What to Wear to a Casual Wedding as a Guest

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Charleston | Aaron & Jillian

So you just received a wedding invitation, and you’re shocked (and THRILLED) that it says “casual dress code.”

Yes! Finally, a wedding where you can wear your favorite T-shirt and jeans!

Or can you?

While we all know what casual clothes are, everyday casual is different from casual wedding attire. (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t mean T-shirts and jeans.)

Not sure what to wear to a casual wedding? Not sure how to choose the perfect look?

We reveal both (and more) in this complete guide to casual wedding attire.

What Does Casual Wedding Attire Mean?

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Anna Taylor

The casual wedding dress code is the least formal dress code for weddings. But even though it’s informal, you should still look polished, neat, and clean.

Unlike cocktail attire, semi-formal wedding attire, and black-tie wedding attire, there’s no need to rent a tuxedo, put on a suit and tie, or buy a brand-new evening gown.

But there are some guidelines to follow.

Outfit options that are usually appropriate for a casual wedding include:

• •  Sundresses
• •  Flowy maxi dresses
• •  Jumpsuits
• •  Skirts paired with blouses or sweaters
• •  Casual suits with t-shirts rather than collared shirts
• •  Chinos or trousers with a collared shirt

That said, there are some variations among the casual attire dress code. These include dressy casual, business casual, and semi-casual.

And while these dress codes vary slightly, one rule is true for all of them:

There is no need to wear a tie!

Casual vs. Dressy Casual

Dressy casual (AKA: Smart casual) is a step up from casual.

Consider the following outfit ideas for a dressy casual wedding:

• •  Cute dresses with nice shoes
• •  Nice skirts with dressy tops
• •  Chic jumpsuits or pantsuits
• •  Trousers with a polo or button-down shirt and a blazer or a sports coat

Shopping for the perfect dress for an upcoming casual wedding? Check out our entire collection of wedding guest dresses.

Casual vs. Business Casual

 

You’ll rarely see the business casual dress code on a wedding invitation. But if you do, you’ll want to wear a professional-looking outfit that you would wear to work.

Think khakis with a polo or a button-down, and nice loafers for guys. For women, it’s comfortable yet professional dresses, or skirts or trousers paired with a nice blouse and flats or low heels.

Casual vs. Semi-Casual

 

Semi-casual is a step up from dressy casual and a step down from semi-formal wedding attire.

Women should wear midi dresses, tailored pantsuits, or a skirt-and-blouse combo with dressy flats or heels. Guys should stick to trousers, a button-down shirt, a blazer or sport coat, and a stylish pair of loafers or oxfords.

What Not to Wear to a Casual Wedding

 

Casual wedding looks should never be sloppy. After all, it’s someone’s wedding! So no matter how laid-back your outfit is, the goal is to look neat and well put together.

Unless the couple specifically asks you to wear a certain look, there are a few items that you should avoid:

• •  Athleisure, including sweatpants, sweatshirts, track suits, and yoga pants
• •  Sporty looks, including team jerseys and basketball shorts
• •  Graphic tees with logos or novelty prints
• •  Flip-flops (unless it’s a beach wedding on the sand)

Shorts and sneakers are also less than ideal for casual weddings, but they may work with the right outfit if the shoes are slightly dressier.

The trick is to find a balance between what’s reasonable for the occasion and what’s appropriate for the venue, time of day, and season.

When in doubt, dress closer to “dressy casual” rather than “lazy Sunday-afternoon” casual. If it looks or feels sloppy, it’s the wrong choice.

Casual Wedding Attire for Women by Season

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Marlboro | Kelly Czupkiewicz

You should always dress for the season and the weather, especially if the wedding will be outdoors. That includes selecting the right fabrics, colors, and silhouettes for the moment.

What to Wear to a Casual Spring Wedding

 

For casual spring weddings, flowing maxi dresses or short sundresses in pastel colors, pale neutrals, or fun prints are ideal.

If the weather is chilly, you may be more comfortable in a jumpsuit or chic trousers. Spring weather can fluctuate quite a bit, so it never hurts to layer with a blazer or a little sweater.

What to Wear to a Casual Summer Wedding

 

Many casual summer weddings take place outdoors in warm weather.

So consider pairing mini dresses or midi dresses in lightweight, breathable fabrics with sandals. Neutral colors work year-round, but summer is the perfect season to step out in a bold color, a pretty pastel, or a vibrant print.

What to Wear to a Casual Fall Wedding

 

Nothing screams fall like autumnal shades of rust, mustard, forest green, and brown.

Consider comfortable midi dresses in stretch velvet or cozy knit sweater dresses teamed with a chic pair of boots or booties. In colder weather, opt for ¾-length or long-sleeve looks, or top a dress or jumpsuit with a stylish jacket.

What to Wear to a Casual Winter Wedding

 

A casual winter wedding is the perfect time to layer up in a chic yet comfortable way.

Choose thicker fabrics, longer sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and if it’s extra cold outside, top your look with a cozy coat, scarf, and gloves.

Read also: 11 Casual Bridesmaids Dresses for a Beautifully Laid-Back Look

Casual Wedding Attire for Women by Venue

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Charleston | Monocromo Studios

The dress code alone is important, but your wedding attire should also match the venue's level of formality. Before choosing your outfit, consider where you’re going and the venue.

What to Wear to a Casual Outdoor Wedding

 

There’s no specific look you should wear to an outdoor wedding because it depends on the venue, location, and weather.

Check the couple’s wedding website to gauge how casual the venue is. You should also check the weather forecast to choose a look that’s both casual and comfortable for the season.

What to Wear to a Casual Beach Wedding

 

Casual wedding attire for a beach wedding can run the gamut, from ultra casual to semi-casual. The more tropical the location, the better it is to wear light colors and lightweight, cooling fabrics so you don’t bake in the sun.

What to Wear to a Casual Backyard Wedding

 

If you’re going to a backyard wedding, consider how fancy the couple, the house, and the neighborhood are.

Sometimes, backyard weddings are ultra-casual events with a “come as you are” vibe. Sometimes they’re luau-themed, and the couple requests you wear Hawaiian prints. Other times, they’re dressy casual, calling for a pretty dress and trousers with a blazer.

To gauge the vibe, check the couple’s wedding website or ask a member of the wedding party what they’re wearing.

What to Wear to a Casual Barn Wedding

 

Jeans are generally inappropriate for most weddings. However, paired with cowboy boots, they might be the perfect look for acountry-themed wedding in a barn.

On the flip side, for a rustic barn wedding with a modern, minimalist vibe, it’s best to wear a casual dress or khakis and a button-down shirt.

Casual Wedding Attire for Women by Time of Day

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Chicago | Nicodem Creative

Even when the invitation says the dress code is casual, evening events are almost always a bit dressier. Always consider the time of day when choosing a casual wedding outfit.

What to Wear to a Casual Daytime Wedding

 

During the day, dresses and skirts are always safe choices. Short dresses, midi dresses, and long dresses all work for afternoon events, as do light neutral hues and pale colors.

What to Wear to a Casual Evening Wedding

 

For a casual evening wedding, consider going a bit dressier with a little black dress and casual heels or a well-fitting pair of trousers with a stylish blouse and blazer.

What Should Men Wear to a Casual Wedding As a Guest?

 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Morgan Wirth

For casual weddings, guys have two important choices to make:

Color and silhouette.

You can’t go wrong with khaki pants or tailored trousers and a button-down shirt.

If the event is a bit less formal, a polo shirt will do. If it’s dressy casual or semi-casual, top your look with a blazer or sport coat, and you’ll be good to go.

Keep in mind that dark-colored sports coats give off a far more formal vibe than you may need. To keep your look casual, opt for jackets in tan, light grey, or pale blue shades.

And if you’re attending the wedding with a spouse, partner, or plus one, make sure your outfits coordinate. You don’t have to be matchy-matchy, but you should always look like you’re going to the same casual event.

 

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The casual dress code doesn’t require you to wear a cocktail dress, a tux, or even dress pants with a collared shirt and tie.

However, there’s still a standard you’ll want to meet.

Whatever casual wedding-guest attire you choose, it should be laid-back and relaxed yet still neat and well put together. And finding that look doesn’t have to be complicated, either.

Just pick an outfit you love that fits the wedding's theme and vibe. As long as it meets the moment and expresses your personal sense of style, you can’t go wrong!

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