Virtual showroom
Book an appointment
Stores
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Marlboro | Source
Whether you’re a bride planning the big day or a guest looking for the perfect wedding guest attire, wedding dress codes can be tricky.
How should a wedding guest dress for a black-tie event?
What does casual attire at a wedding even mean?
Is there really a difference between semi-formal and cocktail?
We get it! Wedding dress codes have subtle differences, and we’re about to crack the code for each one.
From white-tie weddings to casual barn receptions to garden party formals, here’s every wedding dress code explained.
White-Tie Wedding
A white-tie event is the crème de la crème, as fancy as it gets. It’s black-tie with extra ‘ooh la la.’ Like you’re dressing for a ball at some royal palace.
White-tie is formal wedding attire at its finest. So always opt for a floor-length gown and accessorize with your finest, sparkliest jewelry. Guys should wear black tuxedos with a tailcoat, a white shirt, a white vest or cummerbund, and a white bow tie.
White-tie weddings are exquisite, high-end formal events. You can even don top hats or gloves!
Mac Duggal 48803 Dress
The Mac Duggal 48803 dress is white-tie-ready, featuring a satin ball gown silhouette. It also features a stunning beaded bodice and shimmering rhinestone details.
Black-Tie Wedding
Formal and fancy, black-tie attire is one of the most common wedding dress codes.
This code calls for tuxedos with black bow ties for the guys and grand, full-length gowns for women. Pay attention to hair and makeup too, as black-tie weddings require a refined, polished look.
Jovani 45945 Gown
The Jovani 45945 gown features a mermaid silhouette, a one-shoulder bodice, and draped, pleated details. It’s absolutely perfect for a black-tie celebration!
Bella Bridesmaids has hundreds of dress options from top designers. Discover the perfect bridesmaid dress styles to match your dress code!
Black-Tie Optional Wedding
Black-tie optional is similar to black tie, but allows men to wear a tuxedo with a black or cream jacket, or a dark suit. Women can wear a full-length gown or a chic midi dress, but should always look elegant and sophisticated.
By Watters Portobello Dress
With a floral brocade pattern that adds color and texture, the By Watters Portobello dress is ideal for a black-tie optional reception.
Read also: The Levels of Formal Wedding Attire: What to Wear
Cocktail Wedding
You’re in for a treat if the wedding invite says cocktail attire.
While it's still a formal dress code, cocktail attire means you can skip the evening gown and wear a midi or knee-length dress instead. Guys typically wear dark, tailored suits, but dress pants with a sport coat or suit jacket also work.
Women should complete their look with cute heels or dressy flats, sparkling jewelry, and a great little clutch. If you’re not in the mood to wear a dress, pantsuits and jumpsuits are great alternatives.
Amsale Storm Dress
The Amsale Storm dress in fluid satin features a halter silhouette with an open back. This dress is an effortless choice for a cocktail-attire wedding.
Semi-Formal Wedding
Many couples request that their guests wear semi-formal attire, and it’s one of the easiest wedding dress codes to nail.
Midi dresses and silhouettes that hit at or around the knee are ideal for women. Guys will look most appropriate in a suit or a pair of dress pants with a sport coat or blazer.
Jumpsuits and pantsuits are also appropriate options, as are separates, such as a chic skirt with a pretty blouse or a tailored jacket.
Jenny Yoo Luella Dress
With a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and flared A-line midi skirt, we love the Jenny Yoo Luella dress. We especially adore the dreamy mint green color called Morning Mist.
Casual Wedding
If you see casual attire on the invite, it doesn’t mean you should wear your favorite jeans or finest high-rise yoga pants. A casual dress code means comfortable yet well put together, not sloppy or sporty.
Think sundress and sandals. Or a cute pencil skirt, trousers, or dress
pants paired with a blazer, white T-shirt, or button-down shirt. For a casual wedding, it’s best to choose an outfit that leans more dressy casual than to show up looking underdressed.
LulaKate Eva Bodice with Straight Mini Skirt
Casual but polished, the LulaKate Eva Bodice with Straight Mini Skirt is unfussy in a strapless silhouette with a subtle floral pattern.
Discover some of our other outfit-inspired posts:
Groom & Groomsmen | Female Usher | Mother of the Bride | Mother of the Groom | Father of the Bride
Consider the Dress Code and the Venue
When shopping for wedding guest attire, meeting the dress code is key, but it’s also important to consider the venue and location.
Certain settings lend themselves to certain looks!
Barn Wedding
Barn weddings generally don’t call for white-tie attire, but that doesn’t mean you should go full cowboy, either.
Flowy dresses in pretty colors and floral prints are ideal for barn weddings. They can be knee-length, midi, or floor-length, depending on the season and the dress code on the wedding invitation (or wedding website).
Smith & Quinn Clementine Dress
We love the pretty floral print, tie-shoulder straps, and tiered A-line skirt of the Smith & Quinn Clementine dress. It’s the ideal choice for a formal barn wedding in spring or summer.
Beach Wedding
Beach weddings are always gorgeous, but what to wear depends as much on the dress code as it does on the season and location.
Plan your outfit according to the region. The more tropical the location, the more important it is to choose lightweight, breathable fabrics and lighter colors.
Jenny Yoo Thea Dress
In a breezy swing silhouette, we love the Jenny Yoo Thea dress for a casual beach wedding — but ONLY if it’s an all-white theme!
Garden Party
Garden party attire isn’t a dress code per se, nor does it always mean that the wedding will take place in a garden. But it does have a very particular vibe.
Regardless of the level of formality, garden party weddings are perfect for florals and botanical prints. The vibe is joyful, so opt for soft pastels or bright hues instead of your tried-and-true LBD.
Kay Unger Regina Dress
A bold rose print and a structured, tea-length silhouette make the Kay Unger Regina dress ideal for a garden party motif with a semi-formal or black-tie-optional dress code.
Destination Wedding
A destination wedding is another word for vacation! Destination weddings offer new experiences and memories, and the right outfits can make them even more memorable.
No matter where you’re going, do your research on the location, the weather, and the venue. For international weddings with religious or cultural components, research those as well.
For example, at a Hindu wedding, women are encouraged to choose bright, joyful colors and usually wear a saree or a pantsuit. For a wedding in China, brides typically wear red, so never choose a red dress.
Non-Traditional Wedding
Some couples love a theme, and if you’ve been invited to a themed wedding, embrace it!
From circus weddings to Star Wars nuptials to masquerade balls, find a wedding-guest look that’s appropriate for the theme yet makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Want to make sure you’re dressing the part on the big day? Read our post What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest: Dos and Don'ts for tips.
Dressing for the occasion is important, as it helps bring the couple’s wedding-day vision to life. And with so many wedding guest dresses to choose from, it’s easy to find wedding looks to suit every imaginable dress code, venue, location, and season.
Join us on social media for more wedding tips, ideas, and inspo:
