The One Fab Day team have attended a lot of weddings over the years, but one thing we still struggle with is wedding dress codes. We've been to black-tie weddings that were cool and whimsical, and beach weddings where the bride wore a high-end designer, so you can understand our confusion as wedding guests when that invitation arrives in the post or inbox. It doesn't help thatthere are an infinite number of dress codes, with many couples making up their own ("Whatever makes you feel likeBeyoncé" is a favourite!). We thought it was about time that there were failsafe instructions on what to wear for the most common wedding dress codes! We can't be sure whether a couple who specifies "beach formal" is thinking blazers or board shorts, but if you stick to our guidelines, you can't go too far wrong. Just remember that, whatever the dress code, you should incorporate some element of your personal style into your look - you always have a better time when you're comfortable with what you're wearing, and that's precisely what the newlyweds want! The most formal of all wedding dress codes is defined by a white tie or dickie bow for menswear, sometimes accompanied by a white waistcoat, a dress coat with tails and patent leather shoes. It's essentially the bit in Titanic where Jack is invited upstairs to the first class dining room! What to wear: A tuxedo with a white tie and white shirt - the other elements are negotiable. Women should wear a full-length gown in a luxurious fabric. This is probably the most common of the formal wedding dress codes, and again, the name refers to menswear, specifically a tuxedo worn, in any colour, with a black tie. In general, black tie means "dress to impress", although fancier items like dress jackets with tails aren't required. What to wear:A tuxedo with a white dress shirt, with removable buttons, worn with cufflinks, and paired with a black tie or dickie bow. For womenswear, chic, knee-length co*cktail dresses with heels are usually acceptable, but a full-length gown is a safer bet. This is a slight variation on black tie, which couples use when they want to create an elegant dinner party vibe, but they don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on their guests to dress a certain way. What to wear: A tuxedo as above, or full-length gown if it's convenient. If not, you can wear a two or three-piece suit, or a chic, knee-length or midi-length co*cktail dress with heels. Formal attire is often confused with black tie, but the only difference is that, with formal attire, you have the freedom to choose between a tuxedo or a dark two- or three-piece suit. What to wear: A tuxedo or dark two- or three-piece suit. Women can choose between a chic, knee-length or midi-length co*cktail dress and a full-length dress. A dressy jumpsuit or pantsuit will also work. With co*cktail attire, you're expected to look smart, but not overly formal. It's one step down from formal attire. What to wear: A suit, or trouser and blazer combo. The tie is optional, but if you're not sure, wear one and you can remove it later. Most dress lengths are acceptable, so long as you don't go too short, and your outfit is still smart and dressy. This is usually a mix of dressy and casual. Light colours are preferable in summer or for a destination wedding, but dark colours are still acceptable all year 'round. What to wear:A suit, or trouser and blazer combo - the tie is optional. A co*cktail dress or skirt and top combo. In really warm weather, look for breathable fabrics like linen and cotton. Generally speaking, smart casual and semi-formal can be used interchangeably. Both signal that the couple are inviting their guests to dress comfortably, but still look sharp. What to wear:A suit, or trouser and blazer combo - the tie is optional. A co*cktail dress or skirt and top combo. In really warm weather, look for breathable fabrics like linen and cotton. Is it just us or does beach formal sound like a total contradiction? What the couple means by this is that they're hoping for a laid-back beachy vibe for their wedding, but they'd still like their male guests to wear a shirt and slacks. What to wear: A shirt and slacks. It's a good idea to bring a linen or cotton blazer - you can always take off if you feel overdressed. Shorts are usually acceptable if worn with a shirt and blazer. Tread carefully where womenswear is concerned - if you would wear it on an ordinary trip to the beach, it's probably too casual. A long dress styled with chic accessories is just right. Garden attire is on the same level as beach formal, but, of course, the setting is different. What to wear:A shirt and slacks, with an optional linen or cotton blazer. Shorts are usually acceptable if worn with a shirt and blazer. Chic, smart dresses of all lengths are usually fine for garden party-style affairs, and heels can generally be worn, unless otherwise specified - though perhaps opt for wedges if you know you'll spend the day on grass. While a casual dress code might imply that the couple want you to wear whatever you're comfortable in, this is not exactly the case! Remember that many dress codes were established in an era when a two-piece suit was considered casual! What to wear: A shirt, slacks and a blazer. Smart shorts are okay too, if the weather allows. Women should avoid anything too glitzy - a co*cktail dress, sundress or smart jumpsuit is ideal. In terms of wedding dress codes, informal and casual mean pretty much the same thing - nobody can technically blame you for turning up in cargo shorts and a crop top, but it's best to go for something a little more dressed up! What to wear: A shirt, slacks and a blazer. Smart shorts are okay too, if the weather allows. Women should avoid anything too glitzy - a co*cktail dress, sundress or smart jumpsuit is ideal. This is a tough one to gauge as it can refer to the time of year (summer, Christmas etc.), or the theme of the wedding, if there is one. It can also serve as an invitation to show some personality in your outfit. What to wear: If the couple haven't specified a theme, you'll be safe in a suit and tie that incorporates a bold colour or print. You can always strip down to slacks and a shirt if you've overstepped the mark. Colour and print is a good idea for womenswear, too, along with sequins and glitter. It's always tricky dealing with wedding dress codes that you've never heard of before, as they're always up to interpretation - "funky" could mean a paisley-print bellbottom suit, or it could mean a purple tie! Just remember that, no matter the style of wedding, most guests will err on the side of safety, so unless you're happy to stand out from the crowd, it's best to stick fairly close to typical wedding dress attire, AKA a suit or a dress and heels. The couple's own personal style will give you some clues, too. If they're proudly eccentric dressers, you should be safe adding a little creative flair to your look. If not, stick with the classics. We have loads of handy posts for wedding guest inspiration and be sure to follow us on Instagram!
White Tie Dress Code
Black Tie Dress Code
Black Tie Optional Dress Code
Formal Attire Dress Code
co*cktail Attire Dress Code
Smart Casual or Dressy Casual Dress Code
Semi-Formal Attire Dress Code
Beach Formal Dress Code
Garden Attire Dress Code
Casual Dress Code
Informal Attire Dress Code
Festive Attire Dress Code
Strange, Unusual or Confusing Dress Codes
FAQs
What is the most common wedding dress code? ›
Black Tie Dress Code
This is probably the most common of the formal wedding dress codes, and again, the name refers to menswear, specifically a tuxedo worn, in any colour, with a black tie. In general, black tie means "dress to impress", although fancier items like dress jackets with tails aren't required.
Two dresses for the wedding are already standard for most brides – one for the registry office and one for the church or free wedding ceremony. The possibilities are endless and there are no limits to individuality. For every budget there are many alternatives now.
What is the default dress code for a wedding? ›co*cktail attire is a typical wedding dress code choice because it offers a balance between formality and comfort. Perfect for an afternoon wedding and evening reception, the co*cktail wedding dress code indicates a semi-formal-to-formal event.
What does LBD mean for wedding attire? ›The little black dress (LBD) is a black evening or co*cktail dress, cut simply and often quite short. Fashion historians ascribe the origins of the little black dress to the 1920s designs of Coco Chanel.
What is the safest color to wear to a wedding? ›Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.
Is $3000 a lot for a wedding dress? ›According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding gown is $2,000. While, of course, off-the-rack gowns may be priced lower, more luxurious gowns can sometimes fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. Customized dresses can even cost as much as $10,000.
What is the most common bridal size? ›The most common sizes sampled are bridal sizes 10 or 12, with outliers on either end. These samples sizes can be tried on by most, but rarely do they fit perfectly.
Should the bride wear white to her engagement party? ›Traditionally, white is reserved for the bride on the wedding day as well as all events leading up to the big day. When deciding what to wear to an engagement party, steer clear of women's styles that may photograph lighter and appear to be white.
What is considered inappropriate to wear to a wedding? ›Crop tops, dresses with mesh on the sides, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding. A skimpy outfit will attract negative attention from other guests and take attention away from the bride; it also doesn't match the solemnity of the occasion.
What to wear to a wedding if you don t know the dress code? ›No Dress Code
The best route is to talk to the bride or groom to find out what they expect. You can also talk to other friends attending the event to get a sense of what they plan to wear. If all else fails, it's safest to go with co*cktail or semiformal attire. You'll look elegant but not over the top.
What is a black-tie optional for a woman? ›
Emily Post Institute offers a similar definition: “A black-tie optional dress code gives guests a couple of formal options to choose from. Men are requested to wear a tuxedo, but can opt for a dark suit. Women can choose either a formal evening gown, a shorter co*cktail dress, or dressy separates.”
What is the smart casual dress code? ›A smart casual dress code refers to a desired style of dress that is more kempt than casual and less flashy than formal. Finding the right balance between comfortable and fashionable is tricky, but most people can likely create a smart casual outfit based on what they already own.
What is the most formal wedding dress code? ›White-Tie. This is the most formal wedding attire possible (think: White House state dinners and royal events).
What does a line wedding dress mean? ›A-line gowns are fitted through your natural waist and then flare out softly to create an "A" shape (hence the name). This dress silhouette is elegant and lovely. "Embrace your effortless glamour in a silhouette that harmonizes a dreamy feel with a danceable functionality," Paige says.
How to determine dress code for your wedding? ›One easy way to decide on a dress code is to have your guests wear what you and your spouse would wear to someone else's wedding. This may mean a nice dress for women and a suit for men. If you're going for a certain aesthetic, ask your guests to wear a specific color like black or white.
What does black tie mean on a wedding invitation? ›Traditionally, a black-tie dress code denotes a formal evening occasion, where men are meant to wear tuxedos and women, floor-length gowns. "The atmosphere is a more formal vibe," says Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert.
What type of wedding dress is most common? ›The A-line style is the most popular of wedding dresses as it tends to fit and flatter many different figure shapes. This design will look great whether you have an hourglass or pear shape. Aline refers to the ultimate form of the skirt. And as it says, it's shaped like the letter A.
What is traditional wedding dress code? ›Traditionally, white tie attire for women stipulates that a ball gown which exposes decolletage must be worn. Evening length gloves are also required depending on the event, and tiaras may be worn by married women only. In a modern context, white tie for women requires a ball gown. Browse formal wear here.
What is the most common dress code? ›Business casual is the most common dress code in American workplaces, and it can vary based on each workplace. Men typically wear dress pants or khaki pants with collared button-up shirts, and they may also wear a sweater over this shirt. Women can wear business separates and blouses or shirts without collars.
What do most people wear to weddings? ›Women should embrace wrap dresses, midi dresses or elegant jumpsuits. For men, if it's a daytime wedding, a light sport jacket, button-down shirt and relaxed chinos fit the bill. In the evening, go for darker colors, as later weddings tend to be more formal.