Wedding Planning Update #16 - Men’s wardrobe! and our ring bearer!
Wow…I should really let Kris and Ray write this post because their version of this story would be so much better. The experience at the tux shop was…an experience!
First, Kris and I were able to find the tuxedo shop no problem as soon as we entered the mall at approximately 9:30. Unfortunately, while the mall itself opened briskly at 9:00 AM, the tux shop’s hours started at 10, and our appointment was not until 11. We did need to complete some Christmas shopping, and we had not yet heard from Ray, so Kris and I wandered around until about 10:30. We went back to the store, hoping to get started on the tuxedo selection process early, but there was now a sign in the window stating the store would be open at 10:45, and there was still no sign of Ray, so I gave him a call. Luckily he was almost at the mall, and arrived just as the tuxedo shop was finally due to open.
The doors finally open, the three of us walk in, and are promptly greeted. “I’m finishing up with this gentleman right now, I’ll be with you shortly.” 
“We have an appointment at 11,” I say.
A few minutes later we were finally invited in, and Robert introduced himself. We went through some of the quick, “When’s your wedding, what time, what location,” and filled out some paperwork. As I finished this up, Robert says, “Well, I have some questions for the bride,” at which point he starts the rapid-fire rehearsed speech. “Have you decided what the bridesmaids will be wearing?” Me: “Um, sort of…” “Well, do you know what color?” Me: “Um, yeah, p….pe-ri-win-kle…” As SOON as I’d said it, I knew I shouldn’t have! I tried to continue with, “But we want the guys to wear platinum…” but of course the speech was already in full swing. I should have said platinum - girls be warned!!!
At this moment, the cardboard poster of the bridal party, conveniently also wearing periwinkle. “See how lovely they match!” Obstacle one is overcome almost right away. “No way are they/we wearing periwinkle,” the three of us say almost in unison. Robert tries to convince us to have the groomsmen in periwinkle, so that Kris may stand out in platinum. Or how about a white vest for the groom? I think the following was the best part of the morning. Robert exclaims, “Picture this scenario! What if the friend of the cousin of the photographer needs to find the groom? How will he stand out? He must be dressed in a different color!” I tried to explain, “We were thinking of having Kris’s boutonniere be different…” which is completely lost in the panic from Robert. “The groom should compliment the bride…be virginal in color…a white vest would be perfect.”
So we look at the dummy model: with a white vest and white bowtie; a white vest and platinum bowtie, a platinum vest and white bowtie. Nothing really looks good together except the platinum vest and bowtie combo. We finally, finally, decide, and more importantly convince Robert that this is what we want on ALL THE MEN, and he says, “I went through this whole thing to make sure that’s really what you wanted!” Frustrated, we were able to FINALLY move on.
We went pretty quickly through the next few items:
Shirts: 1/4″ pleat or 1/2″ pleat? - “No pirate shirts, we want the 1/4 inch pleats!”
Shoes: Square toe or rounded? - Square (wider for all!)
Neckpiece: Tie or Bowtie? - The Bowtie
Tuxedo jacket: 1-button, 2-button, or 3-button? - 2-button
Now to the fittings - the important reason why we’re all here. We needed to finish up post-haste as we were due down the shore to meet with my cousin, so we could meet her youngest son, Anthony, who will be our ring bearer. We had a bit more difficulty with Robert as he organized the last of our paperwork, and measured the men. Ray gave an accurate measurement, but Robert didn’t believe him until Ray had tried on three different jackets. Kris looked so handsome, even in the trial jacket because I’ve never seen him really dressed up. Our final item of business at the tux shop was to make sure our bridal party could get fitted at a shop close to them, and that Kris knows to set up a “non-billable try-on” when we’re in town again.
We did make it in time to visit with my cousin. We went over to her house and Kris got to meet her husband, and both of us met their three little boys. I’m so excited to continue the “tradition.” I’ll explain for anyone who hasn’t had the benefit of this story before. Denise isn’t actually MY cousin, in fact, her MOTHER is MY mother’s cousin. Yes, we have a very large Italian family. Anyway, her mom and mine have enough of a difference in age that Denise was already old enough to be a flower girl by the time my mom got married. Then when Denise got married, my sister was a flower girl in her wedding. So now it’s my turn to continue, with her youngest son as the ring bearer in my wedding. I’m a fan of strange traditions, and this is probably the first of many that will be incorporated into Kris and my wedding.
In case any of the men in my bridal party need this information:
You can go to any After Hours store near (in NJ) you to get fitted. In Maine the affiliate is Mr. Tux.
You’ll need to get measured and have them send the measurements for the Marciniak Wedding to the After Hours Store in the Bridgewater Commons Mall in Bridgewater, NJ. Their phone number is: (908) 252-9772 Contact Robert Rodriguez.
The price of the tuxedo rental is $139.35 total (this includes everything: the vest, bowtie, shoes, and tax). You will need to give a $20 deposit at the time you get fitted. The remainder of $119.35 is due when we pick up the tuxedos on Thursday, August 9th.
If you’d like to make sure your size is correct (and the shop recommends we have you all do this), schedule a non-billable try-on a week or two before the wedding.
Here’s some pictures of what the men will be wearing:
