Dress Codes
Over the past 30 years, we have assisted countless grooms pick that perfect tuxedo on such a special day, select their attire for the groomsmen, thousands of students embrace their first time wearing formal wear. Helping create extraordinary memories for those clients. With that many years under our belt we have created our guidelines to pick your dress code that best serves for your wedding. Below you will see our rating of formality to help you decide which is the way to go for your event.
White Tie
White pique bow tie White pique waistcoat White wing-tip pique tuxedo shirt
Button studs and cufflinks
Tailcoat with black tuxedo pants Black patent leather shoes and dress socks
White Tie, also known as full-dress, is as formal as you can go. This formality code is usually reserved for extremely formal ceremonies, royal weddings, and diplomatic galas. It consists of a black tails coat (short front with tails in the back) with black tuxedo pants worn with a white pique shirt, a white pique waistcoat (a waistcoat is a vest with lapels to mimic a coat) and a white pique bowtie. Patent leather shoes will complete the outfit but if you wish, a top hat, white scarf and white gloves will do perfect.
Black Tie
Black bow tie White tuxedo shirt Button studs and cufflinks White pocket square Black or Midnight Blue single- button tuxedo Black patent-leather shoes and dress socks
Black Tie, also known as semi-formal and in Spanish Etiqueta Rigurosa. This is the most
common formality we see here in the Rio Grande Valley. Around 60% of the weddings are in this category and we recommend a black or dark blue tuxedo worn with a modern tuxedo shirt, black bowtie completed with a black patent leather shoes. If you would like to add a spark to it, suspenders to match the tuxedo and a colored pocket square. You can go traditional with a white pocket square but we like to add a little color to it. Still traditional Black Tie formal but not so popular you can also wear a black satin vest or a black satin cummerbund.
Black Tie Optional
Long Tie Pocket Square Cufflinks White Dress Shirt Navy/Charcoal/Black Suit Leather Dress Shoes and dress socks
Black Tie Optional, also known as Business Formal and in Spanish Etiqueta, the formality of this is considered for guest who may not own a tuxedo. Guest should follow the Black Tie rules but if they can’t what should you wear? A dark suit with a dark solid tie and a nice white dress shirt. Think of this as what you would wear when they say formal attire for business.
Business Casual
Long Tie/Bowtie Light Colored Shirt Navy/Blue/Brown/Light Grey/Charcoal Suit Leather Dress Shoes and dress socks
Business Casual, also known as Cocktail Attire, ask for a suit not a tuxedo. Change it around rather than keep the dark colors. Add some design to the ties, maybe some pattern on the suits, funky socks also make a good fashion statement. Anything in a suit and tie work in this formality.
Casual Dress Dress Shirt Blazer Jacket Dress Pants Leather Dress Shoes
Casual Dress is the lowest tier on the formality scale, keep it simple with a nice blazer with some khakis or chinos. For the shirt, I would add a pattern only if you jacket is solid. I suggest your pocket square match your socks to make it real interesting. Ties are optional. Everything goes except of course like in any formality scale no polos, denim, shorts, and wear closed shoes, you don’t want to be wearing sandals with a blazer if you’re off the beach.
