Black tie for afternoon ceremony and evening reception

[smk81]

Sorry for starting a new thread on an issue that may have been addressed.

I'm planning my wedding and the brides father would like the wedding party in tuxedos. The ceremony is around 3 and the reception starts at 6. I don't know about tuxedos at 3 but I don't really want to switch clothes between the 2 and I don't want to wear a morning suit. What is the etiquette here?

 

[Mark Seitelman]

I would say that tuxedo is OK. Most of the event will be the evening party.

It is impractical (and expensive) for the men to switch from day formal to dinner suits.

 

[Veremund]

I'd change clothes between.

 

[dopey]

If you want to know what is correct, wear day clothes for the ceremony (either a lounge suit or morning wear) and then either wear it into evening (that is the correct choice, if you don't change) or change. If you don't really care about "proper" form, then you can just wear a tuxedo and make your bride happy. There is something to be said for that anyway.

 

[GBR]

Americans will wear tuxedos whatever time of day as they have a fixation about weddings and tuxedos and few care about etiquette. Strictly it is quite wrong to wear one during the day and therefore the party should either change for the evening event or remain in day (lounge suit) dress throughout. If however the party wears formal morning dress which would be OK for a daytime ceremony then the change is required to conform with good order.