Wedding Guest Attire Etiquette: Essential Dos and Don'ts

Deliberating over what to wear to a wedding? You'll be a well-dressed guest when you master the ins and outs of wedding etiquette and are aware of the basic dos and don'ts of wedding guest attire.

When you're unsure how to interpret a wedding guest dress code, it can be challenging to choose the right outfit. Careful attention to wedding etiquette for guests’ attire will take the guesswork and mystery out of choosing what to wear.

This guide will help you confidently navigate through attire etiquette. Without a misstep, you'll be able to follow the dos and don'ts of wedding guest dress attire — and voilà, you'll be one of the most stylish, fashionable guests on the list!

Understanding Wedding Dress Codes

The bride and groom have been planning each and every detail of their special day — including the level of formality of the wedding. From the ceremony to the reception, the formality sets the tone for all aspects of the event. Whether formal or casual, the dress code provides a cohesive style between all elements of the wedding.

Selecting your attire based on the specified wedding dress code shows respect and esteem for the bride's and groom's wishes. The following will clarify what you, the well-dressed wedding guest, will wear for each dress code:

White Tie

The zenith in formality, a white tie dress code provides no leeway in attire. Each item of clothing is meticulously fixed. You will be required to wear a

• black tailcoat tuxedo
• a formal white winged collar cotton tuxedo shirt
• a white vest
• a formal white bow tie
• Black patent leather dress shoes

Black Tie

The timeless style of black tie dress code is sophisticated, elegant, and refined. Your attire will include a:

• Black tuxedo
• White French cuff tuxedo shirt
• Cufflinks
• Black silk bow tie
• Black cummerbund or suspenders
• Formal patent leather dress shoes or velvet dress slippers

Formal or Black Tie Optional

Black tie optional allows for a bit more flexibility. You can wear a tuxedo as outlined above in Black Tie, or a:

• Dark dinner suit in black, navy, or charcoal
• Solid colored silk tie in a subtle tone like gray, navy blue, or burgundy
• White cotton dress shirt
• Pocket square that accents but does not match your tie
• Polished dark dress shoes

Cocktail Attire

The sartorial link between a casual and a formal dress code is cocktail attire. Cocktail attire allows you to express a bit more of your personal style. You'll wear a:

• Suit or tailored dark blazer and dress pants.
• Dress shirt, either in white or a color such as blue, lavender, purple, pink, or yellow.
• Tie — solid color silk or elegant patterns and textures are all appropriate choices.
• Pocket square that accents your tie but does not match it.
• Well-polished dress shoes.

Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual

Slightly more relaxed, semi-formal or dressy casual gives you leeway to choose patterns, textures, and lighter colors that aren't suitable for more formal wear. Plan to wear:

• A tailored suit or blazer. If the temperature will be on the warm side, you can forgo a suit or jacket.
• A white, colored, or patterned dress shirt; or a button down.
• Chinos, khakis, or dress pants in a color that complements your shirt.
• A tie is optional but will always add polish to your outfit.
• Dress shoes like brogues or monk-straps; casual shoes such as loafers or slip ons. Avoid sneakers and athletic shoes.

Casual

A casual dress code doesn't mean you'll wear jeans and a t-shirt — it means that you won't wear a suit or formal attire. Beach and countryside weddings often have a casual dress code. Although the wedding may be set among nature, avoid wearing attire that may be appropriate for soaking up the rays or hiking your favorite trails. Instead, go for a polished, stylish casual look such as:

• A sport coat, blazer, or vest (either is optional but always appropriate).
• A button down, chambray, linen, or dress shirt.
• Chinos or great fitting dark wash jeans.
• Well-polished lace-ups, chelsea boots, loafers, or brogues. Avoid athletic shoes or hiking boots, however smart leather sneakers can be a good choice.

Essential Dos for Wedding Guest Attire

From following the dress code to understanding and respecting any cultural traditions the bride, groom, and their families follow, be aware of the essential "dos"  a wedding guest should follow.

Do: Follow the Dress Code

It's imperative to follow the dress code. When your attire aligns with the wedding dress code, you reflect your thoughtful respect for the bride's and groom's wishes.

A dress code also provides a cohesiveness of the ambience of the wedding. You can imagine how the mood and character of a wedding can be disrupted if one guest shows up in a tweed sport coat and khakis when the rest of the guests are dressed in black tie.

What if the dress code is unclear? If the invitation doesn't specify a dress code, don't assume that you can default to your favorite blue shirt and chinos. Be sure to check with the bride or groom and ask what they prefer their guests to wear. They'll appreciate that you took the time to ask.

Do: Dress for the Season and Venue

Both the season and place should play into your wedding guest attire choices.

The Season

A light linen suit would be terrific for a winter wedding in Cancun but completely out of place for a winter wedding in Chicago. Choose wedding guest attire in fabrics that are appropriate to the time of year.

Linen or cotton suits and shirts will look stylish and smart for a late spring or summer wedding. And silk ties for summer weddings are always a fashionable choice. Wools and flannels will be most appropriate and comfortable for fall or winter weddings.

The Venue

Consider where the wedding will take place and wear clothing appropriate to the location. A blazer over an open collar button-down shirt and chinos will be a great choice for a rustic barn wedding with a semi-formal dress code. However, for a wedding that will be held at a country club with the same semi-formal dress code, you may want to elevate your look a bit by wearing a suit, dress shirt, and a tie. Explore beautiful silk ties for all weddings.

Do: Accessorize Thoughtfully

Thoughtfully chosen accessories put the stylish finishing touch on your attire. Without the proper accessories, your outfit can fall flat. A tie is one of your most vital accessories. Choose the best type of tie for a wedding carefully.

Whenever you wear a tie with a suit or a jacket, add a pocket square to balance your outfit. The pocket square should never match your tie but complement it. Even when you don't wear a tie with your jacket, a pocket square is an attractive accessory that adds style and shows you've put thought into your attire.

Cufflinks, a tie bar, suspenders, or a lapel pin are other accessories to consider. Just don't overdo — choose selectively.

Important Don'ts for Wedding Guest Attire

Just as there are important "dos" there are also critical "don'ts" for wedding guest attire.

Don't: Wear White or Off-White

Leave white, ivory, champagne, and every other version of white or off-white for the bride. Wearing white will upstage the bride — you don't want to be seen as one of those kinds of guests!

Don't: Underdress or Overdress

Ignoring the dress code puts you at risk of underdressing or overdressing. Either will make you look out of place. You'll certainly be the odd duck out if you wear a tux to a casual wedding, or khakis and a blazer to a formal wedding. Follow the dress code!

Don't: Choose Flashy or Overly Revealing Outfits

Flashy outfits where you can show off your unique, quirky style can be great for the groom's party or a birthday bash. But when it comes to a wedding, don't wear flashy clothing that attracts undue attention. The attention should remain on the bride, groom, and the wedding party.

Some wedding guests misinterpret what can be worn to casual weddings, especially beach ceremonies. Even though it may be tempting to throw on a tank top to reveal how dedicated you are to your local gym, showing too much skin is inappropriate for a wedding. At minimum, wear a shirt appropriately buttoned and save your tank top for a weekend with friends.

Special Considerations for Destination and Themed Weddings

Choosing your guest wedding attire for destination or themed weddings can be a bit challenging. As a wedding guest, you're not only selecting polished, handsome, thoughtful attire, but you're trying to plan for packing, climate, and comfort.

For destination weddings, check the weather patterns and forecast. Reykjavik, Iceland is cold year-round while Hawaii is warm and humid even in the winter. Follow the wedding dress code but, choose your clothing in fabrics that will allow you to be comfortable as well as look polished.

While themed weddings tend to be slightly less formal, always adhere to the dress code and

keep the venue and season in mind. Adjust your fabric choices, colors, and patterns to the theme. For example, wear lighter pastel colors in cottons and linens to a semi-formal summer beach wedding. Flannels and wool in colors that mimic nature will look spot on at a semi-formal fall wedding in the countryside.

What to Wear When There's No Dress Code

If the bride and groom are foregoing a dress code, it's still imperative that you choose smart, stylish attire that's appropriate to the season and venue. If there's no dress code, it's likely you won't be wearing a tux.

Without a dress code to guide your attire decisions, you can't go wrong with a well-pressed dress shirt, a tie, and a pair of good-fitting slacks. You can always toss the tie once you arrive and check out what the other guests are wearing. Remember that the focus should be on respect for the bride and groom.

Dressing for Wedding Success

You'll hit a slam dunk when you choose your wedding guest attire based on the dress code, season, and venue. Once you thoughtfully accessorize your outfit and review the dos and don'ts to avoid any faux pas, you're queued up to look your best at any wedding!

Our dressing for wedding success guidelines will ensure you confidently choose just the right attire for any wedding. From formal wear to casual, you can find your perfect wedding outfit at The Tie Bar.