What should a wedding guest wear?
A wedding guest outfit is decided by three things, in this order: the dress code, the venue and the season. The dress code sets the length and the fabric. The venue sets the shoes and how much movement the dress needs. The season sets the sleeves, the weight of the fabric and the colour.
If the invitation gives no dress code, look at the time and the place. An evening wedding in a city venue leans formal. A daytime wedding outdoors leans cocktail or smart casual.
What to wear by dress code
| On the invitation | What it means | What to wear |
|---|---|---|
| Casual or beach | Relaxed, still dressed up | A midi or maxi dress in a light fabric, flat sandals |
| Cocktail | Semi formal | A knee length to midi dress in a dressy fabric |
| Formal | Long and dressy | A maxi dress, a gown or a dressy midi |
| Black tie | The most formal most guests will see | A floor length gown |
| No dress code given | Usually cocktail | A midi dress in satin, crepe or a good print |
What to wear by venue and season
Beach wedding. A beach wedding guest dress needs a fabric that moves and a hem that clears the sand. Choose chiffon, cotton or linen blends, a midi or ankle length, and flat sandals or block heels.
Garden or outdoor wedding. Grass and stilettos do not mix. Choose block heels, wedges or dressy flats. Florals and lighter colours suit a daytime garden ceremony.
Winter wedding. A winter wedding guest dress works best with long sleeves, a heavier fabric such as velvet or crepe, and deeper colours. Add a coat or wrap that suits the dress, since it will be in the photos.
Evening or city wedding. Evening weddings lean formal. A satin midi, a maxi dress or a gown fits, with darker colours and more shine than you would wear by day.
What colours should a wedding guest avoid?
A wedding guest should usually avoid white, ivory and cream, because those colours belong to the bride. Avoid the bridesmaids' colour if you know it. Black is accepted at most weddings.
Colour customs change with culture. At many Chinese and Indian weddings red is the bride's colour, and at many Indian weddings guests avoid white and black as well. If the wedding follows a tradition you do not know, ask the couple or another guest.
What not to wear to a wedding
In most cases, leave these at home:
- White, ivory or cream, unless the couple asks for it
- Anything more casual than the dress code, such as denim or jersey
- A dress shorter or more revealing than you could wear in front of the couple's grandparents
- Shoes that will sink into grass or sand
- Anything you cannot sit, eat and dance in
When in doubt, dress one step up. Being slightly overdressed at a wedding is easier than being underdressed.
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See all wedding guest dressesCommon questions
What should a wedding guest wear?
Follow the dress code on the invitation. If none is given, a midi dress in a dressy fabric suits most ceremonies. Avoid white and ivory, and pick shoes for the ground you will be standing on.
Can you wear black to a wedding?
Yes. Black is widely accepted for wedding guests, most of all at evening and formal weddings, unless the couple asks otherwise. For a daytime ceremony, lift it with colour in your shoes, bag or jewellery.
What colours should you not wear to a wedding?
White, ivory and cream are the colours to avoid at most weddings, along with the bridesmaids' colour if you know it. Customs vary by culture, so check with the couple if the wedding follows a tradition you are unsure of.
Can you wear red to a wedding?
Usually yes. Red is accepted at most Western weddings. It is the bride's colour at many Chinese and Indian weddings, so choose another colour for those unless the couple says otherwise.
Can you wear a mini dress to a wedding?
Sometimes. A mini can work for a casual or cocktail wedding if the fabric is dressy and the cut is modest. For formal and black tie weddings choose a longer hem.
What do you wear to a wedding with no dress code?
Dress for cocktail attire. A midi dress in a dressy fabric with heels or dressy flats suits almost every wedding. Check the venue and the time of day, and go longer and darker for an evening ceremony.
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