Deciding what to wear to a wedding isn't always an easy task. Once you send your RSVP in the mail, there's a good chance you'll start thinking about the outfit you'll don on the big day. While the invitation will often include a suggested wedding dress code, it can be confusing when it comes time to actually picking an outfit. And, as any seasoned guest knows, the last thing you want to do is procrastinate finalizing your look until it's the night before the wedding and you feel like you have nothing to wear.

Weddings are no longer strictly formal events with a sit-down meal and speeches. Today, many couples are opting for a more relaxed event. With the lines of expectation blurred, working out what to wear as a wedding guest becomes a bit trickier. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing your outfit. The most important of these are the dress code, the season, and the venue where the ceremony is taking place. All of these will have a big impact on what is, and isn’t, appropriate to wear.

In this comprehensive wedding guest style guide, you’ll find tips on choosing exactly what to wear to a wedding (and what not to wear) regardless of the season or the dress code. Read up on our tried-and-true wedding styles tips that will help you pick an outfit to feel your best in. And to give you the easiest shopping experience possible, we’ve also picked out our top choices for each type of wedding dress code to help narrow down your options.

When it comes to wedding fashion etiquette, there are a few rules that'll help you find an outfit that's appropriate and stylish. Brush up on these fool-proof tips below before you start shopping so you know exactly what kind of clothes you can wear to a wedding. These tips will also help you avoid any fashion faux pas on the big day!

Receiving a wedding invitation can be incredibly exciting. With increased optimism surrounding the wedding season this year, a pretty wedding guest dress or jumpsuit is the ticket to feeling your most celebratory and joyful! But, when the dress code leaves you feeling a little clueless, it can also be stressful.

While most wedding invitations include the preferred wedding dress code, it might be hard to decipher exactly what the to-be newly weds envision when it comes to the attire. Plus, with the rise of creative wedding guest attire suggestions (like "dressy casual" for example), you might be stumped when it comes to interpreting what they mean.

To help you find the best wedding guest outfit, we're breaking down exactly what wedding attire wording means. We’re here to help define the most common wedding dress codes, from black-tie to cocktail and casual wedding attire. In this fashion cheat sheet, you'll also find tried-and-true styling hacks that'll help you decode the invitation if you're not sure what certain terms look like on the rack. Brush up on the basics of wedding dress codes below, and use this guide to find an outfit that's perfect for celebrating the couple on their big day.

Many relaxed, outdoor ceremonies and receptions call for casual attire. You might be tempted to think that a casual dress code means anything goes, but that's not necessarily the case. The dress code, which is the most informal of all wedding dress codes, allows you to wear something more laid-back and comfortable. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also look chic.

With backyard and garden weddings on the rise post-pandemic, casual dress codes are starting to be more common. However, it’s important to remember that you are still attending a wedding and that this event requires a certain kind of outfit. As we mentioned already, avoid anything super casual that you would wear every day like tank tops, t-shirts, jeans, flip flops or sneakers. Instead, opt for a dress in a casual fabric or a jumpsuit with chiffon details if the weather is cold. When it comes to your feet, keep things laidback by swapping your usual stilettos for dressy sandals or low wedges.

Also referred to as “smart casual,” the “dressy casual” dress code is a relatively informal type of attire that leaves you with plenty of outfit options.

To nail the look, remember to keep your ensemble elegant and easygoing. Depending on the time of the event, choose an outfit that falls in between formal and casual. Instead of fancy dresses and gowns, try opting for a stylish midi dress. It's encouraged to wear darker, more formal hues for an evening fête, while light colors and fabrics would be appropriate for a daytime wedding. As for footwear, stick to sandals, wedges, or block heels.

Semi-formal and cocktail attire can sometimes be used interchangeably, so you might feel confused when it's time to pick an outfit. Semi-formal attire falls in the gray area between casual and formal, while cocktail attire tends to be a little less dressy than semi-formal. While both dress codes are more sophisticated than smart casual, it is still somewhat relaxed, meaning you can have fun with your outfit.

When it comes to semi-formal, it’s best to let the time and location guide your outfit choice. For example, if the wedding is taking place in the evening, try choosing dark, formal colors and more structured silhouettes. If it is taking place during the day, opt for light tones and breezy fabrics. As this dress code sits a notch above cocktail attire and just below formal attire, when dressing for a semi-formal wedding, aim for understated and elegant looks — think figure-flattering silhouettes, midi dresses, and simple accessories. Overall, do keep your attire crisp. The semi-formal aspect does allow you to dress down, but only slightly.

Heading to a cocktail attire wedding? Get ready to have some fun with your look! While this is one of the more formal wedding dress codes, it also allows you to play around with bright colors, statement accessories, and bold embellishments. Cocktail attire is all about creating a party-ready look while keeping it classy.

For dresses, cocktail-length is a must—that means a knee-length hemline or something longer that hits above the ankles. A trusty LBD always works (and if you don't have one, this is a great time to invest). If you don't want to wear a dress, a tailored jumpsuit is a chic alternative. Finally, it's time to add accessories, which is where the cocktail attire theme can really shine. Bedazzled clutches and eye-catching jewelry will give your ensemble a final bit of pizzazz and personality.  

Simply put, a formal wedding means you’re not required to wear a long dress and that you can show off your ankles if you want to. But if the invitation says “black-tie optional,” the bride and groom really mean that they want you to wear something extra fancy, but you don’t necessarily have to. When it comes to formal attire, wedding guests have slightly more flexibility with hemlines, colors and patterns than traditional black-tie attire. For a formal or black-tie optional wedding, you can wear very fancy cocktail dresses instead of floor-length dresses, but avoid anything with revealing cutouts or hemlines above the knee.

The time of day the event is taking place can also be a helpful indicator of what the wedding dress code means. Evening weddings often imply a more formal wedding style. In that case, you might consider an outfit that feels a little more upscale. Or, for a formal wedding in the early afternoon, it's perfectly appropriate to trade the evening gown for something on the less-formal end of the black-tie spectrum. Remember to look classy and polished, but don't wear something overly embellished or fancy that you take away from the bride.

Black-tie wedding attire is a highly formal wedding dress code and can be somewhat ambitious to tackle. Black-tie weddings typically take place in the evening and call for an elegant appearance. It's important to note that black-tie wedding attire is one of the stricter dress codes that leaves little room for interpretation. As such, female wedding guests are expected to wear more formal, floor-length dresses.

Attending a wedding with a black-tie dress code is a great opportunity to elevate your outfit with accessories too. You can't go wrong with pieces that add sparkle to your outfit. Refined jewelry like pearls or diamonds are the best options to dress up an evening gown.

If you're still stuck on what black-tie wedding attire looks like, you can never be too overdressed. When in doubt, a dark, simple long dress is a safe choice. But, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with trendy colors. As you're choosing what to wear to a formal wedding, remember that erring on the side of caution with a more elegant look is always a reliable choice.