Napa Formal: Unraveling The Dress Code For Your Wedding

Napa formal for a wedding means it's time to get fancy! For women, this means a long dress, or a classy, well-made pantsuit with a tie. For men, a dark suit and tie are appropriate. You can also wear a tuxedo, but it's not required.

Napa Valley weddings: what to expect

Napa Valley is a lush region renowned for its Mediterranean-like climate and Tuscan-style buildings, making it an ideal location for couples seeking a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere for their wedding day. The valley is characterised by rolling green hills, endless vineyards, and charming towns, providing a fairytale-like backdrop for any wedding.

Venues

Napa Valley is home to numerous wineries, five-star resorts, golf courses, and historic estates, all of which can serve as potential wedding venues. The region's distinguished winemaking culture makes it a popular choice for couples who want a vineyard or wine country wedding. However, there are also a variety of non-vineyard venues to choose from, including luxury resorts, golf courses, and charming restaurants.

Weather

Napa Valley experiences a Mediterranean-like climate, with mild temperatures and pleasant weather for most of the year. Spring, summer, and fall typically have highs averaging 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter highs are around 60 degrees. Even during the summer months, evening temperatures can drop to 50 degrees, so it is advisable to dress in light layers.

Peak Season

The peak tourism season in Napa Valley corresponds with the region's grape harvest, which takes place between August and October. During this time, expect more crowds and limited availability at hotels and other attractions. Planning a wedding during this period requires booking several months in advance.

Activities

Napa Valley offers a range of activities for wedding guests or couples looking to extend their stay for a honeymoon. The region is famous for its world-class vineyards and wineries, with an estimated 500 physical wineries in Napa alone. Winery tours, such as the Napa Valley Wine Train, offer a scenic journey through the countryside, combining wine tasting with breathtaking views.

For golf enthusiasts, Napa Valley is home to several golf courses, including PGA championship courses, providing opportunities for group outings or private training sessions. The valley also caters to shoppers, with luxury jewelers, outlet malls, boutique stores, and farmers' markets offering a variety of options.

Foodies will delight in Napa Valley's culinary scene, influenced by the presence of the Culinary Institute of America. Many local restaurants offer farm-to-table dining, changing their menus daily to feature the freshest ingredients. The region also boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, including The French Laundry and The Restaurant at Meadowood, which have both received three stars.

For a unique experience, hot air balloon rides offer breathtaking views of northern California's iconic landscape. Most local companies launch around dawn, providing an unforgettable sunrise experience.

Marriage Requirements

To obtain a marriage license in California, both parties must be at least 18 years old (with parental consent required for anyone younger). A valid form of ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, passport, or green card, is required for both parties. The license requires at least one witness signature and will be issued the same day. It expires after 90 days.

Dress Code

The dress code for a Napa Valley wedding can vary depending on the venue and season. For formal weddings, ladies typically wear long dresses or well-made pantsuits, while men opt for dark suits and ties. Semi-formal attire, also known as "cocktail" or "dressy casual," allows for more flexibility, with shorter dresses or skirts and suits without the need for gloves or gowns. Beach weddings call for light linen or resort-style attire, while winery weddings can range from country casual to sophisticated, depending on the culture of the winery.

Planning

Planning a wedding in Napa Valley can be made easy with the help of local experts. Napa Valley Weddings, for example, has been creating idyllic weddings in the region for over thirty years, offering all-inclusive elopement packages and small wedding options at various price points.

Testimonial

One couple shared their experience:

> "I didn't know that eloping could be this fun. The team at Napa Valley Weddings planned and took care of every detail, from our hotel to our wedding dinner to cupcakes and a winery tour to boot. We loved every part of our wedding day, and Blane offered so much counsel in our wedding planning process."

Dress code: formal

If you're invited to a wedding with a "formal" dress code, this means you're going to get fancy. Formal attire is a step down from black-tie, which is a stricter dress code with little room for interpretation.

Formal Wedding Attire for Women

For women, formal wedding attire includes both evening gowns and elegant cocktail frocks. A jumpsuit is also an option if you don't want to wear a dress.

When shopping for formal wedding outfits, consider the venue and season. For summer events, lighter fabrics, brighter colours and shorter hemlines are common. For winter weddings, opt for darker shades, thicker fabrics and longer sleeves and hemlines.

You have more flexibility with colours, embellishments and hem lengths when it comes to formal attire. Don't be afraid to experiment with a fun colour or playful print. A knee-length dress, midi dress, or even a flowy maxi dress are all appropriate. A jumpsuit, suit or patterned suit or tuxedo with a standard necktie are also good options.

As for accessories, a colourful shoe, patterned tie, statement piece of jewellery or a fun pair of sunglasses (if the wedding is outdoors) can add personality to your ensemble.

Formal Wedding Attire for Men

For men, formal weddings are a chance to get dressed up, but the dress code is flexible. Men can wear a tuxedo, but they don't have to—a dark suit and tie are also appropriate. Dress shoes are the typical footwear. A formal wedding is also the perfect time to break out the cufflinks.

• A timeless navy blue tuxedo with contrast shawl lapels
• A relaxed fit, concave notch lapel black suit
• A light grey suit (a great colour choice for summer weddings)
• A dark suit with a subtle pattern, like a stylish herringbone ensemble
• A timeless black tuxedo
• A deep burgundy suit

Dress code: semi-formal

If you're wondering what to wear to a semi-formal wedding, you've come to the right place. This dress code comes with a lot of questions, occupying the space between formal and casual. You want to toe that line without crossing it too far in either direction.

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Women

When you're shopping for semi-formal attire for women, you can skip the evening gown and wear a cocktail dress instead. Dressy jumpsuits, rompers, and separates are also appropriate semi-formal wedding attire options. Finally, use accessories to your advantage: jewelry can elevate something on the casual side, while block heel sandals (versus rhinestone-covered stilettos) can tone down a fancier ensemble.

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Men

Unsure how to dress for a semi-formal wedding as a male guest? Relax, there's no need to worry about donning a tux or bow tie. The formula is super simple: a suit with a button-up shirt and dress shoes (though with the right suit, you can also get away with a turtleneck sweater). For daytime events, a blazer and slacks or a lighter suit are always reliable, but for evening weddings (or if you want to err on the side of caution), we suggest wearing a classic dark suit. Finish your look with a standard necktie—other accessories, like cufflinks, a pocket square, or a vest, are completely optional.

Additional Tips

If you're still unsure of what to wear, a great rule of thumb is to "lean into what vibe the venue is giving," shares luxury wedding planner and owner of Victoria Ann Events, Victoria Holland. Additionally, bridal stylist and owner of Silk and Style Bridal, Gina Vinnitsky, shares that guests should consider the time of day when selecting an outfit.

"Daytime, and especially daytime outdoors, will definitely lend itself more to the casual options, while nighttime and indoors will lean more towards dressy options," she says. "In general, semi-formal is about striking the perfect balance between casual and dressy. It’s a notch above 'business casual' but a notch below 'cocktail' attire."

When in doubt, however, both experts advise guests to dress up rather than dress down. After all, no matter the dress code, weddings are special events that deserve out-of-the-ordinary outfits. "You’ll never regret being slightly overdressed, especially at a wedding," notes Vinnitsky.

Dress code: casual

A casual dress code is informal, comfortable, clean, and professional. It is generally considered less formal than business casual. You can wear more relaxed, informal clothing, but not what you would wear at home or to the gym. For example, jeans are usually allowed, but sweatpants are discouraged.

• For men, opt for a light-coloured suit, such as light blue or linen. Alternatively, you could wear light-coloured chinos, such as pink.
• For women, a summer dress, a skirt with a shirt, or long trousers with a top are good options. A blazer or cardigan can be a nice addition, and jewellery can add a little something extra to a simple outfit.
• In terms of footwear, loafers, sneakers, and sandals are all suitable options for a casual dress code.
• Avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing, torn, or dirty.
• While you can express your personality with colourful or patterned socks, avoid wearing anything too loud or distracting.
• If in doubt, observe what other guests are wearing, or reach out to the couple or their wedding planner for clarification.

Winery wedding attire

When it comes to winery wedding attire, the dress code can vary from casual to semi-formal or dressy cocktail to black tie. The invitation is the best place to look for guidance, but if no dress code is specified, it's generally best to opt for something between semi-formal and dressy casual.

For women, a pretty cocktail dress, a floral wedding guest dress, or a maxi dress is a good choice. Jumpsuits, special occasion skirt and top combinations, or dressy trouser and top combinations are also appropriate. It's best to avoid white, light colours, and perhaps even solid wine red or burgundy. Flowy, floral dresses are perfect for an outdoor, natural setting. For indoor weddings, a chic tailored knee-length cocktail dress is a good option.

For men, a suit or a blazer and pants combination is usually suitable. A navy suit, navy blazer, or grey suit and tie would be appropriate. If the dress code is semi-casual, a tie may not be necessary, but it's always better to err on the side of formality. If the dress code is black tie, a tuxedo is required.

It's also important to consider the location and season of the wedding. For outdoor weddings, comfortable shoes that can handle uneven terrain are a must. For weddings during the day, light colours and fabrics are more appropriate, while darker colours and thicker fabrics are better for evening weddings.

Frequently asked questions