Have you ever been invited to a wedding but were at a loss for what to wear? Trust me, we’ve all been there and we have some helpful tips on how to look great without upstaging the newlyweds.
From white-tie to come as you are, there is plenty to unpack when you receive your wedding invitation. Wedding coordinator Brandy Petereit, who manages Events by Brandy, says she is seeing bride’s attitudes about attire shift. “Instead of trying to please parents or in-laws or grandma, brides are going back to planning the wedding the way they want it,” Petereit says. They’re going back to the basics, she says, “just really keeping it simple, but classy, and sophisticated.”
For brides and grooms who are deciding on their dress code for guests, Petereit says to go with what you want to remember and what will make your heart happy. “It's something that you are going to need to make sure you're comfortable with,” she says. “Don't try to please everybody in the family.”
Petereit says a lot of times, the venue setting dictates the couple’s dress code. “With the country club wedding, that's going to lead towards more upscale, whereas if you have a more rustic setting, it could be more casual attire,” she says.
Petereit says to avoid any color featured on the couple’s wedding invitation when choosing your outfit. You could accidentally be mistaken for a member of the bridal party, she says. “It's a good indication of what they're going to be highlighting, [say], if they do a navy blue, which is my favorite. And if you think oh, navy blue, navy blue dress, and then the tablecloth is navy blue! Everything is navy blue!” she says. “Now you look like you're part of the table, like you pulled out the linen and put it on your shoulders.”
Wedding websites created specifically to address the particulars of a couple’s celebration are increasing in popularity, and many couples lay out their details there. Petereit says the couple’s wedding website is a good place to start when thinking about what to wear, though if it is not clear, she says, it never hurts to ask.
“If you got a wedding invitation, then you probably know a member of the family. Give them a call and say ‘Hey, I don't want to show up underdressed. Can you give me some guidance on the dress code?’” Petereit suggests. “Most of them will be more than happy to help out to make sure you get the memo.” IN
Next time you’re picking out attire to wear to a wedding, refer to our guide with tips and tricks.
A Guide to All Things Attire
By Insite Brazos Valley Magazine staff
White-Tie
This is the most formal dress code — meaning men and women should dress in what is truly their best. Men should wear tailcoats and a cumberbund, while women are expected to wear floor-length formal dresses and should accessorize with elegant shoes, fine jewelry, and even long white silk gloves. Use this as your guide if you get invited to a state dinner or a royal wedding.
Black-Tie
Black-tie is a common dress code for evening weddings and is the most common for formal wedding attire. Men are expected to wear a black tuxedo with a bowtie or ascot, and women should wear a floor- or tea-length formal dress or formal cocktail dress with tasteful accessories, such as a small jeweled clutch. Add sparkles or sequins for a little zhuzh!
Black-Tie Optional
This is a slight variation of black-tie, meaning that there is a little more flexibility in attire choice. Men should wear a black tuxedo or a dark suit with a classy tie or ascot, while women could wear a floor-length formal dress or knee-length cocktail dress. Both are acceptable.
Cocktail or Semi-Formal
The cocktail attire is considered the middle ground between formal and semi-formal and can feel more fun and relaxed. Men are expected to wear a suit (not necessarily black) and a striking tie, and women can wear fancy knee- or tea-length dresses or may opt for a stylish pantsuit and a snazzy scarf.
Casual/Outdoor
The casual dress code is aimed for comfort while still looking nice for the wedding and reception. Cotton, linen and rayon are prime fabrics for such an occasion. For a destination wedding, be sure to wear walking shoes that are appropriate to the setting — such as sandals or dressy flip-flops for the beach. Acceptable options for the guys include slacks or khakis paired with a polo or button-down shirt (with or without collar); avoid wearing T-shirts, however. Women can wear a sundress with a floppy hat or a cute romper with clunky costume jewelry.
Themed
Most brides and grooms will specifically list things that are important to their theme. Feel free to run with festive clothing while adhering to the theme, but don’t go too overboard — you don’t want to take the center of attention away from the couple. Some popular ideas include Disney themes where a couple could dress as Elsa and Hans or Rapunzel and Flynn, or choose more traditional characters, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. For a Halloween theme, couples could dress as zombies and invite their guests to do the same.
Come As You Are
This is an open invitation to come however you please (within reason). Don’t stress though, dress in a way that reflects the best of who you are.
