How to dress for a wedding (without overshadowing the bride)

Your ultimate guide for exactly what to wear to a wedding.

Your ultimate guide for exactly what to wear to a wedding.

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Finding a wedding invitation in the post is almost as nerve wracking as it is exciting. Despite the opportunity to celebrate love and dance the night away, almost every woman’s first thought is of what to wear, especially given the varying dress codes and formalities of the occasion. 

Whether they opt for a chilled courthouse affair, like Chloë Sevigny and her art dealer husband, a spur of the moment Las Vegas chapel or a destination wedding, like Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas, or to keep things traditional in a black-tie wedding, like Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber, couples today have far more choice when it comes to their wedding. This means, of course, wedding dress codes for guests can vary significantly, too. A summer wedding might call for a floral or sunnier hue, whereas a winter wedding could demand a jewel shade; a chill weather ceremony, of course, also brings to mind practical considerations, like a long sleeve for your gown, or a jacket to throw over your shoulders. 

From print and colour specialists Rixo and Rat & Boa, to local heroes like Camilla and Marc and Posse, who cater to the chic and contemporary minimalist, the options for labels to wear to your next save-the-date are endless. Here, our official guide to dressing your best, inspired by the most common wedding dress codes. 

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What to wear to a wedding

No matter the location or theme of the nuptials, there are a few rules that almost always apply to wedding guest attire. If you consider the below before dressing for a friend or family member’s big day, you should be totally safe and free to party the night away, without accidentally committing a sartorial faux pas—or worse, overshadowing the bride. And we can't have that happening, can we?

Don’t wear white 

Though it’s now no longer an issue to wear red or even black to a wedding, when it comes to white, the hue is still a bit of a no-go zone. You don’t want to be the only person at the wedding other than the bride wearing white (or to be accused of trying to upstage her!), so it pays to play it safe and steer clear of anything close to the colour, including off-white and even beige. Unless, of course, the bride and groom have specified they don’t mind, or have stipulated that the dress code is white-tie, or even all-white. If you’re set on a pale colour, try pink or another pastel, like a blue or yellow. 

When you think of the perfect wedding attire, Rixo is one of the first brands that pops to mind. Not only does the London-born label specialise in vintage-esque printed summer dresses that you’ll keep forever, but it sits pretty at a mid-tier price point, too. 

SHOP NOW: Rixo Gabrielle open-back lace-trimmed satin maxi dress, $602.04 from Net-a-Porter

Weddings are the perfect occasion to explore more feminine designs, such as those that incorporate pastel colours, silks or florals—or, in the case of this Reformation dress, all three!

SHOP NOW: Reformation Veria silk maxi dress, $878 from Farfetch

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Watch your hemline 

Modern as the bride and groom may be, a wedding is still a wedding and, therefore, it pays to stay on the safe side when it comes to short dresses. Anything that hits on or below the knee is A-OK, and thankfully there are a lot of stunning designs that are perfect for the occasion. If you'd prefer something a little different to a dress, a jumpsuit or a pantsuit are other suitable (and chic) options.

Ganni is another go-to for wedding guest dresses. This dress hits at the ideal length, while its spaghetti straps and delicate neckline still allows for skin to show.  

SHOP NOW: Blue shiny taffeta  strap dress, $645 fromGanni

Opting for a pantsuit or two-piece will lessen the chance that you’ll accidentally be wearing the same dress as another guest, plus your outfit will be perfect for windy days—or the dance floor. This affordable option from Tussah is stunning in hot pink; so too is a skirt suit for a wedding guest outfit. 

SHOP NOW: Tussah Karla jumpsuit, $159.95 (30 per cent off at checkout) from The Iconic

Don’t be too casual

As the old saying goes, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. Despite weddings today being overall less traditional and formal than that of older generations—black-tie is optional these days, as is wearing a tuxedo or dark suit—no one wants to arrive to the venue in sneakers to see everyone else in heels. Here, it pays to be safe rather than sorry. 

The Camilla and Marc ‘Melle’ dress comes in at all the right places. The silhouette keeps the dress looking fun and relaxed for all times of day, while the lace panels and delicious pale pistachio shade elevate the look. For a point of difference, swap heels for a pair of boots. Could one of my friends please get engaged before this sells out?

SHOP NOW: Melle dress, $650 from Camilla and Marc

Yellow is the perfect colour to wear to a wedding, especially when it comes from beachy label Venroy and especially when it’s on a chic midi dress that was locally designed. Tick, tick, and tick.

SHOP NOW: Halter neck cut-out dress, $300 from Venroy

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Or too overdressed! 

I know, I know, we just told you off for considering sneakers! But while you probably shouldn’t bust out the jeans (or adidas) for your friend’s wedding, you shouldn’t wear a ball gown, either—unless it's a casual wedding or a beach wedding, in which case, pack flip flops. Opt for fun designs that work for both day and night, which won’t run the risk of upstaging the bride even if she's set a casual dress code, who could be walking down the aisle in a pared-back wedding dress.  

It’s no longer frowned upon to wear black to a wedding, especially when on a summery dress which can be paired with colourful accessories and fun jewellery, such as this Posse number, complete with an open back and—for a touch of daring—semi-sheer panelling at the waist.  

SHOP NOW: Winnie dress in black, $289 from Posse

Offset an otherwise dressy dress with fun designs, such as a one-sleeve neckline and pattern (this maxi dress is polka dot georgette linen). There’s always the option of swapping heels for a pair of ballet flats too, or Mary Jane sandals.

SHOP NOW: Faithfull the Brand Esperanza ruffled polka-dot georgette maxi dress, $349 fromNet-a-Porter

Experiment with colour 

We can all be guilty of finding our wardrobe filled with beige, black and white, but weddings are a celebration, so what better time to wear vibrant, fun colours that would otherwise feel too eye-catching? 

With a kaleidoscopic wildlife pattern and in a unique blend of pinks and greens, this Alémais cocktail dress will make you stand out from the crowd in all the right ways—not too loud, not too dressy and not too casual. Job done. 

SHOP NOW: Alémais Meagan Boyd Evergreen printed linen midi dress, $595 from Net-a-Porter

Crafted from a slightly sheer fabric and cut with a floor-sweeping hem that sits on the ankle, Rat & Boa’s Luciana slip dress is perfect for a day wedding. For extra points, pick your favourite shade from the pattern and match it to your shoes and accessories. 

SHOP NOW: Luciana dress, $405 from Rat & Boa

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Originally published as How to dress for a wedding (without overshadowing the bride)