Lyla Dejesus
Royal weddings are a grand affair, with every detail, from the wedding dress to the guest list, making headlines. When it comes to the dress code for guests, the stakes are high, with attendees expected to dress to impress. While the attire has evolved over the years, moving from formal and traditional to fashion statements, there are still certain expectations for those attending a royal wedding. For men, the dress code typically involves a uniform, morning coat, or lounge suit, while women are expected to wear a day dress with a hat or fascinator. Guests at royal weddings have been known to go all out, with bold colours, elaborate fascinators, and unique accessories, ensuring they stand out at these highly publicised events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Royal wedding guest attire | Bold knee-length dresses, overcoats, fascinators, hats, gloves, brooches, vests, ties, tiaras, and capes |
| Royal wedding groom attire | Military uniform, morning coat, or lounge suit |
| Royal wedding bride attire | White satin or silk dress, diamond jewellery, lace veil, wreath of orange blossom, and a long train |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Royal wedding guest attire
When it comes to royal wedding guest attire, the pressure is on to impress. With the world watching, guests are expected to go the extra mile with their sartorial choices. While the dress code is formal and conservative, there is room for creativity and personal style. So, what does it take to garner even Queen Elizabeth II's stamp of approval?
For men, the traditional choice is a morning coat or lounge suit. David Beckham, for instance, wore a morning coat to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. A formal and traditional option, the morning coat is often worn by men to official functions in England, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. It is typically grey or black, featuring a single button, peak lapels, and tails. On the other hand, Elton John added his signature flair to his outfit, pairing his lounge suit with pink glasses.
For women, the expected attire is a day dress paired with a hat or fascinator. The hat can be an opportunity to make a statement, as seen with Princess Maria-Olympia's silvery Medusa-like headpiece. Alternatively, a fascinator can add a touch of elegance, as demonstrated by Kate Middleton, who wore a chic fascinator with her cream and yellow patterned coat to Mike and Zara Tindall's wedding. Meghan Markle, known for her chic and simple style, opted for a navy ensemble with impressively high heels and a dashing little hat to Princess Eugenie's wedding.
While adhering to the formal dress code, guests can incorporate bold colours, patterns, and unique design features. For instance, Serena Williams attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in a pink Versace dress with an asymmetrical neckline, long sleeves, and a cinched waist, completing her look with a statement fascinator and Bulgari jewellery. Similarly, Cressida Bonas stood out at Prince Harry's wedding in a bright, colourful outfit with a striking pattern.
Enhancing Your Wedding Dress with Lace Edging
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Royal wedding dress codes
Royal weddings are a grand affair, with guests often going the extra mile with their attire. While the dress code for guests at a royal wedding is typically formal and conservative, there is also room for fashion statements and self-expression. Here are some notable examples of royal wedding dress codes and how guests have interpreted them over the years.
For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the dress code on the invitations was specified as a uniform, morning coat, or lounge suit for male guests, and a day dress with a hat for female guests. This left room for interpretation, and guests certainly brought their own style to the event. Tennis star Serena Williams attended in a pink Versace dress with an asymmetrical neckline, long sleeves, and a cinched waist, paired with a statement fascinator and Bulgari jewellery. Another guest, former Suits actress Sarah Rafferty, wore a puffed-sleeve creation. Meghan Markle herself opted for a simple navy ensemble, paired with impressively high heels and a dashing little hat.
At the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, fashion designer Giorgio Armani attended with his niece Roberta. Armani wore a silver tie and vest, while Roberta stood out in an ultra-modern brown dress with a cape feature and a tulip-shaped hat. Another notable guest at this wedding was Karl Lagerfeld, who wore studded gloves and a brooch to personalise his formal attire.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding was also a showcase of fashionable attire. Pippa Middleton made the best-dressed list in a light blue floral dress by Kate Spade, paired with a velvet headband. Meghan Markle, who was pregnant at the time, wore a chic and simple navy outfit with high heels and a small hat. Kate Middleton chose a pink long-sleeve dress and a matching fascinator, designed by Alexander McQueen, her own royal wedding dress designer.
While royal wedding dress codes have traditionally been formal and conservative, they have evolved over time to include more fashionable and trendy elements. Guests at royal weddings often use the occasion to make a statement with their attire, whether it's through bold colours, unique accessories, or modern twists on traditional outfits.
Elegant Black Lace A-Line Wedding Dresses for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$27.19 $32.29
Royal wedding hats
Royal weddings are a chance for guests to showcase their most extravagant and elegant attire, and hats are a key part of this. From fascinators to wide-brimmed hats, guests at royal weddings often use this accessory to make a statement.
At Princess Eugenie's wedding, Emma Louise Connolly wore a hat that resembled a puffy headband, a unique and modern take on the traditional hat. Another guest at the same wedding, Poppy, wore a top hat, a menswear-inspired choice that stood out. Princess Eugenie's wedding was also notable for the wild and architectural fascinators worn by Eugenie and her sister, Beatrice, which showcased their love for over-the-top headgear.
Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, has also been known to experiment with bold hats at royal weddings. At Meghan and Harry's wedding, she wore a wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat adorned with floral detailing, a design similar to one she wore to Zara Tindall's wedding. At the wedding of Camilla and Charles, Kate wore a feathery fascinator that resembled a hedgehog, a fun and adventurous choice.
Other notable hats at royal weddings include Laura Parker Bowles' gold fascinator with leaf details at her mother's wedding to Prince Charles, and Sabrina Dhowre's sheer navy topper with pretty detailing, worn at an angle to one side, at Harry and Meghan's wedding.
Royal wedding guests certainly know how to make a fashion statement, and hats are a key element in their ensembles, adding a touch of creativity and elegance to their outfits.
Adjusting Your Plunging V-Neck Wedding Gown: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Royal wedding fascinators
Royal weddings are known for their impressive guest lists, traditional ceremonies, and thoughtful fashion. Guests are expected to follow a formal dress code, with hats and fascinators being a key part of the ensemble, particularly at British royal weddings.
Fascinators are high-society headpieces that are often worn as an alternative to hats at weddings and other events in the UK. They usually consist of a large decorative design attached to a band or clip and are typically made with feathers, veiling, crib, and various embellishments. The current style of fascinators, which emerged thanks to London-based milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy, features opulent fabrics, impressive heights, and decorative elements.
At royal weddings, guests often showcase their most innovative and creative fascinators. For instance, Princess Beatrice wore a cream-coloured Philip Treacy fascinator to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The unorthodox shape of the fascinator created waves at the affair and was eventually auctioned off for $130,000 to raise money for charity. Naomi Campbell also made a statement at the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, pairing a blush-toned fascinator with a teal floral dress.
Another notable fascinator was worn by Serena Williams at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Williams wore a pink Versace dress with an asymmetrical neckline, long sleeves, and a cinched waist, which she paired with a statement fascinator and Bulgari jewellery. Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, also attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, wearing a pink long-sleeve dress and a matching fascinator.
Fascinators are not commonplace at every British wedding, but they are more likely to be worn when the dress code is more formal. They can also serve a practical purpose, providing shade at outdoor weddings.
The Ultimate Guide to Measuring a Wedding Dress Train
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$24.69 $25.99
Royal wedding suits
At the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, fashion designer Giorgio Armani attended with his niece Roberta. Armani wore a silver tie and vest, while Roberta wore a brown dress with a cape feature and a hat that mimicked the shape of a tulip. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld also attended, wearing studded gloves and a brooch to personalise his formal guest attire.
At Princess Eugenie's wedding, Meghan Markle wore a simple navy outfit with impressively high heels and a small hat. At the same wedding, Kate Middleton wore a pink long-sleeve dress and a matching fascinator.
At the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor in May 2019, Pippa Middleton wore a light blue floral dress with a velvet headband.
The White Wedding Dress: Purity Symbolism Explored
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Men are expected to wear a uniform, morning coat, or lounge suit.
Women are expected to wear a day dress with a hat.
Yes, fascinators are welcome headgear for a royal wedding.
Bright, bold colours are often worn by guests at royal weddings.
