Wedding season has finally arrived!
With the return of warmer weather, also comes the arrival of endless invites to nuptials of friends, family, and loved ones. After the questions of what to gift and where to stay, comes the biggie… WHAT DO I WEAR?
There are several things I like to take in to consideration when choosing the ideal ensemble for such an occasion, which I’ve elaborated on below 🙂
Formality – I’ve been to a more traditional formal wedding, where people wore gowns and tux’s, and most recently, a country chic casual wedding where the bride and groom wore cowboy boots. As with being an attendee at any event, it’s important to understand the formality of the gathering. The invitation is the first hint you’ll get, and can suggest which direction to go in. Some invitations are very helpful as to include suggestions on the level of fanciness, which is always appreciated.
If you have no hint of formality from the invite, the next things to consider are location and timing. A church setting would denote a more demure look might be appreciated, while a beach wedding cries out for airy fabrics and light colors. The same goes for timing… The earlier in the day, generally, the more casual the event. A day dress with flats could fly for an early afternoon wedding, while darker colors, heavier fabrics and heels often work best for evening services.
When you’re still not sure of formality, go for something middle of the road, such as these dresses above, but add something extra with the accessories.. A statement necklace or cocktail ring, and some great heels.
Patterns & Fabrics – Light, airy fabrics work so well for most spring and summer weddings because they allow for movement when you’re walking and, more importantly, dancing! I prefer fabrics like silk or lace for this effect, and would say to avoid fabrics like linen which wrinkle so easily. You’ll be doing a lot of sitting, and butt creases are not attractive.
I’m actually a big fan of wearing prints to a wedding! Something lively and fun (floral prints are the frontrunner here!), but not too loud or vibrant. Animal prints to me are a no-go, as well as most stripes and polka dots, because they’re generally too distracting and no one wants that from their wedding guests!
In terms of colors, a bright shade can work if it’s a solid. I generally will try to find out what the wedding colors are in advance so I can have an idea of what the bridesmaids will be wearing, so as to not get confused with them and take away from their significance. White, cream, and all similar shades are, of course, off limits. A floral print dress with a white background can work, as long as the overall effect of the look is colorful.
This dress from Parker is pretty perfect.. It does have a white background, but the abstract floral print in gorgeous shades of purple and green is what comes through.
Length – Length to me is the easiest part of getting dressed for a wedding! I prefer not to wear anything more than 2 inches above the knee, for reasons of comfort when sitting and to be respectful. If you want to show some skin, I like the idea of a hi-lo dress, sheer skirt with shorter slip underneath, or handkerchief hem.
Overall, the goal of wedding guest dressing is to show that you’ve put some effort in, but without taking attention away from the bride and the wedding party. And no matter what you choose to wear, make sure that you always arrive wearing a smile! It sounds cheesy, but a happy guest is what the bride & groom really want to see.
Side note: I’m such a big fan of renting dresses for big events, especially from Rent the Runway. I have the unlimited membership, which includes insurance for anything I rent… If someone spills their cocktail down the front of my dress, it’s covered. If someone steps on my hem while dancing and rips it, it’s covered and I can just send the dress back and not feel like I’m out a couple hundred dollars for a dress I may have only worn once anyway!
A few more options to consider..
What are your go-to looks for weddings?
Thanks for reading 😀
