White tie?… Black tie optional? You may have seen this dress code mentioned before in your last wedding invitation and been left completely clueless. Well, we are here to make your life a little easier for when you decide what to wear as a guest to your next wedding.
Here are 4 Do’s and Dont’s of wedding guest attire:
Consider Wedding Dress Code
Did the invite specify what kind of dress code is preferred? Here is a quick rundown from most fancy to least:
White Tie- The most formal of dress attire. Uncommon for modern weddings. This dress code implies floor-length gowns for women (no exceptions) and a black jacket or coat with tails and matching pants, paired with white or gray gloved for men. Think: White House state dinners.
Black Tie- This is the next most formal attire and usually means the wedding is an evening event. Formal floor-length gowns, formal pant suits, or even fancy cocktail dresses can be acceptable for women if the wedding is deemed to be a bit less casual. Men must wear a tuxedo. A black bow tie, black vest or cummerbund, and patent leather shoes are also suggested.
Formal or Black-Tie Optional- Something slightly less formal than black-tie is acceptable. Men do not have to wear a tuxedo, but the event is still formal enough for one to be worn. For women, the choices are the same as for black tie: floor length gowns, elegant pant suits, fancy cocktail dresses.
Cocktail- The most popular attire choice. A small step above semi-formal, though not as formal as black-tie optional or black-tie. Instead of a floor-length dress, women should opt for a tea-length, knee-length, or midi dress. Men are required to wear a suit and tie, regardless of the wedding's setting, no tuxedos.
Casual- The wedding is likely to be held in a casual setting, perhaps outdoors or on the beach. Therefore there is no need for formal attire. Think summer sundress, with wedges or fancy sandals. Avoid anything too casual like jeans, tank tops, and sneakers. For men dress pants or khakis paired with a collared shirt would be ideal. Remember, casual in this sense does not mean items you wear on the daily basis.
2. Don’t Wear White
This rule is probably the most well-known rule of thumb for wedding dress attire. Unless otherwise specified, white should only be worn by the bride. In this case you should probably also avoid colors that are close to white as well. Be careful with cream, champagne and even light shades of gold or tan.
3. Be Careful Wearing Black
Black being a timeless, elegant color you may think is acceptable for every occassion. However, if you do chosoe to wear black make sure to accessorize with gold, silver, or any birth cheery pops of color. Make sure that the look you wear is not something you would wear to a funeral.
4. Avoid Bridal Party Colors
Avoid colors that match the wedding (unless otherwise stated) so you don't look like you're part of the bridal party. How can you determine this? You can tell what the color scheme for the wedding is from the invitation or the wedding website, which gives an idea of what direction the couple might be going. If you're still unsure, you can always ask the bride or a bridesmaid! Wearing something printed can help avoid matching the bridal party, since, traditionally, most bridesmaids wear solid colors.