Your Guide to Wedding Guest Dress Codes and Outfit Ideas

The first rule of wedding guest attire is to be comfortable; your attire shouldn’t interfere with your ability to eat, drink, and dance during the evening. The second rule is to not overthink things. It’s easier to understand wedding dress standards than you may think—unless, of course, you’ve been told to wear “steampunk bourgeois” clothes. I’ve enlisted a group of professionals who have witnessed everything, from opulent white tie events to laid-back destination microweddings, to assist sort through the uncertainty.In addition to specific items I would be happy to wear to any of the 14 weddings I have to attend over the course of the next 12 months, below is a breakdown of every kind of wedding dress code, along with the regulations and expectations guests are required to follow.

Meet the Experts

• Stefanie Cove is a wedding planner and founder of Stefanie Cove and Co. Based in Los Angeles, she has over 15 years of experience planning events all over the world from weddings to brand dinners.
• Emily Forrest is the director of communications for Zola. She has over ten years of experience in wedding planning, including seven with the online wedding registry, wedding planner and retailer.
• Lundyn Carter is a wedding expert and the founder of Laine London, a Black-founded and woman-owned business that rents designer wedding dresses based on inclusivity, sustainability and customization.
• Kelsey Connely is the owner and creative director of Downey Street Events, a wedding planning and design company based in San Francisco. She’s worked as part of the design team for more than five years.
• Sheila Sciocchetti is the general merchandise manager at Kleinfeld, one of the best-known, and biggest, bridal boutiques in NYC. She has worked in the bridal industry for nearly a decade.
• Nicole Ettenhofer is the VP of growth & strategy for George Street Photo & Video, a national wedding photo and video company based in Chicago, with decades of experience capturing the biggest, best and most beautiful moments on the big day.

Types of Wedding Dress Codes

• White Tie: This is by far the most formal dress code one can pick, and is much stricter for men than for women. Women should wear floor-length gowns (the more formal the better), while men are expected to wear a black tail coat, white dress shirt and white bow tie.
• Black Tie: A close second to white tie, black tie weddings are also quite formal. Again, floor-length gowns are best for women, although you could potentially wear a jumpsuit provided the fabric is fancy enough. Men are expected to wear tuxedos for black tie dress codes.
• Formal: Formal dress codes may mirror a black tie wedding, but give you the choice to either play things up or down. Men should still wear a suit, but are not required to wear a tuxedo.
• Cocktail: If the soon-to-be newlyweds opted for a cocktail dress code, you get to relax and take a more playful vibe with your fit—which is probably why it’s one of the more popular options these days.
• Semi-Formal: When it comes to semi-formal, it’s all in the name. Instead of going for a floor-length gown (which would make you excessively overdressed), select a slightly shorter, sleeker fit that still veers more on the casual side.
• Casual: A casual dress code allows for sundresses, skirts or pantsuits in more relaxed fabrics than cocktail or semi-formal. Men are not expected to wear a jacket or tie for a casual wedding.
• Destination: If a couple has opted for a destination wedding, it’s likely the case that they want to lean into the location with attire. For warm-weather destinations that may mean opting for a tropical print or flowy silhouette, while a mountain setting could mean earthy hues or even cowboy boots.
• Themed: If the couple is hosting a concept wedding, they are going to ask that you dress in a way that complements and adheres to the overarching theme like the Roaring ‘20s, whimsical fairy tales or Hollywood glam. Try your best to stick with whatever guidelines they have provided, but when in doubt you can always ask the couple to help point you in the right direction with an Pinterest board or other visual reference.

Now that you’re caught up on the different wedding dress codes out there, it’s time to dig deeper and find some inspo on dresses (or pantsuits) you can rock on the big day.

1. White Tie

You are going to have a lovely and elegant evening if your invitation requires you to wear white tie. Why? since the most formal wedding dress code available is white tie. Consider it a red carpet event in terms of formality, and wear a floor-length evening gown appropriate for the Met Gala.

2. Black Tie

Although guests are expected to wear floor-length gowns to a black tie wedding, you can still get away with a less conventional silhouette, such as a stylish pantsuit. According to Cove, “black tie is traditionally interpreted for women as a floor-length dress (or gown).” “After that, I believe it’s critical to follow your destination’s instructions. Velvet is a great option for a winter wedding in the city, while silk, lace, and flowers are always a good choice for a formal seaside event.

3. Formal

Choose a gown that will turn heads if you want to go for the ultra-formal option. Nonetheless, if you’d rather go casual, dress elegantly in a midi-length dress or make a statement in a striking pantsuit. Although it doesn’t have to be as formal as weddings with black or white ties, Cove says she would still wear a long dress. “Women can also interpret this dress code in a stylish and appropriate way by wearing a dressy pantsuit; just don’t wear a short minidress.”

4. Cocktail

According to Cove, “cocktail attire is a bit more casual and fun.” “Women can choose flirtatious pantsuits or shorter dresses like cocktail or midi lengths.” You can replace a ball gown with something more casual, but you shouldn’t wear a sundress because the formality of a cocktail wedding is in the center of formal and semi-formal. Instead, choose a versatile pantsuit in a striking hue or a classy, elegant midi (or even small) dress with a few playful accents.

5. Semi Formal

I advise you to wear a formal mini or pantsuit, but remember that you should wear lighter, brighter fabrics during the day and darker hues at night. “You can experiment with vibrant hues, striking patterns, and flowing silhouettes at the semi-formal event,” Cove advises. “Heels are okay, but to make life a little easier if you’re outside, I suggest wedges or sandals.”

6. Casual

Unbelievably, guests find it most difficult to adhere to a casual dress code because they fear being underdressed, adds Forrest. “Being casual doesn’t always mean wearing jeans; instead, consider business or smart casual.” Choose lighter materials and pastel colors that go well with the festivities for a laid-back wedding. Look at flowy jumpsuits, sundresses, or even a good pair of slacks and a button-down shirt. Forrest advises enhancing the ensemble with accessories like jewelry and stylish sandals.

7. Destination

Although each wedding is unique, beachy cotton and linen sundresses or two-piece sets can help you succeed (and have fun in the sun). “I always enjoy these tropical and looser destination wedding attires—and designers today make this so easy,” Cove suggests. Anything goes as long as you’re comfortable enough to enjoy yourself and can withstand the warmer weather. There are a ton of lovely designs and flowers to pick from. Less is probably more when it’s scorching outside!

8. Little Black Dress

Okay, so this isn’t quite a wedding dress code, but as they say, a tiny black dress is always a good choice. It’s a terrific idea to have a go-to look that you can dress up or down to accommodate different dress codes, particularly when you’re at a loss for what to wear. Use your accessories to change the mood from a laid-back farm wedding to a hotel ballroom cocktail party, or to add a splash of color.

Three Things You Should Never Wear to a Wedding

There are still some clear no-nos when it comes to wedding guest dress, even if wedding etiquette has undoubtedly changed over time. Here are three guidelines you should adhere to at all times to prevent serious fashion faux pas.

• Avoid Wearing White at All Costs
• Wearing white as a guest to a wedding is majorly frowned upon. Avoid any embarrassment and stick to colors that don’t fall into the white, ivory, cream or beige categories. “Colors are often a big debacle when it comes to wedding attire, but personally I don’t feel there are any color schemes that are off limits besides white (unless the couple has specifically asked attendees to wear white),” Forrest says. “The day is about the couple, and you don’t want to garner more attention than them so I recommend not wearing anything too flashy as well… unless the couple asks for it, of course!”
• Don’t Go Underdressed
• A general rule of thumb for wedding fashion is to err on the dressier side if you are unsure of what to wear. By no means does this mean you should wear a ball gown, but selecting a dress (or pantsuit) that can be fancied up a bit with the right heels or accessories is always going to be a recipe for success.
• Steer Clear of Club Attire
• Yes, weddings tend to turn into major parties at the reception, but don’t make the mistake of pulling out the dress you wore to the club a few weeks ago. Avoid wearing any dresses that are too short or show off too much skin. “While it’s great to wear a dress that flatters your figure, it’s important to avoid anything that is too revealing or suggestive.” says Carter. “Plus, weddings are usually formal or semi-formal occasions, so avoid wearing denim. It’s important to dress up a bit and show respect for the event and the couple. Unless it’s a cowboy-themed wedding, leave the denim at home!”