What To Wear To A Wedding As A Female Guest

May 23, 2022

Witnessing a couple promise to love each other for eternity is a beautiful experience. The party, the food, the drinks, and the dancing, can all be so exciting. But however blissful this event may be, it can bring about a certain stress level. It opens up Pandora's box: "What to wear to a wedding as a female guest?"

If you are a woman, we're sure you have asked yourself this question a million times. Every celebration, weddings especially, raises the question of what to wear to a wedding as a female guest. The dress code is what makes this experience a bit stressful. Some invitations say nothing about what one should wear. 

Figuring out the distinctions between black-tie, cocktail, formal, or semi-formal might be difficult. We're here to help you relax and enjoy your time as a wedding guest. This handy guide to wedding fashion will help ensure you're dressed appropriately and fashionably for any upcoming weddings on your calendar.

make up palette what to wear as a guest female

What To Wear To A Wedding: Female Guest

Although formal wear is the most typical, wedding invitations can include a variety of additional dress rules. Formal, semi-formal, and casual are more ambiguous than black-tie, and it might be difficult for attendees to decide on their preferred level of formality.

As a female guest, you would consider the wedding venue as the backdrop that creates the tone, so researching the venue is one of the easiest ways to decide how to dress. 

That means only one thing. It's time to consult an old friend of yours – Google. A quick search of the location can give you an idea of the wedding style, and the venue will have images of previous weddings that you can use as inspiration.

Beach Wedding Attire For Guests

Have you ever been invited to a beach wedding ceremony? While this is fantastic, you may be left scratching your head over what to dress for a beach wedding. However, there are a few ground rules for this type of non-traditional celebration that need to be followed if you want to look fabulous, feel comfortable, and be the right amount of formality. 

Ideal Colors For Beach Wedding Attire For Guests 

Although black appears elegant, it absorbs heat, so if you are surrounded by waves, sand, and tropical winds, you can end up thoroughly melted!

Why not take in the tropical atmosphere and integrate it into your look? Dress to match those delectable, tropical hues. Unique yet appropriate tones include terra cotta, beige, yellow, aquamarine blue, sand, turquoise, lime green, fuchsia, mint green, citrus, and even marigold.

You could also want to incorporate some beach-friendly patterns or print in any of these vibrant colors. Excellent choices include bold floral prints, stripes, polka dots, and dynamic lines.  

Ideal Materials For Beach Wedding Attire For Guests

The ideal textiles are light and do not stick and look glued to your body. Nothing is more embarrassing than perspiration spots on a gown's back and front. Though lightweight and casual-looking, fabrics like cotton, chiffon, lace, organza, and linen, can still look incredible if styled the right way. Bring a lightweight shawl if the wedding is a little bit later in the day or early in the night because the coastal winds may be getting fussy at this time of the day/night.  


- VB Tip -

As comfortable and as cozy linen fabrics might be for a tropical wedding, choose them with caution when travelling. Linen wrinkles readily, and in a more isolated location, you may not find a dry cleaner to iron it. 


Wedding Formal Outfit

Wedding clothes might be a little confusing. The dress code is sophisticated, and everything comes to the fine line between black-tie and semi-formal. As a result, what would be appropriate to wear at such a celebration includes a long, medium-long, and tastefully short formal dress, pantsuit, or elegant separates. Like optional black-tie attire, formal wedding clothes do not require a floor-length gown. You can, however, wear one without looking overdressed if you want to.

A formal dress code is one of the most common wedding dress codes. While you may encounter this wedding outfit language on many invites that you need to RSVP, deciding what to wear takes some thought. A formal wedding outfit does not necessarily mean a long silk dress or a tuxedo for men.

It's an affair significantly less formal than a black-tie celebration, and it usually has fewer requirements. The ideal choice for female guests would be a lovely cocktail dress, be it long, medium-long, or short in length: a classic suit or a jacket and tie for a wedding formal outfit. 

A good quality pantsuit or an exquisite dress is also suitable for such a formal affair.

If you're still unsure about formal wedding wear, remember that you can never overdress. A nicely-tailored suit in a dark tone or a plain long dress is a safe bet when you are uncertain about what to wear. However, if you're feeling daring, try out fashionable jumpsuits or some nice suit combined with a bright-toned blazer or dazzling accessories.

When it comes to formal weddings and choosing your best attire, keep in mind that playing the safe card and opting for a more elegant outfit is always a decent choice.


Related: How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress


Attire For A Catholic Church Wedding

Choosing the proper attire for a Catholic church wedding may be stressful for the guests. Therefore, when attending a Catholic wedding, you should always pay attention to the color of your outfit and your overall style. Being well informed of what's a yes and a no to wear at a Catholic wedding will give you confidence when choosing your outfit.   

A fair amount of Catholic weddings require a semi-formal dress code. Many people are perplexed by this dress code, yet it is relatively simple to follow.

For example, wear darker clothing to an evening wedding and light colors to daytime gatherings. For morning weddings, avoid using light or bright colors. And always avoid things that are too short, too revealing, or too tight. Classy is the way to go!

Others may choose "formal wear" or "black tie optional" as the dress code for their guests because couples have various preferences. It is, nonetheless, preferable to overdress than to underdress. A formal wedding attire means women can freely opt for a glamorous gown. 

Second, in addition to the dress code, the season must be taken into account. For example, if we are talking about winter weddings, one must pay attention to the fabric they'll choose. On the other hand, if the celebration occurs in the evening, you should opt for warmer fabrics. Layers are also a wise choice, especially because you can always take a layer off whenever you feel hot.


Suggested for you: Authentic Italian Catholic Wedding Traditions: all you need to know


Wedding Casual Outfits

The casual wedding dress code is the most laid-back of principles, giving you the complete freedom to choose your attire depending on what you feel the most comfortable in. However relaxed the dress code may be, keep in mind that it is still a wedding, and some rules need to be followed. So, don't go crazy opting for some sportswear or sneakers or shorts.

Use business casual clothing ideas as inspiration when deciding what to dress as a guest at a casual wedding. Similarly, a dress with a great neckline and essential accessories is always a good choice. To dress it up a bit more, go for pump-heel sandals. 

A casual wedding outfit for female guests means wearing outfits that they are comfortable in and modest yet chic. 

The dress code varies according to the wedding reception and theme, but in general, avoid displaying too much flesh and wearing anything too short. You don't want parts of you peeking from underneath your dress while dancing. And also, don't exaggerate with the choice of heels. Keep them at a reasonable height. 

Tea-length, midi, and maxi gowns are all excellent choices for female wedding guests. An elegant jumpsuit or a quality-tailored pantsuit are also options.

More experimentation with fashionable fabrics, patterns, and colors is also possible with a more casual wedding dress code. You can be more imaginative with your attire during semi-formal and informal events.

wedding glittered white shoes

Deciding what outfit to wear to a wedding isn't always easy. And, once you pop your RSVP in the mail, there's a good chance you'll start stressing about the attire you'll don on the big day. But, with these tried-and-true wedding guest fashion tips, we're sure you'll pick an appropriate outfit and allow you to feel your best in.

Up Next: Ultimate Guide to Beach Wedding Attire

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