Weddings are an exciting celebration to be a part of for friends and family, and at some point, you’ll have the question - what do I wear? Men’s wedding guest attire can vary with many different rules, styles, and expectations, so it is helpful to understand the various factors that can affect what is required. You should never take away from the bride and groom with an overly flashy suit but it is a great opportunity to show your a little personal style through your outfit. It is all about balancing your colors and accessories while adhering to the dress code requirements.
Men’s wedding guest attire has a few different categories which is why you should start by checking the wedding website FAQ page to find what the bride and groom specifically want their guests to be wearing. Another important factor is finding out if the wedding will be religious, which may mean you will want to aim more on the conservative side for men's wedding attire. The main categories for dress codes are White Tie, Black Tie, Black Tie Optional, Cocktail Attire, Beach Formal, or Casual. White Tie weddings are going to be the most formal dress attire with Black Tie weddings being a close second. Both require tuxedos, a bow tie, and black shoes, but a White Tie calls for white or black accessories only. A Black Tie wedding is where you have slightly more flexibility to add personal touches like a fun pocket square or flashy cufflinks (but be careful not to overdo it!). Cocktail Attire is the most common wedding guest requirement as it balances being formal without having to stay too traditional. For men, a suit would still be expected but feel free to wear a fun textured tie with a matching pocket square. If the wedding is more casual, you can skip the tie.