Photo by James Bold on Unsplash
I love weddings but sometimes it can be tricky decoding dress codes and figuring out what to wear. And with weddings getting more and more creative with attire, it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint exactly what to wear. Having navigated a fair few of them in my time, these are some of my simple rules for dressing for a wedding so all you to worry about is sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the festivities (or a champagne or two!).
Always follow the dress code
Usually the dress code for a wedding will either black tie or cocktail or it might be a more casual beach wedding, but whatever it is, you must always follow the dress code as a sign of respect for the couple.
If it’s black tie, it’s got to be formal and floor length. If it’s daytime go for lighter colours, if it’s evening then go for more darker tones. Most weddings I go to are cocktail which means a dress must be above or on the knee. If it’s a daytime affair it might be similar to what you would wear to the races. It also depends on where the couple is getting married. If they’re getting married in a church you want your outfit to be a bit more formal, and consider covering your shoulders and making it a bit more traditional. But if it’s a beach wedding then it’s definitely more relaxed. Just really look for the setting and judge it based on what the bride and groom are like.
No white, but you can wear black
It goes without saying that it’s the bride’s big day, so white is always a big no-no when it comes to wedding attire. Traditionally black was also a colour to avoid however the rule around this is a bit more relaxed nowadays. But just be mindful of the bride and her family – if she’s fine with it then go ahead however if the bride and her family is more traditional then you might want to steer clear of it.
Dress according to the season
For summer it’s all about light colours and materials such as silk whereas in winter it’s more suited to heavier materials such as wool and deeper tones. It’s a great idea to always take a little wrap or a jacket to pop on over our outfit, particularly in winter as it gets quite chilly in the evening. When shopping for a wedding outfit I love stores like Scanlan Theodore, Camilla & Marc and Carla Zampatti.
Make sure your shoes are appropriate to the location
Some weddings are a cocktail affair so if you’re expecting to be standing for awhile make sure you have a comfortable shoe that’s not too high or have a wedge heel so it’s not hard to stand all day long. If it’s an outdoor wedding then opt for a chunkier heel as you don’t want stilettos that are going to sink into the grass. For a beach wedding I think a long dress option is good if you’re going to go for no shoes – that’s why I wore a long dress to the to this beach party event. I love the silhouette of a long gown and being barefoot.
Where are your fave places to shop for a wedding outfit?
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