Whether you’re a guest, a member of the wedding party, or the groom, finding the perfect suit to wear for a wedding is always a challenge. There are so many types of men’s suits for weddings that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when looking through all the different options.
We’ve put together this guide to help you choose the best suit for your upcoming wedding. Whether the wedding is formal, semi-formal, or casual, we’ve got you covered.
Formal options
An elegant and distinguished wedding requires a formal and traditional dress code. There are many different types of suits for weddings, but the most formal are white tie, black tie, and morning suits.
White tie
This is the most formal type of wedding suit for a groom or wedding guest. It’s usually reserved for traditional, highly formal events of high social standing or involving nobility.
White tie is uncommon for modern weddings because it’s considered highly traditional and somewhat old-fashioned. It’s also considered formal evening wear, so it’s only appropriate for evening weddings where a white tie dress code is specified. However, white tie signals to guests that your wedding is a grand occasion worth looking your absolute best!
A white tie dress code for men consists of a classic white bow tie, a black tailcoat with a peaked lapel style, a white low-cut waistcoat, a dress shirt, dress trousers, and black formal dress shoes.
Black tie
This is the second most formal form of wedding attire. Like white tie, black tie is considered formal evening wear. However, black tie is a popular dress code for formal evening weddings to achieve a classic, timeless look.
Black tie events traditionally require a black tuxedo jacket with peak or shawl lapels, black trousers, a black bow tie, a white shirt, and patent leather shoes. If you’re unsure about black tie etiquette, check out our guide on wedding tuxedos.
Morning suit
This is one of the most popular choices for traditional formal weddings. Unlike black and white tie suits, a morning suit is designed for daytime events (hence the name).
A morning suit includes a formal morning jacket with peak lapels and tails, a double-breasted waistcoat, a dress shirt, and a cravat or tie. It’s sometimes called ‘tails’ because of the unique swallowtail at the rear of the morning jacket. These ‘tails’ should hang elegantly and fall just below the knees.
The traditional colour for morning suits is black or dark grey, but navy is also popular. Opting for a textured material like Herringbone helps to add depth to your elegant wedding day look.
Semi-formal options
A semi-formal look is one of the most popular options for modern weddings. However, a semi-formal dress code can be one of the most challenging dress codes to interpret.
This generally means a more relaxed and less restrictive dress code, but you should still look smart and presentable.
Lounge suit
A lounge suit is a perfect choice if you’re invited to a wedding with a semi-formal dress code or if there isn’t a specific dress code. Don’t panic if you’ve never heard of a lounge suit. This simply means a standard suit that doesn’t fall into the above categories! For instance, you can opt for notch lapels with your suit jacket to add a touch of class and professionalism while in a semi-formal setting.
There are several options for lounge suits: three-piece, two-piece, single-breasted and double-breasted. Unlike formal weddings, you can be more relaxed with your colour choice. For a daytime wedding, consider lighter colours, such as grey or beige. While if it’s an evening wedding, dark or navy blue might be a better choice.
Casual options
A casual wedding doesn’t mean you can wear whatever you want; it’s still a wedding, so you should still try to look stylish.
Casual weddings might be during the day in the summertime or even outside, so you’ll likely need to consider keeping cool and looking fashionable. Have a look at our blog, ‘How to choose the perfect summer wedding suit’, for more information.
Linen or cotton suit
If you’re attending a casual wedding in warm weather, you’re not restricted to classic suit materials. Wearing a traditional dark wool suit means you’ll overheat quite quickly. Instead, opt for a linen or cotton suit in a light colour to keep you feeling cool and looking fashionable.
No suit jacket
When it comes to casual weddings, no rule says you need to wear a suit jacket, especially if it’s warm out. You could opt for just a light dress shirt or a shirt and waistcoat pairing. If you’re worried about looking too casual, you can always take a jacket with you.
Mix and match
The great thing about casual weddings is that you’re not restricted to matching suit sets. Instead, you can mix and match tailored separates. You could pair a light button-down shirt with a darker-suit jacket and smart chinos for a relaxed look.
How Phillip Alexander can help
If you’re still unsure what kind of suit is the right option for an upcoming wedding, we help you make the right choice.
Philip Alexander Bespoke Tailors are experts at dressing gentlemen. We have been crafting bespoke wedding suits in London and Cheshire since 1876. From traditional morning suits and tuxedos to modern three-piece suits, we can create a unique garment to match your wedding dress code.
We offer a range of luxury tailoring services, including including bespoke suits, made-to-measure suits, and tailored suit hire.
Book an in-person or telephone consultation to speak to one of our tailors about your ideal wedding suit.
