How to Plan a Dream Wedding in San Diego: Tips and Top Venues
It’s OK to tell your Guests What to Wear to Your Wedding When…?
Telling your guests what to wear to your wedding is generally very very very frowned upon in the wedding world… but we like to go against the grain here at Bespoke Bride and we would like to let you know that you can in fact tell yours guests what to wear… Well sometimes!
We have listed a number of scenarios where it is perfectly acceptable to let your guest know that there is a dress code:
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♥ You’re getting married Glasto style in a big muddy field – high heels and stilettos are probably not a good idea, unless you like being a ‘stick in the mud’.
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♥ You have decided you want to marry in the great outdoors – if you’re marrying in the UK then you will know how diverse the weather is, best tell your guests to be on the safe side and bring coats, hats, scarves, gloves, snow boots, sundresses, sandals, umbrella…. the list is endless.
♥ Your event is a casual beach affair with a BBQ and beach games – showing up dressed like someone from the Real Desperate Housewives will mean you will sadly be out of place.
♥ You want the emphasis of your wedding to be on personality and individuality so you want your guests to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in.
♥ You have a theme that you would like you guests to try incorporate for the fun of it ….Polka Dots!
Now, all you need to do is to browse through some wedding guest dresses, pick your favorite one, and get ready to party.
Buy before we let you go find your perfect wedding guest dress – here are some dressing code tips for wedding guests.
Dressing Code Tips for Wedding Guests: How to Look Fabulous Without Upstaging the Bride
If you’ve ever been invited to a wedding, you know how stressful it can be to find the perfect outfit. You want to look fabulous, but not too fabulous. You want to fit in, but not blend in. You want to respect the dress code, but not limit your style. And most importantly, you want to avoid any fashion faux pas that might offend the bride, the groom, or the other guests.
So, how do you achieve that delicate balance between looking good and being appropriate? Here are some dressing code tips for wedding guests that will help you navigate the tricky terrain of wedding attire.
1. Know the Dress Code
The first and most important tip is to know the dress code of the wedding. This will give you an idea of the level of formality, the theme, and the color palette of the event. The dress code is usually indicated on the invitation, the wedding website, or by word of mouth. If you’re not sure, you can always ask the bride, the groom, or someone close to them for clarification.
Some common dress codes for weddings are:
- Black tie: This is the most formal dress code, which requires men to wear tuxedos and women to wear long gowns or cocktail dresses. Think of it as a red carpet event, where you can go all out with your glam and elegance.
- Semi-formal: This is a slightly less formal dress code, which allows men to wear suits and women to wear knee-length or midi dresses or jumpsuits. Think of it as a fancy dinner party, where you can still dress up, but with more flexibility and fun.
- Casual: This is the most relaxed dress code, which gives men and women the freedom to wear anything they feel comfortable in, as long as it’s not too casual or sloppy. Think of it as a backyard barbecue, where you can wear jeans, skirts, shirts, or sundresses, but with some polish and flair.
2. Consider the Season, Time, and Location
The second tip is to consider the season, time, and location of the wedding. These factors will affect the weather, the mood, and the vibe of the event, and therefore, your outfit choice. For example:
- Season: If the wedding is in summer, you might want to opt for lighter fabrics, brighter colors, and floral prints. If the wedding is in winter, you might want to choose warmer fabrics, darker colors, and cozy accessories.
- Time: If the wedding is in the morning or afternoon, you might want to go for a more casual and cheerful look. If the wedding is in the evening or night, you might want to go for a more formal and glamorous look.
- Location: If the wedding is indoors, you might want to dress more conservatively and comfortably. If the wedding is outdoors, you might want to dress more creatively and practically. For example, if the wedding is on a beach, you might want to wear a flowy dress, sandals, and sunglasses. If the wedding is in a church, you might want to wear a modest dress, heels, and a shawl.
3. Choose a Flattering and Comfortable Outfit
The third tip is to choose an outfit that flatters your body shape, skin tone, and personal style. You want to wear something that makes you feel confident and beautiful, but also comfortable and appropriate. Here are some guidelines to help you find the right outfit:
- Body shape: Choose an outfit that accentuates your best features and camouflages your problem areas. For example, if you have an hourglass shape, you might want to wear a fitted dress that highlights your curves. If you have a pear shape, you might want to wear a dress that balances your hips and shoulders.
- Skin tone: Choose an outfit that complements your skin tone and hair color. For example, if you have a warm skin tone, you might want to wear colors like red, orange, yellow, or gold. If you have a cool skin tone, you might want to wear colors like blue, purple, green, or silver.
- Personal style: Choose an outfit that reflects your personality and taste. For example, if you’re a minimalist, you might want to wear a simple and sleek dress. If you’re a bohemian, you might want to wear a colorful and eclectic dress.
4. Accessorize Wisely
The fourth tip is to accessorize wisely. Accessories can make or break your outfit, so you want to choose them carefully and sparingly. Here are some dos and don’ts of accessorizing for a wedding:
- Do: Add some sparkle and shine to your outfit with jewelry, shoes, or a clutch. Choose pieces that match or contrast with your outfit, and that suit the occasion and the theme. For example, if the wedding is black tie, you might want to wear a statement necklace, earrings, or bracelet. If the wedding is casual, you might want to wear a simple pendant, studs, or ring.
- Don’t: Overdo it with too many or too large accessories. You don’t want to look like a Christmas tree or a disco ball. You also don’t want to wear anything that might distract, annoy, or offend the bride, the groom, or the other guests. For example, avoid wearing anything that makes noise, such as bangles or chimes. Avoid wearing anything that might clash, such as a hat or a scarf. And avoid wearing anything that might steal the spotlight, such as a tiara or a veil.
5. Respect the Bride and the Groom
The fifth and final tip is to respect the bride and the groom. Remember, it’s their special day, and you’re there to celebrate with them, not to compete with them or to ruin their mood. Here are some rules of etiquette to follow when dressing for a wedding:
- Don’t wear white or anything close to white, such as ivory, cream, or champagne. This color is reserved for the bride, and wearing it might make you look like you’re trying to upstage her or to sabotage her wedding.
- Don’t wear black or anything too dark, such as navy, charcoal, or burgundy. This color is associated with mourning, and wearing it might make you look like you’re unhappy or disapproving of the wedding.
- Don’t wear red or anything too bright, such as neon, fuchsia, or orange. This color is associated with attention, and wearing it might make you look like you’re trying to outshine the bride or to flirt with the groom.
- Don’t wear anything too sexy, too revealing, too tight, or too short. This might make you look like you’re disrespecting the dress code, the venue, or the couple. You also don’t want to risk a wardrobe malfunction or an unwanted attention.
So, there you have it. Five dressing code tips for wedding guests that will help you look fabulous without upstaging the bride. And don’t forget to have fun, smile, and congratulate the happy couple. Cheers!
♥ You want a hallowed – that’s a wedding on Halloween for those who don’t know? Ghoulish fancy dress is encouraged!
Much Bespoke Love
Emily ♥
Great post!