What to Wear as a Wedding Guest
- lauxmont
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
So- your friends/family are getting married! Woohoo! Now... What are you going to wear? Here's our guide to wedding dress codes and how to choose an outfit for different types of weddings.
General Dress Codes
White Tie- This is the most formal wedding dress code possible. Women should wear a floor-length gown, no exceptions. This is often paired with heels, although they aren't very visible. Men should wear a tuxedo with tails, formal white shirt, white vest, and bowtie, along with white gloves.
Black Tie- Black tie offers more creativity in gowns for women, but should generally still include a floor-length dress. Men should still wear a tuxedo, but it does not need to be as extravagant as the white tie tuxedo.
Black Tie Optional/Formal- For women, your formal dress can now come above the ankle, with any length below the knee being a great option. You could still wear a floor-length gown and it would work! Men, you can wear a tuxedo or any other full suit. This is a dress code that allows men to get more creative and add color to their outfits.
Semi-formal- With a semi-formal dress code, women can wear an elegant pantsuit, jumpsuit, or dress. Dress length should still be below the knee, but does not need to be floor-length. A still formal dress that is above the knee can be acceptable on occasion. Men should wear a dress shirt and slacks, but a tie is not required.
Cocktail- Cocktail attire can involve a tea length, knee length, or midi dress. The dress can come above the knee, but still should not be short by any means. There is also the option for a pantsuit or jumpsuit. Men can wear any suit and tie, or slacks with a dress shirt. Cocktail attire allows for a lot of flexibility in what a guest can wear.
Casual- "Casual" in wedding dress code terms does not mean the same as "casual" in everyday terms. Guests should not wear jeans, shorts, sneakers, or casual tops unless specifically told to. A safe outfit would be a sundress paired with wedges or dressy sandals. Women could also wear a nice skirt and top if done correctly. Men can go with dress pants or khakis paired with a collared shirt.
General Guidelines
Do NOT wear white to a wedding. This is a standard but important rule that guests should always follow. Patterns with white are acceptable, as long as when photographed, you can still tell that the dress is mainly pattern, and minimally white. Any white in a guest's outfit should be an accent color.
Don't upstage the bride or call too much attention to yourself. Of course, you want to look your best. But, now is not the time for a neon and flashy dress.
If you are unsure of the dress code, ask the couple! It's always better to ask than to stick out. If you end up needing to guess, it is very safe to go with formal or semi-formal attire. When it comes to weddings, it's better to potentially be overdressed than underdressed.
Please, don't wear very short dresses. While a dress may look an appropriate length when you're standing in front of a mirror, once you're busting a move on the dance floor the same dress may reveal a bit too much.
If you're bringing a date, make sure they know the correct dress code for the occasion.
Select comfortable shoes! You don't want to be distracted from the fun of the wedding because your feet are in pain. Along the same lines, consider if you will be outdoors and select shoes that will allow you to walk or stand in the grass.
Themed weddings are growing in popularity, and are so much fun! If the wedding has a theme, it'll be stated on the invitation. This could be anything from wearing specific colors or dressing like characters from The Great Gatsby. Be sure to dress to the theme, otherwise, you'll stick out in photos and potentially upset the couple. If you're feeling unsure about your outfit, check with other friends invited and compare selections. If you don't know other guests, ask the couple. Again, better to check than to be wrong!
There are always exceptions to these dress code guidelines. But, if you don't know for sure, follow the guidelines to make the best outfit selections possible. You love the couple and are attending this wedding because they want you to celebrate with them! By dressing correctly for the occasion, you're showing respect for the time and money the couple put into their wedding. Now you have the formula to dress to impress!
Comments