Alternative Wedding Wear #3 – Elvis
Now, we’re not saying that dressing like Elvis is for everyone because it’s not. For instance, if you hate Elvis it would be a terrible thing to dress as. It would almost certainly ruin your wedding day. Equally, if you hate it when people say thankyuhvehmuch then dressing like Elvis is a terrible idea. Basically, the people who should consider dressing like Elvis are fans of his music and people who want something a bit more showbiz on their Big Day.
How To Dress As Elvis
It’s a little known fact that at his own wedding, Elvis wore a simple black suit and bow tie, whereas most people choosing an Elvis inspired marriage tend to opt for one of his more bombastic looks. This of course means jumpsuits. Luckily, Elvis’s gradually expanding frame played host to a fair few to choose from, which we’ve sampled for your delectation below.
Elvis’s most recognisable suit was his iconic white and gold studded suit, but he had a collection spanning hundreds more. Elvis’s designer, Bill Belew, fashioned them in regards to different animals – the leopard, the peacock, the dragon, etc. Regardless of what style you were to opt for, as long as it’s extravagant, high collared, possibly with a cape and tacky in a playfully classy way, you’ve managed a good Elvis.
In fact to pay real honour to Elvis’s life and career, you may want to consider the ‘laser suit’. Before his passing in the planning for his trip to Europe, Elvis’s team were designing a rhinestone laser suit that would use a combination of electronics and mirrors to allow The King to “discharge lasers wherever he touched himself.” What do you mean too much?
Pros of Dressing As Elvis
- Certainly no confusion to who is the groom, and if you’re to be wed in a rural village, the opportunity to fill the locals with top banter and rumour, “You’ll never guess who I spotted outside the post office today…”
- One of the sadly dwindling opportunities to wear a cape.
- Comfy suede shoes.
Cons of Dressing as Elvis
- Depending on your shape and natural style you may either end up looking utterly cool or completely haggard.
- Elvis’s original costumes cost individually more than an entire wedding to design, seam and fit with rhinestones, so it’s not a cheap option.
- It’s really pretty naff. Let’s be honest. That doesn’t mean you can’t make it work, it’s just that it requires a generous helping of chutzpah, or to be hosted in Vegas.
Where to Buy
God Bless the internet. If you have a look at Jumpsuits Fit For A King you can get tailor-made jumpsuits in a choice of over 20 styles ranging from “King of Spades” to “Old Indian”. Prices vary but you’d be looking at around $1,000 dollars for a jumpsuit.
There’s also the splendidly-titled Pro Elvis Jumpsuits who are based in Canada and offer suits mainly for impersonators, but they also offer quality and durability, so they’ll last you right through the honeymoon! They also offer more reasonably priced ‘off the the rail’ discounts, such as this ‘68 Comeback Special for $1,100.
If you’re looking for something bespoke then you might have to head to Graceland. The majority of Elvis-specific tailors are based there and do bespoke jumpsuit options. Of course, they will ship over to the UK, but factor in those costs and the general specifications of style and you’ve got quite a bill on your hands.
There are a fair few UK stores offering Elvis paraphernalia, although they’re more geared towards one-off fancy dress than a themed civil ceremony. This is probably the best Elvis jumpsuit we found for a reasonable price
Brownie Points
- If you’re going Elvis, go the whole hog. Fill the vows with as many Elvis song titles as if possible, bonus points if you can include Fools Rush In and Reconsider Baby.
- Keeping the theme going – consider Hawaii as a honeymoon destination, or failing that, at least as a reception theme, you’ve not lived until you’ve seen your aunt and uncle in grass skirts. Here’s full details on how to throw a Clambake.
- Oh, and you’d probably best check She’s happy with you turning up as Elvis.
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