Wedding Formalware Styles:
A Short Course
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The rule of thumb as to wedding attire, is that the style of the wedding determines the style of the clothing. In the past the rules of attire were governed by tradition and were adhered to strictly. In contemporary weddings, traditional or not, the guidelines are much looser and allow the bride and groom much more latitude than in years past. Today, the apparel for a wedding is determined primarily by personal preferences and budget.

In providing a rough guideline, wedding apparel styles are divided into three categories: informal, semi-formal, and formal.

Informal Weddings present themselves as an excellent choice when the bride and groom choose a non-traditional wedding location. This wedding style allows the couple the highest degree of latitude and allows them maximum flexibility in using their imaginations and creativity. Informal wedding attire may translate into the bride wearing either a traditional gown or a tailored suit. The groom's attire should, as always, reflect the bride's choice of clothing style so, in an informal wedding, a suit is appropriate for the groom. Her attendants can wear suits or dresses which reflect the season and need not be "matching."

Creativity comes into play when the bride and groom choose a theme wedding such as medieval, renaissance, sock hop, disco, or masquerade/costume party. The theme may be limited to the couple or extended to the entire bridal, and, in some cases, even to the guests.

The Semiformal Wedding while less traditional than a formal ceremony is more tradition-oriented than an informal wedding. The bride may choose a gown of any length and the groom and his ushers may wear suits or black tuxedos. Accordingly, the level of formality reflected in the attire of the bridesmaids and groomsmen may be reduced. This place in the middle of the formality level allows the couple to lean toward a traditional wedding, but can permit them extra flexibility with bridesmaids and groomsmen. This style is particularly helpful when the couple knows that requesting formal attire from their guests will create an undue financial strain.

A Formal or Traditional style wedding is appropriate at any time of the day, but clothing does vary according to the hour and the time of year. If the affair is being held in the evening, the bride is usually dressed in a full-length gown. The groom and groomsmen, to coordinate, wear black or white tuxedos. The bridesmaids' dresses will be formal, long gowns. Anyone else who is part of the wedding party (e.g., moms and dads) will wear similar garb.

Traditionally, the time of day dictated style, but white dinner jackets and grey tuxedos seem, for the time being at least, to have fallen from grace. The color of choice overwhelmingly appears to be black, even in the middle of July. A white tie and tails, which are still worn in many parts of the world for formal occasions including weddings, have pretty much disappeared in this county.

The bridal shop and tuxedo retail/rental shop personnel can be excellent resources. They can tell you what styles are popular and what are out of vogue. They can suggest what style works best with your face and body type. Ultimately, however, it is the bride and groom, with input from people closest to them, who will determine the style of the wedding and the style of the clothing.

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