What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest

As spring arrives, the wedding invitations start landing on the doormat. Whether it is a big church ceremony, a relaxed garden party or an evening reception in a city hotel, the same question always comes up: what should I wear? Here is a simple guide to looking right, feeling comfortable and enjoying the day from the ceremony to the last dance.

Read the Invitation First

The invitation usually tells you more than you think. Look at the time of day, the venue and any dress code the couple has given.

• Black tie: floor length gowns or very elegant cocktail dresses for women, a dinner suit and bow tie for men.
• Formal or morning dress: smart dresses or tailored jumpsuits, often with a hat or fascinator for daytime, and a suit or morning suit for men.
• Cocktail or smart: knee or midi length dresses, smart separates, or a well fitted suit with or without a tie.
• Smart casual or relaxed: a pretty summer dress, smart trousers with a blouse, or chinos and a blazer.

If there is no dress code, think about the setting. A daytime countryside wedding suits lighter fabrics and softer colours, while an evening city wedding calls for something a little more dressed up. If in doubt, it is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed, and you can always ask another guest or someone close to the couple.

The Golden Rules

A few traditions still apply at most weddings:

1. Avoid white, ivory and cream. The day belongs to the couple, so leave pale shades to the bride unless the couple has asked for them.
2. Be careful with all black. Black is perfectly acceptable at many modern evening weddings, but add some colour or sparkle with accessories to keep it festive.
3. Respect the venue. For religious ceremonies, it is polite to cover your shoulders. A light jacket, shawl or wrap solves this easily.
4. Do not try to outshine the couple. Statement pieces are lovely, but keep the overall look elegant.

Choosing the Outfit

For women, a midi dress is one of the most versatile choices. It works for most dress codes, suits most body shapes and is comfortable to wear all day. Florals and soft prints are perfect for spring and summer, while jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire and burgundy look rich at autumn and winter weddings. Browse our dresses section for inspiration.

Jumpsuits are a stylish alternative if you prefer not to wear a dress, and they are easy to dance in.

For men, a well fitted suit in navy, grey or a lighter tone for summer is hard to beat. Make sure the jacket fits well across the shoulders and that the trousers break neatly over your shoes. A tie or pocket square in a seasonal colour adds personality.

Shoes You Can Actually Wear All Day

Weddings involve a lot of standing, walking on grass or gravel and, hopefully, dancing. Think about comfort as well as looks.

• Block heels and wedges are much easier than stilettos on lawns and cobbles.
• If you love high heels, wear them in at home first and pack a pair of foldable flats in your bag.
• For men, polished leather shoes are the classic choice. Make sure they are comfortable before the day, not after.

Finishing Touches

Accessories pull the whole look together. A small clutch, such as this black clutch bag, or a compact shoulder bag is big enough for your phone, keys, lipstick and tissues for the speeches. Choose jewellery that complements your neckline: statement earrings with a high neck, a fine necklace with a V neck. For daytime formal weddings, a hat or fascinator is a lovely traditional touch.

Check the weather forecast the day before and bring a light jacket or wrap for the evening, as even summer receptions can get cool once the sun goes down.

Plan your outfit early, try everything on together and you will be free to relax and celebrate on the day.