Let’s be real, it’s stressful enough planning a wedding at any given time but planning a wedding now? With everything that’s going on (or not going on as the case may be)? Well, that’s a whole different story. Lockdowns, tiers, bubbles, social distancing… there’s just so much to consider and new rules to abide by. Not to mention, are weddings in the UK even allowed right now? These are just some of the many challenges soon to be wedded couples face at this time. Whether or not you decide to have a small wedding celebration now or decide to wait it out until tight restrictions are lifted, you should be able to enjoy this special time as a couple as much as you can.
Allow us to take some of the stress out of the equation. With everything that you already have to think about, what you wear as you await your bride down the aisle should not be one of the things that cause you undue stress or any trouble. With that in mind, we want to help guide you as you choose what to don on your special day.
There’s nothing quite like the gentleman’s morning suit and frock coat. They immediately convey British elegance and style.
Morning Coat
A traditional English wedding calls for a morning coat or morning suit as it’s also called. It is the quintessential English man’s formal or ceremony attire, which is, of course, characterized by its cutaway hem. As such, few other suits will do when it comes to your special day, particularly for the morning wedding ceremony and reception. There are a number of different ways to style your morning coat when it comes to the color of your coat, trousers and waistcoat or vest, as well as their fabrics. Given that your wedding ceremony is a traditional affair, you’ll want to stick to traditional colors and fabrics that will stand the test of time. Nothing too trendy that will leave you looking outdated in the years to come.
One option is to choose a single color for your morning coat, trousers and waistcoat, whether that be black, grey or blue. If you’d prefer a slight color variation, you can match your trousers to your morning coat while wearing a waistcoat in a different yet complementing color. Now, if you want to mix it up even further while still looking classically elegant, opt for grey pinstripe trousers, a black morning coat and a colored waist coat, whether it be a neutral tone or not. A suggestion would be to coordinate the color of your waistcoat to the colors you and your bride have chosen for your wedding celebration. Of course, your morning coat attire must be paired with a white modern dress shirts for men and a coordinating necktie.
Frock Coat
As an alternative to the morning coat, you can instead opt to wear a frock coat for your wedding outfit. It’s another acceptable option for formal dressing among Englishmen. While a frock coat looks very similar to a regular suit, unlike the usual everyday suit, the frock coat is noticeably longer. Like any traditional menswear, the frock coat comes in varying colors and fabrics. Similarly, frock coats in classic colors work best for traditionally formal occasions. You can choose to celebrate your wedding in a black, grey or blue frock coat. You can also opt to pair a solid colored frock coat with pinstripe trousers. As with the morning coat, complete your frock coat wedding attire with a white dress shirt, a coordinating waistcoat and a necktie.
Now, if you would prefer not to dress so traditionally, have no fear. As much as the British are well-known for traditional pomp and circumstance, you don’t actually have to dress so traditionally if you don’t want to (and more importantly, if your bride to be agrees, of course). If today’s customary suit is more to your liking, you can choose between wearing a two piece or a three piece outfit.
Three-piece suit
The three-piece suit is a great alternative to the far more traditional morning suit and frock coat. It evokes a more modern sense of style for today’s gentleman while still remaining appropriately formal for such a momentous occasion.
When it comes to the three-piece suit, one of the main style considerations is whether you’d prefer to wear a single breasted or a double breasted waistcoat underneath your suit. The double breasted waistcoat is most commonly worn for morning occasions and is a great option if you and your bride plan to have a more formal celebration. Of course, regardless of which style you decide on, the most important thing is that your waistcoat fits you perfectly, not too tight but not too loose. It must sit on top of your dress shirt comfortably and not add unnecessary bulk underneath your suit jacket. Another option you’ll have to choose from is whether you want your waistcoat to be in the exact same color and fabric as your suit jacket and trousers. While putting on a matching waistcoat tends to look more formal, wearing one that complements rather than matches the rest of your outfit may just be more your style.
Speaking of your own personal style, whether you opt for a three piece or a two piece ensemble, choosing the type of fabric and color for your suit will largely depend on the type of wedding celebration you’ll be having, the location, time of day, the season when you’ll be making your vows and of course, your and your bride’s personal preference. Generally speaking, lighter colored suits tend to work better for day-time events. If you’re having a morning wedding or an afternoon reception, a light grey, light blue, brown or even a checkered patterned suit in either of the colors are among your best options. On the other hand, an evening wedding celebration more commonly calls for a black, navy or a dark grey colored suit.
Similarly, the season at the time of your wedding, as well as the location where you’ll celebrate, can help determine the best fabric for you to wear. While locations may be very limited at this time, just remember that warmer locations can call for a linen suit while a wool or a suit with a thicker fabric would be more appropriate for a wedding during the colder months or in chillier climates.
Regardless of whether you decide on a morning coat, a frock coat, a two piece or a three piece suit to complete your wedding ensemble, stick a pocket square into your coat and pin a boutonniere that matches your bride’s beautiful wedding bouquet. Before you step out to meet your bride, make sure your shoes are well polished and scuff free.
While wedding celebrations may be heavily restricted at this time, that doesn’t make your celebration any less momentous. In fact, once could argue that because of all national regulations and with households not even allowed to come together, it makes it even more special to be able to join your lives. As such, it’s best to dress for the occasion and mark the meaningful day in sartorial splendor.
 |
 |
|
