Your wedding is meant to be one of the happiest days of your life. Although you have to be somewhat realistic with your expectations, you still want to make the celebration as meaningful, beautiful, and authentic as you can. That also includes showing off the best possible version of yourself through what you choose to wear.
However, the reality is that some people can’t be bothered to put in the effort, even when it’s their own wedding. Our team at Bored Panda has collected pictures of the most underdressed grooms that guests have ever seen. This goes beyond embracing an easygoing wardrobe or opting for a slightly more casual tone. Scroll down to see some fashion disasters and how drearily shorts, crocs, and T-shirts look next to gorgeous dresses. Just remember, the point isn’t to make fun of anyone—it’s a reminder that many of us could stand to brush up our fashion sense and self-awareness a bit.
#1 Monster Energy Drink Flowed Freely At This Wedding
Image credits: crazytombananapants
#2 The Groom’s Whole Outfit Really Took Me Out
Image credits: cametobemean
#3 How Is The Bride Okay With This
Image credits: EllywickTippletoe
Before we get into it, here’s a quick reminder that you should do what makes you and your partner happy at your wedding. If you want a small and intimate ceremony, go for it. If you want to invite all of your friends, family, and neighbors, go do that. If you want a specific theme for the reception or a particular dress code, embrace it and have fun. Make sure that you and your partner are happy and that your guests are entertained, and you’ll have a great time.
That being said, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: if your partner dresses up very nicely for your wedding but you saunter in wearing dusty crocs, torn shorts, and an icky T-shirt, something’s gone incredibly wrong somewhere. And generally, we don’t like to judge—but some fashion choices merit at least a dash of healthy criticism. It’s your wedding day: you want to look polished, not sloppy.
#4 Husband Showing Up To The Wedding Like This
Image credits: nfasis
#5 The Groom’s Idea Of Dressing For The Occasion
Image credits: margnaheglish
#6 Why Even Bother?
Image credits: simplex117
According to Stephan Detwiler, Brooks Brothers’ Vice President of men’s merchandising, there are some things that grooms should “never, ever wear.”
He told ‘Brides’ magazine that they should most definitely avoid wearing jeans or T-shirts, as well as ripped, torn, or overly tired-looking articles of clothing.
#7 Not Exactly A Shotgun Wedding But
Image credits: imconfused23
#8 Another Case Of A Groom Being Underdressed At His Own Wedding
Image credits: rjab98
#9 Utterly Gobsmacked Over This Groom’s “Very Normal” Wedding Outfit Choice
Image credits: abitneurotic
Detwiler urges grooms to try to look their best for their wedding and get their clothes tailored so that they fit them perfectly. “The bride spends so much effort and energy on what she’s wearing. You should put in a similar amount of effort to make sure you look your best, as well,” he told ‘Brides.’
This matches up with our personal experience, too. Tailored clothes are a whole other level of quality.
#10 These Two People I Went To High School With Got Married Today, And This Was Really The Groom’s Fit. I’m Crying
Image credits: memetazaa
#11 This Is My Dad When He Married My Mom
I asked him, “Why were you dressed like this to the wedding?” and he said, “Your mom invited me to the wedding, but she didn’t tell me whose.”
Image credits: Solopeerless
#12 The Most Redneck Wedding In Southern History
Image credits: dwimback
If you don’t want to wear a tuxedo or suit, you can always decide to dress more casually. However, Detwiler notes that casual wedding garb does not mean dressing sloppily.
“Don’t show up in a wrinkled T-shirt and jeans. You don’t want to be the most casually dressed person there.” According to him, a navy blazer, non-iron shirt, cotton-linen chinos, and boat shoes are a good idea, as is cashmere knitwear (e.g., polos or turtlenecks). He adds that you can even wear a good pair of sneakers, depending on the context.
#13 He Wore His Best Hat For The Wedding
Image credits: Wildwest21
#14 This Groom With His Very Casual Wedding Look
#15 What Kind Of Wedding Is This?
Image credits: mdnnnsph
Let’s be real here for a moment—you and your partner need to be on the same page when it comes to the wedding.
You’re getting married, after all. So, it would be ironic if you started your marriage with a disagreement about dress codes, style choices, and whether or not low-quality and ill-fitting clothes are appropriate for evening wear. It makes sense to speak about all of this before the Big Day.
#16 What Kind Of Wedding Is This?
Image credits: reddit.com
#17 Why Jeans?
Image credits: waichingstudio
#18 A Kid From My High School Got Married In A Discount Tire. Looks Like The Groom Didn’t Even Try
Image credits: AnalogSpy
If your partner is fine with you dressing super casual as though you’re heading to a bar with your pals, so be it. More power to you. But we have a sneaking suspicion that they’d prefer it if you matched their level of fanciness.
Showing that you care is important. It’s also a good sign that you show you’re willing to look for compromises instead of being stubborn about wearing your fave T-shirt that’s been through a hundred washes.
#19 The Bride Made An Effort, While The Groom Did Not
Image credits: ikilledthepromkween
#20 It’s A Good Movie But At Your Wedding?
Image credits: BeccsADoodle6
#21 The Groom And His Groomsmen Had An Interesting Take On Attire
Image credits: TechLover89
The issue that lies at the core of most of these photos is that they demonstrate a fundamental level of miscommunication between the grooms and their brides. Of course, nobody can tell whether a relationship is going to be healthy and happy from just a few wedding photos.
However, not dressing in a tux/suit/something nice and opting for overly casual clothes sends a somewhat confusing message to the bride, as well as the guests.
#22 She Looks Great. Him? Not So Much
Image credits: reddit.com
#23 A Couple In My Town Got Married And This Was The Groom’s Reception Attire
Image credits: OverzealousNapper
#24 Groom’s Shirt. It Looks Like He Doesn’t Want To Be There
Image credits: thepanichand
It’s as though the grooms are treating the entire ceremony as a prank. Something casual. Nothing overly serious. Just another random day. If both partners are in on the joke, that’s great.
Humor and playfulness are incredibly important parts of long-term relationships, sure. However, there are some sacred and serious moments in our lives when we could all stand to focus on their magnitude.
#25 Groom Definitely Stood Out In His Orange Shirt
Image credits: Susan_Rodeo
#26 “The Wedding Was Simple But Memorable” Is An Understatement
This is a girl I went to school with. She’s 20? 21? And already has two kids with this guy, and they just tied the knot.
Image credits: quinnaves
#27 Saw Someone Selling Wedding Items – The Mismatch Here Hurts
And did she even tell him that it bothers her? The world may never know.
Image credits: Unrepentant_KyloStan
There are times when we should be more serious and show our commitment through how we act, how we speak, and how we dress. No, the fashion police won’t arrest you for failing to put some effort into your outfit. But looking at your wedding photos, you and your partner might feel some regret that you didn’t dress up for such a momentous day.
Though, to be fair, you might both end up laughing aloud and asking each other what you were thinking. That’s always a possibility!
#28 The Bride Was Prepared And The Groom Wore This During His Vows. Stains And All
Image credits: lavender_dreams95
#29 We Drove 3 Hours All Dressed Up To Reach A Wedding, Only To Find The Groom In His T-Shirt And Jeans
Image credits: gounder
#30 A Little Underdressed
Image credits: damn_the_knight_king
We’d like to hear your thoughts about wedding clothes, Pandas. What did you think of the grooms in these photos? Do you think they were ‘criminally’ underdressed, or do you personally like a much more casual wardrobe? What did you and your partner wear for your wedding? Tell us all about it in the comments!
#31 Imagine You Get Ready For 3 Hours And Your Groom Shows Up In Crocs
Image credits: cup_1337
#32 Yes, That’s The Groom Wearing Crocks And Shorts
Image credits: wh3r3ar3th3avacados
#33 The Bride Was Beautiful, And Her Dress Was A Stunner. The Bridesmaids Top Notch, And The Groom… Well, That’s Southern Maryland For You
Image credits: reddit.com
#34 She Looks Stunning And He Looks Like A Schoolboy
Image credits: Downtown_Run_8055
#35 Doesn’t The Groom Know He Isn’t Supposed To Wear White?!
Image credits: lionlyonlyin
#36 Why Do People Dress Like This For Their Weddings?
Image credits: relavie
#37 Jeans, Sneakers, And A Cap – The “Perfect” Outfit For Your Wedding
Image credits: thefotofactoryandfilms
#38 On Today’s Episode Of “Sir, This Is Your Wedding”
Image credits: DasKittySmoosh
#39 Those Sneakers Are Just A “No” From Me
Image credits: Faithful_One
#40 Imagine Getting All Dressed Up And Your Husband-To-Be Shows Up Wearing Jeans
Image credits: bemovi