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Wedding Outfit Dress Code: What to Wear and What to Avoid

It’s wedding season! Everyone knows that your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. A ton of planning goes into it, and a lot of effort is made to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day.  

But there’s one thing the bride, groom, and their wedding planning party can’t control—what the guests wear on the day. And nothing can ruin a good friendship quite like turning up for a wedding dressed in something the bride or groom thinks is inappropriate!  

So if you’re planning on attending any weddings this season, here’s a quick guide to the wedding outfit dress code. We all like to look and feel great, but just a bit of thought can prevent those awkward moments that might turn into a loss of friendship.  

Understanding the Wedding Dress Code

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to dressing for a wedding. You can get as creative as you want, but remember… This isn’t your day to shine, unless you’re the  bride or groom. This is the key to making sure you’re dressed appropriately.  

On your wedding invite, there should be a “dress code”, which will give you an indication of what sort of vibe the wedding will be. 

  • Black Tie: Strictly formal… Think tuxedos and ball gowns!  
  • Semi-Formal: Less formal, but still requires dressing up. Suits, ties, and cocktail dresses.  
  • Casual: Anything goes, within reason of course. Jeans, sundresses, shorts, sneakers… Anything comfortable.  
  • Themed: Here, you can get creative as long as it’s within the theme. Eg. Bohemian, 80s, and so on.  

What if nothing is mentioned on the wedding invitation? Then you may have to do a bit of detective work to figure out what the appropriate dress code is. It’s worth the time… You don’t want to be the only one who turns up in a tux or cocktail dress to a casual event! Consider:  

 

  • The time of day: Black tie events are more often held in the evening, while other styles can be held at any time. This isn’t a foolproof way of telling, though, so we recommend also looking at…  
  • The location: This might give you a better indication of how to dress. If the wedding is at a country club, church, or a fancy hotel, it’s likely to be a more formal affair. If it’s on a beach or at someone’s home, it may be more on the casual side.  

 

Ultimately, the best way to know for sure is to ask!  

What to Avoid When Choosing a Wedding Outfit

The biggest key to understanding what NOT to wear is to make sure you don’t upstage the bride. It might sound petty, but trust us… No bride wants to have that one friend who arrives looking like they’re attending the Oscars.  

Be modest and conservative! Here are a few specific things to avoid.

Be modest and conservative

The Colour White

It’s considered bad luck for a guest to wear white, because it’s the traditional wedding dress colour. Even if the bride isn’t wearing white, it’s best just to avoid it. Plus, white gets dirty much faster than other colours.  

Anything Revealing

You probably shouldn’t arrive at someone else’s wedding with too much showing. Outfits that show too much skin or cleavage are likely to be frowned upon… Because it may look like you’re attending the wedding looking for action or admiration instead of supporting and celebrating with the bride or groom!  

Damaged Clothing… Even If It’s Trendy!

Even if the wedding is casual, leave the ripped jeans and stained shoes at home. You still need to look sleek and put together… Not like you just threw on any old thing and hurried there.  

Anything Controversial

This should go without saying, but don’t wear something that can be misconstrued as offensive. Someone else’s wedding is not the place to show off your political views or affiliations, or make a statement about something controversial.  

Something Uncomfortable

This one is for your own comfort! Wearing shoes that hurt your feet or a dress that you constantly have to readjust will only ruin your own enjoyment of the event. You want to be comfortable enough to have a dance and enjoy yourself without being in pain or feeling overly self-conscious.  

Accessories and Beauty Tips  

Don’t feel like you’re restricted to being plain and boring! Accessories are the best way to spice up your own outfit without going overboard and potentially being inappropriate at a wedding.  

 

  • Carry a small bag in a colour that contrasts what you’re wearing.  
  • Choose an eye-catching piece of jewelry to be your main feature (just not a ring).  
  • Opt for plain clothing but wear funky shoes.  
  • Go light and subtle on the makeup.  
  • A pair of sleek sunglasses is a great guys’ accessory.  
  • Stick to one or two tasteful accessories—don’t overdo it.  
  • Make sure it’s not something that’s going to annoy you during the event.

This is the bride’s big day. Consider how you felt at your wedding, or how you’d feel if someone upstaged you because they were wearing something that went overboard! Stick to classy, subtle, and modest and you should be good to go.  

It doesn’t mean you can’t be you. Just be respectful of the people who have invited you to be a part of their special day!  

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