Fashion Dos and Don’ts for Wedding Guests  

From making sure centerpieces are right, the day will go smoothly, and you’ve chosen the right standard or comfortable plus size bridal shapewear for your big day.

As a guest, your list will certainly be much smaller. Beyond picking out the perfect gift from the registry, your main priority is to pick out the perfect outfit.

Wedding guest dresses come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and prints, so we understand that it can be a little tricky deciphering between the outfits you can wear, and ones you can’t and shouldn’t wear.

To avoid confusion, we’ve made a list of 10 things to look out for when choosing a wedding guest outfit…

DON’T wear white

The number one rule when attending a wedding is to avoid wearing white at all costs. Even if you’ve just returned from the Caribbean and white offsets your tan perfectly, do not wear white. Even if your dress is only a mini or midi dress, do not wear white. Even if the bride isn’t wearing white, you still should not wear white.

DON’T upstage the bride

Although the bride wants you to make an effort for her special day, she certainly doesn’t want you to upstage her! As well as steering clear of white, we would avoid anything too bold such as prom dresses, maxi dresses with long trains, and anything covered in sequins. Make an effort, but don’t forget why you are there.

DO cover up

Save your skimpy outfits for your next girls’ night out, and opt for smart, conservative clothes for your friend’s wedding. Remember that weddings are considered to be family events, so see-through fabrics, plunging necklines, and daring hemlines wouldn’t be appropriate.

DON’T dress casually

You may be able to get away with throwing a pair of stilettos on and heading to the club in a pair of jeans, but do not attend a wedding in such a casual outfit. Weddings should be used as an opportunity to dress up in your finest clothes. In fact, most women even use weddings as an excuse to buy a whole new outfit, so be sure to choose your ensemble carefully.

Jeans may be frowned upon, but jumpsuits or straight-leg trousers paired with a sharp blazer, for example, are perfectly smart and acceptable alternatives to dresses.

DON’T wear black

We know that black is the most slimming color, and you probably already have that staple LBD that you wear to everything – but a wedding is not one of those occasions! If you feel more comfortable in dark colors, we suggest going for navy blue or dark green, for example, and adding a pop of color by way of some brighter accessories.

DO opt for bright colors

Spring and summer weddings are the perfect excuse for bold colors and pastel hues. As a word of caution, make sure you know what color the bridesmaids are wearing if your dress is one block color. You don’t want to be mistaken for a member of the bridal party, as that could lead to some very awkward conversations during and possibly even after the wedding.

DO accessorize

Accessories have the ability to instantly transform an outfit, which bodes well for someone who has multiple weddings to attend in one summer. To avoid splashing out on different dresses for each event, simply change up your accessories to create a whole new look every time.

The same blue dress, for example, can be worn with a white shawl and white shoes for one wedding, and then paired with a bright pink clutch and nude heels for another. And we haven’t even mentioned statement earrings and bold necklaces yet! Once accessories are involved, the possibilities really are endless.

DO bring flat shoes

You don’t want to miss out on all the fun of the dance floor because your feet hurt, so bring a pair of flats to change into when the pain becomes too much. Foldable flats that fit into even the smallest of clutch bags would be perfect.

If you don’t want to go down the foldable flats route, simply find a bag large enough to accommodate your shoes. This pre-planning will allow you to dance the night away!

DO complement the color scheme

This rule only applies for guests that are in the immediate wedding party, such as the mother of the bride or groom, for example. You should already know the color scheme, so choose an outfit that complements (but doesn’t exactly match) the bridesmaids’ dresses or flowers.

DO make the most of the winter

Spring/summer weddings are great, but we also adore the magic of winter weddings. Winter weddings call for a much more glamorous dress code such as long evening gowns, and best of all, (faux) fur! Fur coats, stoles, boleros, shawls, and scarves can not only keep out the chill, but they can also transform an outfit in an instant.

No matter what season the wedding is taking place, remembering these tips will help you make good fashion choices for the big day!