Getting invited to a wedding used to fill my heart with both anxiety and excitement. A wedding is a day to celebrate love and happiness, of course, but it’s also a spectacle for all things pretty, outfits, flowers and décor. For someone who loves pretty things in life, what’s there not to love about weddings?! Not knowing what to wear was a source of anxiety. I wasn’t alone in this, every time a family or friend was attending a wedding, we would talk about the struggle and end up asking the same questions; “should I wear a long dress?”, “can I wear white?”, “is this dress too over the top?” The challenges were: not knowing what to wear/what not to wear, where to shop, or how to wear an outfit.
In this blog post, I want to share with you four tips that made it easier for me to know what to wear to a wedding.
Check the dress code on the wedding invitation!
Not all wedding invitations include a dress code, but that is the first thing to check. I have encouraged several friends to include a dress code on their wedding invite for two reasons:
- it makes the lives of wedding guests a lot easier as it guides them to know what they can or can’t wear;
- it ensures that guests dress up (rather than down) for the occasion especially in cases when it is a formal affair;
- it will save them the financial inconvenience and social embarrassment of showing up overdressed to an event that’s rather casual.
Take clues on what to wear from the invitation card
The invite sets the tone for what to expect. If you receive a wedding invitation embellished with white lace, ribbons and pearls you can expect a formal/elegant affair. If you receive an email invite, you can expect a more relaxed, casual wedding. In the first instance, you might want to wear a long black evening dress with metallic pumps, in the second you might want to opt for a slip or cocktail dress and sandals.
Check out the venue and take inspiration on what to wear
The style and location of the venue will also give you a clue of what type of wedding theme to expect; from indoor or outdoor, formal or causal, romantic or modern. A wedding held at a barn will be different to a wedding held at a well-known wedding venue in the city.
Ask the couple or their families
Although I personally have never approached a bride or groom for help, some friends have checked in with the bride to see if she would be ok with a white outfit for example. If you have a colour in mind, you might want to check with the bridesmaids to see if it’s the same as theirs, while being respectful of the fact that the bride might like to keep this detail a surprise to be revealed on the day. Again, the wedding invite might give you clues as to the colour scheme and style.
If you’re still uncertain, here are four outfit ideas I’ve put together to inspire you.
What to Wear: Wedding Guest Outfit Inspiration
Conclusion
As much as weddings can be a source anxiety for you as a wedding guest, if you find yourself undecided or uncertain when choosing an appropriate outfit to wear, there are a few things that will help you decide:
- Check if there is a dress code on the wedding invitation,
- If there isn’t, take a hint from the invite itself; is it formal or casual?
- Check out the venue; is it a garden, beach, or high-end venue near the water,
- Ask the couple, bridal party or a family member for guidance,
- When in doubt, opt for a little black dress, metallic or nude shoes,
- Keep it simple, elegant and avoid over the top accessories.
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