What to Wear to a Wedding
The age-old question every guest asks… what to wear to a wedding? Whether you're family, a friend or the plus one, dressing for a wedding can be a tough one! Choosing an outfit that's stylish, yet comfortable is the most important part of dressing for the occasion. The right outfit choice will make you feel confident and add to the magic that surrounds us all on those unforgettable days.
Generally speaking, wedding guests have been known to wear more formal attire such as dresses and suits. In the past it has been suggested that guests steer away from white due to the age old tradition of brides wearing this colour on their wedding day, however as we move more and more towards ever-changing modern celebrations, we'd like to think wedding fashion can be open to interpretation. As a rule, check your invitation for a dress code, there may be some clues to point you in the right direction.
Whether it be a backyard wedding in spring, a church wedding in autumn, we've compiled some information and inspiration to help you on in finding the perfect outfit to wear on that very special day!
Why We Dress Up For Weddings
As we all know, a wedding is a symbol of love and commitment between two people and attending one, therefore, provides the opportunity for you to celebrate a huge milestone moment in their lives. Because of this significance, it makes sense that guests should wear something formal or an outfit that is suitable for a particular theme or wedding venue.
Plus, wearing an outfit that makes you feel and look great can enhance your confidence both on and off the dance floor!
How to Decide What to Wear to A Wedding
Deciding what to wear to a wedding has become a somewhat overwhelming task. With so many dress code restrictions to keep up with, sometimes it can be hard to find an outfit that is just right for you, and the event. Sometimes you just want to leave it up to the experts... and *ahem* that's us! It’s our mission to assist our birds in finding their perfect match, an outfit that not only looks incredible but makes you feel just as special on the inside.
Our ‘Style Me’ shopping feature can help you create looks for specific occasions, including weddings. What better way to start your outfit hunt than by looking at our thoughtfully curated Wedding Outfits Collection! From a sleek one shoulder to a 'dance all night' maxi dress, there’s certainly a winning look waiting for you!
What to Wear to a Wedding by Season
Staying close to home (but yes, international friends we ship to you too!), let's look at some of our outfit ideas for weddings. As we know, living in our country, temperatures can fluctuate throughout the year, so it’s often best to purchase pieces that will be versatile and can be worn trans-seasonally.
Staple items that usually provide this flexibility include maxi dresses, jumpsuits, blouses, and skirts. These pieces, combined with the right layer combination (such as a coat or blazer) and some fabulous jewellery and shoes, will have you looking wedding-ready all-year-round.
To see how these versatile items can be styled for an Australian wedding, check out the seasonal looks below!
What to Wear to a Winter Wedding
With cooler nights and gloomier weather, wintertime typically means wearing darker colours such as emerald green or navy. The chiller temperatures also create a widespread desire for long sleeves, maxi lengths and jumpsuits. You might even find yourself needing a jacket or coat!
What to Wear to a Spring Wedding
As temperatures start to warm, it’s time to turn up the colour and PRINT! There's nothing like bright florals to bring out those happy, wedding day vibes or even a classic spot! If you're off to a spring wedding one to consider radiant colours, strapless styles and maxi length.
What to Wear to a Summer Wedding
Summertime heat means lightweight fabrics and vibrant colours. Whether that’s pink, citrus, blue, or green, we have plenty of eye-catching shades to choose from. Knee length styles are ideal for staying cool in summer.
What to Wear to an Autumn Wedding
As Autumn puts the chill back in the air, think about layering. A shorter dress with sleeves or a sleeveless jumpsuit should do the trick! If in doubt, always take a jacket and that'll keep you in good stead should the weather take a turn for the worst.
With autumn leaves falling from the trees, this time of year is all about those warm-toned colours. From gold to maroon to burnt orange, there’s plenty of styling inspiration surrounding us.
Wedding Outfits for Different Venues
The location of the wedding may also impact what you choose to wear. To help you get an idea of what these different outfits may look like, check out our venue-specific styling inspiration below.
What to Wear to a Beach Wedding
As a country surrounded by gorgeous surf and sand, it makes sense why beaches are a well-loved Australian wedding destination — especially during the summer months.
And, while a beach can be considered a pretty casual location, we wouldn’t suggest rocking up in shorts and t-shirt (unless the invite explicitly says to do so). Instead, why not live out your bohemian beach dreams with one of these gorgeous flowy dresses?
What to Wear to a Church Wedding
When attending a church wedding, generally it's a more formal look and feel. Stick to neutral colours and simple prints to keep your outfit elegant and appropriate.
What to Wear to a Vineyard Wedding
Deciding what to wear to a vineyard wedding will often depend on the type of vineyard and the time of day. That said, a semi-formal look seems to be the most common choice.
What to Wear to a Hotel Wedding
Likewise, what you choose to wear to a hotel wedding will depend on the time of day and the specific venue. Most often, modern hotel settings tend to be accompanied by a modern semi-formal dress code.
What to Wear to a Wedding Depending on the Time of Day
What to Wear to a Wedding in the Morning
Morning weddings usually hint towards wearing pastels such as beige-pink or baby blue.
What to Wear to a Wedding at Midday
Midday weddings tend to have a more relaxed dress code. To achieve the perfect blend between casual and wedding appropriate, try pairing a dressier style and shoes with a low heel together.
What to Wear to a Wedding in the Evening
Evening weddings generally mean darker colours, like burgundy or navy.
What to Wear to a Wedding Based on the Dress Code
What to Wear to a Formal Wedding?
Generally, a formal dress code means longer dresses and more structured designs. You can usually think about these looks as being dresses you wouldn’t wear in your every day-to-day life.
What to Wear to an Informal Wedding?
In contrast, an informal dress code would typically involve wearing more smart-casual pieces that you may potentially wear in your regular life (such as to a Sunday brunch). This might not be the case for everyone, but it should help give you a better sense of what you could wear to an informal wedding.
Wedding Outfits For Different Body Types
It’s no surprise that clothes look completely different on different body shapes. Dressing for your shape is all about flattering the parts you want to show off. Let’s take a look at which pieces may flatter your body the most.
If you’re still learning what body type you are, Our Style Profile will give you a fool-proof guide on how to dress for your body shape. You can also have a look at this great article, “How to Determine Your Body Shape” for some extra tips.
What NOT to Wear to a Wedding
Although we’re all about wearing what makes you feel good, certain items shouldn't be worn at a wedding out of respect for the couple. The general ‘wedding etiquette’ advice that you:
- Don’t wear white.
- Don’t wear extravagant headpieces.
- Don’t wear thongs.
- Don’t wear anything too bright, sparkly, or sequinned.
- Don’t wear anything too revealing.
- Don’t wear denim.
- Don’t wear shorts or t-shirts.
If you were to wear these items, it could unintentionally appear like you’re trying to “steal the spotlight” or disregard the importance of the couple’s special day. But, of course, in the instance that the invite says to bring a headpiece or wear denim, then go for it!
Ready to Shop For Your Wedding Outfit?
If you’re feeling inspired and ready to shop, head to our Wedding Outfit Range to begin your online browse or visit us in our store at 232 Sharp Street, Cooma NSW.
Love, the birdsnest birds x
Tahlecia
After completing a Bachelor of Design in Creative Direction & Styling in the big smoke, Tahlecia moved back to the South Coast to pursue a lifestyle change. When she's not amongst the Styling team at birdsnest you'll find her at the beach, on horse back or exploring coffee shops around the countryside.
