Wedding Dress etiquette

[tshurlock]

I am attending a wedding next month, and ideally would like to wear a morning suit.

However as with most modern weddings in the UK, I assume that the wedding party will be dressed in matching morning dress, whilst all others guests will be in lounge suits. Is it appropiate for me to wear a morning suit without encrouching on the wedding party's attire.

Also are there any colour restrictions/advice for a winter wedding?

[Pangur]

Dear Gents,

unfortunately I cannot give advice, but I would like to broaden the question a bit, as I will have to attend a christening as godfather and a wedding as best man soon (not on the same occasion, though), and had similar thoughts as above.
I saw the pictures of the Queens Diamond Anniversary a few days ago and my first thought was: "None of the male guest is wearing a morning coat!" (That's what reading the LL does to you!)
If such a high occasion is attended to in a lounge suit by the royal family and other "Top Nobs", maybe the Morning Coat really is too archaic? I'd love to wear one, but as both dates will be open shirt and jeans for most guests, I'll stick to a navy suit and tie, and will undoubtedly be overdressed. So how far one is allowed to overdress (for the uniniterated eye) but still feel uncomfortably underdressed by traditional standarts "without encrouching on the wedding party's attire. "
KInd regards
Sebastian

[culverwood]

I am attending a wedding next month, and ideally would like to wear a morning suit. However as with most modern weddings in the UK, I assume that the wedding party will be dressed in matching morning dress, whilst all others guests will be in lounge suits. Is it appropiate for me to wear a morning suit without encrouching on the wedding party's attire. Also are there any colour restrictions/advice for a winter wedding?

It depends whose wedding it is. Many weddings still expect those who have them to wear morning suits, on the other hand the majority do not have such high standards. I always ask whoever invited me what the dress code is. As you say in many weddings only the wedding party will be wearing morning dress and often some matching hired monstrisity.

If you do wear one of your your morning suits grey is traditionally for summer so stick to the black coat.

[maxnharry]

I am attending a wedding next month, and ideally would like to wear a morning suit. However as with most modern weddings in the UK, I assume that the wedding party will be dressed in matching morning dress, whilst all others guests will be in lounge suits. Is it appropiate for me to wear a morning suit without encrouching on the wedding party's attire. Also are there any colour restrictions/advice for a winter wedding?

It depends whose wedding it is. Many weddings still expect those who have them to wear morning suits, on the other hand the majority do not have such high standards. I always ask whoever invited me what the dress code is. As you say in many weddings only the wedding party will be wearing morning dress and often some matching hired monstrisity.

If you do wear one of your your morning suits grey is traditionally for summer so stick to the black coat.

I second the idea of asking. If they haven't made it clear, most will probably appear in lounge suits (or worse) but they will appreciate you asking if they had something else in mind.

[Manself]

When I last wondered how to dress for a wedding I found Manton's treatise on the subject invaluable.

http://thelondonlounge.net/gl/forum/vie ... ht=wedding

[Luca]

Here's my take:

1. It is not normally possible to be overdressed unless you dress for others, which seems absurd to me.

2. However, a wedding is a very delicate occasion and one where, as you already know, it doesn’t do to “outshine” the wedding party. I would ask what would be the preferred turn-out.

My own wedding featured wedding party in morning suit and others mostly in dark suits but anyone who asked was told to feel free to wear either and a few participants did wear morning dress.

On the same occasion, I enjoined my best man not to wear formal military uniform for the very reason that no male attire can compete with a smart uniform (and his would have been “dress blues!”).

3. I think as a general rule (not to be interpreted too strictly) it should be reasonable/comfortable to be no more than one ‘notch of formality’ above the average.