DECIDING what to wear to weddings for men is never straightforward.
Though in most cases you’ll be wearing a suit, there’s still plenty to consider, from the colours of your accessories to the type of shoes you’ll need.
We suggest that you start by thinking about the season and location that the wedding’s taking place in, as it’ll have a big impact on your outfit.
It goes without saying that you’ll want cooler fabrics in warm weather and vice versa. But you’ll also want lighter colours, and it’s important to think about your shirt and tie in that case too.
For example, a light grey suit is perfect for summer, but it won’t go with a dark navy tie. Choose one in a pale or pastel colour and you’ll be on the right track.
Location is important too – find out in advance if you’ll be walking through fields or if it’s all indoors, and select your shoes accordingly.
Once you’ve got the date and location in mind, read on to find out how to dress for the big day, whether you’re a guest or tying the knot yourself.
It would be a good idea to look for a wedding dress code among the lines of a wedding invitation too.
What to wear to a summer wedding?
When it comes to putting together an outfit for a summer wedding, the keyword is "light".
Think light colours, light fabrics and light structure.
Start with your suit – if it’s made of heavyweight fabrics or it’s restrictive, you’ll quickly overheat.
Try to find one with some cotton or linen in it, which will make it more breathable.
A pale colour also helps to keep you cool – and why not add a pattern for the special occasion.
A classic check design will work just as well at the office if you style it more conservatively.
But for the wedding, don’t be afraid to add colour and texture.
A bright, colourful tie sets the mood for celebration.
Pick a hue that really stands out against your suit and shirt, such as green, pink or light blue.
When it comes to footwear, leather oxford shoes are a great option.
Not only do they look stylish with a suit, but you can wear them sockless to help you stay cool…or, almost sockless – find an invisible pair to keep your feet fresh for a long night of dancing.
- Light Grey Check Skinny Fit Suit Jacket, £110 from River Island – buy here
- Light Grey Textured Check Suit Waistcoat, £40 from River Island – buy here
- Light Grey Check Skinny Fit Suit Trousers, £40 from River Island – buy here
- The Collection – Blue Dobby Striped Tailored Fit Shirt, £18 from Debenhams – buy here
- Green Textured Silk Tie, £19.95 from T.M.Lewin – buy here
- Riley Leather Oxford Brogues Mid Brown, £95 from Reiss – buy here
What should a man wear to a winter wedding?
In the cooler months, darker colours and heavier fabrics feel more appropriate – but you still want to dress for a celebration.
The best way to do this is with your accessories, so pick a lively contrasting tie and pocket square to give your tailoring new energy.
When it comes to choosing the suit, you can opt for a traditional colour such as navy or grey, but avoid wearing black.
Weaves such as pinstripes or checks work well at weddings, but don’t go overboard: if you wear a patterned suit, keep your tie plain.
Remember that in winter you can find yourself walking through all sorts of weather, so pick some shoes that are sturdy enough to handle the walk from the church but are comfortable enough for the evening too.
- Unique Technical Blazer Navy, £90 from Reiss – buy here
- Japane Pleat Front Trousers Navy, £95 from Reiss – buy here
- Kin Stretch Cotton Poplin Slim Fit Shirt, £14 from John Lewis – buy here
- Blue Signature Silk Tie With Pocket Square, £22 from Next – buy here
- Finley in Black Shoes, £69 from Kurt Geiger – buy here
What to wear to a beach wedding?
As with a summer wedding, you’ll want to choose an outfit for the beach that is light and comfortable – but there are some extra things to remember here.
Firstly, you want to make sure that a shoe full of sand doesn’t ruin your dancing – so pick a slip-on design that you can clean out quickly and easily.
Loafers are a great choice, and they look really sharp with tailoring too.
You’ll also want a hat and sunglasses, as you could end up spending a lot of time stood in the sun.
Keeping cool and protected is vital as you can quickly dehydrate, especially when the champagne is flowing.
That’s also a good reason to choose a suit in a pale colour and a lightweight fabric with plenty of natural fibres such as cotton or linen, as they’ll keep the air circulating and help you feel fresh.
- Blue Skinny Fit Suit, £119 from Marks & Spencer – buy here
- White Slim Smart Shirt, £20 from Topman – buy here
- Ecru Straw Trilby Hat, £15 from River Island – buy here
- Retro Acetate Sunglasses, £2.80 from Boohoo – buy here
- John Lewis & Partners Dot Silk Tie, £12.50 from John Lewis – buy here
- Tassel Loafer Shoes, £35 from Next – buy here
What to wear when you’re the groom?
If it’s your big day coming up, you’re sure to be feeling the pressure of impressing your spouse and looking sharp in the all-important photos.
The trick is not to try anything too new or daring – classic and timeless always looks good, and you can be sure that you’ll still look smart in the pics in years to come.
Feeling comfortable and confident is the most important thing.
When choosing a suit to get married in, it’s worth investing in the sort of thing that’s one step above what you’d wear to the office – maybe add a subtle pattern or a waistcoat, for example.
Add a great pair of cufflinks and a bright silk tie offset with a contrasting pocket square and you’ll be set to say “I do” in style.
Small details can help to really set you apart.
- Ted Baker Navy Rotaten Timeless Check Suit, £214.49 from Zalando – buy here
- Cotton Shirt, £22 from Next – buy here
- Noah Silk Tie Airforce Blue, £25 from Reiss – buy here
- John Lewis & Partners Floral Silk Pocket Square, £20 from John Lewis – buy here
- Tan Sharp Brogue Shoes, £55 from Topman – buy here
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Looking for more fashion guidelines? Check out our dedicated instructional guide section here.
If you're going to a race, check out our guide of what to wear to the races for men here.
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