Not sure what to wear to a wedding as a guest? I got you!
Wedding attire can be confusing when you’re trying to decipher the different wedding guest dress codes.
How formal should a “formal” wedding be? What’s the difference between “black-tie” and “semi-formal?” If these are some of the questions you have, then you’re in the right place.
I’m going to break down the appropriate attire for some of the most common wedding dress codes. When you’re finished, you’ll know exactly what to wear to a wedding as a female guest.
Plus, I’ll include some chic outfit options, so that you’re ready to celebrate in style. Let’s get started!
Disclosure: Vain Affair is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
In This Post ➜
- What To Wear To A Wedding As A Guest For Females
- Casual Wedding Attire
- Semi-Formal Wedding Attire
- Cocktail Wedding Attire
- Formal Wedding Attire
- Black-Tie Wedding Attire
- Tropical Attire
- What To Wear To An Outdoor Wedding
- What To Wear To A Wedding With No Dress Code
- What Colors Should I Wear & Avoid To A Wedding?
- What To Avoid As A Wedding Guest
- Frequently Asked Questions
What To Wear To A Wedding As A Female Guest
The dress code for weddings is often open to interpretation, but they generally follow the guidelines that I will outline below for each type.
However, dressing up for a wedding is more fun for us women because we have so many options! Everything from colors, fabric, style, length and more is ready for us to choose.
Just be aware of what the wedding dress code is and avoid what’s not acceptable to wear to a wedding (like the color white, but more on that later!).
What Is The Dress Code?
In this article, I’ll be covering the top 6 most common wedding dress code attires. They include casual, semi-formal, formal, black-tie, and even tropical/destination.
I’ll even include links to the best wedding guest dresses for each dress code, so don’t miss out. After reading this, you won’t be befuddled the next time you open a wedding invitation.
You’ll know exactly what to wear!
Casual Wedding Attire
A casual wedding dress code indicates that the attire will be more laid-back. However, don’t mistake this for your typical t-shirt and jeans!
A wedding isn’t the time to wear your street clothes, even if they say it’s “casual.” You still want to look put together while following the recommended wedding attire. A casual wedding code usually indicates an outdoor wedding, possibly on the beach.
Therefore, a cute midi or maxi dress would be perfect for this occasion! Pair it with some heeled, strappy sandals or wedges to complete the look.
Semi-Formal Wedding Attire
The semi-formal wedding attire is the next step up from casual attire and dips into formality. You’ll want to wear a dress that goes below the knees or a matching top and skirt set.
If you’re not a dress gal, then a polished pantsuit will look amazing too! However, you want to stay away from floor length gowns, since they are too formal for this type of wedding.
Bring your look together with heels, dressy flats, or wedges to finalize your semi-formal wedding attire that’s perfect for a female guest.
Cocktail Wedding Attire
When you receive an invitation to a wedding with cocktail wedding attire, it means your attire should be a bit more dressier than semi-formal, without falling into formal wedding attire territory.
The attire is more formal than a day wedding, but slightly more casual than a night wedding. For women, this means you can wear midi, knee, or tea length dresses.
The key is to look polished and elegant!
Formal Wedding Attire
A formal wedding dress code is a bit less formal than the typical black-tie attire. If you’re wondering “what to wear to this wedding as a female guest?” here’s what I would recommend.
In this case, you should wear a floor-length gown, elegant pantsuit, or dressy cocktail dress.
Unlike the black-tie wedding attire, it’s more acceptable to wear a dress that shows the ankles.
Black-Tie Wedding Attire
The black-tie wedding attire is one of the most common and most formal wedding dress codes. The most formal dress code above black-tie is white-tie, but it’s very uncommon and usually reserved for major events like the White House state dinners.
With a black-tie dress code, a floor-length gown is a must. This means that the dress’ hem should be long enough not show your ankles.
However, if the wedding doesn’t seem too formal, an elegant cocktail dress will also work.
Tropical Attire
A tropical or destination wedding dress code is one of the most fun wedding attires to dress for. Not only are you going to a gorgeous location, but you’re attending a wedding there too!
Tropical weddings usually take place in humid and sweltering temperatures, so dress appropriately, but keep it dressy. An elegant summer dress paired with dressy sandals would be perfect for this occasion.
What To Wear To An Outdoor Wedding
An outdoor wedding can be tricky to dress for. However, the most important thing is to pay attention to the wedding dress code.
You can also look up the venue to see how formal the event will be. A venue can set the level of formality and is a great place to start if there is no dress code in place.
Since the celebration is outside, you’ll also want to take note of the temperature and location. If you’ll be walking on grass or sand, you’ll want to switch your heels for wedges or shoes with a block heel.
You’ll want to wear the right fabrics for the appropriate season too! For an outdoor summer or spring wedding, wear breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
In contrast, choose heavy fabrics that trap warmth, like velvet or cashmere, for fall and winter outdoor weddings.
What To Wear To A Wedding With No Dress Code
A wedding with no dress code can be confusing at first, but there’s a couple of easy ways to figure out how to dress for it.
Here’s a few easy ways to decipher a wedding with no dress code.
- Look up the venue. Is the wedding going to be at a fancy restaurant or luxurious ballroom? Match your wedding guest attire to the venue.
- Note the time of the wedding. A day wedding will most likely be more casual and an evening wedding is going to be more formal.
- Still not sure? Cocktail wedding attire is your safest bet! You’ll still be dressed up if it turns out to be a more formal event and a bit “elevated” if it turns out to be casual.
- It also doesn’t hurt to ask the couple what you should wear too!
What Colors Should I Wear & Avoid To A Wedding?
Now that we know what to wear to a wedding as a female guest, we’re going to dive into the specifics–colors in particular! Knowing what colors to avoid and what colors are not OK to wear to a wedding will help you narrow down your choices too.
In general, you want to avoid the color white because the color is usually reserved for the bride, unless otherwise stated by the couple. Any colors that are close to white, such as cream, champagne, beige, and off-white, are off limits too.
This leads to my next point. Any overly flashy prints or styles are viewed as improper because they take attention away from the bride.
For instance, avoid wearing sparkly metallics to a casual or daytime wedding. These styles tend to draw attention to you and away from the bride. However, they may be more acceptable at black-tie or formal events.
Neon colors are also considered flashy. Try to go with a muted or darker version of a bright color that you’re considering instead.
In addition, find out what color the bridesmaids are wearing and cross it off your list. You don’t want to clash with the bridesmaid’s dress either. If the event has a color palette, try to pick a color that would match it or complement it well.
What To Avoid As A Wedding Guest
As important as it is to focus on what to wear to a wedding as a female guest, it’s just as crucial to be aware of what not to wear! Let’s avoid that embarrassing fashion faux-pas at your next wedding.
Here’s a few things you should not wear to a wedding:
- Don’t wear clothes that reveal too much skin. Save your skimpy outfits for the nightclub.
- Flashy clothing, such as glittery sequin dresses, loud prints, or extremely tall heels, should be avoided. You don’t want to draw attention away from the bride.
- Uncomfortable shoes should be left at home. You shouldn’t have to leave the night early because of blisters!
- Leave your comfy, casual clothes at home. Sneakers, flip-flops, leggings, jeans, and t-shirts are way too casual for a wedding.
- Anything that doesn’t follow the wedding dress code. There’s nothing more embarrassing than over or under dressing for the wedding. It might even appear disrespectful to the couple too. Spend time understanding the dress code before you get your wedding guest outfit together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should I Dress For A Daytime Or Evening Wedding?
A daytime wedding typically occurs before 4pm. These weddings are more casual, so less formal attire is more appropriate.
You’ll also want to go for lighter colors too. A cute day dress or jumpsuit would be perfect for a daytime wedding.
An evening wedding starts after 4pm and these call for more formal attire. You would wear longer dresses and gowns. Go for darker colors, such as burgundy or a navy blue, for evening weddings.
If you find yourself invited to a wedding that’s between day and evening (between 4pm and 5pm), find a dress that can easily transition from day to night.
How Do I Find Out The Wedding Dress Code?
The dress code is generally listed on the wedding invitation. You may see the dress code located at the bottom of the invitation or on a separate details card.
The couple might also have a website with details on the dress code. If you can’t find the dress code anywhere, look up the venue and time. These will give you enough clues to understand what type of dress code they’re looking for.
Moreover, it also doesn’t hurt to ask the couple what they expect their guests to wear too!
What Do I Wear Over A Dress To A Wedding?
If you’re attending a wedding in the fall or winter, you might be wondering what to wear over your dress, so that you don’t freeze on your way there!
A wedding, no matter how casual, is still an event with formality, so it’s not appropriate to wear a sweatshirt or hoodie over your wedding guest outfit!
Instead go for some of these classy outerwear that will not ruin the look of your dress or outfit.
- Wool Coat – A classic long wool coat in a neutral color will not only match whatever you wear, but will keep you warm and classy.
- Dressy Blazer – These go well with formal dresses and you really can’t go wrong with them.
- Pashmina – If the wedding has a more relaxed dress code, a pashmina is the way to go! These long wraps look great over dresses and will keep you toasty warm.
Can You Wear Flats To A Wedding?
Yes, you can wear flats to a wedding. You may want to wear flats, especially if the wedding venue is outside and involves walking over grass or hills.
If you’re attending a formal wedding, look for elegant flats that have luxurious details, such as velvet, metallic, or even pearl embellishments. Just make sure they match with the dress or outfit that you’re wearing!
Hope this helps you figure out what to wear to a wedding as a female guest. It’s really not that complicated once you know the different dress codes out there. Celebrate and have fun!
Disclosure: Vain Affair is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
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