Wedding ceremonies are a time for family and friends to come together, celebrate new love, and of course witness the exchanging of vows between two people who want nothing more than to be with one another until death do they part. Thus, choosing the right outfit for a wedding is important. Here is a helpful how-to guide.
Consider The Wedding Style
The first step of choosing the right outfit is to consider the style and formality of the wedding you are attending. While every wedding has its unique vibe, in general weddings can be broken down into three categories:
Casual Wedding
Generally, casual weddings are held outdoors at a park or beachside with a BBQ reception following them.
Generally, those who attend casual weddings wear shorts and t-shirts to the ceremony with sandals or tennis shoes for footwear. Men often forgo wearing ties and suits during this type of wedding as well. Women often opt for sundresses with wedges or flat sandals.
Semi-Formal Wedding
Semi-formal weddings generally take place in locations like banquet halls and hotels instead of outside locales with BBQ receptions following them.
Generally, men who attend semi-formal weddings wear suits with a button-up shirt to the ceremony with no tie. Women wear a semi-formal dress, a skirt and top combo, or a nice pantsuit.
Formal Wedding
Formal weddings are generally held at churches and other places of worship with an upscale dinner party following them.
Generally, men who attend formal weddings wear suits with a tie to the ceremony. Women often choose cocktail dresses for weddings of this style. For shoes, men often go with conservative lace-up dress shoes while women wear high heels.
Consider The Season
The next step in choosing the right outfit is to consider what season it is where you are located because this will determine what type of clothing you should wear. Here are options for each season:
Summer Wedding
If it is summer, casual to semi-formal outfits are the best option. Women may opt for sundresses or maxi dresses with wedges or flat sandals while men can get away with wearing shorts and polo shirts at a semi-formal wedding or collared shirts (with no tie) at a casual wedding.
Fall Wedding
If it is fall, formal outfits for both men and women are usually appropriate. Men often go with simple dark suits paired with matching shoes and either a tie or bowtie at the ceremony. Women wear a dress or pantsuit with either pumps or flats.
Winter Wedding
For winter weddings, semi-formal outfits are the best option for both men and women. Men can choose to wear dark suits paired with matching shoes while women often choose wool dresses paired with tights, high boots, tights, and knee-high boots.
Spring Wedding
Spring is one of the few seasons that has options for all three wedding styles. For casual weddings in spring, lightly colored sundresses are good choices for women while men can do short-sleeved button-up shirts paired with khakis or jeans depending on the location/temperature/seasonality of the wedding itself. For semi-formal summer weddings in spring, women often wear light cotton sundresses while men often go with linen suits paired with button-up shirts. For formal spring weddings, women pair fitted cocktail dresses with high heels or dressy sandals while men typically choose dark suits paired with matching shoes.
Consider The Time of Day
The next factor to consider when choosing the right outfit is what time of day the wedding ceremony will take place. Here are some general rules for each:
Morning Wedding
For a morning wedding, casual outfits are usually best as most people tend to wear lighter colors as it can be hot outside in the afternoon. Women often go with sundresses paired with flats or wedges while men typically wear collared shirts and khakis or slacks with no tie.
Afternoon Wedding
For an afternoon or late-night wedding, semi-formal outfits are appropriate. Women typically choose fitted dresses paired with dressy flats while men often go for suits paired with shirts and bow ties depending on how formal they want to be.
Evening Wedding
For evening weddings, formal outfits are typically appropriate. Women often wear dark floor-length gowns paired with high heels while men often wear classic tuxedos paired with platform shoes for a more modern look.
Consider The Type of Wedding
The next factor to consider when choosing the right outfit is the type of wedding you are attending. Here are some options:
Jewish Weddings
For a Jewish wedding, casual outfits are appropriate for both men and women. Women often wear dresses or skirts while men often choose slacks paired with button-up shirts. For shoes, consider closed-toe flats paired with heels if you want to be more formal. Jewelry is allowed at Jewish weddings but not required so feel free to add jewelry as desired whether it’s a necklace, earrings, bracelets, or all three!
Christian Ceremony
For the Christian ceremony, semi-formal outfits are appropriate. Women often wear church dresses paired with flats or pumps depending on the neckline of the dress while men go for matching suits (typically in darker colors) paired with shirts and ties (ties are usually required but not always).
Hindu Ceremony
For a wedding in a Hindu ceremony, formal outfits tend to be more appropriate. Women typically choose dark-colored saris paired with gold jewelry at more formal ceremonies or lighter saris with an option of adding western elements such as heels or purses. Men typically wear matching kurtas with slacks for more casual weddings while they opt for business suits paired with complimentary neckwear at more formal weddings.
Civil Ceremony
For a civil ceremony, casual outfits are typically best with some exceptions such as if there is a theme (e.g., rustic wedding, nautical wedding). For men, suits paired with bow ties or button-up shirts and suspenders instead of ties depending on the groom’s preference are appropriate while women wear more casual dresses paired with flats. Jewelry should still be kept simple at civil ceremonies.
Your Role In The Wedding
The last factor to consider when choosing the right outfit for a wedding is what you will be doing during the ceremony. Here are some options:
A Guest at The Wedding
For weddings, it’s usually best to keep your outfit semi-formal if you’re simply attending as a guest (not in any other role). Women often choose knee-length dresses while men often go for two-button suits paired with shirts and ties depending on how formal they want to be.
Someone Who Is Officiating At The Wedding
If officiating at the wedding, typically more formal outfits are appropriate so women typically wear floor-length gowns paired with high heels while men often wear three-piece tuxedos paired with single-breasted waistcoats.
A Bridesmaid
If you are a bridesmaid, your outfit may be chosen by the bride or you may have input on what you’ll wear. Women typically choose knee-length fitted dresses in colors that match the wedding decor, with heels.
A Groomsman
If you are a groomsman, your outfit may also be chosen by the groom or you may have input on what you’ll wear. Men typically choose matching suits (in darker colors) paired with shirts and ties depending on how formal they want to be.
When it comes to choosing the right outfit for a wedding, there are many factors to consider. The type of wedding, the seasonality of the wedding itself, your role in the wedding, and the time of day are all factors to consider when choosing the right outfit. If you follow these guidelines you should have no problem choosing an outfit.
