What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest


Jane was exasperated. She was almost on the verge of giving up. She was sitting in a pool of dresses, trying to pick the best dress for her friend's wedding. All messed up and about to forget thinking about what to wear, she saw something, hidden beneath the pile of dresses. It was a knee length dress, a shade lighter than rich burgundy and it was made of fine cloth, with a fantastic fall. Jane instantly fell in love with that dress and decided to wear it to the wedding. She, much to her surprise got a few appreciative glances in the wedding!

Wedding dresses, one of the most common dilemmas and tough questions, is encountered by all those in Jane's league, all over the globe! There is no exception to this rule! This also points out to the issue of what all the guests to a wedding should wear.

Dresses for Women to Wear to a Wedding

As is the rule, women always have a wider array of options when it comes to dresses. The same thing applies to weddings as well. Primarily the time and the destination wedding are the factors instrumental in forming your decision about what to wear. To begin with, if it is a day wedding, a nice floral dress will be a good choice or you could also go for a light colored suit. If a dress or a suit is not your type, then a skirt and sweater set along with sling back shoes is another option. Add accessories like a hat or a broad belt and suitable heels and stilettos for jazzing the dress up. On the contrary if it is an evening affair, look for something elegant and sophisticated, like a dressy suit or a cocktail suit, it goes with the wedding etiquette. Oh and when you are considering the color regarding what to wear to a wedding in the evening, go for darker and richer, solid colors. Unless the invitation says black tie, avoid beads and sequins and similar embellishments. Cocktail dresses are in for a black tie function and so are slightly flashy accessories!

Dresses for Men to Wear to a Wedding

Amongst dresses to wear to a wedding as a guest, for men, let us take a winter wedding. Woolen suits, blazers, sweater and tie beneath the blazer and dark, charcoal trousers would do. If the invite specifically mentions formal, then guys, you know what to wear to a wedding! If it is an evening affair, tux is the way to go or a dark suit. If it is a semi formal affair, men are free to wear blazer and slacks and a nice tie. The Tuxedo will be better for a black tie event. In summer wedding, a light colored linen or seersucker suit will have the men looking dapper.

Primarily, the guests should respect the bride and the groom when deciding what to wear to a wedding. In addition to that, there are unwritten rules related to wedding guest attire. For instance, never wear white or ivory or anything which is too sexy or revealing or outrageous. Another word of caution is that black has to be avoided in a daytime wedding. If the wedding is in a church and you are going strapless, have something to cover the shoulders. Guys, jeans are a big no no!

At the end, of the day, the destination and your relation with the couple, matters when it comes to dressing up for a wedding. If you are confused even after reading all this, just give a call to the bride or the groom and see what comes. I sign off here!

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