Robert Jones

I think it's now considered allowable to wear evening dress at a daytime wedding that is to be followed by an evening reception (mirroring the older compromise which allowed morning dress at evening receptions in such circumstances.) I do agree that this chap's interpretation of evening dress is idiosyncratic, but if such dress is not common in one's circle it can be difficult to know what is appropriate. Admittedly it might be better in such cases just to forego formality, but the long white dress meme is so ingrained for brides that it could be difficult to make that choice. If formal dress is common in their circle, the best man or similar should have had a quiet word, because the groom is clearly trying to do justice to the occasion as best he knows how, and I don't like blaming people for getting something wrong if it has never been explained to them correctly.