George Boyle
Black-tie weddings are the most formal of wedding dress codes, excluding the rare white-tie dress code. Guests are expected to wear floor-length gowns or tuxedos, with women opting for evening-appropriate fabrics such as velvet, chiffon, silk, or lace. While black is the safest colour choice, jewel tones are also a good option, especially for weddings in the fall, and pastel hues for summer weddings. For men, a black-tie dress code means wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie, patent leather shoes, and the full look.
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What You'll Learn
Women's attire: floor-length gowns, or jumpsuits
For women, a black-tie wedding is a chance to wear a floor-length gown or a formal jumpsuit. The dress code is a formal one, and the wedding is likely to be a formal, traditional ceremony and reception. So, for women, this means a full-length dress or a women's tuxedo, if you plan on suiting up. A jumpsuit is also a good option, as long as it's tailored and elegant. Avoid anything that feels too casual.
The length of a dress is an important consideration for black-tie weddings. Floor-length gowns are recommended, and ankles should not be showing. Shorter dresses can be acceptable, but only if they are made from formal fabrics and are not too short. A cocktail dress, for example, can work, but it should be a dressy one, perhaps made from rich fabrics and with elevated details. Velvet, chiffon, silk, or lace are all good fabric choices.
The colour of your outfit is also important. All colours are acceptable, except for white or anything close to white. You might also want to avoid the colour the bride has chosen for her bridesmaids' dresses. Black is a good choice, as are jewel tones, especially for autumn weddings. Pastel hues are a nice option for summer weddings.
If you're worried about the cost of buying a new outfit, there are other options. You could ask friends if they have anything suitable you could borrow. Or you could look into dress rental companies, which can offer designer looks for a fraction of the cost.
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Men's attire: tuxedos, or suits
For men, a black-tie wedding means one thing: a tuxedo. This means the full look—a proper dinner jacket, tuxedo pants, appropriate shoes, and the necessary accessories. No standard suits are allowed, even the fanciest of them. If you're wearing a tux, a black bow tie with your dinner jacket is the way to go.
That said, there are some variations on the tuxedo theme. If the wedding invite says "black-tie optional", "black-tie preferred", "black-tie invited" or "black-tie encouraged", you might be able to get away with a dark, formal suit and a conservative tie. In this case, lean into darker colours like black, navy, charcoal and jewel tones like emerald and burgundy. You could also swap out the tuxedo jacket for a structured suit jacket.
If you're renting a tux, companies like Rent the Runway, Nuuly, Generation Tux, and Men's Wearhouse offer a huge selection of designer formalwear looks that are perfect for black-tie weddings.
If you're attending a white-tie wedding, the dress code is slightly different. Men are required to wear a tuxedo with tails, a formal white shirt, a vest, a bow tie, white or grey gloves, and formal footwear, such as derby shoes or oxfords.
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Colours: dark colours, jewel tones, and black
When it comes to colours, dark colours, jewel tones, and black are all excellent choices for a black-tie wedding. Here are some specific recommendations for each category:
Dark Colours
Dark colours are a classic choice for a black-tie wedding, exuding elegance and formality. For men, a dark suit or tuxedo in shades like navy, grey, charcoal, or deep burgundy is appropriate. A black tuxedo is the most traditional option, but you can also opt for a coloured tuxedo jacket in navy, maroon, or green. A black bow tie is classic, but if the event is during the day, you can swap it out for a white bow tie.
For women, a floor-length gown in a dark colour is a sophisticated option. Shades like navy, charcoal, or deep earth tones can be elegant choices, although some consider them risky due to the formality of the affair. If you opt for a jumpsuit, a dark-coloured one with elegant details like a chic V-neck or wide-leg pants can be a stylish and reusable choice.
Jewel Tones
Jewel tones are a sophisticated choice for a black-tie wedding, especially for fall weddings. For men, consider a tuxedo or suit in shades like emerald green, sapphire, or burgundy. These deeper hues add a touch of richness and elegance to your ensemble.
For women, a floor-length gown in jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, or burgundy will stand out. If you prefer a shorter dress, a midi-length option in a jewel tone can also be a stylish and contemporary choice.
Black
Black is a timeless and elegant choice for a black-tie wedding. For men, a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie is the most formal option. You can also opt for a black suit, which is a versatile choice for both daytime and evening events. Remember to pair it with a crisp white dress shirt and black dress shoes.
For women, a black floor-length gown is a classy and appropriate choice. If you prefer a shorter dress, a dressy little black dress paired with elegant accessories and shoes can also work for a black-tie wedding.
Remember, while these colour recommendations provide a guide, the most important aspect is to adhere to the formality of the dress code and ensure your outfit is polished and elegant. Enjoy the opportunity to elevate your style and shine at the black-tie wedding!
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Children's attire: tuxedos, dresses, and suits
While a black-tie wedding is a formal event, it is usually geared toward adults. However, if children are invited, they too need to be dressed up. The key to choosing their attire is to strike a balance between comfort and style.
Tuxedos
A tuxedo is the standard attire for men at a black-tie wedding. However, for young boys, a tuxedo is not always necessary. A collared shirt, a bow tie, and a pair of nice dress shoes can be a comfortable and stylish option. If the event is more formal, a suit jacket can be added. For boys under 13, a dark-coloured suit—black, navy, grey, or khaki—can be a good alternative to a tuxedo.
Dresses
For girls, a floral sundress with a cardigan or a calf-length silk or satin dress with a sash is a suitable option. Baby girls can wear tulle skirts with tights underneath during cooler months. As they get older, a dressy cocktail dress or a floor-length gown in formal fabrics like velvet, chiffon, silk, or lace is appropriate. Mary Jane shoes and hair tied up in a bun or ponytail can complete the look.
Suits
For teenage boys, a suit jacket, dress pants, and a tie or bow tie are appropriate. A grey or dark-coloured suit can be a good alternative to a tuxedo for boys under 13.
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Black-tie optional: full-length gowns, suits, and tuxedos
A black-tie-optional wedding is a dress code that can be interpreted in a few different ways. It is a less formal version of a black-tie wedding, where guests have the option to wear either black-tie attire or formal attire. This means that guests can choose to wear a tuxedo or a dark suit, while women can wear either a full-length gown or a formal dress.
For men, a black-tie-optional dress code means that tuxedos are not mandatory, and it is perfectly acceptable to swap out the tuxedo jacket for a structured suit jacket and an understated tie. It is recommended to stick to darker colours such as black, navy, charcoal, emerald, or burgundy. A white shirt and a conservative tie are also suggested.
For women, the outfit choices are similar to those for a black-tie wedding: a floor-length gown, a fancy cocktail dress, or a dressy pantsuit. A midi-length dress is also acceptable, but anything above the knee may be too casual. Women can also opt for a jumpsuit, but it should be tailored and elevated, avoiding any bold patterns. As for colours, all colours are acceptable except for white or anything close to white. It is also recommended to avoid the colour the bride has chosen for her bridesmaid dresses.
It is important to note that a black-tie-optional wedding during the daytime allows for more flexibility with colours and prints, while an evening black-tie-optional wedding calls for the most formal attire.
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Frequently asked questions
Black-tie weddings are formal events, and guests are expected to wear their finest attire. For men, this typically means a tuxedo, and for women, a floor-length gown.
Black is the safest colour choice for a black-tie wedding. However, some opt for deep navy or midnight blue to stand out. Charcoal or deep earth tones are also acceptable, but these can be tricky given the formality of the affair.
While a floor-length gown is traditional, some shorter dresses in formal fabrics and ultra-glam accessories are typically acceptable. Cocktail dresses, dressy pantsuits, and jumpsuits are also appropriate alternatives.
