https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:15:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609407 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:01:55 +0000 Pink Champagne 609407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been to several black tie preferred or even required. It is perfectly acceptable for your husband to wear a BLACK suit (I assume that is what you meant by dark, but dark gray or navy would be too casual, IMO) with a black tie (I think a skinny tie looks modern and chic, unless your hubs is a bigger dude) or a bow tie. Truth be told, the only difference between most black suits and tuxes is the stripe down the pants.<br /> Maybe he can buy a french cuff shirt (if he doesn't already own one) so that he can wear cuff links? I think that gives a nice polished look to a guy for formal events.<br /> I personally think a longer dress is better for black tie events, but if you're going to go short, I think subtle is better. A chic black dress in a non-shiny fabric is always a good direction to go, and that way you can dress it up with some great sparkly jewelry, or a pair of really great shoes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609374 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:18:52 +0000 Beehive 609374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Hilsy85: - my wedding was also black tie optional and most men wore dark suits. The men who were excited about getting a chance to break out their tuxes went that route. Maybe he can wear nice cufflinks and a pocket square to dress up a dark suit? I've worn shorter dresses to black tie events, just dressed up with fancy jewelry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609352 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:53:55 +0000 LindsayInNY 609352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Okay, thanks! I have a red satin dress that I'll probably wear (assuming I'm not pregnant/showing by then). It's technically a bridesmaid dress but strapless and just below knee length. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609317 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:10:17 +0000 hilsy85 609317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My wedding was black tie optional and that's similar to preferred...he's totally fine in a dark suit. I would not wear a floor length dress if I were you, anyone in their 20 and 30s will likely be in short dresses. I would wear a cocktail dress and dress it up with sparkly jewelry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609291 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:55:51 +0000 Emsmems 609291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindsayinnyc I see! Air it out on HB girlfriend! Haha! I think there is consensus that a suit is fine. Who really cares if someone is in a suit or a tux? Dressed up is dressed up! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609283 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:53:39 +0000 LindsayInNY 609283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Good point. If so, we'll take the gift ($$) with us, muahahah! I have a cocktail, below the knee, dress I might wear. Or a long one but I'd need some spanx (and not have a BFP beforehand) with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609275 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:50:54 +0000 Pirouette 609275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is perfectly acceptable to wear a dark suit. Even at official black tie weddings I've been to not every one wears a tux. If he does decide to go the tux route, dh was able to rent them pretty inexpensively at men's wearhouse - there is one near grand central. But I don't think it is necessary at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609271 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:47:03 +0000 MamaMoose 609271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He's fine in a black suit. It's not like they are going to kick you out : ) I definitely wouldn't waste the money on a tux rental. But I would suggest you wear a floor length dress of you have one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609267 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:45:30 +0000 LindsayInNY 609267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Emsmems: I thought about that... Truthfully, the couple seems to be trying too hard. Sounds b*tchy, I know. I just think it's a silly requirement. Especially since tuxes are usually for 6pm or later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609263 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:43:30 +0000 Emsmems 609263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a dark suit and tie suffices, but I could be wrong. Then you could where a cute, fancy cocktail type dress? That is probably what we would do anyway. Anyway you can ask the bride? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609261 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:42:39 +0000 regberadaisy 609261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think he will be fine in a dark suit at a black tie preferred wedding. Especially since it doesn't sound like you're immediate family of the couple. I would probably wear a cocktail dress to match. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609260 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:42:25 +0000 tysonja 609260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have too much experience with black tie events, but i would imagine that if your DH wore a sweet lookin black suit with a really nice tie or bow tie and maybe pocket square and shined up shoes, and you wore something pretty glam, no one would care or notice that he wasn't wearing a tux :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/black-tie-preferred-for-wedding-guest#post-609252 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:39:47 +0000 LindsayInNY 609252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are invited to a wedding in two months. It starts at 5pm. The invite says "black tie preferred". I was hoping this would be a cheaper wedding for us since it's local (aka no hotel/flight costs) and most other weddings tend to be out of town for us. Is there a way to get around DH renting a tux? I'm not really concerned about other's judging us since we won't know anyone else at this wedding (yeah, should be fun, LOL...). Is it bad if he doesn't wear a tux (which we'd have to rent and isn't cheap in NYC)? If he wears a dark suit instead, what should I be wearing? </p>