Attending a gala for the first time? Here are a few prep tips for the gals AND the guys courtesy of my friends over at The Black Tux. This post is sponsored by The Black Tux, all thoughts & opinions are my own.
A few months ago I attended my very first gala with Tim to celebrate and support the incredible work of The Lady Project. If you’re unfamiliar, The Lady Project is an organization that I’ve been involved with here in Boston for the past 3 years. We connect, inspire, and showcase awesome women doing amazing things through membership, events, and community engagement.
It’s a pretty rad organization, if you ask me. I’ve loved working with, meeting, and becoming close friends with so many incredible women over the past three years, and was just as thrilled to have the opportunity to attend The Lady Project’s inaugural gala in Providence.
So, Tim and I partnered up with The Black Tux to share a few of our favorite gala prep tips after attending our very first one together!
Attending a Gala: Tips for the Gals
Ladies, attending a gala is no joke. It’s like a wedding, but everyone gets a bit of the attention. It’s a dreamy, extravagant evening filled with amazing people, carefully crafted cocktails, tasty treats, A+ tunes, and lots of dancing. We LOVED it.
I thought that I was in for some stressful prep prior to the gala, but found that instead of worrying too much, I wanted to have fun with it. Here’s a quick checklist to help you prep for your own first gala!
Gala Checklist
- Dress/jumper/blazer/etc.: AKA, whatever you’re planning to wear
- Shoes & socks/tights, if necessary
- Hair: How are are you styling your hair for the event?
- Makeup: Are you doing it yourself or heading somewhere for a quick touch up?
- Accessories: Any jewelry you may be wearing for the evening, and the bag you’ll be bringing. (I almost forgot this one!)
- Accommodations & travel: Where are you staying for the evening and how are you getting to and from the gala?
- Misc.: Tickets & any other necessary documents you should be bringing with you for the event.
Attending a Gala: Tips for the Guys
Tips courtesy of Tim: We were very excited to be invited to our first black tie event and I wanted to find the perfect tux to don for the evening. With our busy schedules, I also wanted to avoid the familiar rental process of taking multiple trips to a store to pick out a style, get measured, pick up the tux, then return it a few days later. We figured there must be a better way. A quick search landed us at The Black Tux.
It was hard to pick a favorite, but The Davis stood out with its diamond tip bow tie and peak lapel jacket. We followed The Black Tux’s measurement guide at home and were good to go in under 10 minutes. No measuring tape, no worries. Submit your info and The Black Tux will send you one. Measuring is a bit easier with some help, but if you want to do it on your own, The Black Tux can help you get your sizes or you can stop at a local tailor.
We ordered the rental with just a few clicks and without even having to leave the house. It arrived at our door shortly after, with plenty of time before the event. I don’t shop for clothes online often because I like to try the fit first. The video guides were easy to follow though, and The Black Tux offers a fit guarantee so I felt completely confident. If you need a different size after it arrives, they’ll send a replacement for free or even credit you on your rental if any small alterations are needed locally. Much to my pleasure, the tux was a perfect fit!
The day of our event arrived and it was impossible to not smile standing next to my beautiful girlfriend, feeling dapper in the sleek tux. We had such a great time at the event and felt priceless. I can’t wait for the next event that calls for a rental from The Black Tux!
The return process was as easy as the measuring and renting experiences. The Black Tux includes a return label and tape in the box, so I sealed it up and dropped it off at the post office the next day.
Are you or a guy in your life thinking about checking out The Black Tux? Visit their dapper site and enter the code ‘BY GABRIELLA’ for an exclusive concierge service. Pro tip: Give The Black Tux a go for your wedding! Their suits & tuxes are endlessly superior to the others on the market.
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All photography by the incredible Brittanny Taylor.
What a gorgeous couple! It sounds like you had a lovely time!