Bride and Groom – Wedding Attire Guide

Couples’ visions for their wedding day can be as varied as the couples themselves. Many still opt for a traditional ceremony—perhaps in a church—with the bride in a long white gown and the groom in a dark suit, a morning coat, or a daytime tuxedo. Increasingly, however, couples are choosing alternative wedding formats, which naturally calls for a more varied selection of attire.

It is both courteous and helpful for the hosts to indicate the desired dress code on the invitation, especially if the wedding will be held in a unique setting—by the sea, on a meadow, in the mountains, or anywhere with specific conditions. Only the couple knows the flow of the day, the venue’s environment, and the atmosphere they wish to create—so offering guests attire guidance is always appreciated.

When following classic dress code guidelines, the correct choice for a formal daytime outdoor wedding would be a morning coat—the most formal option for such occasions—or a daytime tuxedo. In Slovenia, these traditions are less common, with some grooms embracing them only in recent years, and wedding guests even more rarely. The common choice—seen frequently online—is a tuxedo for both groom and groomsmen. However, tuxedos are traditionally reserved for formal evening events, and for daytime use, if chosen, should be paired with a silver bow tie.

If the groom chooses a morning coat or a classic dark suit, the bride’s best match is a long gown. Shorter dresses are typically reserved for less formal or alternative weddings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bride

Choosing the Colour
The shade of white should harmonise with the bride’s natural colouring. Options include soft grey-white, cream, or ivory—pure white works best only for porcelain skin tones. Ideally, the bouquet colour should also complement her natural colouring. Other formal colour choices include shades of green, purple, blue, coral, and pink. Powdery pastels are always beautiful, while bold brides may choose shades of red. Brown is never a good choice for a wedding gown, and grey can appear dull and unremarkable. Always check colour symbolism before deciding—purple, for example, is considered unlucky for weddings in Italy.

Lengths and Trains
A floor-length wedding gown may feature different train styles:

• Sweep– slightly extended at the back.
• Panel– extended from the waistline.
• Watteau– extended from the back neckline.
• Court/Chapel– extends about half a metre.
• Cathedral– extends two metres.
• Monarch– more than two metres.

Silhouettes and Fit
Most women look best in a dress with a generous neckline—though the choice of bra is critical for both support and shape, especially for strapless gowns. A narrow waist should always be accentuated. For those conscious of extra weight, a gown fitted just below the bust can be flattering, as this area rarely accumulates excess volume. Petite brides should avoid full-length gowns without a slit, which can visually shorten the figure; a high-low sweep style (shorter in front, longer at the back) can be an excellent choice.

Alternative options include two-piece gowns for cooler seasons, formal cocktail dresses in elegant colours, or even tailored trouser suits—though most men still prefer a feminine silhouette. Whatever the choice, the gown should delight not only the bride but also the groom.

The Groom

Selecting the Suit
Options include a morning coat, a daytime tuxedo, or a dark suit. Tuxedos are traditionally kept away from sunlight, making them less ideal for daytime weddings. Recently, the frock coat—a longer jacket without curved front panels—has made a return as a stylish wedding choice. Light grey or silver suits were once trendy but have fallen out of fashion. My advice: buy a new suit for your wedding rather than renting—you’ll find other occasions to wear it again.

Suit and Accessories
You can’t go wrong with a solid black, navy, or charcoal suit (navy is currently the more modern and summer-friendly choice). Contemporary formal fabrics have a subtle sheen for an elegant finish. A single-breasted jacket is more practical than double-breasted; pair it with a waistcoat for added formality. Two-button jackets are in style—leave the bottom button undone.

The shirt should be crisp white, with a collar that fits perfectly (poor collar fit is instantly noticeable in photographs). Avoid visible undershirt lines—either skip it or choose a sleeveless vest-style undershirt with a neckline that sits below the collarbone. The whiteness of the shirt should match the tone of the bride’s gown. Trousers should be without cuffs. Choose a discreet, fresh, formal tie incorporating the suit and shirt colours, with a touch of silver. Avoid red, brown, orange, and green, and opt for micro-patterns.

Even for alternative weddings, the groom’s attire should still feel special—demonstrating the significance of the event and respect for the bride and guests. A beach wedding calls for a long-sleeved white linen shirt and matching long trousers; a mountain wedding demands a thoughtfully chosen smart-casual look. Purchase your suit at least two months before the wedding to avoid last-minute stress. From my experience, when a man feels uncomfortable in his wedding attire, it is almost always a sizing issue—not the style itself.

For more on dress codes and accessories, see my book Levels of Dress, available here:
https://www.leapisani.si/knjiga/