Wedding Etiquette Forum

What should my DH wear to this wedding?

So we are attending a wedding in the middle of August. We are expecting it to be relatively warm. The venue is a state park, I believe ceremony is outdoor and reception indoor. The bridesmaids are wearing bridesmaids dresses from David's Bridal, and the bride is wearing a blue gown (her second wedding so she didn't want to wear white). The groom and groomsmen, from what I understand, are wearing jeans and some button up shirt I want to say white. I was going to wear a sun dress either way. But is it appropriate for my husband to wear cargo shorts to this? I know a couple of you gals had weddings in the park. What do you think? Can he wear tennis shoes?

Re: What should my DH wear to this wedding?

  • radleybooradleyboo member
    500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer Name Dropper
    edited July 2013
    I wouldn't wear shorts and sneakers, that's just me.  I think some nice khaki pants and shirt would be fine.  If you're worried about heat, what about linen?  H just picked up a couple of really nice pairs of linen pants and he loves them.  Light tan color, they go with everything, super comfortable, can dress up or down.  Just my opinion, hope that helps.  

    ETA: Unless you are participating in some sort of sports, physical activity, or walking a very long distance (think sightseeing or maybe hitting a theme park for a day), sneakers are just too casual.  
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  • I definitely like the idea of khaki pants. But what if he did like black dress shorts, would that work?
  • itzMSitzMS member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers First Anniversary

    If I were helping my DH choose a outfit for this wedding you describe...he'd be in grey slacks, a polo shirt, and casual dress shoes like Sketchers.

    Shorts for a wedding...no matter how casual it is...just doesn't fly for me.

  • phiraphira member
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    I agree with PPs--no shorts, no sneakers.

    I think that khakis (pants, not shorts), a polo shirt, and nice shoes would be appropriate. If you're still not sure, I think it would be okay to ask the bride and groom.


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  • No shorts.  It's a wedding, not a round of golf.  I also second @phira, you can always ask the bride and groom what they think is acceptable.  
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  • STARMOON44STARMOON44 member
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    edited July 2013
    No shorts. There is no such thing as formal black dress shorts. Not in the US at least. I'd suggest he wear khakis and a button down, or seersucker pants. And not tennis shoes. Really grown ups should only be wearing athletic clothes for actual athletics, or at the most casual errand running.
  • itzMSitzMS member
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    If the groom and groomsmen are wearing jeans (cringe)...I'm sure they'd be okay with guests wearing shorts. But that's not the point! :-)

     

  • FI has a nice pair of khaki shorts, a button up and boat shoes. He would be absolutely miserable sitting outside in anything over 70 degrees, so I wouldn't make him wear pants. I think if they're in jeans, anything goes. 
  • H's cousin wore a shiny, orange, wicking, Underarmour golf shirt to our wedding with a giant logo on the front, with black pants and shoes.  I didn't notice it on the day of, but in photos, it looks sort of ridiculous, like he just wrapped up 9 holes or came from a baseball game.  A wedding is a special event, and your attire should reflect that.  You might not be too concerned about it, but the bride and groom will look over their photos repeatedly for years to come.    
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  • If you know for a fact the groomsmen are wearing jeans, then I'd say shorts on a man are OK.


    Suggestion: Dave has some pants he bought for travel that have zip-off leg bottoms.

    Zip-on, they are full length nice looking pants, totally suitable for a decent restaurant in Europe.

    Zip-off, they are below the knee shorts.

    Zip-off, they are above the knee shorts.

    So, if your DH wants to adjust to more or less leg coverage, depending on the weather and other guests' attire, he can. Either that, or throw a nice set of shorts in the car trunk for a fast change, if appropriate.

    As for shoes, I'd suggest loafers or dark sneakers. With socks. They should look nice, not all scuffed up.

  • MobKazMobKaz member
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    radleyboo said:
    H's cousin wore a shiny, orange, wicking, Underarmour golf shirt to our wedding with a giant logo on the front, with black pants and shoes.  I didn't notice it on the day of, but in photos, it looks sort of ridiculous, like he just wrapped up 9 holes or came from a baseball game.  A wedding is a special event, and your attire should reflect that.  You might not be too concerned about it, but the bride and groom will look over their photos repeatedly for years to come.    
    I would say that the venue and attire of the wedding party reflect what guests wear.  If the groom is wearing jeans, I don't think the bride and groom will be concerned about seeing dress shorts in photos.

    OP, I would agree that cargo shorts are perhaps a bit too casual with the multitude of pockets and such, but a nice pair of dress shorts (@STARMOON44, dress shorts (poster never said formal) do indeed exist), a good polo shirt, and a docksider type shoe, would be appropriate.   

    How casual were the invitations? 
  • Thank you so much girls! I really appreciate it.

    I think we are going to go with slacks and a short sleeved button up shirt and dress shoes. DH is a little worried about being over dressed, so I think we'll take BarblovesDave's suggestion of packing Docker's shorts in the car.

    Thank you
  • MayDay513MayDay513 member
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    edited July 2013
    repeat post. -deleted
  • The invitations were a two sided post card type, one side was a photo of the venue (actually eerie looking) date and address, back side also had another photo of the wedding venue and info for rsvp and wedding website. Envelope was addressed to both of us.
  • MobKazMobKaz member
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    huynhette said:
    The invitations were a two sided post card type, one side was a photo of the venue (actually eerie looking) date and address, back side also had another photo of the wedding venue and info for rsvp and wedding website. Envelope was addressed to both of us.
    Very often, the look of the invitation itself is supposed to be your first "glimpse" into the formality of the wedding.  That invitation certainly sounds incredibly casual.
  • huynhette said:
    Thank you so much girls! I really appreciate it.

    I think we are going to go with slacks and a short sleeved button up shirt and dress shoes. DH is a little worried about being over dressed, so I think we'll take BarblovesDave's suggestion of packing Docker's shorts in the car.

    Thank you
    I think you will be fine.
  • We had an outdoor wedding (park), indoor reception. Several guests wore linen pants, boat shoes, and button down shirts with rolled sleeves. They looked great, were comfortable, and didn't stand out!
  • Just asked my fiancé, he said he would, at the very minimum, wear a button up shirt and a nice pair of jeans if that is what the men in the wedding party are wearing. Definitely not tennis shoes or sneakers, a nice pair of shoes that look the part would be appropriate.

     

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  • There's a huge difference between a nice pair of khaki shorts with boat shoes and cargo shorts with sneakers. I'd say the first is acceptable at a wedding, outdoor, in the summer, where the groom is wearing jeans. The latter is not.
  • There's a huge difference between a nice pair of khaki shorts with boat shoes and cargo shorts with sneakers. I'd say the first is acceptable at a wedding, outdoor, in the summer, where the groom is wearing jeans. The latter is not.
    This.   

    I also feel like the bride and groom should be the best dressed at a wedding.  It's going to be hard for the groom to be the best dressed while wearing jeans.  
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