WEDDING WEAR ARTICLE FOR GROOMSONLINE.COM

Wedding Wear for the Alternative Wedding

Words by Kristen Fogle

Growing up, neither of you had Barbie and Ken aspirations of marriage. But somewhere along the way you found each other and decided...maybe this is what all that fuss was about. But just because you’ve conceded to the idea of marriage doesn’t mean that the storybook, lacy white bride and traditional monkey suit have suddenly become your cup of tea.

Thankfully though, over the years, weddings themselves have taken a turn for the less traditional. It HAS become more acceptable to step out of the church and reposition the bridal party to all sorts of locales, with different expectations of dress as well.

For men, finding something tasteful that doesn’t prescribe to cookie cutter standards has never been easier. However, there a few questions you may want to ask yourself:

• Do we want a themed wedding? Do remember not only you and your bride’s wardrobe considerations, but those of your guests as well.
• What sort of style would be befitting of the occasion? Take into account the season, where the ceremony will be held, what your bride intends to wear, and how formal the event is going to be.
• What is my price point? Maybe going all out for the big day is your forte--in that case you have nothing but options. But even for a smaller budget, there are a lot of great finds out there.
• Are the groomsmen (if you choose to have them) going to be dressed similarly? If so, is the style available for numerous other people and available in other sizes? In other words, if looking for perfectly matching Hawaiian wear, don’t opt for a one-of-a-kind design, and do take into account your Uncle Lou’s 3X frame.

After evaluating these considerations, it’s time to go hunting. Themed weddings require a particular type of search and for thEse, I would start with huge costume emporiums that operate year round (not just during the Halloween season). Also seek out some local costume shops. Many times smaller, (especially family owned) shops will give you group discounts, something a retail store probably won’t do. But don’t despair, if you have neither the warehouse nor the shop available, just find a picture on the web or in a book and hire a seamstress or tailor. They may be the most pricey option, but this is a great way to get exactly what you want.

If it’s not a theme you’re into, remember that you still have choices. For an informal affair, a formal or business suit and tie will suffice. Particularly for outdoors, white cotton wear is both popular and extremely comfortable. Another option is a linen suit, or an uber-casual khaki with solid color shirt; classic without being confining. For cooler months, a blazer and trouser combo is great as is a darker hued wool suit with a white shirt and colorful tie.

For more expensive choices, try bridal and tux shops. Name brand designers like Armani and Ralph Lauren will inevitably carry a considerable amount as well. But if the splurge is not an option, department stores and particularly outlet malls will carry items on the cheap also. And online sites like www.overstock.com will carry items that have gone on sale too. There’s always the option to borrow from a friend or to snag a consignment shop find and alter it to your taste.

Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to not only set your own code of dress, but to get your wedding party and guests in on it too. It’s not called “your day” for nothing!

To see the original article, please visit http://groomsonline.com/index.php/Tuxedo-Style/wedding-wear-for-the-alternate-wedding.html