should the groom have his suit jacket on or off during first dance?

My partner and I were having a chat and we got stumped on whether he should or shouldn't wear his suit jacket during our first dance. If he does will he look really stiff but then if he doesn't will he look less formal? He's not wearing a vest either so it'll just be a tie and white shirt

Lorena F

Question Asked: 2/02/2017

Wedding Date: 2/02/2017

Most Helpful Response

Your Suit Connection

(56) · Sydney

Posted: 1/05/2017

Hi Lorena

It really depends on how formal your wedding is and how active your dance is. If he does wear his jacket, ensure that it is not buttoned up as this will restrict movement. If the groom is wearing a vest it looks fine if the jacket is off.

At the end of the day - this is your big day - no one else's so do whatever you want and enjoy yourselves :)

All the best

Lisa - Just For Him

Answered by: 7 Experts

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Elle Lavon Stylist

(0) · Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

Posted: 7/02/2017

Hi Fiona.

If the dress code for your wedding is formal, wear the jacket. Keep it unbuttoned to allow a wider range of movement.

Your groom shouldn't have trouble moving around unless you're preforming some sort of elaborate dance routine.

Enjoy xx Elle

Brittons Formal Wear

(124) · PERTH

Posted: 4/02/2017

Lorena,

I would tell your fiance to practice dancing with you, with a jacket on. If you're having lessons for the wedding, then he should practice with the coat on. This will make him feel at ease when you dance on the night.

I would always recommend the jacket with the dance, as it shows care and interest in the aspect of the wedding. It's a formality that occurs at every wedding, and the groom should show that he is interested and dressed appropriately for the dance.

Hope this helps.

Matthew - Brittons Perth

Redman

(0) · Melbourne

Posted: 4/02/2017

We get asked this a lot! And my answer is always the same. Unless the venue has strict dress rules, do what ever your comfortable doing. If you are having a black tie event, then perhaps leave the jacket on. If you are wanting to have a more relaxed approach then the jacket can come off. Good luck and best wish's.

Spiro

Formal Red

Black Tie By Xavier

(44) · Australia Wide

Posted: 4/02/2017

Hi Lorena

At this stage of the wedding it is between you and your fiancé, don't worry about the rest of the world. The formalities are over, you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you are really concerned - consider the photo's (video) and how you want to look for these, but I would imagine you will have many more photo's taken with the groom wearing his jacket.

Best wishes

Xavier

Black tie by Xavier

Mens Suit Warehouse

(24) · Melbourne, Victoria

Posted: 4/02/2017

Definitely on as it represents the couples first dance as husband and wife so you would expect the photography and video will look sharp.

Man About Town

(9) · Sydney & Surrounding Suburbs

Posted: 3/02/2017

The groom should have the jacket on during all formalities. The First Dance is part of the formalities.

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