Wedding Style Guide: What to a Wedding as a Guest

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!

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!

1. Keep the dress code in mind!

The dress code is the most important factor to take into consideration when choosing what to wear to a wedding. Typically the couple will set a wedding dress code to match a particular theme or the venue and will make a note of it on the invitation.

Understanding the wedding dress code is key for picking an appropriate outfit. To help you distinguish what the different dress codes mean, keep reading or jump to the dress codes section of this style guide. Once you know what different dress codes mean, you'll be able to make an informed decision on what to wear to a wedding.

Remember, the happy couple will have specified a dress code for a reason. This could be because it’s appropriate for the venue their wedding is being held at, or because it matches their chosen aesthetic.

2. Consider the event's location

The location of the wedding can offer some clues as to what you should wear to the wedding. For instance, your outfit for an outdoor garden wedding will be different from what you wear for an evening celebration at an upscale ballroom.

The venue can also indicate what kind of shoes you should wear too. If you’re outside, opt for a chunky heel or comfortable kitten heels for walking purposes. If you’re indoors, you can’t go wrong with some sexy high heels!

Pro Tip: Do some research on the venue so you know what to expect. Look for photos on the venue’s website or social media pages to help you understand what clothes and shoes are appropriate to wear to a wedding on their property.

It’s also important to respect religious venues. Most places of worship have specific rules around what is and isn’t acceptable to wear. For example, religious weddings held in churches typically require shoulders to be covered, so it may be a good idea to bring a light shawl to wrap around your shoulders and arms during the ceremony. Other religious ceremonies may even require you to cover your head/hair. If you’re unsure, ask the bride or groom for more clarification.

3. Consider the season the event is going to be held in

In addition to the dress code, the season of the wedding can give further fashion insight too. The season will indicate whether or not you should bring a light shawl, wear closed-toe heels or include a coat with your outfit. To help you accessorize a wedding outfit for the season, keep reading or jump to the seasons section of this style guide. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to switch up your accessories to fit the season!

4. Consider the event’s time of day

Another thing to consider is the time of day the wedding is held. If it’s held in the early afternoon, you may get away with shorter sleeve styles. If it’s in the evening, you might want to consider full length styles or even a light cardigan.

5. Start with what’s in your closet

Shop in your own closet first before you head to the stores or start shopping online. See if there’s something there that you might want to use. Maybe it’s a dress you have tucked away in the back of your closet or it’s a statement necklace that you love. Take an audit of what you currently own so that you know what’s missing and what you need to purchase.

6. Choose styles that flatter your body shape

The first step to feeling good in the clothes that you wear is knowing your body shape. Dressing for a big event like a wedding is no different! If you haven’t already, read our guide on how to determine and dress for your body shape for more information.

7. Avoid wearing white

Consider this the golden rule of wedding guest attire. Unless explicitly directed on the wedding invitation or the couple's wedding website, avoid wearing an all-white outfit. It's acceptable to wear a dress or a jumpsuit with a hint of white as long as it's not the main color, but remember to use your best judgment. No one wants to be accused of stealing focus, or worse still, being confused with the bride by a distant relative or the catering staff.

8. Skip overly casual pieces you would wear everyday

As a general rule of thumb, it's advised to skip wearing overly casual pieces like t-shirts, flip-flops, jeans or sneakers.

9. A wedding is a marathon, not a sprint!

Don’t forget to take comfort into account. Remember that weddings are long days often starting in the morning and going into the late evening. It can involve a lot of standing, sitting, and in some cases, running around after small children. It’s important to consider how you will be moving throughout the day when choosing your wedding guest outfit.

10. Shop for your wedding outfit early

Being the best dressed wedding guest takes time and effort. Don’t leave your wedding outfit shopping until the last minute! There’s nothing worse than coming up on the week of a wedding and feeling like you have nothing to wear.