The Black Tie Wedding

Classic black tie needs no introduction. From the Rat Pack to the red carpet, black tie in the form of the black dinner jacket, aka tuxedo, has represented the very finest in elevated formalwear, exuding glamour and class. But increasingly we're seeing many of our customers opt for black tie when it comes to their wedding day. Some prefer to get married in a morning suit then switch into black tie for dinner and dancing, while others go the whole hog and plump for black tie for their ceremony. Either way, we're fans of incorporating the tuxedo into one's wedding day since it looks fabulous on everyone who wears it.

Midnight Seaton Cashmere Dinner Jacket

Organic Herringbone White Wedding Shirt

Black Twill Grosgrain Silk Bow Tie

The classic black tie look consists of a black dinner jacket with silk grosgrain lapels, and dress trousers, typically with a black satin stripe down the side. A white dress shirt provides the canvas for a black bow tie in either black silk or velvet. Patent leather Oxfords bookend the look. That ensemble is classic, traditional, and nearly impossible to get wrong. As elegant and sophisticated as it is though, there are a number of black tie alternatives that you can also consider, depending on your preferences or indeed when you have your wedding.

Ivory Randwick Unlined Dinner Jacket

White Poplin Pleated Pintuck Dress Shirt

Black Hampton Wool Flat Front Dress Trouser

Summer weddings, for example, open up the opportunity for different jacket styles, first among them being the ivory tuxedo jacket. This can come in a variety of fabrics but is more often seen in a silk blend, with the other fabric being either cotton or linen. This makes for a lightweight jacket that drapes beautifully and is perfect for warmer days.

Navy Red Winnington Newport Jacket

Navy Botanics Silk Dinner Jacket

Midnight Davenport Silk Dinner Jacket

For a bolder summer look, embellished dinner jackets are another fantastic option. In this case, the embellishment usually comes in the form of embroidered designs, or the jacket could feature a jacquard pattern. At Favourbrook, we have created a number of different variations that are perfect for a more flamboyant wedding day look, not least this season's floral inspired jackets.

Blue Burford Newport Jacket

Indigo Chifu Newport Jacket

Another stunning alternative to traditional black tie, is the velvet dinner jacket. Although we usually associate velvet with autumn and winter looks, it is actually perfectly well suited to spring and late summer weddings. The plush pile of the velvet makes for a luxurious look and injects a plush element of colour into the look. Velvet tones are much more eclectic than they used to be, too. At Favourbrook, we have created a number of different styles in tones that will complement all skin tones (or flower arrangements!). 

Sapphire Blue Velvet Chaucer Jacket

Racing Green Velvet Cotton Dinner Jacket

Cardamom Velvet Cotton Chaucer Jacket

Of course, you can tweak the other variables involved in black tie in order to personalise your look. The classic dress shirt is now available in a host of styles, and not just white ones, including pleated fronts, bib fronts and ruffles. Don't underestimate the power of switching up the bow tie either. A subtle colour change or the addition of velvet rather than silk can add a good dose of character to the look.