Kilt and tuxes at wedding

[McMurdo]

If you are going to rent, check what is available at your local tartan shoppe, and have your groomsmen all go down there with you one day for a proper fitting, as for tartans most places I have seen only have a few to choose from. If you are going for the Stillwater Kilt idea let your groomsmen choose the tartans they want.

[PiobBear]

Most of the weddings I do, I'm the only one in a kilt. Of those where somebody else is in a kilt, it's usually just one or two (groom, one of the fathers, one of the guests). Weddings where the entire male entourage is kilted is somewhat of a rarity (it's expensive!), but when they do occur, it's not uncommon for most (groomsmen in particular) to be in Royal Stewart or Black Watch (rentals), while the immediate family (groom, father, brothers) are in their clan tartan.
Wear what you want (OK; wear what your bride will allow). It does not look the least bit "strange" at any social event to be kilted, as long as you're kilted appropriately; at a formal affair, a PC (or equivalent), waistcoat, & bow tie looks fine; a Jacobite shirt & Brigadoon singlet would definitely not. It's perfectly OK for the groom to stand out from the crowd; it's your day, too (but for heaven's sake don't tell the bride that).

[cavscout]

You could put them all in solid black kilts and then you would have your tartan kilt. That would really make the Bride and You stand out from the others without making things look too busy. If the groomsmen do not already have a kilt it will just make it easier to get a handful of the same kilt for each of them.

[Ayin McFye]

Just a small tip of advice also that I received from Graham at Arizona Kilts. (He does kilt rentals and a bunch of other stuff for weddings here in Arizona)

Even as the Groom, "try" to not look better than the bride. It's a HUGE day for her to get dressed up and look beautiful. One tip that Graham said to help with this is, during pictures if you just take a 1/2 step back so that she's more in front, then it'll make a world of difference. Let her be the center of attention even though most people will be looking at you.

Good luck and congratulations!

[Shriner]

Wow, what a question...

If I could still fit in my Dress Blues, there would be no question about it.

But how about this....



Dark Doublet to match the Dress Blues Jacket, Change buttons, add chevrons.

New Kilt to match Dress Blues pants with Blood Stripe.

You would have the best of both worlds.....

John

[Clockwork John]

What about adding tartan accessories to the tuxes (ie. waistcoat and bow tie) as a compromise, and to give everyone a unified look?

Would tartan trews be an option, or would these not be formal enough?

[macwilkin]

Would tartan trews be an option, or would these not be formal enough?

Trews are worn with Prince Charlie jackets and other formal kit. I have a friend who wears his on a regular basis with his formal rig for Burns Suppers, etc.

T.

[Clockwork John]

Trews are worn with Prince Charlie jackets and other formal kit. I have a friend who wears his on a regular basis with his formal rig for Burns Suppers, etc.

T.

Well there you go. You've got your unified look, and those who would be uncomfortable kilted don't have to wear one.

[DTrain]

I'm just jealous that your bride will let you wear a kilt in your wedding. My wife told me plainly that it was HER day and SHE was to be the center of attention. I didn't get to go kilted despite my protests.

Getting everyone kilted is a challenge, I think a good compromise is the groom kilted and groomsmen in tuxes with tartan accessories. I think it would even be ok to have only the groom kilted and the rest in plain tux. It is your wedding and you can decide how to do it.

If your groomsmen are true friends, they will wear whatever YOU ask them to wear.

[The Wizard of BC]

A humble opinion only.

I believe that the groom in a kilt and all the other men in tux is perfect.
The Bride does not match the other ladies in the party. This is done on purpose to single her out from all the other ladies. Neither should the groom be required to be a carbon copy of his groomsmen for the same reason.

The only thing you should not do is out shine the bride. So simple kilt attire would be best. Don't try to look like a pipe major. If possible wear a kilt in a dark or muted color. Keep the accessories to a minimum. If the fly plaid must be worn, use it as part of the ceremony. At the end of the vows and the kiss have the groom remove his fly plaid and pin it over the the shoulder of his new partner as a way of welcome to his family.

Even Andy, the author of the link from above does not say all the wedding party should look alike.

I quote from his site...

" I suppose this is good a place as any to make a point that needs to be made. There is no need for the groom, his best man, and his ushers to match in every respect from neck to toe. In fact, it looks silly. Take a look at pictures from very elegant weddings in prior years, and you see that in fact the wedding party does not match."
and
"Among its other problems, all-matching wedding parties just scream “rented clothes!”

So, if the groom wishes to wear the kilt then it should be encouraged. In a classic, understated manner. If the groomsmen do not wish to wear the kilt then good quality tux will suit very well.
Even if the groomsmen are in kilt, with everyone in different Tartan the effect tends to overshawdow the Bride. and that's not what the day is about.

My two cents worth, which I donate to the couple on their day.