Initial arrangements for suit hire for yourself and your attendants should be made between 8 and 4 weeks before the wedding, to allow for adjustments to be made and, especially in summer, to ensure that the suit of your choice is available on your date of marriage. If your best man and ushers are required to pay for their own apparel, ensure that they are aware of this well in advance to relieve any unpleasant scenes later.

The first factor you should take into account is the time of day of the ceremony, then the season (unless you live in Natal, where it's always summer!). Try on a number of suitable outfits - bearing in mind that your colour scheme is largely dependent on the colours chosen by your bride in her bouquet and in the bridesmaid's outfits.

The following is a basic guide to the formal wear options for weddings at different times of the day and of varying formality.

MORNING WEDDING AND RECEPTION

Semi-Formal

A suit in grey or any other colour to match the colour scheme will be sufficient, however, tuxedos are often worn in the morning and add just that touch more formality to the occasion.

The shirt can be plain or fancy, in white or a matching colour, with a winged or turn-down collar. Finish the look with a bowtie, ascot or four-in-hand tie, to match your waistcoat or cummerbund, and black or gold studs and cufflinks, black socks and polished leather shoes.

Formal

A tuxedo, ascot, classic or cutaway jacket in the colour of your choice, with striped pants, a matching waistcoat, a plain or fancy, white or coloured shirt with a winged or turn-down collar and a colour-co-ordinated bowtie will provide a more than adequate formal look for your morning wedding.

A pearl or jewelled tie-pin may be worn with your ascot. Polished leather shoes should be worn with black nylon socks.