Wedding togs, what do you wear?

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PeteStewardson

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Just something I was mulling over last night. I've heard differing views on clothing that should be worn as a wedding tog, so just thought I'd see what everyone on here wears when shooting a wedding. Not talking about as a guest, but as the official paid photographer.

Pete
 
I'm not a tog but the last wedding I was at the guy was wearing a suit , I guess that way you don't stand out too much form everyone else.
 
I would suggest whatever you feel comfortable in.
A suit can be restrictive
 
Sorry maybe I should make myself clearer. I'm not looking for opinions on what to wear, but for people to actually state what they wear.

There is a very wide ranging set of opinions on what to wear. Some togs wear a suit, but others wear combats etc. So I'm just interested to hear what people do wear.

Personally I'm a black jeans and black polo/shirt person. I wouldn't ever wear a suit as then you'd be less inclined to get down on the floor and get dirty to make the shot.

Pete
 
don't wear white trousers!

I speak from experience...I slipped on wet grass...:shake:

I tend to wear an outfit I might wear to a wedding, I'm a girl, come on, any excuse to wear something pretty! :) I do tend to wear trousers though....
 
I wear a navy blue blazer, tie, and grey slacks to blend in as one of the guests and not draw undue attention to myself. If there's a supper and/or dance I wear what the male guests wear. Usually 'black tie' (dinner jacket) or 'tenue de ville' (dark suit). The bride & groom are, and need to be, the center of attention at all times. It is their glory day. Someone sticking out like a sore thumb detracts from that. Just like female guests should refrain from wearing very 'loud' clothing that would eclipse the bride. It is considered to be very unmannered and egotistical.
And, BTW, the get-up doesn't stop me from getting dirty if neccessary: it's always going to the dry cleaners after a gig anyway.
 
I've done a couple of weddings and I couldn't think of NOT wearing a suit. The last one I did was the middle of summer and I removed my tie while in the church.

If it was my wedding I would want you to "blend in" with the guests. I have to wear them for my day job anyway, and after 30 years of it am quite comfortable in a decently made suit. Just make sure your shirt size is 1/2" larger than you need, that way a tie is not restrictive.

Steve
 
I always wear a suit, generally black or at least dark.. not my best but clean, pressed and presentable, sometimes a cream or white tie but that's my "fashion" preference, and I find it blends in nice at weddings.

Don't outdo the groom but look smart and blend in. I'm not sure about other options, polo shirts etc are practical, smart even. Guess it's what you're comfortable in and you feel your clients will be comfortable with you wearing. I do however laugh when I see guys in jeans and hooded tops etc, trying to be trendy but totally out of place. I see this up town by the register office sometimes.. embarassing.

I usually start with the jacket on and by the reception it comes off. I find the pockets help :) Basically you want to blend in and look professional. It's nice to be part of the crowd, add to the special feeling of their day. It adds some authority to you, when it's needed.
 
Definintely a suit, no question! You need to look professional and it is important to blend in with the guests. I think it would look really bad on you were you wearing combats at a wedding.

I agree, suits are not the most practical but that's a price you have to pay.
 
I never wear a suit, just smart dark grey/black gear. I don't feel comfortable in a suit and that affects my shooting so it ain't gonna happen. I also find it's useful at times to stand out from the rest of the guests when someone need to find me.

I always speak to clients about this before they book and it's never been an issue.
 
I've never shot a wedding, but I'd imagine pxl8 has the right idea. Speak to the people who are hiring you, they're the ones paying you after all.
 
You see this is why I posed the question, as there is a wide range of what people wear. I agree with pxl8 in his style, smart black clothing but not a suit, whereas others wear a suit.

I've seen the togs that Damian mentions, with the hoodies etc, and I agree that is a bit odd. Makes the tog stick out a mile, and look like just someone off the street, which isn't something you want obviously. Not professional at all.

I just thought it would be an interesting topic for discussion.

Pete
 
pxl8 said:
I never wear a suit, just smart dark grey/black gear. I don't feel comfortable in a suit and that affects my shooting so it ain't gonna happen. I also find it's useful at times to stand out from the rest of the guests when someone need to find me.

I always speak to clients about this before they book and it's never been an issue.
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Indeed, that wouldn't be an issue: you wouldn't be my wedding tog. No matter how pretty your portfolio or how highly recommended you come. I don't want a tog to stick out at my wedding. Quite the contrary: I want him to be as unobtrusive as possible. If you can't do that, you can't do my wedding.

And since I'm definitely not the only one with those sentiments I think any aspiring wedding tog insisting on his 'freedom to dress' is cutting himself out of a sizable chunk of the market.
Is that sensible?
 
My take on it is someone wearing smart black trousers/shirt/polo carrying 2 large SLR's doesn't stand out much more than someone wearing a suit and carrying two large SLR's.

I don't think either myself or pxl8 are suggesting we'd be there in our gardening clothes.

Pete
 
The thing is: it is not up to you what is considered smart enough or not. That's up to the client.
 
I have only ever done one wedding as a favour and i wore a pair of oldish jeans as i spent a lot of time on the ground an on my back and knees getting different creative shots.
I guess it really depends on what type of shots the couple want.
 
Alfred D. said:
The thing is: it is not up to you what is considered smart enough or not. That's up to the client.
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Yes and a client is free to choose based on what you wear if they wish. But if you're uncomfortable in a suit, your work won't be your best, and you owe it to the client to provide the best product you can possibly make. The issue of dress code, and the sort of outfit a photographer normally wears, should always be part of a pre-booking discussion IMO. That way it is a part of the process to discuss what is acceptable to a client. If your work wont be the best you can produce because of ANY client wishes ( not just clothing ) then I believe you owe it to the client to advise them that maybe you aren't the tog for them, and even try to refer them to other togs.

I'm not trying to say "this is what togs should wear" and not trying to start any arguments here. I just don't think there is a right/wrong, only what is acceptable to the client, and yourself.

Pete
 
Like Marianne, I always like to dress like another guest. However, last year I invested in a Black trouser suit in a very soft and 'floppy' material so it does not look too starchy. I can dress it up with different tops underneath. I never go as far as wearing a hat or flower though.
 
Didgi Widgi said:
wear a big rainbow wig to make people laugh with a clown face and baggy pants....or just put a blanket over your head with eye holes cut out if you find they are that camera shy..hope this helps
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:lol: I do have to wear a bandanna on my head on Saturday if that counts? It's an indian wedding and you have to cover your head when inside the temple, only you can't wear a hat so bandannas are the deal...
 
Alfred D. said:
And since I'm definitely not the only one with those sentiments I think any aspiring wedding tog insisting on his 'freedom to dress' is cutting himself out of a sizable chunk of the market.
Is that sensible?
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It's not about "freedom to dress" - it's about feeling comfortable and relaxed for 12 hours. If I ever have a client that has an issue with it I would simply accept their decision, wish them well and walk away.
 
It's been many a year since I did a couple of weddings but then, as now, I couldn't imagine doing them in anything other than a suit. I'm staggered that some people think otherwise.

Thinking that this may be an 'age' thing, I've just spoken to a very young lady neighbour who i know is getting married later this year. I asked her if she has booked her photographer (yes) and whether she expected him to wear a suit. She thought it an odd question - as she assumed that he would be wearing a suit. She's now gone off to check.

So maybe it's not an 'age' thing after all.
 
pxl8 said:
It's not about "freedom to dress" - it's about feeling comfortable and relaxed for 12 hours. If I ever have a client that has an issue with it I would simply accept their decision, wish them well and walk away.
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And then you would miss out on a wedding gig because you don't like to don a suit.
It's a choice. Your choice.
 
It might still be an age thing, you might have just picked a traditional young couple. Of the weddings I've been to recently, only one was an entirely formal affair (my sister's), the others were varying degrees of formality. Although a lot of us did, no one was *expected* to go the whole nine on formal dress, togs included.

As a point of reference, I'm 25, and the couples were all around their twenties.
 
Alfred D. said:
And then you would miss out on a wedding gig because you don't like to don a suit.
It's a choice. Your choice.
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Indeed and it's a choice I'm happy to make. Getting the gig isn't half as important as doing it right.
 
. as long as your perceived as smart and proffesional, i dont think the punters would be too bothered.
personaly, me n her wear suits.
n the summer its suit type trousers and a smart short sleeved shirt.
posh weddings , i wear a tie too. bloody hate the things, but the punters seem to appreciate the effort.
we did a register office wedding last year , and the tog for the wedding before us was wandering about. i drive lorries in smnarter clothes than his. scruffy jenas and a gravy (i hope) stained tshirt.what a twit. even heard relations passing comment on it.

that chav wedding is awesome. i wouldnt be able to shoot , for laughing .specialy that awfull two piece thing, euuugh.
 
Gosh there is some twaddle in here.

If a band are hired to play at a wedding do they have to wear suits too? Surely they are chosen for they're ability to be creative and perform. Well it's exactly the same with the snapper.

I'd be horrified if a snapper I hired was more more concened with his/her dress code than my photos.

If I ever had to do a wedding again I would be smart but in all honesty, I would go out of my way to stand apart. I'm more important than the bride and groom anyway. :D
 
I wear whatever.
jeans combats or smart trousers whatever i fancy.

as above they are paying for my pics not my attire.

it is the same when people go to see a lawyer why oh why do they dress up for it.?
 
of the three weddings ive done (and of the weddings ive been to) it would have to be a suit (my old suit due to the kneeling and the bending) or smart trousers and shirt, i dont think its right that you should turn up to someones big day in an atire that is different from the vast majority of guests (i.e smart),
casual clothing (i.e cargo pants, hoodies etc) are a big no no as far as im concerned.


smart trousers and a polo shirt nicely ironed with "billybobs photography services" would maybe be a nice tradeoff between smart and casual and about as casual as id see as acceptable.


when people say they dont work best in a suit, as long as it allows you to move freely surely it doesnt matter? ive never had any problems wearing a suit (infact i feel more confident wearing one (does that show through in my pictures?)), and im one of the people that doesnt spend 5 days a week in one!
 
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