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Men's Wedding Style

24/2/2017

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A Sartorial Look at Men's Wedding Fashion

It's a bit of a long one this, so bear with me as there's lots to cover!

One of the things I ask couples when I meet with them before their big day is what the dress code is going to be. This is because I like to wear what the guests are wearing, be it a morning coat or lounge suit, as it helps me to blend in and take photos as unobtrusively as possible. I’ve even had brides tell me that their guests didn’t realize they had a photographer present which is great as it means I’ve done what I set out to do which is capture the day as naturally as possible with the minimum amount of fuss. The other reason though is that if you’re at a smart occasion then you should dress appropriately, it’s basic good manners and respectful to the hosts. Not to belittle other photographers, but on the occasions I’ve been on the other side of the fence and been a guest at a wedding, I’ve seen guys walking around in jeans, trainers and a polo shirt plastered with their business name and website on and it just makes me cringe.
 
This leads me to the subject of  a gentleman’s wedding dress code.  I often get asked my opinion on various aspects of a wedding day but men’s wedding fashion isn’t usually one of them. But as I get to see all sorts of styles I thought I’d go through a few looks and the kind of things that have really stood out to me in the past.
 
Now, I feel I should point out that when it comes to weddings I’m a bit of a traditionalist. Which means morning dress for the chaps. I LOVE wearing a morning coat, the whole process of getting everything ready, from ironing a shirt and polishing my shoes to deciding which subtle extras to add to it, it makes me excited for the day. Being smartly dressed also helps with confidence because if you look good you feel good.
 
So, you’re getting married or going to a wedding and the invite states:
 
Dress code: Morning dress
 
Let’s start with what that means. Also known as “formal day dress”, it is traditional attire for men at weddings, formal memorial services and some seasonal events such as Royal Ascot.  It consists of a black or grey single breasted tail coat, and grey or grey and black striped trousers. I've noticed a trend recently in the trouser area where chaps have opted for a lighter houndstooth design which is an interesting and eye-catching twist. I've also seen a few all dark navy morning dress ensembles recently and have to say that they looked really smart and are a good option for a summer wedding as the material used can be a little bit lighter. 
 
Your morning dress will generally be worn with a white or light coloured shirt with turned down collars and double cuffs and cufflinks. I'm a big fan of the light blue with white collar and cuffs look and I also saw a white shirt with thin horizontal red stripes and white collar and cuffs which, might sound strange but in the flesh really worked. 

A waistcoat is a must and is either single or double breasted, with or without a shawl or peak lapel and worn fully buttoned (except the bottom one, always leave it undone!).
Whilst the colour is usually fairly muted this is where you can let your personality shine through a bit and have some fun. A summer wedding is good for pastel shades like light blues yellows or pinks whereas a darker colour works better in Autumn/Winter.  
 
A tie is generally preferred over a cravat and again this is where you can have a bit of fun with spots or stripes but stay away from the novelty kind. A smart knitted tie also works well (I’m extremely partial to a knitted tie with my collection nudging into double figures) with a tie pin also helping to add a little flourish.
 
Heading towards your feet there are those that say a plain dark sock is more suitable for a smart occasion which I think is a load of old nonsense. I’m a big fan of the loud, stripy sock for any and all occasions. The noisier the better as far as I’m concerned and when it comes to weddings this is where it’s your time to shine. Just stay away from the novelty kind. Stripes are great, Garfield the cat not so much.
 
When it comes to shoes, you can’t go wrong with a polished pair of black Oxfords. Simple and classic, an Oxford is less conspicuous than a brogue. Having said that, a pair of brogues is probably the most versatile pair of shoes you can own, especially brown ones which always go well with lounge suits.
 
If you’re part of the wedding party you’ll no doubt be a given a button-hole to wear. Make sure it is attached to the left side lapel but try not to shove it in the hole that is already there as it can scrunch up the material and ruin the lapels line. Try and pin to the outside and get a fellow usher or the best-man to double check for you - an extra pair of eyes always helps!
If you’re not part of the wedding party then pop in a pocket square, preferably one that complements your tie. Style-wise, the “puff” is more suited to a morning coat whereas a triple fold or the more simple fold goes better with a suit jacket.
 
Now, to top hat or not to top hat? In yesteryear a gentleman never went to a formal occasion without one. Over the years however, they became surplus to requirements, only really ever seen at places like Royal Ascot. It's only recently that they appear to be making a comeback and I’ve seen a few heads lately adorned with a topper and without question they look incredibly smart. Their usage at a wedding is very limited though as tradition dictates that they shouldn’t be worn indoors which leaves you with limited time to wear it, after which you’re stuck carrying it around or leaving it somewhere and hoping it doesn’t become a very expensive ice bucket. If you do decide to wear one however, make sure you get the correct size and some advice on how it should be worn because it’s a fine line between looking like a cross between Willy Wonka and the Mad Hatter.
 
Finally, think about what time of year it is and your overall colours. For example, I shot a wedding last Autumn where the groom, best man and ushers all had orange ties which, together with all the flower arrangements, really helped compliment the season. The Groom’s was also slightly different in that it was a knitted tie which he paired with a tweed waistcoat. Big style points from me! 
 
Dress code: Lounge suits
 
This dress code is great for someone wanting a more relaxed, less formal feel and it ticks a lot of boxes for both winter and summer weddings. A lounge suit can be worn at a whole variety of events and comes in two different forms.
 
There’s the three-piece suit which consists of a single-breasted jacket, a single or double-breasted waistcoat and trousers. Then there’s the two-piece suit which consists of a single or double-breasted jacket with trousers. Pair both these with a shirt with turndown collar (not button-down!) and wear with a tie.
 
When wearing either suit there are often two questions that get asked. Firstly, should I wear a belt? If you’re really worried about your trousers ending up around your ankles on the dance floor then by all means put one on but the general rule here is that belts shouldn’t be worn with a waistcoat or a double-breasted suit. Why? I don’t know, as with the majority of male style advice, it’s just the way it is.
The other question is what tie knot should I use? This is mostly down to personal preference but also the size of your face plays a part.
For example, it you have a slim face then a spread collar with a half or full-windsor knot works better and conversely if you have a rounder face then a more pointed collar with a simple four in hand knot (think the one you used to tie at school) is better.
But as I said, personal preference plays a part and when I wear a tie I go for a four in hand knot as I think it looks better and to me, the half/full Windsor is just too big.  
 
If the wedding is in the summer and you know its going to be a very warm day then you’ll be after something that is made of a lighter material as you won’t want to be sweating away in your winter wool suit. Perspiring into the canapés is never a good look. Again, this is where you can play around with colour a bit and perhaps go for a more beige or sand coloured suit. Paired with an earthy coloured tie and brown brogues, you’ll really look the part.
Of course, you can always take this one step further if you’re going to a destination wedding somewhere where it will be really hot and go for a linen suit. I’m not saying go the full Don Johnson in Miami Vice (don’t EVER roll up a suit sleeve….unless you’re in One Direction) but you’ll thank yourself come the evening. Linen will keep you cool and fresh and has a great texture to it which always makes it a winner for more formal summer wear. Pair with an open neck shirt, or tie if you prefer, and a pair of loafers and you are hot to trot.
 
One thing I’ve noticed at weddings is that the much older gent always looks great. Impeccable even. They’ve cultivated their style over time, will probably be wearing the same bespoke morning coat or suit that they first wore 30 years ago and still look great in and they’ll have subtle touches that just work.  When I get to that age, if I look half as good as they do I’ll be more than happy.
 
The way we dress is an intensely personal thing as it says a lot about our personalities and who we are. It affects how we carry ourselves in our personal and professional lives and creates a lasting impression on people. What you wear at a wedding is probably the smartest you’ll ever be so give it some thought and most importantly have some fun with it.
 

I have a handful of dates left for 2017 and am already taking bookings for 2018. If you want to chat about your wedding day then please get in touch!  I'm alway happy to meet and go through your photography requirements before you make any decision. 
 
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Mother's Day Photography 

17/2/2017

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Forgive the stating of the obvious but we wouldn’t be anywhere without our Mum’s. Everything they give us, well, you wouldn’t even be able to scratch the surface of. From the life defining to the mundane, our Mum’s are there for us no matter what.
 
Every year we have Mother’s Day and whilst some may think it’s another cynical exercise by greetings cards companies or whoever, its also a good time to pause, think and be thankful for our Mum’s and indeed the Mother’s of our own children, for without them we are but rudderless buffoons.
 
So this year, with Mother’s Day coming up on 26th March (Dad’s – put this date in your diary, in a large felt tip, trust me) I’m offering a 15% discount off the price of a normal family shoot. If you’re interested you can contact me and we can book in a session or alternatively, if you want to give the gift of a shoot, you can arrange to have a voucher sent to you which can be redeemed at your leisure.

 
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SURREY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY 

15/2/2017

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re-connecting with old Clients

It’s always a treat to catch up with old clients when they get in touch to book a new shoot. It’s especially great when you get to meet a new member of the family!
I last did a shoot with these guys back in 2014 on a cold morning in Richmond Park in London. Back then, they were a family of 4 but now… they are 5! The 2 girls now have a baby brother and we arranged (their parents and I, not the girls obviously) to do an informal “at home” shoot to get some new shots of the family and their new addition.
An “at home” shoot is exactly as it sounds. Relaxed, informal with absolutely no pressure. You just carry on as normal and I take lots of pictures. People photograph better when they’re allowed to be themselves with no set agenda and it’s especially great for the little ones as they’re in their home environment and therefore more relaxed. In this case the little one was only 10 weeks old and as the weather wasn’t great on the day of the shoot, staying indoors was the perfect option.
Hopefully we’ll get catch up again in another few years! 

​If you want to book a family shoot, don't hesitate to get in touch! It can be at home or at a favourite park or place that is special to you family. 

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Wedding Week Survival - Looking After Numero Uno

3/2/2017

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"Worry is a waste of time. It doesn’t change anything. All it does is steal your joy and keeps you busy doing nothing. "

You get engaged, tell Mum and Dad and all your friends, set the date and then sit back basking in the glow of the impending fairytale that will be your wedding. Fast forward a few months to a week before the big day and you’re hyperventilating into a paper bag, panicking over some small and most likely inconsequential detail that will end up sorting itself out anyway.
Us chaps have quite an easy ride when it comes to weddings. I seem to remember that on my wedding day the toughest decision I had to make was what tie I should wear. As a photographer however, I’m lucky enough to get a glimpse behind the curtain of what it’s like to be a Bride on her wedding day and there’s a lot more going on, believe me. The emotions can range from being Jeff "The Dude" Bridges Big Lebowski super-chilled one minute to Jack Nicholson in The Shining the next and back again in the time it takes to drink a glass of champagne. 
How you spend that final week before your wedding will set the tone for the day and, over time, I’ve picked up a few hints and tips that might help ease the stress of that final wedding week. They might all be rubbish or completely obvious but if there’s just one there that actually helps you get through the week then all the better. So, in no particular order, here goes…
 
  • ​OK, this is easier said than done but try and have all your wedmin (wedding admin) done the week before so that those precious final days are stress free. 

  • Break in your wedding shoes – walk around the house in them and even put some tunes on and have a dance! Your feet will thank you on the day. ​

  • Take good care of yourself by eating healthy, balanced meals. ​

  • If you do feel the stress building, take time out to do something “normal”.  Strictly no wedding talk allowed! ​

  • As soon as you’ve finished work, put that out-of-office on and don't give it a second thought. 

  • Book a massage or spa afternoon, it will probably be the best money you ever spend. 

  • Create a wedding-week Spotify playlist with lots of happy, positive and uplifting tunes. Listen to on repeat.

  • Put together a wedding day emergency kit that includes safety pins, band-aids (that’s American for plasters), aspirin, mints and a needle and thread - preferably that matches the colour of your dress. Add anything else you think may be of use. Give this to your most responsible bridesmaid.
​​
  • If you have a specific shot list make sure your photographer has it. Make sure you’ve assigned a responsible Usher, one with a loud voice, to assist in gathering family members together so that everything runs as smoothly and as quickly as possible. 

  • ​Get a good night’s sleep as being rested will give you a healthy glow and give you energy. The earlier you go to bed, the better. In fact, try and get an early night every night in the week running up to the day. ​​

  • Have a lavender bath before bedtime on your last night.

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the week, it’s important to stay hydrated*.  

  • Don’t overthink everything, the best moments come from those that are unplanned.

  • Just breathe.
 
 
*A friend of mine is a nutritionist and she swears by the following green smoothie that helps cleanse the body and clear the skin. Give it a try the night before, it t
akes 2 mins!
 
  • ½ cucumber
  • ½ avocado
  • ½ banana
  • A handful of fresh mint
  • 500ml almond milk
  • Chuck in a blender/nutri bullet
  • Drink
  • Feel awesome!

I'm taking bookings for 2018 so if you have any queries about your wedding day or would like to chat about your wedding photography then don't hesitate to get in touch! 
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MJH PICTURES - PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT HARRIS
Surrey Wedding Photographer, London Wedding Photographer, Hampshire Wedding Photographer, Sussex Wedding Photographer and beyond.......!
Tel: 07887 648 775
Email matt@mjhpictures.com

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