A beautiful invitation just showed up in your mailbox and you’re ready to celebrate two of your favorite people finally saying “I do!”. But what are you going to wear?! As a guest, it can be stressful to figure out what you should wear to a wedding. Most couples with either have a website or information card in the invitation that should give you all the information you need to pack for the weekends events.
For this post, Sheena with Onyx Styling Co. out of Portland, Oregon, joins me to give us all the information on fashion do’s and don’ts for the next wedding you attend.
What to wear when you’re attending a seasonal wedding:
What to Wear to a Summer Wedding- Florals, prints and brighter colors in breathable fabrics such as cotton, lace or linen. Go strapless or a thinner strap to keep you cool and comfortable.
What to Wear to a Fall Wedding- Consider an elevated jumpsuit and opportunities for layering such a pashmina or cashmere shawl. Look for beautiful fall colors such as a rusty orange, marigold, burgundy or a classic navy blue.
What to Wear to a Winter Wedding- Velvet, long sleeved silk, darker hues and beautiful outer layers such as a long wool coat. Deep jewel tones, camel and dark gray are a beautiful choice for winter.
What to Wear to a Spring Wedding- Light and bright with an opportunity for an outer layer. Pastels are always a great idea for spring. Light pinks, blues, yellows, and lavender are all beautiful. Florals and prints are a fun choice. For an outer layer, a blazer or tweed jacket that you can wear over your shoulders if the day is on the chillier side will help you feel comfortable.
What to Wear when the Invitation says:
Black Tie- Black tie traditionally requires a floor length gown. Accessories should be of the same level so opt for a clutch and elegant jewelry.
Formal- Lean a little more black tie if in doubt. Floor or mid length gown or a modern suit. I love a silk matching suit set.
Cocktail/Semi-Formal- Does not need to be as dressy or floor/mid like a formal gown but still needs to be nice and elevated.
Ranch Chic- cottons, silk, boots, flowy fabrics.
Garden- Florals (of course). Play with a fun accessory like a hat. Try out a high waisted flowy pant with a bodysuit. You could also try a pleated accordion skirt for a flowy option. Since you will be outside, be aware of the elements and play your footwear accordingly.
Tropical- matching sets, prints, full color or pop of color. If this is outdoors (like a beach for example) make sure you wear a shoe that can handle sand, grass, etc.
Casual- Linen, jumpsuits, casual matching sets.
Destination- Fit the vibe. Parisian will feel different than Jamaican.
Backyard- No need to go with a dress. Try a fun jumpsuit and great accessories. This can be much more on the casual side but avoid jeans or too-casual shorts.
What to wear if you’re attending a daytime wedding vs. and evening wedding:
A daytime wedding will generally be more casual than a nighttime wedding. For daytime you can go with a shorter or midi length dress while nighttime you can lean more into floor length options. For daytime, you can also consider a modern suit. Think more “fun” suit than at the office old school suit. Shoes should follow suit. You can wear a wedge sandal to a daytime wedding but generally not to a nighttime wedding.
Final thoughts from Sheena
When you are choosing an outfit to attend a wedding you should absolutely always ensure that you aren’t upstaging the wedding party or wearing something so loud and elaborate that you would draw attention from the event. It’s okay wear something fabulous, but be respectful of the fact that this is somebodys wedding day.
Sheena is a Personal Stylist out of Portland, Oregon who works with women both in person in the Portland metro or world-wide virtually. She specializes in helping women discover and dress for their next-level selves and elevating personal brands.
Headshot by Brian Whitt Photography
