Need advice - "Black tie invited"

[mikeynyc]

I was invited to a wedding on Aug 6th which is a Sunday at 3pm.

I wanted to know what is appropriate to wear if I decide to wear a tux. (pardon my ignorance but I assume that's what "black tie invited" means.

It's far enough away that I can start shopping for a tux but I don't know what is acceptable to wear to a wedding at this time of day during this time of year.

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[jml90]

That would technically be a stroller

 

[NoVaguy]

I doubt a stroller is intended. Ask the host or somebody close to the host what they meant.

 

[MrDaniels]

Ca you tell us where the wedding is, and am I correct in assuming that the ceremony is at 3 and the recpetion later?

 

[mikeynyc]

after some brief research regarding your replies, I agree with NoVaguy.

It is at a nice venue (Cescaphe Ballroom in Phila.)

Yes, the ceremony is at 3 with reception Immediatly following.

I would like to wear a tux if I can find one I like but I'd rather wear a suit than rent a tux.

With this in mind, what are my "musts" and what are my options?
Is a white dinner jacket ok or is it too late in the day?
Bow tie?
Do I need to buy a wing tip shirt or could I just wear a white dress shirt?

sorry for all the questions, I want to get it right...this will be my first formal event, not counting prom.

 

[sho'nuff]

correct me if im wrong, but doesnt black tie mean you can wear a business suit to the event?
and white tie is the most formal where tuxes are required?

 

[Hanseat]

Originally Posted by diorshoe

correct me if im wrong, but doesnt black tie mean you can wear a business suit to the event?
and white tie is the most formal where tuxes are required?

Sorry, but you are indeed wrong.

semi-formal: Suit or blazer
Black tie optional: Tux and dark suits with muted ties acceptable
Black tie: Tux
White tie: Tails

semi-formal would be a dinner jacket in a perfect world, but we don't live in that...

 

[stach]

Call the mother of the bride or groom. 'Black tie invited' is a new one to me.

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by Hanseat

Sorry, but you are indeed wrong.

semi-formal: Suit or blazer
Black tie optional: Tux and dark suits with muted ties acceptable
Black tie: Tux
White tie: Tails

semi-formal would be a dinner jacket in a perfect world, but we don't live in that...


Well said.

As to the original question, "black tie invited" is just an affectation for "black tie optional". As much as I enjoy black tie affairs, and dislike the "optional" part, I'd wear a navy suit to this early affair.

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by Hanseat

Sorry, but you are indeed wrong.

semi-formal: Tux
Black tie optional: Tux and dark suits with muted ties acceptable
Black tie: Tails, black tie
White tie: Tails, white tie and gloves

You were off a little bit too. Fixed above.

 

[Hanseat]

As I stated previously, in a perfect world semi-formal would refer to tux, but alas we don't live in that.

I believe that an invitation stating black tie means that one is supposed to show up in a 'modern' (read: not tails) tux and not in tails merely with a black bow tie as that would be overdressing.

Gloves are a tad affected to my eye even with tails (okay, unless one is dancing where they have a practical application) just like a white scarf.

 

[fatherseanfan]

According to the style column in my newspaper this morning, it is never appropriate to wear a dinner jacket before 6pm. so maybe you should wear a navy or black suit to the wedding. According to the column, if the reception and dinner is after 6pm, you could change into a tux or keep the dark suit.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by tiger02

You were off a little bit too. Fixed above.

No, he was right. Black tie does not mean a tailcoat, but rather a tuxedo/dinner suit.

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by Teacher

No, he was right. Black tie does not mean a tailcoat, but rather a tuxedo/dinner suit.
I guess it all depends what year it is. It is 1952, right?

 

[Hanseat]

Last time I checked, my calendar said 1961...

So get out your morning coat as it's not going to be dark outside yet. The President set a wonderful example for that.