First, let's review the vocabulary:

• White Tie - This is the most formal outfit - and it is quite specific. White tie means you should be wearing a black tailcoat, matching black trouser, white pique formal shirt, white pique vest, and a white pique bow-tie. No you can't substitute a regular tuxedo for the tails - you'll get arrested by the fashion police. 

• Black Tie - Most formal affairs fall into this category. Black tie means you need to wear a tuxedo. Single breasted or double breasted, peak, notch, or shawl collar will do. It's your choice. Your tuxedo will need a formal shirt (no you can't just wear a white dress shirt - everyone will know you're trying to cut corners), bow-tie and cummerbund set or vest and tie set, cuff links and studs. A traditionalist will wear a black bow-tie and cummerbund set, and black, round cuff links and stud set. If you would like to be less formal then wear a vest and tie set instead of the cummerbund. 

• Creative Black Tie - There is no definition for this, that is, most anything goes as long as you are wearing a tuxedo jacket. One shudders to think some may voluntarily choose to wear a tuxedo jacket and bluejean cut-offs. We believe creative black tie provides you with the opportunity to wear an interesting novelty vest which makes your outfit stand out from the crowd. 

• T-Shirts / Pastel Colors - Absolutely, positively not! Not only would you be arrested, the fashion police would throw away the key! Keep in mind, not only do you want to look your best for this day, but you don't want to be embarrassed looking at the pictures 5 years later!