Attire Etiquette: A Guide To Navigating Wedding Attire

When it comes to weddings, attire is an important aspect that can be communicated through invitations, enclosure cards, and wedding websites. The location of the wedding is usually a good indicator of dress code, but couples may want to provide specific instructions to ensure their vision is met. For instance, a black-tie event requires tuxedos and formal gowns, while a casual backyard reception calls for a more relaxed dress code. To convey formality, the invitation wording can include phrases like request the honor of your presence or request the pleasure of your company. The design elements such as font choices, colours, and finishing touches also provide subtle hints about the expected attire.

Black-tie or white-tie: formal gowns and tuxedos

Black-tie or white-tie weddings are the most formal type of wedding dress code. They are reserved for the most formal of occasions and are usually hosted in the evening.

Attire for men

For men, black-tie means wearing a tuxedo, which is a specific type of suit. The tuxedo jacket is typically black or midnight blue and is distinguished by its satin or grosgrain lapels. It is worn with a white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and black dress shoes. The trousers should be formal, pressed, and ideally with a single row of braid or satin fabric on the outside of each leg. The outfit should be finished with cufflinks and a pocket square.

For a white-tie dress code, men are expected to wear long-tail tuxedos.

Attire for women

For women, black-tie means wearing a formal evening gown or a cocktail dress. The colour of the dress is not restricted to black, but it should be floor-length for a more formal look. High heels are the typical footwear of choice, paired with fine jewellery, shawls, and clutches.

For a white-tie dress code, women are expected to wear full-length ball gowns.

Black-tie optional: dark suits and cocktail dresses

A black-tie-optional wedding is a formal affair, but the couple understands that this implies fancier and more expensive attire for guests. This dress code gives guests the option of wearing their most formal attire, but without the pressure of buying or renting a tux. It's a good idea to include the dress code on your wedding invitation, website, or a separate information card. Here are some instructions for guests attending a black-tie-optional wedding:

For Women:

When choosing an outfit, pay close attention to the season and venue of the event. Black-tie-optional weddings usually take place in the evening, so anything you'd wear for a daytime celebration likely won't work. The wedding venue can also help you match the ambiance of the setting. The two main categories to consider are the colour and style of your outfit.

As far as colours go, any hue is appropriate except whites, pastels, and neon. Embrace luxe-looking fabrics, patterns, and textures, but keep patterns more muted to adhere to the formal vibes. When in doubt, stick with hues that pair well with the season. For a summer wedding, look for blue, pink, orange, and yellow gowns. For a winter wedding, black, navy, and jewel tones are perfect.

While floor-length gowns are typical for a black-tie-optional wedding, women can also opt for a fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit. Short and mini dresses, casual summery sundresses, and anything too revealing should be avoided, as they lean more towards casual than formal. If you're worried about a floor-length gown overwhelming your frame, look for something with a slit to help elongate your silhouette.

For Men:

The two main options for men are a suit or a tuxedo. Anything outside of that would not be considered black-tie optional. It is best to stick with black, navy, or dark-coloured suits, no matter the season. Since a high level of formality is required, anything too bold or flashy will not work.

Men can wear wool or velvet, and for an evening summer affair, an ivory jacket and black trousers are a great option. When it comes to colours, avoid wearing white, ivory, or cream from head to toe. An accent is okay, for example, on a man's jacket, but steer clear of colours that are too light.

Additional Tips:

• It is important to remember that this is the couple's big day, so avoid wearing anything too flashy or over-the-top that would take attention away from the couple.
• You can experiment with your hair, makeup, and jewellery to elevate your look.
• You can never overdress for a black-tie-optional wedding.
• Black is a chic and timeless colour that works in all seasons. Accessorise with gold or silver jewellery to make your look stand out.
• For a daytime reception, there is a little more freedom, but an evening black-tie-optional wedding calls for the dress code's most formal attire.

Formal attire: suits and cocktail dresses or pantsuits

If you're inviting guests to a wedding with formal attire, it's helpful to give them a detailed breakdown of what this means for men and women.

Men

Formal attire for men is all about nailing the basic elements: a tailored suit, dress shirt, and tie. This dress code calls for a foundation of luxury fabrics and double-breasted fits, and 3-piece suits. Skip the casual fabrics, loud patterns, and over-textured finishes. Opt for rich worsted wools, blended noble fibres like alpaca, silk, or cashmere, or a structured cotton or linen blend, depending on the setting and climate.

A 3-piece suit in a shade of blue is always a good choice, as are deep greys, burgundy, navy, or dark blue. You can also go for classic black, grey, or navy, paired with a crisp white button-up. Lighter shades like light green and brown are fine, too, as long as they suit the setting. Keep patterns to a minimum and finish the look with black or dark brown lace-up shoes in plain leather.

Women

For women, formal attire means a full-length gown, very fancy cocktail attire, or a glamorous pantsuit. When it comes to fabric, opt for satin, lace, organza, or taffeta. If you're wearing a dress, you can play with the hem—tea-length or high-low hemlines are fun, modern takes on formal attire.

For a formal church wedding, make sure your shoulders are covered, and avoid anything too revealing or over-the-top with sequins and ruffles. For a formal beach wedding, you can show off your shoulders and play with hemlines, but keep the fabric light and flowy, and embrace colours and prints. For a summer wedding, choose lighter fabrics like lace and silk, as well as chiffon or organza. For fall and winter weddings, lean into rich earthy tones like burgundy, navy, browns, and hunter greens, and embrace fabrics like velvet, satin, and taffeta.

Semi-formal: suits and cocktail dresses or dressy separates

For a semi-formal wedding, guests are expected to dress in a style that is relaxed yet elegant and sophisticated. This dress code is a step down from black-tie and is suitable for a daytime wedding. It is also more relaxed than cocktail attire, which is a small step above semi-formal in terms of formality.

For Men

Men should wear a suit and tie, but not a tuxedo. A classic black suit is always a good option for a semi-formal wedding, especially for an evening event. For daytime weddings, a light-coloured suit is a good choice. A suit in a darker colour like navy is also an option, as long as it is not too dark. A two-piece suit is a good choice, but a blazer and dress slacks can also work. Chinos with a blazer are another option, but jeans are not appropriate.

The shirt should be long-sleeved and neatly pressed. A short-sleeved shirt can also work, especially for a daytime wedding. The shirt can be a fun colour like pink, brown or light blue, or a classic white. A tie is optional, but if you do choose to wear one, it doesn't have to match the suit. Cufflinks and a pocket square can add a nice touch.

Shoes should be dress shoes, loafers or oxfords, and should be in pristine condition. A belt and socks are also necessary.

For Women

Women can wear a cocktail dress, or dressy separates. The dress should be shorter than floor-length, and can be a midi or knee-length style. A pantsuit is also an option. For an outdoor wedding, a sundress with dressy flats or comfortable heels would also be appropriate.

Cocktail attire: suits, jackets, and dresses or jumpsuits

For men, cocktail attire is an opportunity to showcase their personal style and individuality. It is a middle ground between formal and casual, striking a balance between formal and casual, as well as elegant and comfortable. For men, this means a suit and tie, with dark suits being more appropriate for evening events or colder months, and lighter colours like grey or blue more suitable for daytime celebrations or warmer weather. Men can also experiment with colours, textures and prints, adding a pop of colour with their accessories. A suit, dress shirt, neckwear (a necktie or bow tie) and dress shoes are essential.

For women, cocktail attire means a knee-length, tea-length, or midi dress. It is an opportunity to be creative and experiment with colours, patterns and accessories. A dressy suit or a nice jumpsuit paired with heels or formal flats is also appropriate. Women should aim to look polished and dressy, but not so much so that they take attention away from the bride.

Frequently asked questions