Wedding *thinking* about non-suit/non-tux options for groomsmen

[CrownJewel]

FI will be in a suit or tux. But I''ve been toying with the idea of dressing the 4 groomsmen in something other than a suit or tux. Just because I want that relaxed vibe. But I still want them to look "dressed up" and like a group, so whatever we pick, they will all wear the same thing.

Any ideas or photos of groomsmen in something that is not (1) a suit (2) a tux or (3) requires a jacket.

If not, then someone has to tell me there''s no way this will work for my wedding, which is taking place here:

and my dress is:

The 4 bridesmaids will be wearing:

 

[absolut_blonde]

SO is the best man in a wedding this July where they are doing that. He''ll be wearing a crisp white dress shirt and dress khakis (flat-front, nice material). He hates dressing up so he''s actually really happy about that. And I think he''ll look really good.

That said, the venue is much more informal than yours as the wedding is going to be held in a back yard. Knowing the bride and groom, it will still be very classy, just not dressy per se.

I''m a big fan of forgoing the tuxes as I find it''s a bit overdone and almost a bit too dressy for most weddings (IMO). But from what you''ve posted, I think suits would still look really nice on the guys. For some reason I think a deep charcoal would go well with the dresses.

 

[CrownJewel]

thanks absolut! I welcome color suggestions too...because my sense of color coordination is not the best. Not good at all actually. Deep charcoal can be done. FI''s favorite suit is deep charcoal. But I wonder if the other guys have that too.

 

[Courtneylub]

I'm glad you posted this thread. I think it is becoming more and more common. We don't have a wedding party, but FI won't be wearing a tux or a tie. I do believe he'll be wearing a jacket though. We are getting married at a country club, so IMO, I don't think you're venue is too formal for this idea.

 

[JulieN]

I think they should wear jackets.

I assume any male guest to a wedding is going to wear a jacket of some sort, even a sport jacket for the frat boy set, perhaps, but I think having groomsmen not wear jackets and all the other men who do looks strange.

 

[musey]

Date: 6/18/2008 3:34:47 PM
Author: JulieN
I think they should wear jackets.

I assume any male guest to a wedding is going to wear a jacket of some sort, even a sport jacket for the frat boy set, perhaps, but I think having groomsmen not wear jackets and all the other men who do looks strange.

FWIW, at both of the last two weddings I''ve been to, the only people wearing suits were over 40 or so. Everyone else (and even some of the 40+ set) were wearing khakis and button-downs.

 

[purrfectpear]

There''s always the traditional cuban/mexican white linen guayabera. After seeing the dresses you picked out for your bridesmaids though, I think it''s probably going to look weird to have the guys in anything but a more formal look.

 

[JulieN]

Date: 6/18/2008 4:27:57 PM
Author: musey

Date: 6/18/2008 3:34:47 PM
Author: JulieN
I think they should wear jackets.

I assume any male guest to a wedding is going to wear a jacket of some sort, even a sport jacket for the frat boy set, perhaps, but I think having groomsmen not wear jackets and all the other men who do looks strange.

FWIW, at both of the last two weddings I''ve been to, the only people wearing suits were over 40 or so. Everyone else (and even some of the 40+ set) were wearing khakis and button-downs.

ok, i guess what I said only applies if you expect most of your guests to wear jackets.

 

[risingsun]

I'm of an "older" generation, so my opinions may differ. When I see people attending a wedding in relatively casual clothing, I don't get it

Unless the wedding, itself, is casual, I think dressy attire is more appropriate. I'll take my walker and toddle off now

 

[Sabine]

I think your venue, your dress, and the bridesmaid dresses are formal enough to warrant the guys to wear jackets. I think you could forgo the standard tux with no problem, and a charchol suit would look great, but I still think the guys should wear a tie and jackets.

 

[musey]

Date: 6/18/2008 7:11:31 PM
Author: risingsun
I'm of an 'older' generation, so my opinions may differ. When I see people attending a wedding in relatively casual clothing, I don't get it

Unless the wedding, itself, is casual, I think dressy attire is more appropriate. I'll take my walker and toddle off now

No, I completely agree (and I think 23 qualifies as a 'younger' generation

), just saying what I've seen.

At both, the only people really dressed up were the bride and bridesmaids... formal full-length gowns for all, vs. 'day' suits (I think that's what they're called) for the groom + men, with all the guests, as I said, in khakis and button-down shirts. It's like there was no continuity of dressiness even within the wedding party itself.


Anyway, I used to be worried about being dressed up enough, but now I'm always worried about being overdressed. They just seem to be getting more and more casual. Maybe it's a west coast thing, though!

 

[risingsun]

^^^I live on the east coast and I''ve seen the same thing

I love getting dressed up for occasions and I have sometimes felt overdressed...or thought that others were underdressed. Maybe we should starting putting a dress code on the invitations

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

boo, it just ate my post, but the recap is: I agree that some sort of jacket is needed given your fabulous venue and semi-formal BM dresses. I like the charcoal suit idea a lot! it would look nice with a crisp white shirt and lilac/purple ties (your grils are wearing dark purple right?) do your groomsmen have charcoal tuxes? wonder if you could find a good sale if not...would probably be same cost as renting a tux if you find it super cheap?

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

Oh, and I am about the same age and on the east coast, and i''ve never seen anyone dressed too casually for a wedding. all of our guy friends are always in a suit jacket and tie. i would probably be a little surprised if one of our male guests showed up to our wedding without a jacket or a tie (unless we had indicated that it was a casual wedding.)

 

[kellybelly]

tan suits are also a popular way to be dressed up but look slightly more casual. i also like the sort of natural look that it brings to a wedding-- still sharp, but not black and ultra formal. maybe a lavendar shirt, or just a white shirt and some sort of stripey tie that incorporates the purple of the girls dresses. i think not wearing suits would be strange.