What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest? (Wedding Style Guide)

Key Takeaways

• Discover how seasonal nuances and venue-specific considerations can elevate your style without overshadowing the happy couple. Are you ready to dress to impress while keeping elegance and tradition in harmony?
• Could your fashion choices be making an unintended statement? Our guide also covers the don’ts to ensure your outfit complements the celebration perfectly.

Understanding the Wedding Dress Code

What to wear for a wedding isn’t the most straightforward question to answer. Even when modern weddings have been going through changes and subversions, you couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious about it. How does one look the best and still leave the spotlight to the wed couple? Take a look at these general guidelines:

Common Dress Codes

Dress code for different wedding types

• Black tie: A black tie event, or formal evening occasion, calls for elegance and sophistication. For the ladies, go all out with floor-sweeping gowns for a touch of grace and luxury. Gents, you'll be looking sharp as a tack in a tuxedo.
• Formal/Black Tie Optional: A notch below black tie, this dress code gives you some flexibility. Ladies can still glamour up in a long dress or a swanky cocktail number. Their counterparts have a little more wiggle room - a dark suit will do the trick, but you can still go the whole hog with a tux if you want.
• Semi-Formal: This is where things get a tad more relaxed. This is you gals’ chance to show off those pins in a knee-length dress or a trendy jumpsuit. Fellas can ditch the tie and opt for a smart suit. Nevertheless, it's still the dressy kind of casual, so no trainers or jeans!
• Casual: Casual doesn’t mean you should show up in jeans and a t-shirt. There’s more leeway, still, so sundresses, skirts, or even tailored pants with a chic top can be good options for women. For men, a pair of nice slacks and a button-down shirt will do you proud. 
• Destination/Beach Weddings: This is where Urban City Styles' summer items really shine. Flowy dresses in light, breezy fabrics, along with linen suits or dress pants with a crisp shirt, will make a perfect combo for you and your plus one. They'll keep you looking dapper without turning you into a sweaty mess.

How to Interpret Invitations

Sometimes, these dress codes can be quite puzzling. "Festive attire" or "garden chic" - what's all that about?

"Festive attire" usually means posh but with a bit of pizzazz. That’s code for semi-formal. On the other hand, "garden chic" represents a more relaxed yet stylish approach to outdoor settings. Go casual all the way!

If you’re still unsure, though, there's no shame in asking for help. Give the happy couple or someone in the celebration a bell. They'd probably rather you ask than turn up looking out of place. You yourself won’t feel the best either.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring/Summer Weddings

Wear bold and breezy for spring and summer weddings

Spring and summer nuptials are a delightful opportunity to embrace lighter fabrics and playful prints. Airy cottons or chiffons that dance with the gentle breeze will feel amazing on your skin. Couple that with floral prints and/or pastel tones to capture the spirit of the season in a charming, understated manner. 

Open-toed shoes offer a hint of elegance yet keep you cool and comfortable. Whether it be in a quaint garden or by the seaside, you’re still gonna look cute as a button.

Fall/Winter Weddings

Satin clothes are ideal for fall and winter weddings

As the seasons turn, so do the fashion cues. Fall and winter weddings invite a richer, more opulent wardrobe.

Regarding fabric types, sumptuous ones like velvet and satin offer warmth and glamour. Darker palettes like burgundy, emerald, and navy add depth and elegance, perfectly suited for the cooler months. For accessories, pick heavier pieces like scarves and closed-toe shoes or chic boots that keep the chill at bay.

Venue-Specific Attire

Outdoor/Beach Weddings

Wear comfy for sunny beach weddings 

These types of weddings require you to prioritise comfort and practicality. Two things to be mindful about: fabric and footwear.

Choose flowy, breathable clothing that allows you to enjoy the festivities without a hitch. Fabrics like linen and cotton work splendidly to keep you stay cool under the sun. Don’t forget to wear flats or wedges to prevent the dreaded scenario of sinking your feet into sand or grass.

Church/Religious Venue Weddings

Modest clothing for church weddings

Church or religious venues are, most of the time, a conservative environment. So, it's best to err on the side of caution and dress modestly.

You'll want to keep your shoulders under wraps - quite literally. If you've got a strappy number from Urban City Styles, pop a smart shawl or jacket over it to add decorum. Basic dresses or suits should balance out elegance and respect for the traditional setting. Subtle colours and classic cuts are also on your side.

All in all, no need to look like you're off to Sunday school, but let's not give the congregation anything to gossip about after the ceremony.

Destination Weddings

Destination weddings add a bit of adventure to the nuptial, and your wardrobe should accommodate this.

First things first, ditch the heavy fabrics. You don't want to be sweating buckets like a Brit abroad. Stride to the event confidently with lighter fabrics that can withstand travel while keeping you looking fresh. Then, about those shoes. You want comfortable shoes to dance the night away in, so leave your stilettos at home, love.

The key here is versatility. A flowy dress that goes from beach to bar, or a linen shirt that works for both the ceremony and the pool party. You’d look polished and poised no matter the setting!

What Not to Wear To A Wedding As A Guest?

What to avoid when attending a wedding

A few faux pas to avoid when choosing what to wear to a wedding reception are:

• White clothes: Leave the white outfits at home. It's the bride's day to shine, and you don't want to look like you're trying to upstage her. This goes both ways, so don’t think you’re off the hook, gents.
• Too casual or overly revealing: Mind the dress code, they’re there for a reason. Turning up in jeans to a black-tie? No can do. Equally, save those revealing outfits for a night out with your mates. You want to look smart, not scandalous.
• Flashy accessories: Less is more in this department. A subtle necklace or a smartwatch is fine, but you're not there to outshine the wedding rings. Again, the goal is to look your best while letting the happy couple take centre stage.

In short, dress to impress but not to excess. It's their big day, after all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an appropriate colour to wear to a wedding?

Almost any colour should be okay if the invitation doesn’t exclusively give you a palette. Just steer clear of white, cream, or any tone that might be mistaken for the bride’s gown, and you'll be right as rain.

Is it forbidden to wear black to a wedding?

Wearing black to a wedding isn't as frowned upon as it used to be. These days, a long chic black dress can be perfectly acceptable, especially for evening dos - just jazz it up with some colourful accessories so as not to look like you're off to a funeral.

Can you wear normal clothes to a wedding?

As for "normal clothes", that's a sticky wicket. While you don't need to splash out on a new wardrobe, your everyday jeans and t-shirt won't do. Dress it up a notch or two, depending on the dress code, and you'll be sorted.