What Is Appropriate To Wear To A Wedding?

Wedding season is getting closer and you know that you will get an invite, or two.....or three. The first question that usually comes to our minds is "What am I going to wear?" The most important thing to remember is that this is the brides big day, not yours. So you don't want to out shine the bride. Stay away from super mini dresses and plunging necklines or anything risqué.  You also don't want to look like you are part of the wedding party......unless you are the mother of the bride in which case I consider you part of the wedding party since you will be in the pictures. But I will cover mother of the bride later in this post. So first of all I will speak to some of the mistakes that you don't want to make when choosing what to wear to those many weddings you will be attending this season. 

Mistake #1: wearing white

It's hard to believe that anyone would do such a thing, but I have seen it happen. I think some ladies think that since it is summer they can wear white to a wedding, but it actually is in poor taste. This is the brides color (even though most brides don't wear pure white.) You may be viewed  as competing with the bride if you wear this non color. 

Mistake #2: wearing red

Red is such an eye catching color and probably will look beautiful on you. So beautiful that you might just steal the limelight. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?

Mistake #3; ignoring the dress code on the invite

Always check the invitation dress code. For black tie an evening gown or cocktail dress is expected. For white tie nothing less than a ball gown will be required. For lounge suit dress code or informal dress a daytime summer dress, a skirt and blouse or a light suit is expected. If there is no dress code on the invitation, I would choose a colorful summer dress or skirt and blouse.

Below you will find some examples of what to wear to weddings depending on the dress code.

Mistake #4: dressing like a bridesmaid

Don't try to coordinate with the wedding party. You are a guest and you are not expected to match the wedding. Strictly by chance you may show up in a coordinating color, which is of course just fine;)

Mistake #5: wearing black (well, it's really all in HOW you wear black.)

Okay, this is a touchy one. I say YES to the black dress, but ONLY if you put some really colorful jewelry with it and make your overall look be very light and airy. Don't be too sleek and severe, otherwise you may risk looking like you are going to a funeral instead of to a happy wedding celebration. See below for a perfect black dress for a wedding guest look:

{Notice how I kept the black dresses fun and airy. The accessories help soften these looks too.}

Okay and now for the mother of the bride. She should look softly beautiful. Subtly gorgeous. She must blend but not be invisible. Here is a fabulous mother of the bride look: