We knew we wanted to keep it low key - I probably sound like a broken record, but since everyone is already spending so much time and money getting to the wedding, we wanted to keep the attire requirements pretty easy.
- Low cost/easy acquirement
- Something reasonable in the heat
- Slightly different from the groom's look
Since Mr. Llama won't be wearing a tux, that didn't seem to make much sense for the groomsmen. We didn't want the guys to look dressier than him! So that was out.
A number of recent weddings I have been to have had the groomsmen in their own suits. Frankly, to me, it doesn't look any different from groomsmen in tuxes.
So we knew "mismatched suits" (if you can even call the that...) work just fine. And it's so much friendlier to the groomsmen's wallets.
With the heat, we liked the idea of eliminating suit jackets. Plus, since Mr. Llama is willing to suck it up and wear a jacket for the ceremony & pics (I've told him a hundred times he doesn't have to...he's not accepting it as an option, though!), this would also take care of differentiating the groom from his men.
But, we didn't love the idea of just pants and a tie:
1. Suspenders!
Which left us with the vests! We really love the look of the vests--so put-together, but not stuffy, plus, I think they're very slimming.
So...we are asking our men to wear black pants, a black vest, and a white shirt. We will provide them with ties (and possibly socks.) So really, the only thing that some of them should have to buy is a black vest.
Yes, we might have "matching blacks" problems if they don't already have a vest that goes with black pants they have. But frankly? ...I just don't really care that much. I don't think it will be that noticeable. If it bothers them that much, then they can go out and buy a new pair of pants that has a matching vest.
We will buy mismatched ties in the purple, red, and pink, just like my ladies:
Hopefully they'll be spending minimal money on attire - I just had Mr. Llama send them links to $30 & $40 black vests from Macy's.
And since Mr. Llama will be in a dark grey 3-piece suit, they will coordinate, but not MATCH him.
Three requirements: Check, check, and check!
Anyone else forgoing jackets?