There are several classifications of traditional formal attire: white tie,
white tie and tails, black tie and morning coat or daytime. The term "White tie"
refers to the most formal way of dressing. When an invitation calls for white tie, it
requires that the gentlemen of the wedding party and male guests wear black tails and
matching black pants, white pique front wing collar shirt, white pique vest and bow tie,
and studs with white stones. (Pique refers to a pattern of small bumps running across the
front vest or tie.) Today's standards allow some variation from this theme and you may use
a shirt, vest and tie that is not pique. "White tie and tails" is traditional
for evening weddings and receptions. However, contemporary standards accept this attire
for grooms at any time of the day and allow it to be used along with black tie formal wear
for groomsmen in order to distinguish the groom from the rest of the party. "Black
tie" can best be described as "party wear" or "evening wear."
Tuxedos fall in this category. Tailcoats are not officially tuxedos. A tuxedo is a suit
which consists of a standard-length coat with some dressy trim and a pair of matching
pants. Dinner jackets, light-colored standard-length coats with dark-colored trousers,
also fall into this category. The term "black tie" can be confusing because it
was adopted when black was the only color in which formal ties were available. Today, the
term merely means that a gentleman may wear his tuxedo or dinner jacket with any color tie
and cummerbund set. Tuxedos and dinner jackets come in many colors and styles, making it
easy to coordinate with the colors chosen by your bride. Daytime formal attire is referred
to as a "Morning coat." It was originally designed for daytime wear; however, it
now is acceptable protocol for evening weddings as well. The morning coat attire gives the
men in your party a turn-of-the-century appearance and is a popular choice. It is
comprised of either a black or gray coat with matching gray and black striped pants, a
pearl gray or light gray vest, gray and black striped four-in-hand tie (standard necktie)
or ascot tie, and either a collared or wing collar shirt. The coat is designed as either a
"Cutaway" with tails or a "Stroller" without tails.
Formal wear should not clash with the colors
the bride has selected, and the groom's attire should not upstage the bridal gown.Your
formal wear specialist will be able to guide you in choosing the formal attire that best
represents the mood you want to create.
