What to Wear

What to Wear to a Christening? A Godmother’s Guide on What to Wear and What not to Wear.

These days Christenings tend to be more of a formal affair; beautiful table setups, florals, fancy outfits, props, and professional photography. For those who cannot afford to, or don’t wish to have a fancy Christening, the event will be low-key with close family and friends.

My niece was baptised two weeks ago. It was an intimate, humble type of event with 13 guests, five of which were under the tender age of five. So, what do you wear to a Christening? Is there a difference between what you would wear to an intimate event and what to you’d wear to a more formal event? Would you keep your outfit casual, or would you go for a formal look?

In this month’s blog post, I will walk you through some of the aspects I considered when choosing what to wear for my niece’s Christening with the intention to spare you unnecessary stress and hassle of not knowing what to wear.

Whether the event is formal or informal, when it comes to what to wear to a Christening, it is important to dress appropriately for the occasion. How?

What to wear to a Christening?

If your event was low-key like ours, formal attire would be out of the question. And if you’re like me, casual attire would not be a choice. I decided to opt for a semi-formal look. I chose a simple, white pencil Tussah dress, which I purchased from The Iconic, and paired it with metallic shoes from Wittner for a more formal look. This is a style I am comfortable with.
When you’re deciding on to what to wear and what not to wear, it’s crucial to know what you like and what you don’t like. Dressing for the occasion is important, but so is dressing in a way that suits your personality. When you wear an outfit that either doesn’t match the theme and style of the event or your personality, you will be uncomfortable and when you’re uncomfortable with what your wearing, you will not look confident. I have learnt from experience to avoid wearing clothes that make me feel uncomfortable– no matter how pretty or attractive they are.
White is a classic colour to wear to a Christening. You can always go the non-traditional route, and choose bright, bold colours, pastels, or you might want to wear a combination of white or neutrals with a pop of colour.

What not to wear to a Christening

Since the ceremony will be held at a church, mini-skirts or dresses and plunging necklines are not appropriate and as a result, it would be appropriate avoid them.

Sequins, bling, denim, dark colours are best be avoided. If you wish to integrate them into your outfit, keep them to a minimum. Overly accessorizing your outfit is unnecessary, instead, consider choosing a statement earring, bracelet or necklace but not all of the above!

Christening Outfit Ideas

Conclusion

Being a Godmother is a wonderful experience. When choosing an outfit for the occasion, an elegant, simple look always works. Here are things to keep in mind.

Dress code: Business casual/semi-formal attire is common for a Christening.
Number of guests: Find out how many guests are invited, this will give you an idea of how formal or informal your outfit should be.
Be Yourself: avoid wearing clothes that make you feel uncomfortable or that aren’t you. Dress to impress yourself and remember that you are enough.
Keep in mind that the ceremony is taking place at church, it is important to dress up in an appropriate, respectful manner.
Avoid dark colours, black, sequins, denim, deep v necks, mini-skirts. It is also important not to overly accessorize your outfit.
Choose either white or neutrals for a traditional look or bold/pastel colours for a less traditional look