While knowing what to wear and even how to wear it can be a challenge for many of us, there is one event that makes this question even more challenging: the wedding. Truth is, this particular circumstance can go beyond just wearing something “nice.” To help sort out cocktail dresses from ball gowns and morning coats from suit jackets, we talked to the experts at David’s Bridal.
Most times a wedding invitation won’t simply state what one should wear for the occasion, which makes it hard to choose the perfect attire for an event like this. There are hints on the invitation you can pull from, though like the time the wedding is taking place.
The informal, daytime wedding
An informal daytime wedding allows one to wear a more casual outfit. Even though it’s informal, it is still the responsibility of the guest to dress properly for the occasion. A casual, short dress works perfectly for this type of event. Remember to choose a cocktail dress that feels comfortable and is something you will be able to sit in through both the ceremony and the reception. A dress with a nice floral pattern or with bright colors also works well for a wedding of this nature. A suit is also a chic alternative to wearing a dress. A business suit can be dressed up with a more decorative blouse and a strappy heel. A statement necklace or dazzling chandelier earrings may also glam up this ensemble. If you’re going to a ceremony at an outdoor garden or on the beach, you can basically use the same dress code as the informal, daytime indoor wedding, but you may wish to choose one made of lightweight material for beach-y, humid destination weddings. Have your date wear a nice dress pant, a dress shirt and sport jacket that compliments the colors of your outfit. Pressed, crisp khakis are also acceptable at most on-the-beach weddings for male guests.
Semi-formal suggestions
Looking your best for a semi-formal daytime wedding isn’t that much different than dressing for an informal daytime wedding. Our experts from David’s Bridal told us that short dresses and suits are still appropriate, but there are ways to change it up to make it fit for a more formal gathering. Choose a cocktail dress with a more sophisticated style. One item that’s always a winner is something that every girl should have in her closet, a little black dress. The LBD can be dressed up or down to fit almost any occasion. A little black lace dress that’s well-designed is also a real winner. Be sure to make the dress pop with some statement jewelry pieces.
Informal evening
For this type of reception, a cocktail dress is a great option, especially a little black dress like we mentioned earlier. A long-sleeved little black dress is perfect for a wedding that takes place in a cooler month when the nights can get chilly. David’s Bridal expert Lori Conley, a senior buyer for the bridal collection, mentioned another option that’s in style right now: an informal, knee-length dress. (Think sophisticated wrap dress with strappy sandals.)
“They not only look sophisticated, but they’re comfortable enough to dance the night away!” Conley says.
Semi-formal evening
A semi-formal evening wedding provides an opportunity to add some sparkle to an ensemble. The type of dress that Conley suggests is a knee-length or tea-length dress or a longer, less formal gown. A strapless knee-length gown in a darker color such as navy blue will be a comfortable, chic option. This style of dress is more formal for this type of engagement, but isn’t ultra-formal like a full-length gown would be. Accessories that sparkle are appropriate for a more elegant evening, such as a sparkly bracelet or necklace, a pair of pumps, or even a small hand bag that has some glitz. Keep in mind, though, that anything that is too sparkly will make you seem overdressed, so if your dress already has some shine to it try to limit the amount of glittery accessories.
Black tie
Now it’s time to go all-out for weddings that are black-tie and ultra-formal or white tie. A black-tie wedding almost always calls for a long, formal gown but a short cocktail dress can also be acceptable. Purchase some glam accessories to go with the dress. To make the gown even more elegant, pick out a wrap or jacket that matches or complements it. If going with a date, make sure that he wears a tuxedo that evening. There aren’t many variables for men here; black-tie simply means they are to wear a tux unless it is specifically stated on the invitation that it is optional.
An ultra-formal evening wedding truly gives an opportunity to make a statement with a floor-length evening gown. Unlike a formal evening wedding, short dresses are not appropriate to wear to a black-tie wedding. A long, black gown allows one to have fun choosing accessories to jazz it up. Conley’s advice is, “Play up the formality of the wedding with dazzling jewelry, a minaudiere and a great pair of heels.” If the term “minaudiere” doesn’t ring a bell, it’s a small, embellished case that takes the place of a handbag for a more formal occasion.
The basics
If all else fails, remember these basic rules of thumb when dressing for a wedding:
Always choose something that you are excited to wear and expresses your own unique sense of style and personality.
That sassy, girls’-night-out dress in your closet is okay for the club but probably won’t be appropriate attire for a daytime wedding.
If you have to ask if the dress is too short or tight—more than likely it is. Conley says that, “A safe rule is to think back to your high school dress code and use the ‘fingertip’ test–hold your right arm straight down against your leg. If the hem does not extend to your fingertips, it is probably too short to be worn to a wedding.” Remember, it’s all about feeling comfortable AND looking stylish!
Also, dresses that are overly bedazzled with lots of sequins or glitter stand out like a sore thumb during a daytime wedding, so make sure to avoid them. It’s fun to stand out in the crowd, but not on a day when all the attention should be focused on the bride.
Last, but not least, the most important rule is that you do not wear a white dress to the wedding! This leaves the impression that you are competing with the bride. Besides, there are so many fun colors to choose from, you should have no trouble finding something you love.
