Dress codes governing contemporary weddings are much more ambiguous than they were years ago. Men never faced many challenges when picking out suits for a wedding, but there are still some nuances and styles appropriate to specific weddings.
Common Sense for Wedding Guests
Men do not have it especially hard when it comes to dressing appropriately for weddings. Most invitations will include some sort of instructions for the expected dress code. "Casual attire" is possibly the most ambiguous of all attire requirements. Casual is usually open to lighter colored jackets, khakis, and ties. If you're unclear as to how dressed-down the couple's definition of "casual" is, call them or their wedding planner to make sure.
It is almost always preferred to overdress than under dress. When the invitation calls for "casual attire", always lean towards a sleek dressy look. This includes a jacket, button-down shirt with optional tie, and khaki or black pants.