How to nail your outfit as a wedding guest

Whether it’s an exotic destination wedding or beautiful nuptials by the water, attending a wedding is undoubtedly all kinds of fun—and a great excuse to get all dressed up. With weddings becoming more and more creative affairs and the resulting dress codes to match it can be hard to decide on what to wear as guest. After all you want to stay true to your style, respect the dress code and also ensure you don’t take any of the attention away from the bride with your chosen attire. So here’s the key to nailing your outfit the next time you attend someone’s ‘I dos’.

Adhere to the dress code

No matter if the dress code says come in purple from head to toe or dress up in a pink ballgown, the golden rule of being a wedding guest is that you have to respect the couple’s wishes and stick to the attire they have stipulated. Generally you’ll find yourself in cocktail dress territory for most weddings but occasionally you’ll have to take it up several notches for a black tie affair or dial it down into something more smart casual. Whatever you do, follow the dress code to the letter.

Err on the side of conservative

Unless specifically requested, generally a wedding is not the time to go all out with something flamboyant or OTT as all eyes should be on the couple, particularly the bride. So if torn between outfits, it’s always better to opt for the more conservative option. Luckily midi length styles are hugely on trend right now, the same with classic looks such as a beautiful tailored suit.

Avoid white

Whilst you can get away with wearing black to a wedding these days, there’s definitely still one colour you should avoid. “It is still a little taboo to rock white at somebody else’s wedding” says Bec & Bridge founders Bec Cooper and Bridge Yorston, who have launched a wedding edit of their label. Instead they suggest, “Play it safe and embrace other colours.” 

 

Go for colour

It’s a festive occasion so now is the time to go for vibrant hues or striking prints. I’ve done both yellow and red in the past, which I’ve found are great colours for such a celebratory occasion. But with so many beautiful bold hued dresses and suits around right now your options are endless.

Keep it simple

Whenever I attend a wedding I always go for something classic and simple. I’ll usually opt for a midi length dress, heels and pared back accessories. But most importantly, whether you’re attending a glam soiree or a relaxed ceremony in a park, you need to keep your look polished from your hair and makeup to your outfit and shoes. It’s all about respecting the dress code and looking nice but ultimately letting the couple take centre stage.