Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Casual Summer Wedding – What to wear if you’re the Groom

March 21, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

From the Mailbag:  Outfitting the Groom for a Summer Wedding in the Woods

Above suit:  Banana Republic Modern Italian Cotton 2-Button Suit – $380.00

Hey Joe,

I’m getting married this summer and am wondering if you’d be willing to offer up any suggestions for some non-tux groom and or groomsman wear.  It’ll be an outside wedding, it might get hot, and it’s not super formal but I’d still like to look sharp.  I’m about 6’1 190 average build.  The wedding’s in a small old logging town and there may be some turn of the century vintage logging style themes present elsewhere.

Thanks for any/all advice or time you’re willing to give.

Eli

Wow, well, first let me say that I’m flattered.  Asking for an opinion on sweater fabrics or the best way to spend an Indochino Groupon is one thing, but someone asking for a take on what to wear on his wedding day is another.  Pressure’s on.  Eli… you sure you don’t want me to just send you, say, a creme brulee set?  90% of the wedding registries I’ve ever seen has one of those on there.  Which also makes me wonder why I’ve never had creme brulee outside of a restaurant.  You think the odds would dictate otherwise.

You deserve to be comfortable on your wedding day, and Summer + Outdoors can = major trouble.  Even though you’ll be surrounded by an awesomely rough backdrop, buffalo plaid flannel or just wool in general is taking a huge risk.  And that risk is heatstroke.  You should be at ease that day.  I hate to punt on this one, but I think a well tailored cotton khaki suit like this 2-button version from Banana Republic is the way to go.

Fabric from Italy, sent across the Mediterranean, made in Egypt. One extremely nice suit is the result.

.
The fabric is sourced from Italy and it’s nothing short of incredible.  The fit is much more trim than you’d expect from BR (but not so trim it wouldn’t fit a 6’1″ 190lbs frame), and the shoulder pads aren’t obtrusive.  It’s actually a bit darker in person than the fitting room photos show.  And since it’s a GAP inc product, wait for a sale and it could end up 20%, maybe 30% or even 40% off.  Again, the fabric is seriously something.  Once your wife-to-be walks down the aisle and lays a hand on your jacket sleeve, she won’t want to let go for the rest of the day.

Buck the usual blue tie/brown shoes accompaniment and pair it with a bright white shirt and black tie.  Knit even.  Black shoes too.  Most guys don’t think black goes with khaki but it absolutely does, and it’ll make you look like the groom.  If you really want to embrace the entire woodsy lumberjack vibe, maybe (again, maybe) go with a chambray shirt.  That’ll drop it quite a bit on the formal/casual scale, so maybe that’s an option for your groomsmen.  If you really want a vintage look, there’s always this chambray club collar (think rounded corners) shirt from Rugby.

If Khaki just isn’t your thing, there are a few affordable darker cotton suits out there like this silk cotton blend from Express.  Yeah it sounds weird to be wearing Express on your wedding day, but with one of their many online coupons, it’ll end up at around $286.  It also looks remarkably good and you won’t completely melt in it.

A risk since it'll still soak up the sun's rays, but still cooler than wool.

.
Finish it all off with a slick but unobtrusive watch, take your time shaving that morning, and go easy on the hair product.  You don’t want your dome to be a melting mess on your wedding day.  Keep your knees flexed during the ceremony (remind your groomsmen too) because if you lock em’ you’ll pass out even if it’s only a little bit warm.  No matter how well tailored the suit, it doesn’t look good on an unconscious dude sprawled out on the ground.

I saw it happen live once.  It was maybe 75 degrees that day.  One of the groomsmen locked his knees, passed out, and bit it just as the officiant was delivering the “you may now kiss the bride” line.  They were on grass, but he hit his head hard enough that he got a concussion and had to be ushered off to the hospital.  Whoops.

Best of luck, and remember that above all else… this is her day, and this is your day.  Everyone in attendance should be beyond thrilled to help make that happen.  All the best to you Eli, let us know how it goes after the nuptials, and we’ll celebrate you and your new bride here at the Dappered home offices with a round of creme brullee.  As long as I can find that set we got for our wedding.

Thoughts?  Other wedding day suggestions or tips for Eli?  Leave it all in the comments section below.

Rugby at ShopStyle

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Shoes, Watches, Women Tagged With: Banana Republic, Cotton Suit, mailbag, Suit, summer suit, Summer Suit Search, wedding

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Sharp, dark, and handsome for a nice night out.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

There is a peculiarity about the Rhone pack deals though.

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Totes, sneakers, and Nordy Rack is worth a look.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Style Scenario: It’s still winter. (Nothing over $100 edition)
  • The Dappered Space: 5 Essential Home Decor Items for any grown-guy’s home
  • The 2023 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More
  • Spier launches new $298 Half Canvas Suit Line – The Best Wedding Suit under $300?

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.