Sometimes there is a lot of confusion about men's formal attire.

White tie refers to the most formal attire. It requires that males in the wedding party and all male guests wear black tails, matching black pants, white pique wing collar shirts, white pique vests, bow ties and studs. Today's standards allow some variations, like wearing shirts that are not pique.

White tie and tails are traditional for evening weddings. Contemporary standards accept this attire for grooms any time of the day with groomsmen wearing black formal attire.

Black tie describes party or evening wear. Tuxedos fall in this category. A tuxedo has a standard length coat with some dressy trim and matching pants. Today a black tie affair may have the gentlemen in tuxedos with any color tie and cummerbund.

A morning coat refers to daytime formal attire. It has either a black or grey coat with matching striped pants, grey vest and a black and grey striped four-in-hand tie or ascot.

Two rules govern what the groom should wear. His formalwear should not clash with the color scheme the bride has chosen and his attire should never upstage the bride's gown!