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What to wear to get married abroad

The perfect look for the groom who travels.
Man in striped double-breasted jacket, T-shirt and sunglasses

 

OUR GUIDE TO MEN’S DESTINATION WEDDING OUTFITS

Words: L. Thorpe

Getting married somewhere beautiful and warm? You’ll need a suit that’s right for the destination and can hold its own in the heat. Keep reading for all the suit advice you need for your destination wedding.

Why do people get married abroad?

A destination wedding is pretty much what it sounds like: getting married away from where you live, often at an overseas location. This usually means more planning and coordination. But it can be worth it to tie the knot somewhere that’s meaningful to you, or just for getting hitched against a stunning backdrop you can’t get in the UK.

The destination you choose might hold some memories for you as a couple, it might be iconic for weddings (we’re looking at you, Las Vegas), or it might be closer to family and friends. Even taking the cost of travel and accommodation into consideration, it can be cheaper to head overseas to get married vs. the UK (especially if it means a smaller wedding party). We suspect a lot of people choose to get married abroad for the guaranteed sunshine the UK just can’t match.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular places to get married overseas, and some of the style challenges they bring with them.

What to wear to get married abroad ; a groom wears a grey wedding suit for a summer wedding

Popular locations to get married overseas

According to Hitched, some of the most popular wedding destinations in 2022 included:

• Istria, Croatia

• Phuket, Thailand

• Amalfi Coast, Italy

• Ibiza, Balearic Islands

• Lisbon, Portugal

• Santorini, Greece

• Var, France

• St Lucia, Caribbean

• Marbella, Spain

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Whether you’re heading to these sunny destinations for a beach wedding, getting married in a villa or a hotel,  it’s worth thinking about the precise location when it comes to your style choices. A tweed suit looks fantastic as a wedding outfit for example, but it might not be the most practical choice if you’re getting married on the beach at midday. Go for lighter fabrics like linen or seersucker, and keep your styling more relaxed with open collars and undone buttons.

If you’re planning a destination wedding at a stately home or a high-end hotel, you might want to up the style stakes and look at a tuxedo, a traditional morning suit or a three-piece suit. Planning a more laid-back wedding day? If a Las Vegas-style wedding or a big day in a big city is more your thing, go more contemporary in a checked suit, or play with colour in a pastel suit.

Wedding outfits for men getting married abroad

Remember, it’s your wedding day and you get to choose what you want to wear. What’s most important is that you feel comfortable ad confident at your wedding, wherever you get married. Remember you can choose to get your wedding outfit tailored, custom made or you can hire a wedding suit depending on what your priorities and your budget are.

Here are some of the most popular styles of wedding suits for men, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding.

What to wear to get married abroad ; a groom wears a blue linen wedding suit for a summer wedding

Seersucker suits

Ideal for a beach wedding, seersucker is cotton stitched in a particular way to give it a puckered texture. Since it’s cotton, that means it’ll offer all the breathability you’ll need on a hot day, and it’ll be nice and lightweight for travel (and won’t crease in your suitcase).

But, don’t take that beach setting too literally and choose a blue-and-white striped seersucker suit. Instead, keep it modern in a neutral seersucker suit that’ll go with just about any colour palette you and your partner choose for your big day. Keep the look relaxed with loafers and an open-collar shirt, or dress it up with a white shirt and Monk strap shoes.

Linen suits

A linen suit is ideal if you’re going for a relaxed, simple wedding day, whether that’s on the beach or in a small town. Because it’s a lightweight, breathable fabric, it’ll keep you cooler. Linen also tends to travel well, but its tendency to look a bit wrinkled might mean it’s not for you if you want that perfectly pressed look.

When it comes to styling, pair a light-coloured linen suit with a light shirt for a laid-back look. You can even wear a linen shirt with your linen suit, and add a pocket square or tie for a little visual interest.

What to wear to get married abroad ; a groom wears a navy wedding suit for a summer wedding

Going full-on formal

If you’re headed to a sunny locale but you’ve opted for a black-tie dress code, there’s no reason you actually have to sweat it out in black. Instead, go for a dinner jacket in a lighter, more summery colour, like this soft grey one. Wear it with a dress shirt, a bowtie and tuxedo trousers and you’ll still look every bit as dressed up as you should.

If you’ve chosen a really fancy location like a Tuscan villa or a hotel on the coast of Spain, match the formality and go with an Italian suit – apt if you’re headed to Tuscany. Made with the best fabrics from Italy’s most renowned mills, you’ll have a beautifully-made suit that’s more than appropriate for the special day.

What to wear to get married abroad ; a groom wears a navy wedding suit for a summer wedding

Some final tips for getting married abroad

You should start by making a list of what you need to take with you. You don’t want to be halfway through a long-haul flight and realise you forgot to pack your tie (or worse, your actual suit). Think about everything from shoes to accessories and even your wedding party’s outfits. Have a backup plan just in case anything goes wrong with your luggage and avoid checking your wedding outfits.

Keep an eye on the weather at your destination, too. Even if you’re heading somewhere that’s usually sunny, it still might not be as hot as anticipated. Also, take a mini sewing kit with you and confirm your hotel has an iron or a steamer.

The most important tip for a destination wedding? Enjoy your special day in the beautiful surroundings you’ve chosen.

Shop men’s wedding suits for all occasions and destinations at Moss.

Posted July 11th, 2023 in Expertise, Occasions.

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