Am I the only one who has a hard time figuring out what to wear to a wedding? As a wedding guest, trying to find the perfect dress that is comfortable, weather-appropriate, and works with the wedding dress code is such a pain. I think I had an easier time finding my wedding dress!
As the person getting married, you may also find it difficult to figure out which dress code to pick for your wedding day. In this blog post, I will run through all of the dress codes and give you some outfit examples to make it easier for you to pick the appropriate dress code for your wedding.
One thing to note: A lot of couples are unsure whether to include the dress code on their invitations but I think it’s very important. Your guests don’t know the exact vibe of your wedding or your venue, so it helps with their decision-making. It also will help ease some of their fears of over- or under-dressing.
Related: When should I send wedding invitations?
Let’s start with the most casual to the fanciest of the schmanciest.
Casual Attire
Casual attire is just that: casual. However, this wouldn’t include jeans, shorts, or t-shirts/tank tops. Think more like “Sunday Best”. A casual dress code could work well if your wedding takes place outdoors, in a barn, at a park, in a casual restaurant, or in a brewery. This is also a great option for a beach wedding. You could even include that guests could go barefoot if they want to.
Casual dress codes may include clothing choices such as:
- Skirts or summer dresses
- Wedges
- Dressy sandals
- Collared shirts/Polos/Button downs
- Khaki pants
- Sport jackets
Semi-Formal
This is probably the most common type of attire. Also known as “dressy casual,” semi-formal attire suits weddings that want to focus on play and polish. Picture what you might wear to a nice restaurant or a fancy first date.
Examples of a dressy casual wedding dress code may include:
- Dress shirt and slacks with an optional tie
- Skirt and blouse
- A knee-length dress
- Tasteful pantsuit or jumpsuit
- For daytime weddings, you can do lighter colors and for evening weddings you can do darker hues.
Cocktail
Cocktail dress codes may be a fun option while still maintaining an air of sophistication. Basically, a cocktail dress code invites guests to dress up in ways that make them feel fancy and not stuffy.
If your wedding takes place in an outdoor garden, a rooftop bar, or a light and airy venue, a cocktail dress code could fit in very nicely.
Some examples of cocktail attire include:
- Shorter, flirty cocktail dresses that fall to the knee (flowy or formfitting) or a dressy jumpsuit
- Suit and tie
- Comfortable, dressy shoes
- A stylish jacket
Formal or Black-Tie Optional:
This attire is a more formal style, but not necessarily a full black-tie wedding. Some options include:
- A full suit and tie for men, preferably in a darker color. They could also wear a tuxedo
- Men could switch out their bow tie for a nice necktie
- Women could wear a longer dress, or a shorter dress (above or below the knees) rather than a floor-length evening gown
Black-Tie
Black-tie is the most common of the very formal styles of wedding attire. If your wedding involves a gorgeous cathedral, ballroom, or elegant dining room, a black-tie dress code may fit perfectly into this elegant aesthetic.
Options include:
- Formal to semi-formal floor-length dresses made with quality fabric (velvet, chiffon, silk, lace). Preferably in a darker color
- Pantsuit is another good option for women
- Elegant heels
- Well-fitted black or navy suit jacket with a lapel
- Vest
- Black bowtie
- Men could also opt for tuxedos with a black bow tie and optional cummerbund
- Classy dress shoes
White tie
Lastly, the most formal wedding dress code, we have the white tie wedding. A white tie event means dressing in your ABSOLUTE finest. Think Bridgerton without the wigs.
Your guests should dress in:
- Formal floor-length gown (no exceptions)
- Dazzling jewelry
- Heels
- Clutch
- Tiara (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
- Tuxedo with tails
- White vest
- Tuxedo pants
- White bowtie
- Polished dress shoes
Some extra tips:
- Include on your invitation if it is an outdoor wedding so guests can plan their shoes, how flowy their dress will be, as well as hairdos!
- Another way to hint at the formality of a wedding is with your invitations. If you send a very informal and fun invitation, guests will expect the wedding to be casual as well.
I hope this has helped answer some questions about wedding attire for you. As always, let me know if you have any questions!
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