A Wedding Guest Outfit Guide - For Women

If you’re looking for wedding guest styling advice and outfit ideas we’ve got you covered.

Attending a wedding is exciting, but it also comes with the ‘what should I wear as a wedding guest’  dilemma…you want to look good, but not too good that you upstage the bride and or look like a bridesmaid.

Planning Your Outfit As A Wedding Guest

Choosing your outfit as a wedding guest, expert stylist tips on colour and outfit choice

We asked Sustainable Fashion Stylist Roberta Lee for some style tips on how to dress as a Wedding guest.

Here's what she recommends considering before you plan your outfit for attending a wedding.

"When it comes to weddings, it is not the place to express your fashion flair and be bold and extravagant with your outfit.  Under no circumstances should you aim to pull any focus from the bride - and you certainly don’t want to look like you’re one of the bridesmaids.

By all means, dress in a way that expresses your style, but dial down the ‘look at me’  factor for weddings. I’m a big fan of classic outfits for weddings that can be re-used for other events. 

This is why I love Jenerous dresses which are classic, modest, and versatile, with the extra bonus that they are ethically and sustainably made.  They even have mini-me versions of dresses as well for mothers who love twinning with their daughters - which would actually look pretty cute if you’ve been invited with your family as wedding guests with kids."

5 Tips From a Stylist to help you Plan your Wedding Guest Outfit

5 tips from a stylist to help you choose your wedding guest outfit

Weather Appropriate Wedding Styling Tip No.1

Think about the time of year, the season and the location as that is going to influence your outfit, in particular your material choice. You’ll want an outfit that keeps you warm if it's a winter wedding and an outfit that keeps you cool if it's a summer wedding, or one that’s abroad and in guaranteed heat all day.

Choosing Your Wedding Guest Outfit - Tip No.2

A wedding is typically a formal affair, my advice is to think about a day at the races and the outfits you see there, these are much the same as most UK wedding guest outfits.  Fashion choices at weddings should remain timeless. Ditch the trends and avoid wearing white, unless the wedding invite specifies that wedding guests should wear it.

Going for classic styles doesn’t mean boring - the foundation of your outfit should be sophisticated, but you can add your personality through accessories, just like attending the races!

Wedding Guest Outfit Colour Tip No.3

Keep it classy, and find out the colour scheme if you can. Avoid wearing the same colours as the bride, groom and the wedding party. 

Wedding Guest Accessories Style Tip No.4

Have fun with accessories.  Attending weddings, much like the races is a fantastic excuse to experiment with larger-than-life fascinators and over-the-top hats.  The right accessories can truly transform a simple dress.

Do try to borrow, rent or find your hat preloved, as these are the type of purchases that don't often get worn again.  Try finding a hat at your local second-hand reseller shops, and don’t dismiss charity shops.

Wedding Guest Functional Outfit Style Tip No.5

Be prepared for the great British weather fluctuations if it's a UK wedding. Bring a pashmina, a blazer, a jacket or even a coat depending on the time of year - and don’t forget comfy shoes!

Dress Codes for Wedding Guests:

Wedding Guest Dress Codes, make sure you are dressed appropriately

Always refer to the wedding invitation to understand the dress code. Sometimes the dress code will be implied by the venue, the time of day and the ‘theme’ of the invitation

●      Black or White Tie - means wear a floor length gown

●      Formal - means a wear a statement cocktail dress

●      Semi-Formal - wear a smart midi-dress, or even a shift dress (most of our Jenerous styles are semi-formal)

●      Smart Casual - wear an everyday dress that you’d wear to a garden party

How to Dress Appropriately For A Wedding - Conclusion

How to dress for different types of weddings

Just remember that it’s good etiquette to please the bride and groom by dressing in a way that doesn’t overshadow their day. Florals, neutrals and bright colours work great when the designs are classic. Maxi dresses are also a great option for summer and beach weddings worn with big straw hats and taffeta accessories.

If you enjoyed this blog,  we are sure you'll like our 5 Outfit Ideas for a Wedding one too.(Coming soon)