I think the Nantucket Red Seersucker Stripe Set is the epitome of southern! Here in New Orleans, people from out of town assume seersucker = southern!
I LOVE the Pale Pink Check Cummerbund set! What’s more southern than a man in pink?
I think that the Nantucket Red Seersucker Stripe Cummerbund Set epitomizes the South. It’s a classic pattern with a modern, striking color. The pattern gives it that nautical feel from the coast, but the faded red tones in the seersucker stripe give it that sun faded, relaxed feel I always love. The washed out red tones arn’t too loud, but it speaks and make the wearer stand out from the rest. Also, pale striped sun faded reds with solid, saturated navy tones? It’s a great color combination!
It’s a quiet breeze of Southern air that isn’t too overpowering, which is why it’s my choice.
I love plaid so how can I not pick the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras Print :)
Durham Ranger Madras is the epitome of the south!
I LOVE the Endzone Orange. I’m a Clemson girl but that cummerbund just says Southern… it’s the color of Georgia peaches and clay, the color that fills Tennessee, Clemson, Florida, UVA, and Auburn’s stadiums in the fall, a low country sunset sky, and a southerner’s favorite vegetable: macaroni and cheese. And the gingham print just screams comfortable, down home, and real… what every Southern gentleman should be! :)
I am a HUGE fan of the Red and Black Tattersall Cummerbund Set. It goes great with a dark tux, but also reminds me and my girlfriend of putting on some red pants, a white oxford, and the bow tie alone at the University of Cincinnati football games. Nothing like bringing up some southern style!
On its own, the patchwork madras is my favorite. But with tuxedo, the pink check.
Even though I’m partial to the UT Endzone Orange, nothing says Southern like the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras. There’s just something about Madras that brings you back to the simpler times.
Red and Black, it doesn’t get more southern than Carolina. Goooo Cocks!
I love the soft Carolina blue stripe set. It just makes me yearn for lazy summer afternoons topped off with a tall glass of lemonade.
My favorites are the Carolina Blue Gingham and Cornflower and Mint Green Tattersall Cummerbund sets. If I had to choose one though I think I would have to go with the Carolina Blue Gingham set
The Carolina Blue Gingham Cummerbund Set takes the cake! I’m a Georgia boy but blue has always been my color. The Carolina Blue is classic and makes a statement of style and purpose while maintaining a quiet dignity.
My two favorite are the Carolina Blue Gingham and Cornflower and Mintgreen Tattersall Cummerbund sets but if I had to pick one I would say that the Carolina Blue Gingham represents the south the best.
They are wonderful…but I do love that Calhoun Plaid!
Love the End Zone orange!
I think the Blue Violet and Pink Paisely set and the Cornflower and Mint Green Tattersall set embody the south the most!
The Carolina Blue Gingham and the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras Print are quintessentially southern and are just calling for Charleston weddings and juleps in hand! Southern boys in madras can’t be beat!
By far the Pawtucket Patchwork Madras is the most Southern. Add on a monogram and it doesn’t get anymore Southern. It reminds me of the patch madras shorts my father and uncles used to golf in when I was a little girl