Our ceremony will be at 11:30AM, outdoors (weather permitting). We want it to be as formal as possible. My dress is Ivory, pretty formal, the material is what I think they call "lustre satin", it's not shiny. The bridesmaids dresses are very simple, floor length, aubergine. They're silk, but without sheen, more like a chiffon.
My fiance really wants to wear a tux, which is fine with me. He wants to wear a shawl lapel with a banded collar, no tie whatsoever, and possibly a vest. Would it be better with our without the vest? I think his shirt should be ivory.
I don't want the other fellas to look overdressed compared to my bridesmaids. I think the shawl may be too much. So long as the tuxes are the same material as the groom, and they all match each other, could they wear a different lapel? Can they wear point or wing colars with ties and vests? Should they also wear ivory shirts?
PS: Rebecca, I know etiquette says we're going a little too formal for our time of day, especially with the black tuxes. The ceremony/reception sites we really wanted dictated the time of day. Beyond that, I don't think there's any way to change my fiance's mind. He's pretty adamant about the black tuxes... and the shawl lapel with banded collar shirt. (Hey, at least he wants to look good!) I just don't want the entourage to look odd.
Yes, you are correct that these are evening formal attire. Plus, if this is held during warmer months or in a warm climate, the men should be wearing lighter colored strollers.
The vest is a good idea. All of the men should be dressed the same. It is fine to have a small difference, such as different ties. But, the collars and shirt should be the same.
If he chooses to wear the tux, the shawl will be formal in appearance, but nice. It just may look elegant next to the ladies.
I'm not sure about pinning a boutonniere to the lapel. You may have to talk to someone at a formal wear shop about this.
Shawl lapel, banded collar, matching tuxes, bouttoniere?
