There are so many types of weddings these days that it can leave wedding guests confused about what to wear. Will the wedding be fancy, simple, family style, theme, or something else? Should I be shopping for crystal wedding jewelry and a long dress or a sundress with jeweled flip flops? Once you know the dress codes for weddings, it becomes much easier to choose the right outfit.
Nighttime weddings are almost always more formal than those in the afternoon. Once upon a time, it was assumed that a wedding which started at 6pm was a black tie event. People knew that the order of the day was long gowns with crystal wedding jewelry and classic tuxedos. These days, however, it is less clear. The reception venue will often cue you in to the formality of the wedding. When the venue is upscale, a chic cocktail dress with crystal chandelier earrings will be perfect for the ladies. Unless the wedding invitation specifies black tie, a nice suit should do the trick.
The level of formality tends to be more variable for a day wedding, so it is more challenging to know what to wear. Often the wedding invitation says a lot about what to expect. In addition to the wedding venue, the style of the stationery will probably tell you something about the wedding (or at least it should!). An invitation done with hand calligraphy will tell you that the event is likely to be very swanky. A contemporary wedding will be indicated by an offbeat invitation. Stationery with a casual garden motif will signal an informal wedding.
A classic day wedding calls for a beautiful knee length frock. Opulent silk fabric is always a good choice. Add a chic wrap or jacket for a nice finishing detail. The finishing touches would be crystal and pearl wedding jewelry, embellished shoes, and a dainty bag (not your regular bag!). The men’s attire is a no-brainer: a suit and tie.
While the term semi-formal is less prevalent, the style of wedding is actually quite common. This is the bridge between a casual wedding and a formal celebration. Weddings in tents or gazebos may be considered semi-formal. Certain beach weddings will also fall into this category. A silk dress isn’t necessary, but a simple, sweet dress would be perfect. A summer wedding guest could wear a pretty linen shift dress. A silk twinset with a flirty ruffled skirt is a great daytime look. Semi-formal attire for the men at the wedding is a jacket and nice trousers, rather than a suit. Male guests ought to wear neckties.
If the wedding is informal, there is not a defined style of attire. Always put in the effort to look pulled together for a wedding, no matter how casual it may be. The significance of a wedding should not be overlooked! Men can wear a button down shirt with khakis (no tie required) and the women can wear sundresses or skirts with pretty tops. Jeans are never okay for a wedding, and women should never wear shorts no matter how relaxed the event happens to be. Pressed shorts and a neat polo shirt might be acceptable for some beach weddings. Hopefully it will be a snap to choose an outfit the next time you are invited to a wedding!
↑ Back to Top