Formal wedding wear for men: dos and donts

[temporaryname99]

Hello. Some American relatives are coming to the UK for a very posh wedding and have asked me for advice on men's formal wear. Unfortunately, I know nothing. Could anyone who knows more about this please advise?
The question to me reads "Can you advise on wedding suits? It's quite formal, morning suits in black are expected. We get to be quirky with the waistcoats and ties, I guess. Do certain styles or colors MEAN anything, or represent anything? I can put together an outfit that looks nice, but I don't want to be sending a message I don't even know I'm sending! "
Any advice or rules on this much appreciated.

[temporaryname99]

Bump.....any ideas? I assured them that mumsnet would have the answers!! ;)

[KeyserSophie]

They should not be "quirky" with ties and waistcoats if it's an "establishment" wedding.

How do they know the morning suits should be black? Grey more traditional and at least as acceptable in the UK. I'd also advise sober colours for waistcoat and tie. Waistcoats are traditionally grey (and not backless) but any plain colour acceptable. Colours don't really "mean" anything, but not black or white. Do NOT attempt to colour coordinate with the wedding party.

[temporaryname99]

Thanks for that, Keyser, I guess they've been told the morning suits should be black. I too thought grey more wedding-y, but as I said, I know nothing.

[FGSdontblameme]

I'd suggest grey morning suit, plain waistcoat and definitely no quirkiness. Plain black lace up shoes with plain dark socks.
Hats not necessary and a tie pin would be very unacceptable

[temporaryname99]

Ok, another vote for no quirkiness! We will be giving the impression that we are very uptight and no fun in the UK! But I also know that this is the kind of advice they want, so thank you.

[VintageTrouble]

I would say black jacket and grey pinstripe trousers for a morning suit but what do I know.

[momb]

Morning suits are not black, but dark grey. Dinner jackets are black.
Dinner suits for weddings are an American thing.
A formal English wedding will have the wedding party at least in morning dress, but this is most unusual nowadays. Get them to search images from Zara Philips'/Mike Tindall's wedding for guidance for a formal wedding

[harrasseddotcom]

Im assuming when you say UK you mean England? Because if you mean Scotland then full kilt outfit is usually what is worn.

[FGSdontblameme]

www.debretts.com/british-etiquette/british-behaviour/h/dress-codes/morning-dress
Looks like black is acceptable too.

[temporaryname99]

Thank you all for the advice; I appreciate it and will pass it on.

[carltonscroop]

If you own it, it's probably black (and worn with stripeys). If you hire, it's probably grey.

Even if the invitation says 'morning suit', an ordinary suit is always an acceptable alternative.

Do they actually want to dress up?

[LittleBearPad]

Interestingly coloured ties are fine. They shouldn't have cartoon characters on them!

[ChristineDePisan]

Black to me looks like Fred Astaire..

Don't do up the bottom button of a waistcoat.

Socks are a good place to be quirky, rather than ties and waistcoats; or even better, a handkerchief

Hat not required outside the wedding party

Black shoes

[ConesOfDunshire]

It's unusual to expect morning suits from guests. Generally speaking it's morning suits for the wedding party and lounge suits for guests, unless it's a very smart wedding for the type of people who have their own...

[Baconyum]

Make sure when they're getting fitted for them they go to someone who knows what they're doing re length of sleeves and trousers, the shoes and style of underwear they will be wearing on the day affects the fitting. Waist sizes are usually smaller than for casual clothes like jeans as we now wear these much looser than formal wear should be ditto collar sizes.

Shirts should be starched and bleached.

If its a formal possibly society wedding quirkiness to be avoided and no jewellery other than cufflinks and watches. No matching the wedding party.