Deciding what to wear as a wedding guest can be challenging; there are lots of things to consider, from style to weather and comfort. If you’re unsure about what to wear, we have some tips to help you decide.

Get the details on the wedding colours

You want to avoid choosing the same colour as the bridesmaids; if you look too similar, it could be embarrassing and not the impression you want to make. Have a conversation with the bride or groom, and ask them about their colour scheme and the style of wedding they’re having. You don’t have to say you’re asking because you’re unsure what to wear. Just spark a conversation; most brides and grooms will be more than happy to discuss their wedding plans. From this conversation, you can find out what colours to avoid and the wedding style; using this information, you can pick an appropriate outfit.

Think about the shoes

Shoes are very important for any wedding guest. You will spend a long time on your feet during the day, with small breaks to sit down. Choosing comfortable shoes is important, but you’ll also want to look great at the same time. Many guests bring two pairs of shoes so they can switch them out towards the end of the night when their feet begin to ache. This works well if you’ve driven or you have a hotel close to the venue. If you’re not a heels person, don’t worry; some flat shoe options can look great, especially in the summer months. If you have a comfortable heel, you want to wear to the wedding; you can base your outfit on the shoe.

Cover up

If you love to dress to show off your best assets, that’s great, but it’s best to cover up for a wedding. This is especially important if the wedding is religious and takes place in a religious location or building. Choose a dress that’s just above the knee or longer; also, keep an eye on your neckline and avoid anything too plunging. You’ll fit in much better and won’t have to worry about any accidental slip-ups. If you’re attending the evening part of the wedding, you might be able to get away with a more revealing dress as long as you also carry a wrap or cardigan for when it gets cold. Cashmere wraps are the perfect luxury item to wear as a wedding guest to cover your shoulders when you’re cold.

Seasonal colours

If you want to fit in and not look out of place, the best solution is to dress for the season. Choose an outfit that is suitable for the season; in summer, you can opt for yellows, pastels and floral outfits. In the autumn, deeper shades of orange, dark brown and red are appropriate. In the winter, you can go for dark green, deep blues, deep purples and something with a sparkle if it's close to Christmas. When visiting women's clothing shops online or in person, you’ll immediately notice the clothes relevant for the season; choose something from this section.

Avoid white and cream

It shouldn't need to be said but always avoid wearing white and cream to any wedding, unless you’re the one getting married. It’s just common courtesy; if you’re unsure about the colour of your outfit, it's best to choose something else. At the end of the day, the couple has invited you to spend their day with them, don’t make it awkward and stick to the rules.

Dress confidently

One mistake when choosing an outfit to wear for a wedding is not dressing to suit your style. There are many different options available for you to choose from, so you don’t need to dress in something you don’t want to wear. Find an outfit that is formal and makes you feel confident. Choose something that feels like it belongs to you; that way, you can wear it again to another wedding or event in the future. Weddings are a day to take photographs, so it's important you feel comfortable and confident as the pictures will be around for many years.

Don’t be afraid to rewear

Just because you’ve worn an item of clothing before to a previous event, it doesn't mean you can’t wear it again. People appreciate reusing and recycling outfits, and no one expects you to buy a new outfit for every occasion. If you choose to wear a piece of clothing you’ve worn in the past, you can alter the outfit slightly by wearing different shoes or accessories or pairing it with a different jacket or hat.

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