Wedding season is super fun! It is packed with good times, fun memories and the chance to celebrate your friend or family members jumping into a brand new chapter in their life. You all know me by now and know that I absolutely love, love. It's my favorite thing in the world and watching a bride walk down to her new hubby almost always brings me to shed a tear. Tears of happiness of course! Going to Summer weddings are some of the best highlights of the season, but even as a fashion blogger I still sometimes struggle with what to wear.. Will I be too dressed up? Will I stand out too much? Am I going to match the bridesmaids? And the list goes on. Although you obviously can't plan for every single detail at someone else's wedding I do think there are some really basic do's and don'ts of wedding guest attire that everyone needs to take into consideration.
Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Guest Attire
Do Consider the Season & Location
Knowing how to dress for the season and the many different locations weddings take place is super important. I'm not against wearing black to wedding, but there are super simple ways to dress it up for that season that definitely help make it pop. If you're wearing an all black dress to a Spring or Summer wedding make sure to add a pop of color with your shoes, bag or jewelry to help bring in the season. Same goes for wearing a bright dress to a winter wedding. Make sure to pair with blacks to help tone it down a bit. Don't over think the color too much just make sure to bring in some pieces for that specific season and you'll be good.
Wedding locations have totally grown in the last 20 years and are no longer just at churches or banquet halls so it's crucial in knowing where you'e going to know how to dress. For instance, if the location is a barn or huge outdoor (lawn) area, make sure to have appropriate shoes so you're not sinking into the grass or ruining your favorite heels on a dirt road. If the wedding is located on top of a mountain in Colorado during the month of December, make sure you have a shawl or faux fur coat to keep those arms warms. If you're off to a beach wedding opt sandals or wedges to allow for easy walking on the sandy beach.
{I did a post on what to wear to a winter wedding here.}
Don't Wear White
This seems like such an obvious one to me, but I for some reason still see this happening way too much. Whatever you wear, do NOT wear white. The bride is the only one that should be wearing white unless of course the bride herself specifically asks other to wear it. Be careful with dresses that have white in them as well because you just don't want to be that girl.
My tip: if white is the overall main color of the dress, skip it. For example, if the dress backdrop is white with floral design, skip it. If there are big chunks of white paneling on the side or front, skip it. If it's a color block dress with white on the top or bottom paired with another color, skip it. Just be save and choose almost any other color but white and you'll be good.
Don't Outshine the Bride
This is something I never ever try to do and no woman should. Outshining the bride on her special day is crazy and not a move towards #girlpower at all. Wearing a bright sexy red dress, a super tight tight or short dress/skirt or even wearing a low back is something I don't see appropriate for wedding attire. Someone else's special day is not a time for you to break out the sexiest dress you own. Showing lots of skin or wearing a bright red bold dress is something you can do at any other event or special day, but not a wedding.
Do Take a Moment to Show Off
Although I am totally against out shining the bride on her special day, I'm not against showing off some of your favorite accessories or shoes at a wedding. Taking the time to get glam with hair or makeup that you wouldn't wear everyday is super fun and I think shows that you put a lot of effort into that persons day and event. Weddings are the perfect excuse to be a little extra as long as you are keeping yourself in check (if you know what I mean).
Do Think of Comfortable Shoes
If you're anything like me and love to get down on the dance floor then having comfortable shoes is key. Make sure you wear a pair that works for long hours or bring a pair of back up shoes to throw on when the night starts to get late. It's no fun being uncomfortable or wanting to sit all night just because your feet are in pain.
Do Wear a Smile
Seems like another obvious one, but I've seen it before when someone is so unhappy at a wedding and brings that vibe with them. Leave whatever you have going on in life at home. Make the day about the couple no matter your circumstances.
Don't Party Too Hard
We all know that person who has just a little bit too much fun at a wedding... Don't let it be you! Partying the night away is such a fun thing to do especially if its a wedding with your family or all of your closest friends, but try to keep it in check. You don't want to be the person everyone talks about the next day or the person everyone reminisces about for years to come. I remember weddings with girls crying or arguing with their boyfriends because they both had too much to drink. That embarrassing for you and that's super rude to the couple. Have fun, drink, but drink responsibly!
Non-Maternity Wedding Guest Dresses
Maternity Wedding Guest Dresses
All GREAT tips. I have ONE MORE TIP: be the first one on the dance floor! That is my favorite thing to do at weddings! Love the post! xx
Girl, I couldn’t agree more with this!! Love it 🙂