Wedding season is in full swing at Believe Bride! You’ve sent the RSVP, booked a hotel, and mentally prepared yourself to hear the Cha Cha Slide for the millionth time. Still, there’s one thing left to accomplish: deciding what to wear to the wedding! Believe Bride is here to help you navigate wedding guest attire for every season, dress code, and style.
Semi-formal, black-tie, casual – what does it all mean? Guests often get hung up on dress codes. Panicked, they throw all prior fashion experience out the window and begin the hunt for the perfect wedding guest attire. Dress codes can feel confusing and intimidating, but they’re actually there to help you! Let’s break down the most common dress codes to find out what to wear to a wedding.
Semi-Formal
Semi-formal is the most common dress code for weddings. This dress code empowers guests with flexibility on how dressy they want to go. Cocktail dresses and floor-length gowns are both fair game for a semi-formal wedding! Even if dresses aren’t your style, a stunning jumpsuit is a great option for a semi-formal wedding! Additionally, semi-formal wedding guest attire gives attendees more freedom, welcoming bold prints and patterns that may come off as gauche at a black-tie wedding.
Our recommendation: Semi-formal weddings are your oyster! With so many options, you can stay true to your style no matter what you wear. Believe Bride has a selection of cocktail-length dresses, evening gowns, and more! Don’t feel you have to tone down your personality just because it’s a semi-formal event. If you feel overwhelmed, you can narrow down your options by taking the venue and season into consideration.
Black Tie and Black Tie Optional
If you furrowed your brow at the phrase “black tie optional,” you’re definitely not the first! The word “optional” isn’t exactly straightforward. Essentially, the main difference between black tie and black tie optional is that black tie requires your most formal wear, such as gowns and tuxedos. Black tie optional is a tad more relaxed – guests can sport black tie apparel or wear elegant dresses and suits less formal than the traditional tuxedo or gown.
Our recommendation: We’re all for dressing it up! If you’re invited to a black-tie optional wedding, indulge yourself in our collection of black-tie wedding guest attire. We have an array of formal gowns in different styles and colors to choose from. Find something uniquely you at Believe Bride! If you’re leaning toward the less formal option, we’re happy to help you pick out a more customary option.
Casual
While it sounds simple, sometimes a casual dress code can feel like the most pressure for a guest! Am I too dressy? Or worse, too casual? It can be a lot. If you receive an invite with this dress code, you’ll most likely be attending a summer wedding or a smaller ceremony surrounded by the couples’ loved ones. Beach weddings tend to abide by this code as well. The most important thing to remember is that the bride and groom want you to be relaxed and comfortable – they’re just happy you’re there! At Believe Bride, you can find something that makes you look as good as you feel. We will help you find what to wear to a wedding, whether it’s a beach destination or a private ceremony.
Our recommendation: For casual wedding guest attire, flow is the way to go! Whether you want to sport a long or short dress, choosing an airy silhouette will have you feeling confident and comfortable and keep you cool during those hot summer months.
Wedding Guest Attire Crash Course: Important Things to Remember
We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t give you one friendly reminder before you go… Unless otherwise specified on the invitation, it is not proper etiquette to wear white to a wedding. You’re probably thinking, “DUH!” but it bears repeating. A good rule of thumb is that if you have to ask, “is this too much white?” the answer is most likely yes. Some brides request that guests abstain from wearing red because of its eye-catching qualities, but this rule is not as universal in the wedding industry.
Lastly, prioritize comfort! When deciding what to wear to a wedding, you want to look for something that’s equal parts fashionable and functional (give or take). This goes for your dress and shoes. If you’re no stranger to the dance floor, keep this in mind when shopping for wedding guest attire!
This may not be your big day, but there’s no reason you can’t shine! Dance through wedding season in style with Believe Bride’s wide selection of gowns and dresses. Contact us today to find your dream wedding guest attire!
