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We're having a formal evening wedding and I would like
my fiancé to wear a tuxedo. Should he rent or buy his tux?
That all depends on your lifestyle. If you're the kind of couple who hit the
social circuit and attend at least three black-tie functions a year, then
purchasing a tuxedo is a good investment, as long as he sticks to a classic
style.
However, if your social engagements lean more toward backyard barbecues, then a
rental is probably a better bet.
My groom owns his tuxedo, but his ushers are renting
theirs. This means the guys may be wearing slightly different
tux styles. Will this look strange?
Not at all—in fact, grooms often distinguish themselves from their ushers by
wearing a different color tie, vest, or boutonniere.
However, there should be some coordinating elements: shirt-collar, vest, and tie
styles should all be in sync.
Do my fiancé and his groomsmen have to
wear boutonnieres? We’re trying to keep the budget under control and the
guys won’t mind at all.
There’s no rule that says the men in the wedding party must wear flowers, but
tradition suggests it’s a good idea. Derived from the custom of a knight
carrying his lady’s colors into battle, the boutonniere is a way for the
groomsmen to stand out from the rest of the male guests. Before you kill the idea, talk to your florist. You can opt for a single
rose, daisy, or other inexpensive blossom without ratcheting up the overall
flower cost. Another savings secret: If you choose sprigs that echo your bouquet
or centerpieces, many florists will toss in the lapel liveners for a minimal
fee.
I’m having a semiformal summer
wedding. The guys are all grumbling that they’re going to be hot in tuxedos. Are
there any cooler alternatives?
First of all, black tuxedos should only be worn for a formal evening wedding
after 6:00 p.m. However, there are a few semiformal, tuxedo-like looks available
to rent in lightweight fabrics (linen or cotton poplin) and daytime shades like
khaki and gray. Another smart summer option is a dapper seersucker suit. For
something a little less formal, the guys can wear blue blazers and khaki pants,
then beat the heat by removing their jackets after the ceremony.
My brother, who’s a groomsman, is in the Coast Guard. Can
he wear his dress uniform to the ceremony or does he have to wear a tuxedo like
the other guys?
Military protocol says he can wear his uniform or civvies—his choice. The
only downside to a groomsman in uniform is the attention it inevitably attracts,
potentially deflecting some of the spotlight from your fiancé. Talk it over with
your groom and guide your brother accordingly.
Can my dad and the groom’s father both wear tuxedos with
shawl collars, while the ushers wear peak-collared tuxes?
No problem. Here’s the rule: While the bridal party’s tuxedos don’t all have
to be the same style, they should be the same color (presumably, black). So the
dads can do their own thing while the rest of the guys sport a uniform style.
What do boy attendants wear for a formal wedding?
If it’s a formal evening affair, a ring bearer wears a satin or velvet Eton
suit. Daytime nuptials call for shorts (white in summer, gray in winter), a navy
blazer, and white kneesocks. Older boys can wear navy blazers with gray pants.
My groom doesn’t want to wear a boutonniere. Is there
some other way he can decorate his tuxedo jacket?
Don’t worry if your fiancé’s not feelin’ the flower power. He can spruce up
his ensemble with a silk pocket square (it can even coordinate with your wedding
colors) or a stickpin with a standout stone.
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