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Modern weddings are now much more unique. Rather than following a traditional path, many couples are now celebrating in their own way, creating a day that suits their relationship rather than a set of ‘rules’.

Just as the wedding ceremony is gradually changing to incorporate more modern ideas, what people choose to wear to weddings is also changing. Part of this comes down to the fact that more people are choosing outdoor locations but it is also a sign that we are approaching marriage in a more informal way. Couples are now much more likely to organise their wedding together as opposed to the bride and her family taking control.

As the ceremony becomes more personal, it is hardly surprising that people want to express something more than formality in what they wear!

The only problem with this is figuring out what you should wear.

Traditional Wedding

The traditional wedding is still the easiest to dress for, though if you are on a budget, it might be quite tight. Morning coats, jackets and silk ties with trousers are still the basic dress code. A pocket square may also help to make you a bit fancier without bumping the price up too high! If you are looking for a silk tie in a particular colour and don’t want to spend a fortune, Ties R Us is a good place to start.

For a formal wedding, it might actually be better to rent your suit rather than to buy. Though buying will give you the perfect fit, unless you are going to a lot of traditional weddings, the investment is probably not worth it. On the other hand, if you are not a standard size, you may find a rented suit uncomfortable and ill-fitting.

Finding a suit that fits is all about getting the measurements right. You don’t want to feel uncomfortable in a suit that is too tight to sit down in but equally you don’t want to be hitching your trousers up every few minutes! Use a measuring tape to measure yourself (or ask a partner!) before you go and try some different suits.

Different cuts will naturally suit different body shapes so don’t worry if you have taken all the right measurements and a suit still doesn’t work. Try a different cut and see which works best for your body shape.

Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are becoming more and more common and though the scenery might look amazing on photos, the sand can be a small to medium sized problem. Obviously, you won’t want to wear your best leather shoes on this kind of terrain but flip flops feel a little too casual given the circumstances. GQ recommends espadrilles as a viable alternative as they will cover your feet and look alright with a suit.

So now your feet are covered, what is the suit situation? You don’t want to be sweating a lot while the happy couple say their vows so dressing lightly is key. Paler colours are usually a good idea, as well as a finer fabric for the hot weather. You might also like to make a bold shirt choice and forget about having a tie altogether. There is a natural holiday spirit in the beach wedding so enjoy yourself!

Once again, getting a good fit for your suit is crucial as the wind, sand and heat are all going to have an impact on your comfort. On the subject of weather, putting a light hat on such as a straw fedora could be a nice touch, handily shading your eyes from the sun and keeping the heat off the top of your head.

Winter Wedding

The winter wedding season is fast approaching and as couple hope for just a light, photogenic dusting of snow, you need to figure out how on earth you are going to dress for the occasion. There are two main problems to work through: first is what you are going to wear outside when it is cold and second, how you are going to layer appropriately so that you will be dressed for heated rooms inside.

The right coat is a good place to start. Choose something nice and thick such as wool and opt for a more tailored look. Going for a dark colour that matches your suit is a good idea and adding a complementary scarf will help to keep your neck nice and warm. Go for a thinner knit rather than a chucky ‘Grandma made this’ kind of look!

Your shoes are also important and you should make sure that they are waterproof. There is literally nothing worse than accidentally standing in a puddle on your way there and having to suffer and cold damp sock for the rest of the day. Thicker soles are a good idea too as you will have better grip if there is a frost.

Again, you might like to add a hat to your outfit and bring an umbrella too. Unfortunately, British weather doesn’t often play as nicely as it appears to in romantic films and your are more likely to get torrential rain than the perfect sprinkling of snow. Bring a large umbrella: you will be expected to share!

Two Rules to Remember

The modern wedding has come a long way from its traditional past and though figuring out rather elusive dress codes like “smart-casual” can be a bit of a minefield, there are still two set rules to remember.  

The first rules is that whatever you choose to wear, having a good fit is crucial. Weddings are long events these days and often come with multiple locations. This means that you need to be comfortable for the entire day and show off your best side to your friends and family.

And the second rule is simple: have fun with your clothes, show off a little bit of personality in your choices and enjoy the day. You are going to be photographed a lot so it is worth the investment to get something that makes you look great.