What To Wear On Wedding Day As A Guest?

This wedding guest fashion guide offers expert tips on choosing what to wear and what not to wear to a wedding, for every dress code and season. The most important thing about wedding outfits for guests is not to upstage the bride and groom, so no ball gowns, top hats, or white. The White-Tie is the most formal wedding attire, but accessories like cream clutch bags and fascinators can be used with various shades.

For a black-tie wedding, a tuxedo is optional, but a tuxedo can still be worn if preferred. For a casual wedding guest outfit, consider short, midi, and maxi dresses, jumpsuits, dressy separates, tops and blouses, trousers, jeans, and skirts.

When choosing an outfit for a fall outdoor wedding, use the hues of the season as inspiration for your look. A palette of gold, orange, rust, or sapphire are beautiful colors to wear during this season.

Don’t go too bold with your outfit, as the focus should always be on the bride, not your outfit. Winter wedding guest dresses don’t have to be boring, and velvet floral options can be rent or purchased at a discounted rate.

Can I have bare legs at a wedding?

I have advised readers that while bare legs are fine even at the most formal events, hosiery also is perfectly acceptable as long as its skin tone and sheer. Ive just returned from a wedding where I wore my new bargain ($10!)

This question rolled in just as I was about to issue a bulletin on this very subject…Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My son is getting married in November. I’m wearing a black knee-length sequined sheath. I have an old pair of black sequined pumps that will look fabulous with the dress. I would prefer to wear pantyhose since it is November and also because the shoes are a little tight. Are bare legs still the way to go, or is hosiery OK. And if so, what color would you suggest?

Dear Sharri: I have just refined my advice on this frequent question, thanks to some personal trial and error over the past two weeks. The most frequent questions put to The Angel have something to do with what to wear to a wedding. One common dilemma is whether bare legs are the chic option or is hosiery now OK.

What colors are not appropriate to wear to a wedding?

Here are the colours that are off limits for wedding guest attire.. Any shade of white. OK, this is probably pretty obvious, but you really cant wear white to a wedding. Theres a 99.9% chance that the bride will be sporting a white gown and you definitely dont want to steal the spotlight from her. Keep in mind that this includes all shades in the colour family, from ivory to alabaster, so skip those, too. P.S. If youre wearing a patterned dress with hints of white or a white accessory (like a pocket square or purse), thats A-OK, the point is to avoid an overwhelmingly white outfit.

Gold (and other metallics). Now, you may think dressing up as an Academy Award statue is fine, but you should probably save that number for another event (like NYE). Not only is gold a flashy choice that may keep eyes glued to you instead of the happy couple, but it may also rival what the bride is wearing if shes opted for a champagne or light gold dress (both options are pretty popular in the wedding dress world). P.S. this goes for other metallic shades, like rose gold and silver, too.

Light pastels. Sorry pastel-lovers, but basically all ultra-light colours are also off limits when it comes to wedding guest attire. Yes, a pale blue or a muted pink is fine, but if the colour is working its way to white, you should swap it for something else. Unsure if your look is too light? Try snapping a pic of it in the sun. If you can barely make out the hue of your outfit, its time to go back to the drawing board.

What colors to wear to a wedding as a guest?

If youre looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate. For a more glamorous look, pastels such as lavender, light pink, or pale blue will add a touch of elegance to your outfit.

Is it okay to wear black to a wedding?

The Final Takeaway. As long as its not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, youcanwear black to a wedding. Depending onwherethe couple is exchanging vows, whichseasontheir special day is taking place in, and whattime of dayeverything begins, black may or may not be your best color option. That being said, if black is what makes you feel your best, and no one or nothing is telling you otherwise, reach for your favorite LBD and dont look back.

Is black ok to wear to a wedding?

As a general rule, wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile, says bridal stylist Julie Sabatino of The Stylish Bride. Make the shade work for you—at any type of wedding—with these ideas for choosing the right fabrice, length, and accessories.

Consider the Location. In the metropolitan Northeast—think New York and Boston—its very common to see women in little black dresses or evening gowns at weddings, Arons explains. In the South, however, its much less common, which is why she suggests wearing a colorful dress to a wedding in this region.

If youre lucky enough to attend a destination wedding in European or tropical locales, Arons recommends looking to the regions surroundings to inform your outfit: An oceanside event in the Bahamas, for example, calls for bright, punchy colors, while an affair at a castle in France might call for something regal, like jewel tones.

Can I wear normal clothes in wedding?

Your Everyday Attire. It doesnt matter if the dress code requests casual attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual. That is honoring the occasion in my mind, she says.

At Avrumsons own wedding, where the temperatures topped 90 degrees, a male guest wore a T-shirt under his suit. I couldnt really be upset over it because of the weather, and because its more important that everyone have a good time, she says. However, she does draw the line at too-casual bags. Big faux pas for me: If youre going to be in a beautiful dress, I beg that you have a proper handbag and not the same bag you go shopping with, she says.

Revealing Outfits. Never wear something with a lot of exposed skin, says Sabatino. Crop tops, dresses with mesh on the sides, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding. A skimpy outfit will attract negative attention from other guests and take attention away from the bride; it also doesnt match the solemnity of the occasion.

What should we never wear as a wedding guest?

Your Everyday Attire. It doesnt matter if the dress code requests casual attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual. That is honoring the occasion in my mind, she says.

At Avrumsons own wedding, where the temperatures topped 90 degrees, a male guest wore a T-shirt under his suit. I couldnt really be upset over it because of the weather, and because its more important that everyone have a good time, she says. However, she does draw the line at too-casual bags. Big faux pas for me: If youre going to be in a beautiful dress, I beg that you have a proper handbag and not the same bag you go shopping with, she says.

Revealing Outfits. Never wear something with a lot of exposed skin, says Sabatino. Crop tops, dresses with mesh on the sides, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding. A skimpy outfit will attract negative attention from other guests and take attention away from the bride; it also doesnt match the solemnity of the occasion.

Is it OK to wear black to a daytime wedding?

However, thats all it is: an assumption. “Can you wear black to a wedding? You definitely can!” says bridal stylist Anny Choi. “The rule feels antiquated. Black is a great staple option that you can rewear to different weddings. I actually just invested in a classic black suiting option that will be my go-to for fall weddings.” Alexandra Macon, Vogue contributor and co-founder of Over-The-Moon, agrees: It is perfectly acceptable, and chic, to wear black to a wedding—as long as its festive and not funereal, she says.

What is acceptable to wear to a wedding as a guest?

• White Tie: The most formal dress code, requiring a full-length gown for women and a tailcoat, black trousers, wing-collared shirt, waistcoat, and bow tie for men.
• Black Tie: Men should wear a tuxedo, while women can choose a floor-length gown or elegant cocktail dress.
• Black Tie Optional: This dress code allows for a tuxedo or a dark suit for men, and a floor-length gown or cocktail dress for women.
• Cocktail Attire: Women should wear a knee-length or midi dress, and men can opt for a dark suit with a dress shirt.
• Semi-Formal: For daytime weddings, women can wear a knee-length or midi dress, while men can wear a lighter-colored suit. For evening events, opt for darker colors and more formal attire.
• Dressy Casual: Women can wear a casual dress or separates, while men should wear dress pants with a collared shirt and blazer.

2. Seasonal Wedding Attire. Seasonal factors also play a role in choosing your outfit. Keep these guidelines in mind for each season:

• Summer: Opt for light, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, and chiffon. Consider sundresses, midi dresses, or short-sleeved shirts with dress pants.
• Fall: Embrace jewel tones and rich fabrics like velvet and silk. A jumpsuit, maxi dress, or knee-length cocktail dress is appropriate, along with dark suits for men.
• Winter: Choose formal attire, such as floor-length gowns or tuxedos. Consider adding a faux fur shawl or wrap for warmth.
• Spring: Incorporate pastel colors and floral prints in your attire, with knee-length dresses, suits, and floral accents.

Can a woman wear pants to a wedding?

Can you wear pants to a wedding? Pants are totally acceptable. Here are some ways to wear pants to a wedding with confidence.

What do you wear to a wedding on a day?

Before shopping, guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Indian fashion terminology. Lehengas and sarees are the most common options for women. A lehenga is a two-piece outfit that includes a top (usually cropped) with a full, high-waisted skirt. A saree is a long piece of fabric, often made of silk, thats used to wrap around the body. Men are encouraged to wear a sherwani, which is a long coat-like top. Traditional weddings can be broken up into different categories and different regions in India, says Patel. Say if the family is from the west side of India, then they have a different attire that the women wear, which is traditionally a saree. If they are from the state of Punjab, then they traditionally wear punjabi suits a three-piece outfit or a lehenga. South Indian wedding guests typically wear a saree.

However, its important to note that traditional dress is not always a requirement. While guests should always look for specific dress code requirements on the couples invitation or wedding website, alternative outfits—like a bright-colored pantsuit or jumpsuit—can be appropriate as well. Guests are invited to be themselves. There is no expectation for you to wear Indian clothes to an Indian wedding, adds Gohel. If you are not comfortable wearing traditional Indian clothes, any cocktail dress or ensemble that you would wear to a Western wedding is suitable. Given the unique opportunity, however, to experience culture in its richest form, guests should consider wearing traditional Indian wedding attire if they feel comfortable.

What to Wear to Different Ceremonies. Typically, traditional Indian weddings last for three days. The first day includes a Ganesha Pooja, a Hindu ceremony that takes place at home with close family and friends. The second day is for the sangeet (or Mehendi ceremony), where the bride and groom are joined by their loved ones for an evening dancing and celebrating. This is often when the bride has henna tattoos designed on her hands and feet. The wedding ceremony takes place in the morning on the third day, and is followed by a reception in the evening.