Posted on May 28 2026
Wedding season in Markham is here — and if your inbox looks anything like ours, you've got at least two or three invitations sitting there with one question attached: "What do I actually wear to this thing?"
Dress codes for weddings have never been more varied. One weekend it's black tie at a Markham banquet hall. The next it's a garden party in someone's backyard in Unionville. Get it wrong and you'll spend the whole reception feeling like you missed a memo.
At Ed's Fine Imports, we've been dressing Markham men for weddings for years. Here's the guide we give every customer who walks through the door.
First: Read the Invitation Carefully
The dress code is almost always on the invite — but what it actually means isn't always obvious. Here's your decoder:
Black Tie — Tuxedo. Full stop. This is the one occasion where you don't get to interpret. A well-fitted black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, black bow tie, and polished dress shoes is the uniform. Ed's carries tuxedo options from Renoir that will have you looking the part without breaking the bank.
Formal / Black Tie Optional — This is your moment to shine. A sharp dark suit (navy, charcoal, or deep grey) with a dress shirt and tie is exactly right. If you want to go the extra mile, a well-cut blazer with tailored dress trousers works beautifully here too.
Cocktail / Semi-Formal — The most common dress code in the GTA right now, and the most fun to dress for. A blazer and dress trousers, a patterned dress shirt, statement cufflinks — this is where Ed's really shines. Think Paul Betenly blazers, Bugatchi dress shirts, and Johnston & Murphy footwear.
Smart Casual — Elevated, but relaxed. A sport coat over a quality open-collar shirt with tailored chinos is the sweet spot. This is not the occasion for jeans and a button-down — but it's also not the place to arrive in a full suit and make the groom feel underdressed.
Garden Party / Outdoor — Lighter fabrics, brighter colours, and a little personality are welcome here. A linen shirt, a linen blend blazer, or a lighter-coloured suit in cream or sky blue reads perfectly at an outdoor summer wedding. Comfort matters — you're going to be standing on grass in the sun.
The Colours That Always Work
Wedding guest dressing has one unwritten rule: don't upstage the wedding party. Beyond that, you have more freedom than you think.
Safe and sharp: Navy, charcoal, mid-grey, and olive are universally flattering and always appropriate. A navy suit is the single most versatile wedding guest outfit a man can own.
Summer statement: Lighter tones — tan, stone, sky blue, soft blush — are perfect for outdoor and daytime weddings from May through September. Don't be afraid of colour. A Paul Betenly blazer in summer blue paired with grey dress trousers is a look people will remember.
What to avoid: Head-to-toe white (reserved for the bride), anything that reads as too casual (untucked shirts, distressed denim), and overly loud patterns that fight with the wedding party's palette.
The Pieces Worth Investing In
If you're going to more than one wedding this season — and most Markham men are — it's worth building a small capsule of pieces that work across occasions.
One great suit. A slim or tailored-fit suit in navy or charcoal will take you through every cocktail and formal wedding on your calendar. Jack Victor's Esprit CT collection is built for exactly this — premium construction, modern fit, made to last.
A blazer that isn't part of a suit. Paired with dress trousers, it's cocktail. Paired with chinos, it's smart casual. A Paul Betenly sport coat gives you two dress codes in one piece.
At least two quality dress shirts. A clean white and a subtle pattern. The white is your foundation. The pattern is your personality. Bugatchi's OoohCotton® shirts are wrinkle-resistant and breathe beautifully in summer heat — ideal for a long reception.
Dress shoes that match the occasion. Johnston & Murphy has been the standard for men who take footwear seriously. A pair of classic Oxford or Derby shoes in brown or black will work across every wedding dress code you'll encounter this summer.
The accessories that finish it. A pocket square, a quality belt, and a tie bar or cufflinks elevate even the simplest outfit into something that looks intentional. Ed's accessories collection has everything you need to complete the look.
Not Sure? Book an Ed's Consultation
The honest truth is that every man's body is different, every wedding is different, and a generic guide only gets you so far. If you've got a wedding coming up and you want to get it exactly right — book an Ed's styling consultation.
Tell us the date, the venue, the dress code, and your budget. We'll pull the pieces, show you the combinations, and send you out looking like you've been dressing this way your whole life.
It's the kind of service you won't find at a chain store — and it's one of the things that makes Ed's the destination for well-dressed men in Markham.
