There comes a time in every man’s life they get invited to a wedding. While you aren’t the groom, there are still some worries about going to a wedding. For starters, it’s an event that expects people to be dressed to the stars, regardless of theme. It’s nerve-wracking, but also fun when prepared for. Today, let’s make sure you look your best on your loved one’s wedding day. You have to look good in photos while staying on theme. There are different themes and dress codes to follow, so let’s start.

Black-Tie Wedding

 Black tie events are a classic wedding theme. Keep your tuxedo ironed and clean for this occasion. If you don’t have one, rent or buy one sooner rather than later. Make sure that it’s well-fit. You don’t want to look baggy or “spilling out”. Find a suit that fits you just right. It should accentuate your form’s best assets.

 A traditional black and white tux is the standard. You can add your own personal flair, but make sure to ask the groom and bride to be on any “wilder” touches. Subtle personal touches include your bow tie, shoes, lapel pin, and dress shirt designs. For your coat and pants, they should be a dark shade. Avoid wearing a vibrant and colorful tuxedo. Don’t upstage the bride and groom by being too attention-grabbing. Floral

Wear dark colors. Midnight blue, dark bottle green, and black are your best bets. Your shoes should be oxfords, loafers, or leather. Lastly, make sure your dress shirt has a collar. 

Formal Wedding

Formal weddings are slightly less strict than black-tie events. Your outfit and demeanor are essentially the same as black-tie events. One key difference is you can customize a bit more. This time around, you can also wear other dark suits with solid colors. Dark suits and tuxedos are highly recommended. Ties aren’t necessary as, unlike “black-tie” events, there’s no tie expected. Of course, if you want to, nobody is stopping you.

Just like in black-tie events, a collared dress shirt is also required. You can make it customized now instead of a plain solid color. Feel free to have patterns for your dress shirt to show off your style.

Avoid wearing casual shoes when in a formal event. Dress shoes are the standard and should be respected. Don’t mix and match your suit colors. Keep to a consistent motif. Avoid flowery boutonnieres, as those are reserved for the wedding couple. On that note, don’t upstage the bride and groom. No loud colors or loudness in general. Keep things low-key.

Semi-Formal Wedding

A balance of comfort, modernity, and style is the name of the game. Semi-formal events are all about modern trends and fashion. You’re still expected to wear a suit, but it’s no longer limited to black-tie affairs. Feel free to wear your style on your sleeves.

In addition to the usual suit and tie, you can also wear blazers and sports coats. It’s not only much more modern, but it’s also more comfortable. Dancing the night away is more stylish and comfier in a casual suit. Don’t be afraid to wear bright colors as well. The vibe of the event is expected to be livelier than a traditional wedding.

 That also means you can accessorize and show off your personal style. Sophisticated jewelry is a welcome sight at cocktail events. Don’t get carried away. Even if it’s semi-formal, a certain level of attire is still expected. You can’t be wearing jeans or torn fashion. Save those for friends who decide to get casual weddings. On the other hand, don’t be too fancy. Wearing a tuxedo when everyone else is in blazers and ties could make you look out of place.

Casual Wedding

Casual weddings may sound like the easiest, but only deceptively so. Casual is a broad term, and every couple might mean something different. It’s up to you to gather what “casual” means from the invitation. Alternatively, just ask the bride and groom what they’re okay with.

A good rule of thumb is looking at the venue and time of the wedding. You should wear an outfit suitable to those two factors. For example, if you’re going to be at a beach during the day, wear light colors and airy clothing. This lets you look stylish but feel cool and comfortable. If it’s in an indoor ballroom, the classic suit can still be worn.

One of the fun parts of casual weddings is customizability. You can wear the previously taboo patterned suits. Stripes, plaid, or shapes, you can wear whatever you feel is best. Suit pants and chinos are also great for maintaining style and comfort. Bright colors are not only allowed, they are even encouraged. You have a lot more control than in the more formal affairs.

But once again, don’t get carried away. Casual or not, don’t treat it like a normal party. Avoid wearing t-shirts and sleeveless attire. If the wedding isn’t on a beach, avoid open-toed footwear as well. This includes flip-flops, sandals, and slippers. Remember, It’s one of the most important days of your loved one’s life, not the party after a sports event.

This is a guest post written by Sophia Young Content Studio. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with Sophia Young Content Studio or any companies that may be linked within the post.