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PoshBride
VIP September 2015

Tuxes at 4:30PM Ceremony

PoshBride, on May 3, 2015 at 4:50 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 21

I was wondering how many are following the rules as I'm reading the "rules" of tuxedo wear and that you shouldn't wear them before 6PM. Our ceremony is at 4:30-5 PM. Our reception doesn't start until 6PM (due to guests leaving from ceremony and riding 20 min, going to the reception venue for cocktail hour or hotel to check in and catch the shuttle to the venue). Is it a fashion faux pas for the men to wear tuxedos?? They will be navy with no vest of cumberbund. We figure, when the hell else would FH be able to wear a tux but his own wedding?! He can wear a navy suit anytime!

I also read somewhere that you plan dress for when the reception ends...which ours will be midnight! Anyone else's FH wearing a tux between 4-5PM (or earlier) and threw caution to the wind?

21 Comments

Latest activity by Nay0801, on May 4, 2015 at 9:20 AM
  • Victoria
    VIP June 2016
    Victoria ·
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    IMO, he can wear whatever you want him to. It's still your wedding which is a big deal so if the event is fancy enough to warrant a tux then he wears a tux. It sounds like one of those outdated rules.

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  • PoshBride
    VIP September 2015
    PoshBride ·
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    Yea, I didn't think much of it either! Everyone in the bridal party will be wearing tuxes as well. I just want my man to look dapper, lol!!

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  • Chrissy G to Chrissy P
    Devoted May 2015
    Chrissy G to Chrissy P ·
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    Wherever I've seen the rule that tuxedos are for evening weddings only, it actually recommended a "morning suit" for early-in-the-day ceremonies. As in, what Prince Eric wore when he married Arielle in The Little Mermaid. In other words, that advice is super outdated and crazy, from what I can tell. I've been to several formal afternoon weddings (around 1:30, full Catholic mass) and each had tuxes for the groom, groomsmen, and sometimes even the fathers of the couple. If you're wearing a dress that is formal enough to match a tux, he should be in a tux IMHO. You may look mismatched I'd you are in a floor-length or train gown and he is in just a suit.

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  • Brittany
    Super September 2015
    Brittany ·
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    I agree that you would be fine in tuxes assuming that it fits the tone of the rest of the wedding. But I've never heard the dressing for when the reception ends rule.

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    I see tuxes at all times of the day and night, but their level of formality should match yours.

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  • PoshBride
    VIP September 2015
    PoshBride ·
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    Yes, my dress is pretty formal and I couldn't see him in just a suit either @Chrissy! That "morning suit" is what I was seeing as well, which definitely isn't anything that he would want or wear. Our wedding is "modern glam" if I HAD to give it a theme, but really, it's just what we like!

    We're not changing our minds, they're already booked, and look damn good, lol. Just wanted to get some others thoughts!!

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  • Nicola
    VIP August 2015
    Nicola ·
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    Just to note - a morning suit isn't that out of date. In a UK wedding you will see a morning suit 9 times out of ten and almost never see a tux. Partly because UK weddings do tend to be afternoon affairs - starting around 2pm.

    Personally, yes, a tux is a little too formal for me for a daytime - but as your reception isn't starting until 6, and to be honest your FH can wear whatever the two of you decide, I think you're absolutely fine.

    (Side note - a morning suit is not what Prince Eric wears in Little Mermaid. He's wearing military mess dress. Of a kind.)

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Unless you travel in the highest levels of society filled with people who actually judge other people by the formality of their dress vs. the time of day, don't worry about it. After all, when you've reached the top of your game or you're a titan of industry, there isn't much left to judge beyond clothing. Back on planet earth, we know that tux rental stores would be out of business if the masses followed the rules set down by people none of us will ever meet (or care to meet).

    I remember having this idiotic argument with my MIL back when I got married in 1982. My husband was fixated on wearing white tie and tails. Why? I don't know, but he was. Nobody criticized what I wanted to wear, so I figured nobody should criticize what he wanted to wear. Our ceremony time was 4:30 PM, cocktail hour at 6:00 PM (45 minute drive from the church to the venue), and the reception started at 7:00 PM. My MIL was horrified that her son would even consider wearing that type of tux at that hour of the day. I left him to do battle with her, and he wasn't budging. I mean seriously...there I am clad head to toe in a costume I would never again wear in my life -- a white lace, floor length gown with a veil on my head -- and we're going to worry about his tuxedo? Do what you want and do it loudly and proudly.

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  • Annie & Javi
    Master October 2015
    Annie & Javi ·
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    FH wanted to wear a tux and wanted his groomsmen in tuxes so that's what he went with, we are getting at 4:30 also.

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  • Jeleebeenz
    VIP September 2015
    Jeleebeenz ·
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    Even if it were an etiquette faus pax, it would be the most victimless crime ever. I have been to MANY weddings prior to 6pm where tuxes were worn. Go for it.

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  • Chasity
    VIP June 2015
    Chasity ·
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    FH wanted to wear the full tux so him and the boys are for our 4pm ceremony

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  • Ms. P to Mrs. P
    VIP July 2015
    Ms. P to Mrs. P ·
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    I hadn't heard that particular rule. If I had I'd still ignore it. :-) Both the bride and groom should wear whatever they feel is most appropriate for their wedding.

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Jeleebeenz said it best -- victimless crime.

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  • annakay511
    Master July 2015
    annakay511 ·
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    I think a tux is totally appropriate.

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  • PoshBride
    VIP September 2015
    PoshBride ·
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    Yes @Nicola, you are correct. In the UK is where I see the morning suit most...just not as much in the US (I have seen it done). But if someone wanted one to fit their vision, it's totally fine! Just not our choice.

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  • PoshBride
    VIP September 2015
    PoshBride ·
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    Thanks ladies! That's what I figured!! He wanted it, so he got, and I'm totally ok with it. @Centerpiece, you made me chuckle! Smiley smile

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  • OMW
    Master August 2013
    OMW ·
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    I'm partial to morning suits. My husband and his guys wore them (our wedding was also at 4:30).

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  • Mrs. T
    Devoted July 2015
    Mrs. T ·
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    Just because people don't wear tuxedos normally anymore doesn't mean that etiquette rules no longer apply. Tuxedos should not be worn for morning or early afternoon weddings. Morning suits should be worn for daytime weddings. For a late afternoon ceremony that leads into an evening reception it's completely fine to make it black tie.

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  • Reese
    Master July 2015
    Reese ·
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    My FH and his groomsmen are wearing tuxes for our 5pm outdoor ceremony. I didn't even know there was a "rule" about tuxes. I don't think anybody will question your decision.

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  • Kris E
    VIP May 2015
    Kris E ·
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    Pish. Our party is wearing tuxes and it is at 11:00 wedding.

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