What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest: Dos and Don'ts

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Greenville | Clay Austin

Fashion rules are ever-changing and becoming more flexible. However, if you’ve been invited to someone’s wedding, you should know that there are still a few important wedding guest dress rules to follow.

Regardless of the couple’s style, venue, or dress code, there are general wedding guest dos and don’ts that apply.

From choosing the right color to selecting the right dress length, these guidelines may seem somewhat restrictive. But knowing them makes it much easier to choose a wedding guest dress that will make you look amazing and appropriate for the occasion.

Ready to be the best-dressed wedding guest of the season?

Here’s how to decide what to wear to a wedding, plus some of our favorite wedding guest outfits for women:

How To Select the Perfect Wedding Guest Look

 

Before we dive into those all-so-important dos and don’ts, here are a few simple rules to keep in mind when choosing a wedding guest dress:

• • Consider the level of formality and the dress code: Whether the invitation calls for semi-formal, casual, or black-tie dress, always select an outfit that meets the dress code.
• • Consider the season: From fabric to color to silhouette, always choose a wedding guest dress that suits the season.
• • Consider the venue: Generally, the more upscale the venue, the more upscale your look should be.

 

DO NOT Wear White

 

Unless the wedding invitation specifically asks you to wear white, do not wear white or any shade of ivory, cream, ecru, or vanilla. If the wedding isn’t a “white party,” the bride should be the only one in a white dress.

DO Follow the Dress Code

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Nashville | Melanie Dunn

Select wedding attire that adheres to the wedding dress code. When in doubt, it’s better to dress up more than needed. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed for someone’s special day!

Here’s a quick rundown of what the most popular wedding dress codes require:

• • Formal black-tie wedding or white-tie wedding: Wear an evening gown
• • Black-tie optional wedding: Wear a long dress
• • Cocktail wedding: Wear a cocktail dress
• • Semi-formal wedding: Wear a midi dress or a knee-length dress
• • Casual wedding or beach wedding: Wear a shorter dress, a fun floral print, or a casual maxi dress

 

DO NOT Wear the Same Color as the Wedding Party

 

If possible, avoid wearing the wedding party color(s). If you’re attending a wedding as a plus one and don’t know the couple or the bridesmaids, this might not be possible. But if you do know the color of the bridesmaid dresses, avoid wearing a similar hue.

Related: What's the Best Color to Wear as a Wedding Guest? 

DO Consider Cultural Traditions

 

If the couple is getting married in a religious institution or following cultural traditions, brush up on the customs and the culture before shopping for an outfit for the big day.

For example, when attending a Jewish wedding, it’s customary to keep your shoulders covered. For a Hindu wedding, modest yet festive dresses in bright colors are the standard.

DO NOT Show Too Much Skin

 

Someone’s wedding day is not the time to wear a short, tight mini dress with a plunging neckline. Keep it tasteful and avoid silhouettes with ultra-short hemlines or big cutouts that reveal too much skin.

On top of dressing properly, accessorize with stylish and sophisticated jewelry and bag options. There’s no need to be crazy over the top with your dress or your accessories. As a wedding guest, it’s better to be modest.

DO Consider the Venue

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Rafal Ostrowski

Researching the venue is one of the best ways to understand the level of formality expected.

For example, a wedding in an elegant hotel ballroom or at a regal estate might call for an ultra-formal dress. Meanwhile, an outdoor wedding on the beach may allow for a more relaxed look.

DO NOT Wear Uncomfortable Shoes

 

Show up prepared to dance at the wedding reception in shoes that you can move in! Regardless of the type of wedding, it’s best to wear comfortable shoes so you can celebrate with the happy couple.

The location and venue should also influence your shoe choice. For an indoor wedding, any type of heel may do, but for a wedding on the beach or on the grass, flats or wedges are the better option.  

DO Dress for the Weather

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Charleston | Reagan Aleea

Select fabrics and colors that are suitable for the weather, season, and time of day.

For fall weddings and winter weddings, fabrics such as velvet, faille, and satin are ideal. Autumnal colors, dark colors, jewel tones, and neutrals are perfect!

For spring weddings and summer weddings, lightweight fabrics like chiffon and crepe, which are breathable and flowy, are your best bet. In warm weather months, pastels and light colors are ideal. You can also wear neutrals, which work in every season.

DO NOT Upstage the Bride

 

It’s best to be a bit more understated than to show up in a couture gown that rivals the bride on her big day. Embrace and showcase your personal style, but keep it within reason. The bride should be the star of the show, not you!

Find the perfect look in our collection of wedding guest dresses!

Some of Our Favorite Wedding Guest Outfits for Women

 

Whether you’re heading to a semi-formal event or a lavish black-tie celebration, here are some wedding guest dresses we think you’ll love:

Jenny Yoo Nicolette Dress

 

Jenny Yoo Nicolette Dress

With a sleeveless bodice and halter neck, the Jenny Yoo Nicolette Dress is a stunner. This luxe satin slip dress is available in various neutral colors, making it a versatile choice for any season. 

There are also more than a dozen lighter colors that are perfect for summer and spring. The midi dress silhouette lends it a chic, modern, and minimalist vibe that works well for any semi-formal celebration.

Don’t love the halter neckline? Check out the Jenny Yoo Kat dress with a cowl neck or the Jenny Yoo Abby dress with an asymmetrical one-shoulder bodice.

Amsale Evening Dress P523

 

Amsale P523 Evening Dress

The Amsale P523 Evening Dress features a strapless, floor-length silhouette with a bow detail. It’s absolutely perfect for a formal wedding or black tie event. 

Though it’s perfectly okay to wear black to a wedding, some women don’t think it’s appropriate to wear black dresses to wedding ceremonies. If you love a dark hue but want to steer clear of black, the cobalt color is a chic alternative.

Mac Duggal 68850

 

Mac Duggal 68850

If versatility is what you love, check out the Mac Duggal 68850 gown. This one-shoulder dress features a tiered A-line silhouette with a pretty floral print and feminine ruffle accents. 

With a pair of heels, you can wear this long dress as formal wedding attire for an upscale event, or you can dress it down for a more casual garden party.

Sachin & Babi Loretta Gown 

 

Sachin & Babi Loretta

The Sachin & Babi Loretta gown is classic, timeless, and oh-so-chic, crafted in crepe fabric with a sleeveless bodice and a deep V-neckline. This long dress creates a sophisticated, lean silhouette that will make you look gorgeous at any upscale celebration.

Jenny Yoo Regina Dress 

 

Jenny Yoo Regina Dress

Dress to impress for a semi-formal or cocktail wedding in the Jenny Yoo Regina A-line dress. This midi dress features an off-the-shoulder neckline with puffed short sleeves and a full skirt, giving it a timeless vibe. 

In faille fabric, it creates a structured silhouette, making it a stunning choice for wear at any time of year.

Mac Duggal 56012

 

Mac Duggal 56012

Flutter sleeves and an all-over floral print make the Mac Duggal 56012 dress a gorgeous option for a beach wedding or a garden party. Detailed with an A-line skirt and a front slit, this short-sleeve dress has an easy, breezy, effortless look perfect for spring and summer weddings.

 

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There are numerous beautiful wedding guest dresses to choose from, making it easy to find one that suits your style and flatters your figure perfectly. And now that you know the dos and don’ts of wedding guest attire, finding that ideal look for an upcoming wedding should be a cinch. 

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