What to Wear to a Wedding

If you are a woman, the moment you receive a wedding invitation, you sure start thinking about, dresses to wear to a wedding. If you are a man, you will probably leave the task until the evening of the wedding. In either case, it wouldn't hurt if you are well-informed about what to wear to a wedding. So, this article is for all those who fret over their wedding attire and spend long hours in the closet looking for an appropriate attire. There are certain factors that you need to consider while choosing a wedding dress. If the wedding invitation mentions a dress code, your task becomes simpler. If not, you can pick up subtle hints from the invitation card itself. How? Let's find out.

What to Wear to a Wedding
As mentioned above, selection of a proper wedding attire needs a great deal of thought. You need to consider the format of the event, i.e. if it's a formal wedding or a casual one. The time of the wedding also plays an important role in selection of the attire. Morning and afternoon wedding attires are more of a casual type, whereas evening weddings have an air of formality. The venue of the wedding is yet another factor to be considered while selecting a wedding outfit. If you have been invited to an outdoor or a beach wedding, then you can relax and go for a casual outfit. Church weddings or wedding halls demand a formal attire for guests. If the wedding invitation doesn't say anything about the wedding dress code of the event, you can take cues from the invitation card itself. If it is printed in black ink on a cream paper in a formal language and formal font, then you can be sure it's a formal wedding. A floral, colorful invitation card in a less formal font mainly indicates a casual or outdoor wedding.

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding
Summer weddings are characterized by a splash of vibrant colors everywhere. Summer weddings mostly take place in the mornings or afternoon. Hence, you can go for a casual wedding attire for such weddings. Women can wear knee length floral dresses in bright colors such as yellow, orange, fuchsia, lime green, etc. If it's a morning wedding, emphasize more on light, pastel colors. Alternatively, you can also choose a light colored suit to wear for a morning wedding. Accessorize with a decent purse and flat shoes. For evening weddings, you can go for off shoulder dresses and team them up with knitted jacket or a shawl to protect from cool summer breeze. Men can wear comfortable slacks, sports jacket with or without a tie. Stay away from dark double-breasted suits or jackets. Dresses for a summer wedding should be casual, cool and comfortable.

What to Wear to a Beach Wedding
Beach weddings are a lot of fun as the emphasize is more on celebration rather than the dress code. Hence, you can go for casual wedding attire for beach wedding. However, casual does not translate to a pair of jeans and sneakers. Women can wear dresses and skirts in bright colors along with hats and large bags. However, do not wear lacy, flowing material that can be easily caught in wind. Women should refrain from wearing low cut dresses that end above the knee. Similarly, avoid wearing high, pointed heels as they can sink in the sand. Men can wear a dress shirt and formal trouser with or without a tie. Team it up with a pair of formal leather shoes.

What to Wear to a Formal Wedding
If the dress code says, 'black tie', you can be sure that you need an out-and-out formal wedding attire. Hence, take out your tuxedo or rent one if you don't own. Ladies should wear floor length evening gowns in fabrics such as satin or silk. If the dress code says, 'black tie optional', you can relax a bit and dress up as you would for a cocktail party. Men can wear jackets while women can go for knee length cocktail dresses. Formal dresses and high heels or stilettos are the most appropriate attire when you think of what to wear to a wedding reception.

There are certain unsaid rules about what to wear to a wedding. Avoid white outfits in lacy fabrics as they are mostly reserved for the bride. Although, nobody cares if you dress up in black these days, please make sure you pep up your appearance by accessorizing brightly. Lastly, it is acceptable to err on the side of overdressing than dressing up too casually. However, make sure you don't overshadow the bride and the groom.