| The ultimate in elegance and grandeur is the white tie | | | | is your chance to pull out all the stops! While black and |
| wedding. Traditionally held only in the winter months in | | | | white are commonly seen for white tie events such as |
| the evening, there is nothing like a white tie wedding in | | | | operas and balls, when you are a wedding guest, it |
| terms of style and opulence. If you have been invited | | | | would be nicer to choose another color. Pale pink, |
| to one of these very special events, one of the first | | | | navy, and pewter would all make wonderful choices |
| questions that probably comes to mind is what type of | | | | for the gown color. |
| attire is appropriate. Wonder no more; this is what to | | | | In very conservative circles, ladies should have their |
| wear to a white tie wedding. | | | | shoulders covered; if your gown is strapless, add a |
| For gentlemen, white tie attire is very strictly defined. It | | | | matching wrap, at least for the wedding ceremony. |
| is the same for every man there, from the groom and | | | | Since white tie affairs are always held after dark, you |
| groomsmen right down to the male guests. There is no | | | | may well want a wrap to ward off a chill anyway. A |
| need for the groom to have something different about | | | | wrap made from material which matches your |
| his attire to make him stand out from the crowd; the | | | | ballgown is always lovely, or you can choose to wear |
| groom is easy to spot because he is the one marrying | | | | something more extravagant like a fur wrap. Long |
| the bride! One of the most distinctive aspects of the | | | | white gloves are a must for white tie weddings. They |
| proper regalia is the black coat with tails. It is cut | | | | should be removed for dinner, but worn the rest of the |
| shorter in the front, in a horizontal line. The tailcoat is | | | | evening. |
| worn with black trousers with a black satin or braid | | | | A spectacular dress calls for equally fabulous |
| stripe down the side of each trouser leg. Suspenders | | | | accessories! As the ultimate in formality, almost nothing |
| should be worn, not a belt. | | | | is too much for a guest at a white tie wedding. |
| Under the jacket with tails, the men wear a stiff white | | | | Glittering Swarovski crystal bracelets, necklaces, and |
| pique shirt with a stiff winged collar. Next comes a | | | | earrings will add the perfect sparkle to your ballgown. |
| vest in the same white color, and the finishing touch is | | | | Opt for clear or "ab" Swarovski crystals for your |
| the signature white pique bow tie which gives "white | | | | bracelets and other jewelry, as they will work |
| tie" its name. Black dress socks and shoes are the | | | | wonderfully with any color dress. If the occasion were |
| correct footwear. The gentleman who fancies himself | | | | not a wedding, a small tiara might even be worn, but |
| Fred Astaire can also add a top hat and cane, if he | | | | only the bride should wear a tiara at her wedding. |
| wishes. Although a traditional part of the outfit, many | | | | However, other hair ornaments, such as jeweled |
| men (especially younger men) choose to forgo the top | | | | combs are very elegant in the classic upswept |
| hat and cane these days. Only wear them if you can | | | | hairstyles which suit the occasion. |
| do so without feeling like you are dressing in a | | | | Most of us will never get the opportunity to attend an |
| costume! | | | | event as grand as a white tie wedding. Should you be |
| The fun part about a white tie wedding is the attire for | | | | fortunate enough to be invited one, be sure to have |
| the ladies. A full length ballgown is the appropriate | | | | fun dressing to the nines for this once-in-a-lifetime |
| choice for such an elegant event. Remember that | | | | occasion! |
| nothing is more formal than a white tie wedding, so this | | | | |