What To Wear To a Wedding: Dress code & Outfit Ideas
You’ve got the invitation. Your best friend/family member/niece/nephew is getting married. Wonderful!
Now, the dress code says formal/lounge-suit. What?
Or perhaps it says dress to impress. Okay – who I am impressing you ask?
Or worse, smart casual. Yay – you can wear jeans! Actually, no you can’t.
Sure, we know brides have it hard to secure “the” dress but as a wedding guest, the vast array of dress codes and wedding types can be overwhelming when trying to find an appropriate outfit for the event.
Now this blog post is timely as in Australia, March is peak for wedding season. I shop with many ladies in the lead up to a wedding event. Most of them confused and desperate to secure the perfect outfit; appropriate, non-offensive to the bride and adhering to the dress code.
There is nothing worse than feeling overdressed or underdressed at an event. We’ve all been there.
So today, we give you tips and outfit ideas on what to wear to a wedding!
Here a few things to consider:
Traditions
- Times have changed! Many brides take a relaxed view on traditions and in many cases allowing you to wear white, cream or black to a wedding. Finally!
- Traditions have changed, “formal” is no longer as formal as it used to be. Things have relaxed a little where a skirt/top ensemble for women or a jumpsuit is appropriate
- Keep it stylish.
- Adhere to cultural traditions if specified on the invitation. From my experience, European weddings are generally quite festive and you’ll find many people dress up. A friend of mine recently attended an Indian wedding and was encouraged to wear “bright colour”. Get involved; it’s always fun to do something different.
Outdoor Locations
- The Beach Wedding. You will get sand everywhere, prepare for it. Watch for wispy, light-material dresses as the seaside always brings with it a breeze and shoes are generally the biggest challenge. Depending on how relaxed the wedding party is, a platform or solid heel will win over a stiletto any day!
- Garden Wedding. It’s nice to connect with the surroundings at a garden wedding so a nice floral dress or nature bright will work in nicely. Think a tea party ensemble and consider the beach type heel as you will probably be on the grass.
- Have a back up-plan should the weather change. Consider wraps and jackets and even a mini umbrella if you can squeeze it into that clutch. Oh and nothing looks worse than sunburned shoulders in your strapless or sleeveless dress – consider sunscreen.
Outfit Ad-Ons
- Dress for your body shape and wear control underwear or Spanx if you need them or if they make you feel more comfortable. I have a whole blog post on this
- Ensure your hair and make-up is perfect. If you can, get them done professionally, many places including Napoleon offer free* makeovers with the amount you pay redeemable in product.
- Clutches and handbags have changed so much and the idea of the perfect match to your shoes is still nice, however, these days bringing on an opposing colour into your clutch can look great along with adding some interest to your overall look! Think monochromatic black and white or this season’s blue and gold.
Mothers of the Couple
If you are a Mother of the Bride (MOB) or Mother of the Groom (MOG) opt for a simple and stunning look. Of course a colour to compliment the bridesmaids is always preferred. Tip: Make sure you find out what colour the MOG or MOB is wearing too if you can.
Dress Codes
- Formal – the most over-used and confusing dress code as it means different things to different people. However I would suggest that for women, a cocktail dress at the minimum, beautiful accessories and a suit and tie for gentleman.
- Smart/Casual/Informal – no, jeans are not okay. This is more or a relaxed take on your look. You could still wear a cocktail dress but dress it down with relaxed hair, smaller heels etc. Gentleman can get away with trousers and a shirt (no tie) or pop out a shirt collar beneath a nice knit.
- Cocktail – very race-worthy. A pretty dress, even a maxi, heels and accessories. Gentleman should work a three piece suit.
- Lounge-suit – think daytime wear. Ladies can wear a cocktail dress, jumpsuit or skirt/top ensemble while gentleman should wear a daytime suit, no tie required.
- Black Tie – This is where you pull out all of the stops. Gentleman should wear a full three-piece suit or even tuxedo (bowtie included) a ladies should opt for a long evening gown.
- White Tie – the pinnacle of weddings and you would hope this person that suggested this dress code is getting married at The Plaza in New York. Think dress coat, tuxedo and bow-tie for gentleman and a ball gown for women. Ladies, keep this in your wardrobe in case you ever have the chance to attend the Oscars.
Finally, a wedding can be a bit like the races…everyone starts off so elegant and some end up like a ship wreck. Think about it, do you want to be remembered for how lovely you looked or how dishevelled you ended up?! (Just saying…)
It is coming into the wedding month of March, are you attending any weddings or maybe arranging one of your own? If so, have you got your outfit planned?
As always I would love to hear from you in the comments below 🙂
Now off you go, dress up, have fun and enjoy a glass of sparkling for me!
Helen says
Perfect timing, Cindy! I have a wedding to attend on Saturnday.
Cindy Newstead says
Fantastic! I hope the blog has helped Helen! 🙂
Shirley Fotheringham says
Hi Cindy,
Great information for those going to a wedding. I attended my niece’s wedding on 13th Feb on the beach in Lorne. Dress ‘Formal’ on the invitation. I was stumped wondering what on earth is Formal these days? I asked my sister in law what Formal was and as the Mother of the Bride, she showed me what she was wearing – an Allanah Hill floral knee length dress.
With this in mind, I chose a Veronika Maine dress which I wore for both New Years Eve, and the wedding. The dress was white with a little black and soft grey relief. I was able to use my shoes and clutch from my son’s wedding – which was four years ago. The shoes were a delicate little pair of ‘glomesh’ style material in pewter (low platform) and clutch of similar colour. Already had a longish double strand of silver chain with different shades of Gray beads with crystal relief. Wore a slightly chunky white banded watch with the watch face surrounded by silver and little crystal ‘style’ stones.
I felt so good (stylish, modern and comfortable) in my outfit as I knew it suited my body shape (thanks to a session with you a little while back). I had some compliments on my outfit on the day and that is always a nice thing, especially at age 56 🙂 Your advice here is spot on even though my event was held before this was published. A big thank you for your stylish, sensible and much appreciated advice.
Best Wishes,
Shirley xx
Cindy Newstead says
Hi Shirley……..Thank you for your beautiful email!!!!! Sorry for my very late response!!!! Your outfit sounded perfect and I am so pleased that working with me gave you some great advice! I am so pleased to hear also that you enjoyed reading my blog on this topic!!!! Thank you again Shirley xox
Deborah says
I am MOG in 2 weeks’ time. The bride has insisted on the old mores of NO black or white! I was broiught up with the “no white or black” at a wedding. Maybe some young ones are continuing this traditon today? I love your choices for the MOG or MOB! March is a tricky month too for the weather! Could be hot – or cold? I am wearing Armani Collezioni Floral print silk organdy open front jacket over a simple straight frock in pinkish/greyish/cream (dress made by dressmaker) . Can be seen on this page….. http://www.lanecrawford.com/armani-collezioni/women/plp?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LC_WorldwideCampaign_RLSA&utm_term=armani+collezioni+online+store
Cindy Newstead says
Deborah…..thanks for your email and your outfit is stunning! I love black and white…..however at any of my sons future weddings I will wear neither. I have worn cream to two weddings, one wear the groom wore an open neck shirt and shorts ( Looked amazing though) and the other to an Albanian Wedding where Three guests wore long white gowns. I hope you thoroughly enjoy wearing your gorgeous outfit to the wedding!!! xox
Sherelyn says
Our daughter is getting married this October and I will be needing a MOB outfit. I liked the two dresses you suggested. The lace dress was what I felt I would wear out of the two. They are having an outdoor ceremony and reception. It’s probably too early to make a decision on a dress but I will be looking. Thanks for the inspiration Cindy.
Cindy Newstead says
Hi Sherelyn, Sorry I am late responding……….two states in one week!!!! Soooo pleased you enjoyed my blog!!! Take your time in choosing, make sure you love it!!!! xox
Tania says
Hi Cindy, perfect timing as I have a beach wedding in 2 weeks. You didn’t mention whether Pants were acceptable to wear to a wedding… I have some lovely palazzo pants with a pale yellow crop top and was going to team it with a neutral wedge and drop earrings?
Cindy Newstead says
Tania……remiss of me!!! If pants are comfy……ABSOLUTELY!!!! Plus your outfit sounds so lovely……go for it!!!!!!! The day is about you feeling comfortable, that way you will really enjoy yourself xox
Sharyn says
For my niece’s wedding coming up soon I will be wearing a magenta lace dress similar to the Alannah Hill one pictured in your blog with black patent accessories. I know it will suit my colouring, body shape and style after having been shopping with you. I think it will look very stylish and elegant. Thank you for the great advice.
Cindy Newstead says
Sounds amazing Sharyn – make sure you send us a picture! Would love to see the outfit 🙂
elli says
Great information
Cindy Newstead says
Thanks so much Elli! Glad you enjoyed the blog! xo