Wedding Tuxedo Specials
Welcome to our Wedding Groom's page where we hope you'll find the tools we developed for you helpful.
Below you'll find:
A Groom's Checklist
A Tuxedo Dictionary
How to Tie a Bow Tie
Tuxedo Etiquette
A measurement card you can send to out of town friends.
Alberta Marriage Licence Requirements
THE GROOM’S CHECKLIST
0-12 Months Before
Pick out the engagement ring
Announce your engagement
Discuss wedding plans and budget with fiancée and all parents
Select your best man, groomsmen, ushers (one usher per 40 guests)
Help plan engagement party
Discuss ceremony and reception sites with your fiancée
8-9 Months Before
Meet with officiate (minister, priest, rabbi, etc.) to discuss the ceremony
Begin compiling your guest list
Discuss and make your honeymoon travel plans
6 Months Before
Visit gift registry with fiancée
Arrange for transportation to ceremony and the reception for the entire wedding party
Complete your honeymoon plans
Register with Formals By Page and pick your tuxedos and accessories. Remember that if four of your wedding party rent their tuxedos from Formals By Page, the Groom’s rental is free.
2 Months Before
Return to Formals By Page and get fitted for your tuxedo
Send Formals By Page Size Cards to any out-of-town members of the wedding party
Complete the guest list
Pick out and order wedding rings
Plan rehearsal dinner with parents
Choose gifts for your bride and wedding party
Update passports for honeymoons abroad
1 Month Before
Make sure all men have been measured for tuxedos at Formals By Page
Get your marriage license
Make appointments for personal grooming
2 Weeks Before
Attend bachelor party (please don't drink and drive).
The Week Before
Pick up your tuxedo at Formals By Page... remember: try it on, in the store, to insure a proper fit
Pack for the honeymoon
Get cash for gratuities and officiate’s fee
Enjoy your rehearsal and dinner
The Big Day
Double-check all details, wedding rings, and transportation... marriage license
Get to the ceremony on time
Relax
Enjoy your wedding day
THE TUXEDO DICTIONARY
Accessories - Tie, cummerbund/vest, shirt, gloves, hat, shoes, handkerchief, cuff links, studs, cane, spats, socks, suspenders or ascot.
Arm Bands - An elastic band worn on the upper arm over the shirt and under the coat to shorten a shirtsleeve. Especially useful with boy's size shirts.
Ascot - A tie with broad ends hanging from a knot, secured with a stickpin or tie tack. Usually worn with a wing tip shirt and a Cutaway jacket, usually for daytime weddings.
Band Collar Shirt - A tuxedo shirt with no collar. This shirt can have a pleated or plain front. Worn with a button cover or collar band. Also referred to as Mandarin Collar.
Barrel Sleeve - Ends of jacket sleeve have a cuff that is unfolded and fastened with a button.
Besom Pockets - Self fabric or satin strip on top of pocket. Double besom is two strips, one over pocket opening and one on top of pocket.
Black Tie - Term for formal evening attire, usually a black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white shirt, black cummerbund and tie, or matching tie, cummerbund or vest, and formal shoes (The term "black tie" on an invitation connotes formality and indicates that you must wear a tuxedo). "Black Tie Invited" means tuxedos are preferred, but dark suits are acceptable.
Button Cover - A decorative accessory worn over top button of the shirt. Usually worn on band collar shirts.
Boutonniere - Flower worn on the left of the lapel.
Bow Tie - A self-tie bow tie is a ribbon of fabric that is tied around the collar symmetrically into a bow shape. A pre-tied bow tie is already tied into a bow and then clips on. See instructions for how to tie a bow tie.
Cane - Carried when top hat is worn. Must match top hat.
Collar Extender - Little plastic button with a loop that attaches to the top button of the shirt to add more room in the neck, making the shirt more comfortable.
Cuff Links - Decorative accessory that keeps a shirt cuff closed instead of using a button. Always required with a French Cuff shirt.
Cummerbund - A broad sash worn over the waistband of the pants. Worn with the pleats facing up.
Cutaway (Also called a Morning Coat) - A long jacket, rounded off at the bottom, with no satin. Worn for daytime weddings or daytime formal affairs.
Dinner Jacket - Usually a white or winter white shawl collar jacket. Can be single or double breasted. Always worn with black tuxedo pants.
Double Breasted - A tuxedo jacket that overlaps itself in the front, usually with 4 or 6 buttons. Always worn closed. A cummerbund or high button vest is usually worn with this jacket.
Flap Pocket - A standard pocket on a coat, usually self-fabric, with a flap over pocket opening.
Formal Shoes - Patent leather or patent leather look shoe.
Four-in-hand Tie - A necktie fastened with a slipknot. Usually worn with a Stroller jacket, but can also be used with a Cutaway coat.
French Cuff - Double folded shirt cuff requiring cuff links.
Full Dress - The same as White Tie. Black Tails, black tuxedo pants, white pique wing tip shirt, white pique tie and vest, and formal shoes.
Gloves - Cotton or nylon white gloves are worn with "Full Dress" or "White Tie" attire.
Laydown Shirt - Tuxedo shirt with regular collar and pleated front. The collar is similar to a business style dress shirt.
Notch Lapel - On a coat, a notch is cut between the collar and lapel.
Peak Lapel - On a coat, the top of the lapel is cut upward and outward.
Pique - A waffle-like texture on a shirt or vest, which is the most formal look.
Pocket Square - Hankie or piece of fabric put in breast pocket to accessorize the coat. Usually white or matches the tie and vest/cummerbund.
Satin Fabric - Soft, lustrous fabric, usually on top collar, lapels, pockets, buttons, and down outside seam of tuxedo pants. Many ties, cummerbunds, and vests are also made of satin. (Satin is a weave, not a fabric type.)
Scarf - A long piece of fabric worn around the neck that matches the accessories and sometimes matches the jacket. Worn over a jacket under the collar.
Self Fabric - Same fabric as jacket or pants. Usually refers to collar, pockets or waistband.
Shawl Lapel - Smooth collar and lapel that is a curved piece extending to the bottom of the lapel with no change from the collar to the lapel.
Single Breasted - The jacket usually has one to four buttons in front, and is worn unbuttoned.
Spats - Short- Formal fabric shoe coverings worn over the instep and reaching just above the ankle. Fastened by a strap under the foot and buttons on the side. A high-fashion accessory.
Stroller - A daytime jacket with no satin. Worn for daytime weddings or daytime formal affairs. Usually worn with striped tuxedo pants, a pearl vest, a lay down collar shirt and a 4-in-hand tie.
Studs - Worn instead of shirt buttons. Most shirts require three to four studs.
Suspenders (Also called Braces) - Adjustable, clip type suspenders are fastened onto front and back with a waistband clip. Button-on suspenders are used with pants that have suspender buttons fastened in the waistband.
Top Collar- Collar of jacket that extends around the back of the neck from lapel to lapel.
Top Hat - Wool, felt, or all felt, flat topped, very formal hat usually accompanied with a matching cane.
Tuxedo Pants - All formal tuxedo pants have satin stripes down the outside seam. Striped pants that are worn with a Cutaway or Stroller coat do not.
Vent - Opening in back of jacket. Center vent is a coat with one vent in center of jacket. Side vent is a coat with two vents, one on each side of coat, and Non vented is a coat with no vents.
Vest- Worn in place of cummerbund. Backless vests have front panels with adjustable back closures at neck and waist. Full back vests have front and back panels, and are fitted based on the individual's coat size.
White Tie See "Full Dress"- Wing Collar Shirt Formal shirt with a wing-like pointed collar and a pleated front. Tabs are usually worn behind the tie.
How to tie a bow tie
A correctly tied bow tie is essential in creating that perfect look.
Tuxedo Etiquette
Men’s formal wear has several style essentials, including a jacket, pants (trousers), shirt, tie, and waistcoat (vest) or cummerbund. It is important to know which version of theses basics to wear on what occasion that makes a man comfortable with his choices. Below you’ll find a table that will assist you with the right attire for that special day, whether it be formal or informal, traditional or contemporary.
The following measurement card can be used for measuring your out of town guests:
Marriage Licences in Alberta
Marriage Licences are available from any registry agent in Alberta. A Marriage Licence shows that you meet the requirements to get married in Alberta and gives you the legal right to get married any time within three months from the date the licence was issued.
Check our listing of marriage commissioners for an officiate in your area. Any marriage licence issuer can also provide you with a list.
Registration of Marriages
You will receive a Registration of Marriage form from the registry agent at the same time you receive your marriage licence. Once complete, the Registration of Marriage form becomes a permanent legal record of your marriage. The information recorded on the Registration of Marriage is also used to produce marriage certificates.
You must give both the licence and the registration to the person who is performing your wedding prior to the ceremony. This shows them that you have met all the legal requirements in Alberta, and they can now perform the marriage for you.
The couple getting married, two witnesses and the person who performs the wedding ceremony will all be required to sign the Registration of Marriage during the ceremony. The person performing the ceremony keeps the Marriage Licence for their records and files, or registers, the Registration of Marriage with the Alberta Vital Statistics office within two days of the ceremony.
Marriage Licence Requirements
To get a marriage licence in Alberta, you must meet the following requirements:
* You must be at least 18 years old (if you are younger than 18, you will need legal consent from your parents)
* You must show acceptable identification such as a birth certificate, passport, treaty status card, Canadian citizenship card or driver's licence
* Both parties must provide their parents' full names and birth places
* You cannot be related to the person you wish to marry by whole blood, half blood or adoption (for example, you may not marry your grandparent, parent, grandchild, child or sibling)
* You must be currently unmarried
* If you are divorced, you must present proof the divorce is final such as a Certificate of Divorce or a Decree Absolute
* You must have your wedding in Alberta, however you do not have to be an Alberta resident to get married in Alberta
* You must be free of the influence of drugs and alcohol when you apply for a Marriage Licence (and when you participate in the wedding ceremony)
* Both parties to the marriage must apply together for their marriage licence
Additional requirements for special circumstances:
* Both parties to the marriage must speak English (Note: If they do not, it is their responsibility to provide an interpreter who is over 18 years old and is fluent in both English and the language requiring translation. If the registry agent issuing the Marriage Licence is fluent in the other language, then that registry agent may proceed as the interpreter for issuing the Marriage Licence. The couple applying for a licence cannot translate for each other.)
* If either party is deaf, a sign language interpreter may be required
* If either party is mentally challenged and a trustee or guardian has been appointed, proof that their trustee or guardian has been informed of the upcoming marriage is required
* Blood tests are not required
You can find more information at the Government of Alberta Website:
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1149.cfm
Government of Alberta
