Learn what casual wedding attire means for guests, and how to create casual wedding attire outfits for grooms and wedding parties.
The most important thing you should know about casual wedding attire is that “casual” is a relative term. Compared to what you’d wear to a big business meeting or a tux-level awards ceremony, this outfit will be casual. To avoid confusion, some couples choose to modify the dress code to “dressy casual,” establishing that casual wedding attire for men does not mean denim and a polo shirt.
Whatever the exact wedding attire wording, don’t pass on a suit just yet.
WHAT DOES “CASUAL WEDDING ATTIRE” MEAN?
You could probably get by with a dress shirt and dress pants, but you’re researching this dress code for a reasonāyou obviously want to look your best. To avoid feeling under-dressed, wear a suit, a dress shirt, and (probably) a tie. If you want to loosen up your look, you could skip the tie and cufflinks, or add a little more color to your outfit with a pocket square.
Need more guidance? Read on for daytime and evening outfit ideas that follow the casual attire dress code.
Table of Contents
Casual Wedding Attire for Grooms
Casual Wedding Attire for Wedding Parties
Casual Wedding Attire for Guests
Casual Wedding Attire
for Grooms
For grooms, we recommend a conservative approachāso not too casual. A crisp white dress shirt and necktie is always wise, even if the wedding vibe is relaxed. Skip these items and the risk of looking sloppy in your wedding photos is very real.
DAYTIME OUTFIT
Tan is one of the most casual suit colors you can wear, so this look is tailored for a casual wedding. A brightly-colored necktie and brown suede shoes also fit the chill bill, then pull the whole look together with a white dress shirt and simple pocket square.
EVENING OUTFIT
If you want to stand out (in a good way), wear a black suit with brown leather shoes. It’s a bold style move that’s appropriately casual for evening weddings with this dress code. Keep the tie color muted, but use the real estate in your pocket to add a splash of color (or more specifically, one of your wedding colors).
Casual Wedding Attire
for Wedding Parties
The right groomsmen outfits will follow the lead of the groom’s lookāin this case, you’ll need a suit and tie in colors that won’t compete for the spotlight.
DAYTIME OUTFIT
You don’t need any deep red or pink in your wedding color scheme for this look to workāif you do, that’s even better. The monochromatic grey of the suit and necktie might be a little serious on their own, but a colorful shirt will help mellow this daytime casual attire look.
EVENING OUTFIT
This blue suit has a vibrant color that stands on its own, but it’s not so bright that it will take the focus from the groom. Pair it with a white dress shirt and keep your accessories simpleāno need to spin the color wheel too hard.
Casual Wedding Attire
for Guests
As a guest, you could easily wear any of the looks above, but if you go with a conservative look (white shirt, neckties, etc.), the more likely you’ll look like you’re in the wedding party. Skip the tie and make up for it with an interesting pocket square.
DAYTIME OUTFIT
Combining the dusty grey fabric of this light grey suit with black polished leather shoes creates an unexpected contrast. To keep the casual look going, wear a dress shirt with a subtle stripe and opt for a pocket square that popsāone with a print instead of a pattern.
EVENING OUTFIT
If you’re following along, this is the second time we’ve paired brown shoes with a black suit in this guide. For some people, this is as edgy as they’ll ever get, and that’s very sadātake this opportunity to separate your look from the rest. Choose a playful pocket square to keep your dark suit from looking too formal, and wear a colorful dress shirt underneath.
The Right Fit for Your Wedding
Understanding the casual attire dress code can help you choose the right wedding look, but it’s just as important that your suit actually fits you. We design modern suits and tuxedos with a better fit, making it easy for everyone to arrive looking their best and ready to celebrate.
If you’re planning your wedding and need to make sure your outfit is perfect, you can check the style and fit of our suits from the comfort of home for free. Start your home try-on here.
If you’d rather visit us in-person, you can book an appointment at one of our locations across the country. Or, if you prefer to do it all online, just answer a few simple questions to find your sizes right now.