“Save the date for our wedding!” reads the message on the card. In addition to requesting that you ring fence a Friday or Saturday, a bit more information here could be useful.

What sort of information, we hear you ask? Well, a dress code would be helpful. Dress codes at weddings have become few and far between of late. Partly because our homegrown weddings haven’t, in the past, followed the American dictat of black tie, although this is fast becoming an increasingly popular option. The more traditional British expectation is for ‘Day Formal’ or ‘Morning Dress’.

When invited to a wedding, there’s hope that with the delivery of a well presented invitation, a smart venue, good food and flowing champagne will follow. So, the least we guests can do is make an effort in what we wear to help celebrate this most memorable of occasions.

A flurry of ‘don’t worry’ or ‘it doesn’t matter’ reassurances muttered by sharply dressed guests on the big day will make any lazy dresser suddenly see the fault in their less considered ways. Many grooms have reported back to us that having well-dressed gents in attendance all adds up to make their wedding that bit more special – one saying; “It gave the occasion some added glamour. It might sound shallow, but…having a few well dressed gents dotted about the lawn, made me feel like my wedding was a proper one!”

In the past, morning dress was the outfit for all daytime weddings. The reason for sticking to this approach today is not for mere sartorial ‘correctness’ but because the presence of morning dress confers a sense of formality, a tipping-of-the-hat to the wedding couple, with the wearer acknowledging the occasion for what it is – a formal unification of two people.

However, without a dress code being stipulated, a little enquiry is necessary to establish the appropriateness of this formality. The style and location of the wedding will definitely be a factor; a civil ceremony on a beach in the Caribbean is not the place for a silk top hat and a double breasted waistcoat.

So, as the styles of wedding vary, so must the dress code. Most important is to find out what the formality of the groom’s party will be – making the mistake of wearing white tie to a black tie wedding is a classic example.

Lounge suits are currently a popular choice. This gives the wearer a bit of room to play with a more individual approach. A standard suit is entirely acceptable but should always be dressed up with a selection of considered accessories.

You can view our full range of ready-to-wear and hirewear on the website, or to find out more about our bespoke service simply book an appointment to come and see us at our Waterloo shop. Alternatively you can call us on 020 3771 9540, or drop us an email to contact@yardsmen.com, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about our garments and services.