Got a wedding invitation, and already signed, sealed, delivered the RSVP card. Now it’s time to plan your look as wedding guest.
In order to ensure your attire is appropriate for the party, double-check the invitation about the dress code.
If a dress code isn’t specified on the wedding invitation, you can generally gauge the type of soirée — and, therefore, how to dress for the wedding — based on the reception venue.
If you’re still unsure what to wear to a wedding after researching the venue, we recommend searching the geotag on social media to see what others have worn in the past. Still puzzled?
Here are 8 Wedding Dress Codes and What They Really Mean to help you pick out the perfect ensemble.
01 Casual
A “casual” wedding could be as same as a night out or fancy brunch, you should still approach it with grace. At least don’t go to with basketball shorts and flip-flops.
What to wear to casual wedding?
It may be a casual wedding, but you still want to look nice for the happy couple.
Wear something you’d wear meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time.
For a daytime casual wedding, an airy linen set or dress or an easy button-up and dark beige shorts.
For a nighttime casual wedding, opt for longer pants or a dress.
02 Semi-Formal
In short, a “semi-formal” wedding dress code to be “just a notch below cocktail, like you’re going to a fancier restaurant for dinner, but in a way that’s a little less buttoned-up.
What to wear to a semi-formal wedding?
As far as fabrics silk, but you can bring your hemline shorter than knee length if you like. Or a suit over a button-down and pants, but feel free to experiment with colors and fabrics. If you want a suave open-collar look, you’ll want to ditch the tie.
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03 Cocktail
Cocktail falls somewhere between semi-formal and fully formal. We can describe cocktail as “what Bond Girls dress in the first time James Bond spies them from across the restaurant.
What to wear to a cocktail wedding party?
Either a sleek suit or dress that falls knee length or lower is a safe bet. A little black dress is always a classic, but monotone colors in materials like lace or chiffon will work as well.
To order this: Green Lace Structure Mid Length Tight Party Dress
04 Formal
Formal weddings is not as strict as black tie affairs when it comes to guest attire. There isn’t much guidance on what to wear other than to avoid anything casual because, well, it’s a formal event.
What to wear to formal wedding party?
Long dresses in deep colors like mauve, emerald, or navy are most often associated with formal weddings.
Fabrics like silk and crepe are always great, a crisp suit and tie are recommended. A full tux isn’t necessary.
To order this: Pink Printed Maxi Sheath Party Dress with Halter Straps
05 Beach Formal
Beach formal is a popular wedding dress code in coastal towns.
What to wear to beach formal wedding?
If you plan to suit up, opting for a light color and linen fabric instead of wool-gray. Bright dress colors are also welcome, including burnt yellows, soft pinks, and fun oranges.
06 Black-Tie Optional
You’re still fancy, but suit-wearers have some leeway.
Black-tie optional means virtually nothing if the plan was always to wear a nice dress. Instead, black-tie optional is essentially calling out suit wearers.
Tux and bow tie is encouraged but not necessary.
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07 Black-Tie
In one word: Fancy.
You’ll want to pull out all the stops for this one — heels, gowns, full tuxedos, the whole nine.
A black-tie wedding dress code calls for something floor length for dress wearers. You shouldn’t be able to see more than the toe of your shoe when you walk. While suit-wearers are expected to swap for a full-on tux.
Since it’s black and not white-tie, cumberbund is highly recommend if you’d like.
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08 White-Tie
If you’re going to a white-tie wedding, don’t expect to see anything less than floor-length gowns and black jackets, coats with tails.
The most formal of wedding dress codes, you have chance to live out your royal dreams with ball gowns in luxurious fabrics like silk and brocade. Opera gloves wouldn’t hurt either.
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