Tips on What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest

by Karen

During the planning process of a wedding, the bride, of course, has to decide on a wedding gown. Wedding salons, stylists, friends and fashion magazines are of course eager to help her in the process. But what about the guests? Not much help exists in choosing what to wear. If you are invited to the wedding, it's important to choose the appropriate attire for the occasion. Your choice could depend on many factors and the invitation card may hold the key about the affair. Watch for phrases like "black tie wedding" or "Garden Wedding". And if you don't find any clues in the invitation, read on as we are the only ones eager to help you become the guest who brings a little color to a white wedding. 

Official Reception

The clothing for guests of a formal wedding reception should be appropriate. Women should wear evening gowns as Ball dresses have lost their popularity and may make you look a bit outdated. A stunning casual dress may also be a wonderful option as they have gained popularity as of late, but of course they should be appropriate for the occasion. The general style of the wedding has great importance also. If it’s a jazz party theme, then the style is likely that of the roaring twenties, which means you should choose a hot flapper or a vintage inspired drop waist alternative. Your outfit should support the general style of the wedding party but don't be afraid to put a little bit of your own flair into it. If the wedding is less formal, then let season, weather and of your course your own preference tell you what you wear. The degree of kinship with the bride or groom is also relevant. For example, if you are a close friend of the bride or are the groom's sister, do not hesitate to dress more stylishly. If you are the mother of the groom, mother of the bride, or even grandma of the bride, a simple online search will offer many results for you to choose from. If you are just a friend, you can safely choose a casual evening dress to your liking.

Spring Wedding

For creating a spring mood, draw your attention to bright colors and light fabrics. Flounces, frills, embroidery, loose silhouette are elements to watch out for. Do not choose a white colour for anyone's wedding, it's not a good idea for obvious reasons, ivory would be more appropriate. The dress should not be a mini, tea length would be much more appropriate for a romantic dress. In the spring, elegant stylish dresses will be better than corsets and ball skirts. Vintage styles from the 1920s and 1930s are mildly sexy, and can make a woman look more like a gentle nymph than a vamp. And this is exactly what you need for creating the proper spring mood. For men, appliance repair guy garb should generally be avoided as this is a soft festive occasion. With that said, clothes that they usually wear to a church or a business office are sufficient. An elegant shirt with slacks and a tie should do the trick. Jackets are optional and depend on the wishes of the wedding ceremony hosts.

Summer Wedding

Summer weddings are great for a sexy low-cut evening number. But please should remember the golden rule - to bare your top you should close your bottom. Try on a few summer dresses, ones with shoulder straps in butter, blue or pink are fantastic options. Full length vintage dresses of the twenties with embroidery and ruffles on the bottom of the skirt will look absolutely stunning. More glamorous vintage evening dresses of the forties in beige, gold or cream are also wonderful selections. And men should wear suits in bright colors, unless of course the invitation card has instructions about a less formal dress code.

Autumn Wedding

If the wedding is scheduled for autumn you can choose more vibrant colors such as variations of red, blue or green. More classic colors such as cream or beige are also acceptable. Autumn frees you to wear more sexy outfits. A little more cleavage, a slightly higher slit on the skirt, or even sheer chiffon are all appropriate and, at times, a necessity! Welcome to the glamorous vintage of thirties and the mature romance of vintage dresses worn by women who know what they want.

Winter Wedding

One huge upside to a winter wedding is being able to outshine a basic outfit with stylish outerwear. A Vintage velvet coat or prom lace jacket, depending on the weather, are solid choices for a winter wedding. Colors can be roughly the same as for the fall, except black and white contrasts can be thrown in the mix. Men can relax a bit, wearing a beautiful sweater instead of a jacket. When you are choosing a dress for a wedding, it is better to be guided by your personal taste and common sense. Be a little bit more conservative than usual - as if you were going to church. And then your choice would certainly be relevant, convenient and attractive.

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