Is there any wonder why wedding planners exist? What other one-day event in the course of one's life takes so much planning and exerts so much stress?! There are so many variables to consider to not only ensure that your special day goes smoothly but that each and every one of your guests has a wonderful time. There are many ways to skin a cat, as the saying goes, and weddings are a very personal thing, with the format often dependent on a host of factors from the season, budget, location and myriad other considerations. At least if you're going to get married in the British autumn/winter, you can be guaranteed of the weather! As far as wedding style is concerned, one can keep things simple and wear your ceremony attire right the way through the day, or, as we would prefer, slip into something elegant for the dinner and dancing.
The ceremony
Groom style for the ceremony is of course relatively subjective, although if you choose formal attire then many of your sartorial choices - namely your morning suit - will be fairly simple to make (at least if you come to Favourbrook they will!). For autumn and winter weddings, especially in British churches which can be chilly at the best of times, we would suggest an extrafine wool or cashmere morning coat for starters, paired with our 100% merino wool striped trousers. Wool is a brilliant fabric for a number of reasons, its temperature regulating properties being one of them.
BLACK HAMPTON |
CHARCOAL SHAFTESBURY |
GREY WESTMINSTER |
Waistcoat choices can also be a little more eclectic in the colder months, with velvet options coming into play alongside a gamut of darker, more autumnal tones and patterns (which we'll address in a separate journal article in the coming weeks). We have a vast array of waistcoat options perfect for winter weddings in our Piccadilly Arcade store and our Pall Mall flagship store so do drop by and try them on - our team would be delighted to assist you in your choice.
Dinner and dancing
Now one may think that incorporating another outfit into your already complex day is a stress one could do without but we actually think its a fantastic idea that changes the tone of the day and introduces a chic party spirit. Changing out of one's morning suit and into black tie signals an end to the formalities and the beginning of the fun! Black tie is really the only choice for such a situation, given that the dinner and dancing is still a smart occasion (but we all know how that goes after 5 hours of speed-drinking champagne).
MIDNIGHT AUDLEY |
BLACK HAMPTON |
MIDNIGHT VINCENT |
The most obvious choice is the classic black dinner jacket aka tuxedo, with silk grosgrain lapels, worn with black trousers with a satin stripe. A dress shirt is de rigeur, but whether you prefer a bib front, pleated front, hidden placket or even ruffles(!) is entirely up to you, as is you bow tie choice, although we would suggest opting for black silk if you are to go the classic black tie route.
NAVY BOTANICS |
OLIVE CHATSWORTH |
BLACK BOTANICS |
But weddings being weddings (and with any luck and some solid endeavour, the only one you will ever have), one should be positively encouraged to push the boat out when it comes to alternative black tie options. Favourbrook is renowned for its eclectic collection of dinner jackets, many of which are perfect for such occasions. To lend the evening a touch of glitz, we would suggest one of our silk botanics dinner jackets which as the name suggests, features a botanical pattern or motif. They are both unique and eye-catching, hence perfect for a groom.
Another great option for late autumn and winter weddings is the velvet dinner jacket - less dressy than the aforementioned silk variety but elegant, sophisticated and colourful all the same. Although less formal, the velvet dinner jacket has character, texturality and tactility in spades, while the deep rich cotton pile really comes alive under the dancefloor lights. The single-breasted velvet smoking jacket is another great option, too.
RUST VELVET COTTON |
CHAUCER JACKET |
BURGUNDY VELVET COTTON |
Help is at hand
Making the change between both looks really shouldn't pose any problems and should only take a matter of minutes. You could even retain the dress shirt you wore for the ceremony to keep things simple, but you may prefer to freshen up with a clean pressed alternative. As for your shoes, the black polished Oxfords you wore with your morning suit will absolutely suffice with your black tie look - all you really need to change is the jacket and trousers and add in the bow tie, all of which can be done in a matter of minutes.
So you see, your looks for you big day needn't be stressful at all. In fact, at Favourbrook, we make it our goal to make dressing for important occasions a joy rather than a strain. For help with your wedding day attire, don't hesitate to contact us - our highly experienced staff will be able to guide you through the whole process and ensure you will look perfect on your big day.
