Your invitation has landed, and now you’re wondering ‘What should I wear to a wedding?’

These days, weddings aren’t the strictly formal occasions they once were, and themes, dress codes and other factors often come into play.

So, what do men wear to weddings? And what can you do to nail the perfect look on the big day? From classic tuxedos to luxurious men’s wedding suits, here’s everything you need to know.

What Should I Wear to a Wedding?

When it comes to what do men wear to weddings there are a myriad of style options. More than anything else, always respect the wishes of the happy couple. A wedding is not the time for whacky wardrobe experimentation or upstaging the newlyweds, unless they’ve asked you to! Always stick to the rules and you’re guaranteed to get it right.

Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Attire for Men

There are several dos and don’ts when choosing your men’s wedding outfit. Always pay attention to the following:

• The venue: Where is the wedding taking place? The location can be a source of inspiration for your wedding day attire. A lightweight summer suit is a sensible choice for a beach wedding. Similarly, city weddings may demand a sleek and stylish approach like a contemporary navy suit. A sharp tweed suit would do the trick for a country wedding. 
• The dress code: Does the wedding invitation state a specific dress code? Whether black tie, casual, or something in the middle, always follow the code or risk standing out like a sore thumb.
• The theme: Many modern weddings have a theme. Guests may be requested to wear something pink or the colours of their favourite football team. Whatever the theme, pay attention but don’t be afraid to add a little fun and creative flair to your outfit.
• The season: The weather is one of the biggest influences on your choice of wedding attire. After all, you’ll probably need a thick winter suit in darker shades during the colder months, or a lightweight, relaxed outfit in bright colours or floral prints when it’s warmer.

As always, the key thing to remember when choosing your men’s wedding outfit is to wear something comfortable that makes you feel confident and showcases your personality and style.

What Do Men Wear to Weddings?

It’s time to dive into the nitty gritty and look more closely at different wedding dress codes to give you a clear picture of what’s expected from the happy couple

The White-Tie Wedding

The ultimate formal dress code is known as white tie. It represents the pinnacle of sartorial elegance and comes with a number of specific rules. Typically, this means an unbuttoned evening tailcoat with peaked lapels, and a pleated or plain white formal evening shirt underneath a traditional white evening waistcoat.

As for the trousers, they should be straight-legged and high-waisted, shoes must be black patent leather accompanied by black evening socks, and you must wear a white bowtie.

To complete your white-tie outfit, go for timeless accessories like cufflinks, a pocket watch, top hat, white leather gloves, a white pocket square, and even an antique walking cane. White-tie dress codes might be uncommon for weddings, but you won’t go far wrong by following these rules.

The Black-Tie Wedding

The black-tie dress code is a notch down from white tie but still commands a high degree of formality. This usually means a classic tuxedo or traditional black suit worn with a white pleated dress shirt or wing collar shirt.

While your wedding footwear should be black patent leather or traditional leather shoes, you can experiment with your bowtie and cummerbund by adding pops of vivid colour. Finish off your black-tie outfit with your favourite accessories including a silk scarf, pocket square, cufflinks, shirt studs, lapel flower, dress watch and more.

The Semi-Formal Wedding

Sliding down the formality scale, you won’t need a tuxedo or dinner jacket for a semi-formal wedding. But you will require something smarter than a pair of ripped jeans and a polo.

Sometimes referred to as cocktail attire, semi-formal generally requires a traditional suit chosen with the venue and season in mind. For example, autumn suits in shades of brown and green are perfect for weddings that take place later in the year.

Semi-formal also creates room for personal elements like a statement tie, pocket handkerchief, and contemporary footwear. But whatever you do, leave the bowtie and cummerbund at home along with the pocket watch and shirt studs, none of which belong here.

The Smart-Casual Wedding

Smart casual opens up a world of men’s wedding outfit options. From a classic blazer, shirt and tie combo to a pair of smart denim jeans, it offers a range of clothing possibilities for any guest.

Essentially, here’s your chance to drop the formalities while maintaining a degree of sophistication. Footwear options include everything from men’s leather brogues to relaxed trainers, while belts, watches, and scarves are perfectly acceptable accessories. Finally, a smart coat or casual jacket is a great way to round off your semi-casual outfit, especially during a winter wedding.

The Casual Wedding

When it comes to wedding styling, the world is your oyster with a casual dress code. It incorporates everything from a classic suit to a pair of relaxed slacks, and there are no specific rules to follow other than you’ll want to look your best for the happy couple.

Here, comfort is just as important as your appearance, so consider a patterned shirt or linen shirt with matching trousers or chinos and complementary footwear. There’s no requirement to wear leather, so casual loafers are perfectly acceptable along with statement socks, belts, handkerchiefs, and any other accessories you like.

The Zero Dress Code Wedding

The safest way to approach a wedding with no particular dress code is to approach it as either a formal or smart-casual celebration. To avoid confusion, consider the time and location of the wedding which provide enough clues about what to wear for the big day ahead.

For instance, if the wedding is taking place at a swanky hotel, a polished grey suit with matching waistcoat and shirt won’t let you down. However, a summer outdoor wedding requires a lighter fabric in brighter colours more suitable for the warmer weather.

There’s nothing wrong with wearing a shirt and tie to any wedding, but in the absence of a dress code, you may also choose to leave them out and swap your leather shoes for comfy footwear. Just remember to add those important finishing touches and your favourite accessories.

What Do Men Wear to Weddings at Different Times of the Year?

We’ve already mentioned how the seasons can play a significant role in your choice of men’s wedding attire. Here’s why:

The Springtime Wedding

Spring is the most popular wedding season, and it’s also a time for unpredictable weather. Therefore, dress for all eventualities with layers that can be added or taken away depending on the conditions.

Traditional spring wedding suits come in a variety of colours, designs and materials, all of which look fantastic beneath a tailored dark overcoat.  For formal spring weddings, add a bowtie or waistcoat for an extra element of sophistication. However, you’ll likely get away with toning down the formality (unless the invitation states differently) and be fine in trousers and a blazer, again with pocket squares, belts, tie pins, cufflinks and any accessories of your choice.

The Summer Wedding

Summer weddings can be hot and sticky affairs, although maybe not in the UK… so it’s no surprise that the dress code is adjusted to allow people to feel comfortable. Again, a summer suit in light colours, soft pastels and breathable materials should be your go-to option. Consider ecru suits that reflect the sun’s rays and help to keep you cool. When the temperature rises, the classic combination of chinos and a polo shirt will also be on-trend.

Yet summer wedding attire isn’t just about light colours and fabrics as darker shades also work well. Just don’t forget to wear the right footwear and add summery accessories like sunglasses and a handkerchief to polish off your look.

The Autumn Wedding

Autumn wedding suits typically feature thicker fabrics in seasonal shades of green, brown, and olive that reflect the weather conditions. That typically means heavier materials like a tweed three-piece suit over a crisp, white shirt and statement tie.

For an autumn wedding with a formal dress code, go for bowties and pocket squares in warm colours, and a snug pair of Chelsea boots are just as acceptable as a pair of black patent leather shoes.

The Winter Wedding

Winter is another season when heavier fabrics are king. Warming tweeds and wool blends that keep the cold at bay come to the fore. Similarly, a rich and colourful velvet blazer paired with dark trousers and classic brogues are guaranteed to make a bold statement on the big day.

Most winter weddings probably require a warm overcoat for extra protection against the elements. You could also choose accessories in seasonal colours of crimson, gold, and emerald green to keep you in tune with the winter wedding vibe.

What Should I Wear to a Wedding if I’m Only Invited to the Reception?

If your wedding invitation states ‘Reception Only’ it puts a different spin on your choice of outfit. Attending the evening party but not the wedding ceremony allows you to be more creative and relaxed while showcasing your personality with the clothes that you wear.

Even though most outfits are acceptable for the evening party, there are obvious limitations. It’s unlikely you’ll get away with a pair of joggers and t-shirt, so always look to maintain a sense of style and tradition that will keep the bride and groom happy.

Still Asking: ‘What Should I Wear to a Wedding?’ We’ve Got the Answers

From traditional tuxedos and dinner jackets to tweed suits and boys' suits, we’ve got the perfect outfit for any wedding occasion. Browse our range of wedding suits today.