Summer Wedding Season is Coming! Tuxedo Ideas and Tips for Destination and Beach Weddings

There are lots of places that a wedding and a reception can take place - from a country club, to a hotel, to a backyard, a home, or even on the beach. However, where the event takes place does not dictate whether the event will be formal, casual, or somewhere in between.  Just because you are having a wedding reception at an upscale hotel does not automatically mean that it has to be black (or white) tie, and similarly, getting married on a beach doesn't mean you can't have a formal wedding.

Rather, the bride and groom should decide how they want the wedding to look, so they can have an event that they are happy with.  This post provides some ideas for a beach or destination wedding that is formal - but sometimes with a twist.

A solid semi-formal beach look is a beige or khaki tuxedo suit. As you can see from the picture above, you can pair it with a long tie if you want to keep things a little less formal.  And, as long as you're going for the beach vibe, forget about shoes and wear a pair of sandals. 

For a more formal look, wear a vest and bowtie - but keep the colors breezy. A matching pocket square can bring together the whole look. If you want to take the beach theme even further, wear a pair of themed cufflinks - nautical perhaps? Trust us, people will notice.

You can go all the way with the "casual" theme - skip the tie and roll up your pant legs.  You'll look cool, casual, and absolutely appropriate. Notice how in this picture the coat is paired with a ivory vest - this will ensure that even though you want to look casual, you're still giving a nod to the fact that you're the groom.

Another option for beach weddings is a white tuxedo.  Here are two options:

 

This pinstriped tuxedo has a modern touch, and paired with a dark tie and pocket square, is a great look. You could wear this tux with a white tie, but the look would be a little too formal for a beach wedding.

 

An all-white look is clean and fresh.  By adding just a touch of color, the look remains youthful.

A gray tuxedo can set a formal mood but also keeps things light enough for a daytime wedding. This can be paired with any number of color combinations for the vest and tie. The look is very elegant and upscale while reflecting the fact that the wedding is outside or during the day.

Another option is to wear a blue tuxedo suit jacket with a formal vest - it's an unexpected look but every bit as appropriate. This look works especially well is you are going for a formal look without being too uptight or traditional.

Here are some additional tips for your beach wedding:

• Generally, we'd prefer that you not wear sunglasses.  We understand that you're out on the beach and the sun gets in your eyes - BUT - it's just one day, you'll live. Plus, everyone wants to see you looking into your to-be-wife's eyes.
• Wear sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun for a while. 
• If you have longer hair and are getting married on the beach itself, there's a very good chance that the wind will wreak havoc on your hair if you don't use a little hair product to keep your hair in place. While the windblown look may be in style, you don't want to have to keep moving the hair out of your eyes while reciting your vows.

All tuxedos seen here are available at Metropolitan Formalwear at SEARS Fair Oaks Mall, a Jim's Formal Wear retailer.

Don't Lose the Engagement Ring!







Check out this great post from Jewelers Mutual about keeping tabs on the engagement ring before you propose. It's got a lot of good tips.





We've heard a lot of stories where guys have gotten dressed up in a tuxedo to pop the question, which is a great idea, but there are a lot of other great ways to make the moment special and memorable.

It's usually a good idea to make the proposal something personal - try not to do it in a particular way just because you think that's the way it should be done.  The unexpected is always more fun!

If you haven't gotten the ring yet, Jewelers Mutual has a good dictionary of terms here.

Once she's said YES, it's time to start thinking about the tux! Remember, Metropolitan Formalwear's got you covered: www.metroformal.com.

Prom (Or Any Other Event for That Matter) Dinner Etiquette

There are a lot of dining etiquette guides out there, and most people know the basics - hold open doors, ladies sit and order first, no elbows on the table, don't talk when there's food in your mouth, etc. Lots of people are more advanced, knowing the "bread on your left, drink on your right" rule. Still others know the difference between a dessert spoon, a tea spoon, and a soup spoon.

That's all important, and it's all well and good, and if you want to find out what the proper way to eat a meal at a restaurant is, you can easily find lots of information out there.

But we thought we'd offer some additional tips for you to come off looking polished at your fancy dinner. These aren't all really etiquette tips per se, but you should follow them anyway if you want to come off looking like a gentleman, or even just a polite guy.

Remember not to drink and drive

• If you're driving, take your coat off - it will prevent it from getting wrinkled.  If you're in the back of a limo, you can leave your coat on.  (If you find yourself driving a limo, by the way, your coat should be on).
• When you're walking on a sidewalk, you should always walk between a woman and the curb.  This is an old rule from the time there were horses on the street - the idea was to protect the woman from mud, splashes, etc.  The rule still stands - cars can splash too.

Small gestures can say a lot

• When walking to the table, the lady walks ahead of the man.  He should pull her chair out for her when they get to the table.  If you want to be really formal, anytime a lady gets up from the table, the men should stand up slightly in their seats.  If it's a big group, only her date and the man sitting next to the woman leaving the table need to rise.

• When you get to the restaurant DO NOT drape your coat jacket over the back of your chair. Also, if you are wearing a long tie, DO NOT throw the tie over your shoulder in an effort to prevent it from being stained.  You'll look like a toolbox.

Give the server 30 seconds
of your attention

• When the waiter is telling your table the specials, please look at him/her, and don't zone out.  It's rude.  Also, you may end up hearing something that you like, and if you haven't paid attention you will have to ask the waiter to go through all the specials again.  That's boring for them. Also, if the waiter doesn't tell you how much the special is and you want to order it, it's fine to ask for the price, just do it directly and casually.



Bread - left -- Drinks - right


• Ok, here's the bread on your left, drink on your right rule: your water glass is on the right of your plate - here's a way to remember: make an "OK" sign with both hands, palms facing each other. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d". Your bread (b) is on the left, and your drinks (water, wine, etc.) (d) are on the right.

• If someone asks for salt, you should pass both the salt and the pepper - they stay together- and don't use them before you pass them on.

• We hate to be a broken record, but please carry some mints.  If the restaurant is loud, you'll be leaning in close to your date to have a conversation.  Sometimes the pleasure of enjoying the taste of your food should take a back seat to having fresh breath.  Plus, you may need the mints after coffee (and later).

Also, remember to hold open doors, both car and restaurant.

Guys - Look Your Best for Prom Photos

There are a lot of articles out there about how girls can look their best in photos.  For example, http://www.promden.com/prom-night-photos.shtml and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2498493/how_to_look_good_in_photos.html

But we really couldn't find that much information for guys.  So, we put together our thoughts: 


Well fitting clothes will ensure
you look your best



Before the photo is taken:


• Wear a tux that fits.  If your clothes are too tight or too loose, you'll look off.  For your shirt, you should be able to slip two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck.  Next, pull your pants up, it's a formal occasion.  And the sleeves of your tux should end so that some of the shirt underneath shows.





Don't be afraid to use a little
product in your hair


• Yes, you should probably get a haircut.  But don't do it right before prom - do it at least a week before, even two would be good.  Some say the faux hawk is out.  We say, if you like it, go for it.  Is anyone going to argue with this guy?

• Make sure you bring plenty of mints.  No, your bad breath won't show up in a photo.  Yes, it will show up in the disgusted look your date is making.





Don't forget to smile!

• Practice smiling.  Read this article on looking good in photos:  http://www.askmen.com/grooming/project/7_4-steps-look-good-in-photos.html  Follow what it says, even though it seems weird. 

While the photo is being taken:





Have fun!  It's Prom!


• Relax, it's just a picture. Stand up straight, but don't be unnecessarily stiff. Keep your chin down, chest out, shoulders back.  But not too much. You don't want to look posed.

• Smile.  If you read the article above, by now you've perfected it.  Don't try to look like a thug if you aren't. 


• Yes, you can touch your date.  Don't be awkward, you'll end up looking like Napolean Dynamite.

• Have fun.  That's what this night is all about, isn't it?



After the photo is taken:

• Don't worry if the photo didn't turn out well. There will be plenty more opportunities for you to dress up and get photographed.  Use this as a learning experience, and make sure next time it turns out better. And it probably isn't as bad as these: http://awkwardpromcouples.blogspot.com/

Prom 2011 Trends and Tips

We're right in the middle of prom season and we've seen some trends that we want to share with you, as well as some tips that will help you look your best on prom night!

• Make sure to try on your complete tuxedo when you pick it up.  You want to make sure that you feel comfortable, that your shoe size hasn't changed on you, and that you're ready to go.

• A great look for prom is a black tuxedo with a vest and a long tie.  Many times, the color of the vest and tie match the color of a guy's date's dress.  However, a lot of guys are foregoing wearing a colored vest, and just wearing a colored tie and matching pocket square.

• We're seeing a lot more black bowties this year - it's a classic look that will never go out of style. Pair it with a black vest, and the look is guaranteed to be Bond - not waiter.

Remember, the best accessory is confidence - so make sure you pick a tux in which you feel your best!