The dress code for a groom is dependent upon the type of wedding that he is having. If you choose a theme for the wedding, then that will dictate the suit of choice for the groom as well as the groomsmen. On the other hand, if you choose to have a traditional wedding then the suit of choice will be a morning suit.
Historically the traditional time of day for a wedding was the morning, and that is why a groom’s suit is referred to as a morning suit. Wedding ceremonies were held in the early morning hours and then followed up by a wedding breakfast. While morning weddings are not as common as they once were, if you wish to have a traditional wedding ceremony, then it is important that you get married before 3PM. For a traditional wedding such as this, the groom, as well as the best man, the bride’s and groom’s father, and the ushers must all wear morning suits.
A morning suit is sometimes called “top hat and tails” because the coat of the suit is longer in length and has a penguin tail. The trousers that are a part of the suit are either plain grey, pin-striped grey, blue or black. The shirt is a wing collar shirt, and it should have a covering waistcoat as well as a cravat.
In the past men wore an Ascot top hat with their morning suits as well as white gloves. Today, it is up to you whether you wish to wear the top hat or not while the gloves have gone by the wayside.
If you choose to follow your morning wedding ceremony with a formal black tie evening reception, which was once the customarily thing to do, then the groom can wear either a black or a white tuxedo jacket. A black tuxedo jacket is classic, but today it is really up to your own personal tastes. Choose a single or double-breasted jacket that has ribbed silk lapels but no covered buttons or vents.
A formal evening shirt is a must. Traditionally the style was a pleated shirt, but if you feel more at ease in a collared shirt then go with that. Choose pleated trousers with a row of braid in order that you can wear braces with them. In days gone past men word a cummerbund waistband, but today the style leans more towards a colorful waist coat.
