George Boyle
Deciding what to wear to a casual wedding can be challenging. The term casual in this context means a slightly lifted version of everyday clothing, like business casual. The key is to balance comfort and practicality with style. While you want to look nice and honour the couple, you don't want to overdress or feel out of place. Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, and sneakers are generally not recommended for a casual wedding unless the invitation specifically mentions denim or sneakers. Instead, opt for comfortable, easy-to-move-in, weather-appropriate clothing that feels a bit nicer than your everyday look. Consider the season, venue, and the couple's personality when choosing your outfit. If it's an outdoor wedding, go for lightweight, airy silhouettes and fabrics. Women can wear sundresses, stylish jumpsuits, matching sets, or dressy tops with trousers or skirts. Men can opt for dress pants, khakis, or tailored trousers paired with collared shirts. Remember, the perfect balance between formal and casual elements will create a polished look.
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What You'll Learn
- Dresses: Opt for a cute, light and breezy dress, avoiding anything too revealing
- Shoes: Wear flats, sandals, or wedges. Avoid heels and flip-flops
- Colours: Go for earthy, pastel, or bright tones. Avoid dark colours
- Patterns: Florals, gingham, and plaid are all good options. Avoid mostly white, yellow, or pink
- Trousers: Choose dress pants, khakis, or a jumpsuit. Avoid jeans and leggings
Dresses: Opt for a cute, light and breezy dress, avoiding anything too revealing
When it comes to dressing for a casual wedding, the term "casual" can be misleading. It does not mean everyday clothing, nor does it mean dressing up in formal attire. It is a careful balance between style, comfort and practicality.
For dresses, opt for a cute, light and breezy dress. A sundress is a great option, especially for an outdoor wedding. You can pair it with a cardigan if it gets chilly. If you're concerned about showing too much skin, a midi dress with long sleeves is a good choice, especially for early spring or windy weather. Avoid anything too revealing.
Floral prints are a popular choice for casual weddings, but be mindful of the colour. White, cream, light pink, buttery yellow or pale pink bases can often come across as white in photos, so opt for darker bases like blue, green or lavender. If florals aren't your style, there are plenty of other fun and bright prints to choose from, such as gingham, abstract or plaid patterns.
The location and season will also influence your dress choice. For a beach wedding, lightweight, airy outfits are best, while a slightly dressier option might be more suitable for a venue with a booked location. You can also take cues from the wedding invitation to gauge the level of formality.
Finally, when in doubt, remember that casual weddings are about honouring the couple and feeling comfortable. You don't want to overdress or underdress, so choose an outfit that strikes a balance and reflects your personal style.
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Shoes: Wear flats, sandals, or wedges. Avoid heels and flip-flops
When it comes to footwear, it's best to opt for flats, sandals, or wedges for a casual wedding. These options strike the perfect balance between style and comfort, especially if the wedding is outdoors. Flats or sandals are a great choice if you want to avoid sinking into the grass, and they can easily be dressed up or down depending on the venue and your outfit. Ballet flats, in particular, can add a touch of elegance to your look. If you're attending a beach wedding, sandals are a perfect choice to fit the relaxed atmosphere while keeping your feet cool and comfortable.
Wedges are another excellent option for a casual wedding, offering a bit of height without the formality of heels. They work well with various outfits, from dresses to jumpsuits, and can be a great way to add a bit of dressiness to your look without going overboard. If you're concerned about comfort, wedges tend to provide more support than typical heels, making them a good choice for weddings, where you'll likely be on your feet for extended periods.
It's generally best to avoid heels and flip-flops at a casual wedding. Heels can make your outfit appear too formal and may not be practical for outdoor venues. As for flip-flops, they can be too casual and may not provide enough support for extended periods, especially if there will be a lot of standing or dancing. If you want to wear heels, consider block heels, which can provide more stability and a slightly more casual look, depending on the style you choose.
Ultimately, the right footwear for a casual wedding depends on your outfit, the venue, and your personal comfort. Flats, sandals, or wedges are versatile options that can be dressed up or down, making them perfect choices for navigating the sometimes tricky terrain of casual wedding attire.
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Colours: Go for earthy, pastel, or bright tones. Avoid dark colours
When it comes to colours, it's best to opt for earthy, pastel, or bright tones. These shades will instantly make your outfit appear more casual and are especially suitable for a suit. You can also experiment with various suit styles, such as slacks, skirts, or even a matching dress, as long as you avoid anything too formal, like a tuxedo. If you're set on wearing pants, tailored trousers or a chic jumpsuit can be a great choice for a casual wedding.
For a casual spring or summer wedding, a cute sundress in pastel or bright colours is a wonderful option. You can also choose from a variety of fun and bright prints, such as gingham, abstract, or plaid patterns. Avoid floral prints with a white, cream, or light pink base, as they may appear white in photos. Instead, go for blue, green, or lavender bases to avoid any mishaps.
If you prefer pants over skirts or dresses, a jumpsuit or dress pants are more suitable than jeans for a casual wedding. As for shoes, elegant white sneakers can work in some venues, such as a backyard wedding, but other options like mules, flat sandals, or western boots are also great choices.
When in doubt, remember that "casual" doesn't mean "everyday." Your outfit should be polished and a bit more refined than your usual attire. The venue and season will also play a significant role in determining your final outfit choice.
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Patterns: Florals, gingham, and plaid are all good options. Avoid mostly white, yellow, or pink
When it comes to patterns, florals, gingham, and plaid are all excellent options for a casual wedding. These patterns can add a playful and stylish touch to your outfit. However, it is important to be mindful of certain colours that are typically avoided for wedding guest attire.
Firstly, it is generally considered taboo to wear mostly white, as this colour is often reserved for the bride. Shades of white, such as ivory, cream, beige, champagne, and eggshell, should also be avoided as they can be mistaken for white in photographs. It is best to steer clear of any patterns or outfits that feature a predominantly white colour.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid wearing colours that are too similar to those worn by the bridal party. This includes pastel colours like light pink, which is commonly associated with the bridal party's attire. Therefore, it is advisable to choose colours that complement rather than match the bridal party's palette.
Yellow and pink are also colours that you may want to approach with caution. While pale yellow and soft pink can be problematic due to their similarity to bridal colours, brighter shades of these colours can stand out in photographs. If you do choose to wear yellow or pink, consider opting for a more muted or darker shade to avoid any potential issues.
When in doubt, it is always a good idea to refer to the wedding invitation for cues on the expected attire. Additionally, you can consider the season and venue to guide your colour and pattern choices. For example, spring weddings often embrace soft, light colours and floral patterns, while summer weddings are a perfect opportunity to showcase bright and cheerful hues.
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Trousers: Choose dress pants, khakis, or a jumpsuit. Avoid jeans and leggings
When it comes to trousers, it's best to opt for dress pants, khakis, or a jumpsuit. The key is to choose something that feels polished and a little nicer than your everyday look.
For women, a stylish jumpsuit can be a great choice, offering both comfort and a fashionable edge. If you prefer a more traditional trouser, tailored trousers or dress pants in a luxe fabric can be a good option. These can be paired with a chic blouse or sweater for a polished look. Avoid leggings, as these can be too casual and are more suited to everyday wear.
For men, dress pants or khakis are a safe choice, especially when paired with a collared shirt. This combination strikes the right balance between formal and casual, creating a refined yet relaxed appearance. Again, steer clear of jeans and leggings, as they are too informal for a wedding, even a casual one.
The location and season will also influence your trouser choice. For example, a suit may be suitable for a courthouse wedding, but not for a beach wedding. Similarly, consider the weather; lightweight fabrics are ideal for outdoor weddings, while you may prefer something longer and warmer for an indoor venue.
Remember, the goal is to look polished and respectful while still feeling comfortable and true to your personal style.
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Frequently asked questions
The venue and setting of the wedding are the most important things to consider when deciding what to wear. For example, a backyard wedding will be more relaxed than a venue-based wedding.
For women, a dressy top with a skirt or trousers, a jumpsuit, or a sundress with sandals or wedges are good options. For men, dress pants or khakis with a collared shirt are a safe bet.
Avoid wearing jeans, sneakers, t-shirts, tank tops, and flip-flops. Also, be mindful of the colours and patterns you choose—stay away from mostly white, yellow, or pink prints.
