You have checked “Yes” on the RSVP card. It is signed, stamped and delivered. Now is the time to say yes to your wedding guest dresses…or pants, skirt suits and more. But before you add to your cart, do yourself a favor and double-check your invitations for the wedding dress code. Not all weddings are formal occasions, and you want to make sure your outing is appropriate for the occasion.
If no dress code is specified on the invitation, you can usually gauge the type of party and how to dress for the wedding based on the reception location. This is especially true of the “casual” dress code, says stylist and content creator Kennedy Bingham (you can call her Gown Eyed Girl on Instagram). “It’s hard to wear a formal white tie if you’re barbecuing in the backyard,” she quipped.
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Still, if you’re not sure what to wear to a wedding after Googling the lobby, we recommend geotagging on social media to see what other people have worn in the past. If you’re still confused – Bingham breaks down the many wedding dress code categories below to help you pick out the perfect ensemble.
casual wear
Meaning: While Bingham would even go so far as to say that a “casual” wedding might be on the same level as a night out or fancy brunch, you should still treat it with grace. “I don’t break out basketball shorts and flip-flops,” she told InStyle.
What to wear: For a casual day wedding, Bingham recommends an airy linen suit or simple button-up and dark beige shorts. For a casual evening wedding, opt for trousers or a dress. “When you meet your significant other’s parents for the first time, dress up as you would,” says Bingham. “It might be a casual wedding, but you still want the happy couple to look good!”
cocktail set
Meaning: Cocktail attire can be tricky to navigate. Bingham described it as “the clothes a Bond girl was wearing when she was first spied on from across the restaurant”. It is somewhere between semi-formal and fully formal.
What to Wear: A sleek suit or dress that’s knee-length or lower is a safe bet when you’re dressing according to the cocktail wedding dress code, says Bingham.
dress
What it means: The great thing about formal weddings is that they are usually not as strict as black ties when it comes to what guests wear. The downside is that there isn’t much guidance on what to wear other than avoiding any casual attire because, well, it’s a formal event.
What to wear: Dark long dresses like dark purple, emerald or navy are often associated with formal weddings, Bingham said. “Fabrics like silk and crepe are always great [although] a full tuxedo is not required, but a crisp suit and tie is recommended!
semi-formal clothing
What it means: In short, Bingham defines a “semi-formal” wedding dress code as “just one notch below a cocktail.” You want to look pretty as if you were going to eat at a fancy restaurant, but in a less restrained way.
What to wear: As far as fabrics go, Bingham says traditional fabrics like silk are still in play, but you can keep the hem shorter than knee length if you want. “I’d also recommend suits, not buttons and pants, but feel free to experiment with colors and fabrics,” Bingham adds, noting that if you want a suave open-neck look, you’ll want to ditch the tie.
black tie
Meaning: One word: fancy. You’ll want to go all out — heels, gowns, full tuxedos, nine in all.
What to Wear: For those wearing a gown, the dress code for a black-tie wedding dress is floor-length, Bingham said. “When you walk, you should only see your toes,” she told InStyle, adding that people in suits should change into full tuxedos. “Because it’s a black tie instead of a white tie, you can choose not to wear a tie if you want, but we’re very encouraging it.”
optional black tie
Meaning: You’re still pretty, but the suit has some leeway.
What to wear: According to Bingham, the optional black hour doesn’t make much sense if the plan is to always wear nice clothes. Instead, the optional black tie basically appeals to people in suits. “That means tuxedos and bow ties are encouraged, but not required,” Bingham said. “A formal suit and tie is acceptable.”
beach dress
What it means: A popular wedding dress code in coastal towns, Bingham describes the concept perfectly, saying the couple is basically saying, “We want you all to dress well, but we also acknowledge that we’re going to continue a real beach.”
What to wear: If you plan to wear a suit, Bingham recommends opting for light colors and linen fabrics instead of woolly grays. Bright dress colors are also popular, including burnt yellows, soft pinks and fun oranges, she said.
