Junior Rasmussen
If you've been invited to a wedding that's taking place at 5 p.m., you might be wondering what to wear. The good news is that you have a lot of options! The time of day will be a helpful indicator of the wedding dress code. Generally, evening weddings are more formal, so you might consider dressing up a little more than you would for a daytime wedding. For a 5 p.m. wedding, you'll want to wear something that easily transitions from day to night. This could be a dark suit and tie if you're a man, or a cocktail dress or a long skirt and top combination if you're a woman.
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What You'll Learn
- Dress codes: black-tie, cocktail, semi-formal, and formal
- What not to wear: ripped jeans, baseball hats, and non-collared shirts?
- Daytime weddings: lighter fabrics, festive colours, and less formal attire
- Evening weddings: formal styles, longer dresses, and gowns
- Beach weddings: beach-appropriate fabrics, light flowy skirts, and tunic dresses
Dress codes: black-tie, cocktail, semi-formal, and formal
When it comes to wedding attire, there are several dress codes that are commonly used, including black-tie, cocktail, semi-formal, and formal. Here is a breakdown of each dress code to help you navigate the appropriate attire for a 5 pm wedding:
Black-Tie
A black-tie dress code indicates a formal event, usually taking place in the evening. For men, this typically means wearing a tuxedo with a black bow tie, a simple long black tie, or a long string tie. Black-tie weddings often require formal outfits, so men should aim for a formal, dark suit with dress pants and nice loafers at a minimum.
For women, a formal floor-length gown in sumptuous fabrics like silk or organza is appropriate. If the wedding is a bit less formal, a sophisticated cocktail dress or an elegant pantsuit can also be a good choice. Women should avoid showing their ankles in a black-tie setting and can accessorize with sleek dress shoes and elegant accessories.
Cocktail
Cocktail attire strikes a balance between elegance and comfort. It is a step down from black-tie and is often used interchangeably with semi-formal. For men, a suit and tie are required, with no option for a tuxedo. The suit can be in a variety of colours and fabrics, depending on the season and venue.
Women can opt for a tea-length, knee-length, or midi dress. A sleek black dress or a structured dress with embellishments can be a good choice. Festive cocktail attire encourages bolder colours, playful accessories, and unique silhouettes.
Semi-Formal
Semi-formal attire falls in the grey area between casual and formal. It is more formal than office wear but less formal than a black-tie event. For men, a suit and tie are appropriate, with the option to wear a dress shirt and slacks. The colours can be darker, especially for evening events, but the focus is on comfort.
Women can wear below-the-knee dresses, slip dresses, a dressy skirt and top, or an elegant pantsuit. The outfit can be styled with heels, wedges, or formal flats. For daytime weddings, light hues and airy fabrics are preferred.
Formal
Formal attire is a popular wedding dress code and is slightly less formal than black-tie. It tends to have fewer specifications. Men can wear a jacket and tie or a traditional suit. Tuxedos are not required.
Women can wear a nice cocktail dress, an elegant dress, or a pantsuit. Formal weddings may take place during the day or evening, so the venue and time of day can help guide your outfit choice. Formal weddings usually call for more formal styles, longer dresses, and special occasion fabrics.
In summary, a 5 pm wedding is likely to fall into the category of formal attire, with a slight lean towards more formal options within the semi-formal and cocktail dress codes. It is respectful to dress up for a wedding, and your attire should always be conservative and appropriate. However, remember that your cheerful presence is what matters most, and you can always refer to the venue, season, and wedding theme for further guidance on dress codes.
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What not to wear: ripped jeans, baseball hats, and non-collared shirts
A 5 pm wedding is likely to be a formal affair, so it's best to avoid anything too casual. This means steering clear of ripped jeans, baseball hats, and non-collared shirts.
For men, a well-tailored suit in a dark, neutral colour is a good choice. A full suit with a matching jacket and trousers is preferable to mixing and matching suiting separates. A collared dress shirt is a must, and a necktie is also recommended. While a tuxedo is not required, a jacket is generally encouraged. As for shoes, dress shoes are a must, and black patent leather, leather, or velvet oxford or loafers are good options. The outfit can be paired with classic accessories like a chrome tie bar and matching cufflinks.
For women, a formal dress or a nice pantsuit is appropriate. A knee-length or midi cocktail dress is a good choice, but a floor-length gown is also an option, especially for a more formal venue. A beach wedding calls for a beachy look with a light, flowy skirt or dress, which can be dressed up with accessories. It's best to avoid wearing white or off-white, as these colours are usually reserved for the bride. Instead, consider adding a bit of colour and sparkle to your outfit, with burgundy or berry reds being tasteful options.
In general, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, and you can always take off layers like a tie or blazer if you feel overdressed.
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Daytime weddings: lighter fabrics, festive colours, and less formal attire
If you're attending a daytime wedding, the standard rules of wedding attire still apply: your outfit should be respectful, conservative, and appropriate. That said, daytime weddings are generally more casual, so lighter fabrics, festive colours, and less formal attire are the norm.
For women, a nice daytime dress, skirt, top, jumpsuit, or pantsuit are all good options. You could also wear a casual sundress or a casual cocktail dress. Floral prints are a great choice, and you can't go wrong with soft chiffons or cotton. If the wedding is outdoors, a beachy look with a linen or cotton shirt and nice trousers, or a light, flowy skirt, tunic dress, or sundress would be perfect.
It's worth noting that some colours should be avoided. While the rule about never wearing black to a wedding has been relaxed, it's still a major faux pas to wear anything close to white, ivory, or cream, as those colours are reserved for the bride. Pale pastels like light blues, greens, yellows, greys, nudes, and blushes can also photograph lighter than they are, so be mindful of that. If you know the colour scheme or what the bridesmaids are wearing, try to avoid matching their style and colour.
For men, a well-tailored suit in a mid-to-dark neutral colour like grey, blue, or charcoal is appropriate. For a more casual daytime wedding, a festive linen shirt, a cotton short-sleeved shirt or button-down, or a tasteful tropical printed shirt with dress pants or Bermuda shorts would also work.
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Evening weddings: formal styles, longer dresses, and gowns
If you're attending a wedding that starts at 5 pm, it's likely to be an evening wedding, which calls for more formal attire. As a wedding guest, it's respectful to dress up for the occasion, and your attire should be conservative and appropriate.
For women, this means longer dresses and gowns in special-occasion fabrics. You can't go wrong with a floor-length gown or a tailored pantsuit in luxe fabrics like crepe or chiffon. A midi dress with a flattering fit is also a good option, and you can add a lightweight shawl or structured blazer for coverage and style. As for colours, it's best to avoid white or ivory and anything that could be mistaken for bridal attire. Instead, go for pastels, jewel tones, or earth tones, with navy, emerald, and burgundy being great choices for evening weddings. If you're unsure, neutrals with interesting textures or subtle patterns are always a safe bet.
For men, a black-tie wedding calls for a tuxedo or a well-tailored suit in a dark colour. A black tuxedo is a timeless choice, but you can also opt for a coloured suit, such as deep burgundy. Pair your suit with dress shoes like oxfords or loafers, and consider adding a printed bow tie for a stylish touch.
When it comes to specific styles for women's formal wedding attire, there are many options to choose from. Illusion sleeves are chic, especially if the weather is unpredictable. Cold shoulder cutouts are another trendy option for a daring look. You can also go for a strapless or halter neckline, or opt for a dress with lace accents or long sleeves, depending on the season. If you're attending a summer wedding, airy chiffon fabrics will keep you cool, while satin is a good choice for a formal winter wedding.
In terms of colours, black is a common choice for wedding guests and is perfectly acceptable, as long as your outfit is festive and not too simple or work-like. Red is generally acceptable, but proceed with caution and opt for deeper hues like burgundy to ensure you don't draw attention away from the wedding party.
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Beach weddings: beach-appropriate fabrics, light flowy skirts, and tunic dresses
If you're attending a beach wedding, it's important to consider the venue, weather, season, and time of day when deciding what to wear. Beach weddings usually call for lightweight, flowy, and breathable fabrics, such as linen, cotton, or cotton-silk blends. Beach-appropriate fabrics should be comfortable and suitable for warm weather.
For women, a pretty, light, flowy skirt or tunic dress in a beach-inspired print or colour is a great option. You can also add a twist with details like crochet and tasteful cutouts. A casual sundress or a breezy blouse paired with upscale shorts can also be a good choice for a more casual beach wedding. As for footwear, comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking on sand, such as wedges, sandals, or espadrilles, are ideal. Avoid stilettos or heels that may sink into the sand.
For men, a suit in a lightweight and breathable fabric like linen is a popular choice for beach weddings. Blue is one of the best colours for a beach wedding suit, as darker colours may absorb more heat. A festive linen or cotton short-sleeved shirt with a tropical print can also be paired with dress pants or Bermuda shorts.
When it comes to beach weddings, it's important to remember that the rules of etiquette still apply. While it's good to dress up and be respectful, conservative, and appropriate, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and cheerful. Avoid wearing white or off-white, as this is usually reserved for the bride.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the dress code specified by the couple. If the dress code is black-tie, men should wear tuxedos, black bow ties, and black shoes, and women should wear formal gowns or floor-length dresses. If the dress code is formal, men can wear a dark suit with a jacket and tie, and women can wear a cocktail dress or a dressy jumpsuit. If the wedding is at the beach, men can wear a festive linen shirt or a tasteful tropical printed shirt with dress pants or Bermuda shorts, and women can wear a light flowy skirt or a casual sundress.
It is generally advised not to wear white to a wedding, as it is the colour traditionally worn by the bride. Pale colours like light blues, greens, yellows, greys, nudes, and blushes may also be ill-advised as they may look white in photos. It is also recommended to avoid wearing black to a wedding, especially if you would wear it to a funeral, as some may misinterpret your choice of colour.
Beach weddings usually call for more casual attire. Men can wear a festive linen shirt or a tasteful tropical printed shirt with dress pants or Bermuda shorts, and women can wear a light flowy skirt or a casual sundress.
If the invitation says "black-tie optional", you can choose to wear a tuxedo or a floor-length evening gown, or opt for something less formal like a dark suit with dress pants and nice loafers, or a knee-length or midi cocktail dress.
