When it comes time for your special day, you want everything to be absolutely perfect. The venue, the flowers, the music — each and every detail needs to come together to create your dream wedding. One of the biggest factors to consider is what to wear for your wedding. 

What Not To Wear

It’s important not to wear something that someone else wants you to wear — this is your wedding, not theirs. You shouldn’t wear an outfit that makes you physically uncomfortable, something that digs into your sides or is itchy or scratchy. You’ll also want to avoid anything that has connotations or traditions you don’t support, such as high-heeled shoes or a veil.

What To Wear: The Grooms

Depending on the theme of your wedding, you can get away with wearing anything from your best gay Pride parade attire to jeans and a t-shirt, to a suit and tie, to a morning coat with tails and a top hat. You and your husband-to-be may want to wear matching outfits, coordinating outfits, or whatever suits your fancy for your ideal dream wedding. 

You’ll want to wear attire that’s suitable for the weather. For example, you might want a lightweight linen suit for a June wedding or a five-piece woolen suit for one in December. You also want your clothes to match the venue. You’d be more comfortable in shorts and polo shirts if you’re getting married at the beach, or in a tuxedo if your wedding’s happening at a cathedral.

Another thing to consider is whether you’re going to change clothes for your reception. You could go from morning attire to suit pants and a vest with an open-collared dress shirt. You might also go from a casual suit to nice jeans and a dress shirt with the collar undone and sleeves rolled up.

What To Wear: The Brides

Whether you’ve always dreamed of a princess fairy-tale wedding or eloping to Vegas to be married by an Elvis impersonator, you may have a specific idea of what you want to wear on your wedding day. However, your bride-to-be has probably had those dreams too — and they may not match up all that well with yours. Don’t let your differences mar your special day.

You’ll have the same options as grooms when it comes to matching outfits, coordinating outfits, or outfits that have nothing to do with each other. You could have your ballgown while your bride-to-be wears a pantsuit. You could decide to both wear white, or cream, or another color altogether, or not have matching colors at all.

You’ll want to consider your reception attire as well. You might want a wedding dress with pickups to avoid a big clothing swap. Another option would be to change into cocktail dresses or evening wear. You might go for slacks and a twinset. It all depends on the reception you have planned.

What To Wear: The Groomsmen, Groomsmaids, Bridesmaids, and Bridesmen

You may want your wedding party to all wear the same outfits on your special day. You could also opt for similar clothes in the same colors — for example, all the women in purple dresses and all the men in gray suits. Consider whether your wedding attendants will want to change clothes for the reception as well. 

From casual clothes you already own to bespoke morning attire at $3,000, or a custom wedding dress in the tens of thousands of dollars, your choice of what to wear for your nuptials is an important one. You and your spouse-to-be may have differing opinions, but do your best to come to a comfortable agreement that will feel great on your special day and look great in the pictures you’ll cherish forever.