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“What should I wear in my wedding?” is not
a big question for the groom compared to choosing
bridal
wear for bride. However, it also depends on what type of
wedding you are planning to have.
In Sri Lanka, where most of the weddings
based on
Poruwa Ceremony, many grooms choose “Nilame Suit”
or generally known as “Mul Anduma” (The First Dress). This
gives a majestic semblance to the wedding ceremony. “Mul
Anduma” reflects the importance of the wedding ceremony by
its royalty & prestige.
This dress originated in 1815 and was worn
by the Kandyan aristocracy in the days the Nayakkar dynasty
was powerful, though never by the king. According to Kandyan
wall murals, the king had worn the atamulu thoppiya (eight
cornered hat) – a kind of hat, brim raised with eight
protruding points – with a jacket of long, loose, frilly
sleeves, and dhoti, trousers that stuck close to the ankle
at the bottom but were slack and baggy up. Other than being
worn by the Diyawadana Nilames (officials of the Dalada
Maligawa – palace, for the worship of the Buddha’s tooth
relic) and by the Basnayake Nilames (officials of the low
country) when performing certain functions of their office,
the mul anduma was worn only by the aristocratic families
and on important occasions. However, the aristocracy has
lost its exclusive claims to the mul anduma; it has now
become immensely and increasingly popular as a wedding-day
fashion across the classes
Top part or the Jacket of “Mul Anduma” made
of soft deep coloured (mainly maroon) velvet & carefully
woven labyrinthine patterns. Cost of preparing “Mul Anduma”
is very high, compared to western formal dresses & it takes
a long time for completing as well. Therefore, normally
people hire these suits, shoes, jewellery. However, keep in
mind to attend to traditional customs if you have decided to
wear “Mul Anduma” on your wedding.
My personal choice is long sleeved shirt
without collars up to the knee and a white Sarong, which is
the national dress for men in Sri Lanka. If you feel like
it’s too calm or impassive, you can add some embroidery. An
embroidered Shawl would be a great amalgamation for this
national dress.
For western
groom suits, you have several
choices because the groom should select his formal wear
based on the formality of your wedding, the time of day, and
the bride’s gown. For a semi-formal or formal wedding, the
groom will need a tuxedo. A tuxedo is the formal jacket worn
by men on special or formal occasions. The most popular
colors are black, white, and gray.
Best thing you can do is plan early, so
that you have time to make adjustments.
Standard tips in selecting western formal
wear
Informal wedding:
Business suit, White dress shirt and tie
Semi-formal daytime:
Formal suit, White dress shirt, Cummerbund or vest
Four-in-hand or bow tie
Formal daytime:
Cutaway or stroller jacket, Waistcoat, Striped trousers
White wing-collared shirt, Striped tie, Studs and cufflinks
Formal evening:
Black dinner jacket, Matching trousers, Waistcoat
White tuxedo shirt, Bow tie, Cufflinks
Cummerbund or vest
Very formal daytime:
Cutaway coat, Wing-collared shirt, Ascot,
Striped trousers, Cufflinks, Gloves
Very formal evening:
Black tailcoat, Matching striped trousers
White wing-collared shirt, Waistcoat
Patent leather shoes, Studs and cufflinks, Gloves
- Gayan
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