What to Wear to a Wedding
Beyond the preparation of a wedding and design process, many other elements fall under the umbrella of expertise as a wedding planner. It’s time to not only address all of those brides to be out there. This week our focus is shifting to the beloved wedding guests.
When it comes to deciding what you will wear when attending a wedding, many factors will affect what dress guidelines to follow. The first component that will lead the direction of your outfit, is the dress code specified on the wedding invitation. However, that overarching category then is broken up into the subcategories of time of year, location, color scheme, etc.
We like to think we know a thing or two about how to be the best dressed at a wedding, besides the bride of course. After many years in the wedding industry, we have seen our fair share of what to wear and what not to wear.
The Opihi Love Guideline to all things Wedding Guest Attire:
First up, just to get it out of the way, please, no white. Unless this is specifically asked by the bride and groom, don’t be that person.
Next up, this does involve the bride and groom setting the standard for dress expectations. I always tell my clients to get inspirational photos on Pinterest and add them to their wedding websites so people have something to reference. This is very helpful and in the end, will eliminate extra questions. So when in doubt, make sure to follow up with the wedding website if you are stuck on what to wear.
Outlining a color scheme for guests to stick to on the wedding invitation, is our next point for brides and grooms to consider. I have now seen this trend become more popular, and I think that it is another way to tie in the design of the wedding to the guests that are attending. This is a similar idea to adding inspirational images to your website, so I think either would be helpful for guests to be aware of.
Dress modestly and respectfully to honor the couple and the occasion.
Consider the season and venue when selecting your outfit. Wedding culture on the island of Maui does add a bit of a twist to your dress code, so make sure to always look up venues beforehand, the weather forecast, and even keep up to date with our Instagram page on what our weddings have looked like and ideas on what to wear.
Now let’s break down the different dress codes, because trust me I have been there when I hear cocktail attire, my mind could go 100 different ways. For example, the wedding is on Maui and what does that cocktail attire dress code look like when it comes to an island wedding? The location of the wedding will almost always influence the direction of your dress code.
So, let’s do a little refresh on the classics:
Formal / Black Tie: Men should stick to a tuxedo or dark suit with a bow tie and women could either go for an evening gown or chic cocktail dress.
Semi-formal / Cocktail Attire: Men can wear a suit and tie, not as formal as the black tie attire. Women can look for a shorter dress and work in stylish accessories, heels, or even dressy flats.
Beach / Casual: For a beach or casual wedding, men can wear khakis or linen pants with a dress shirt. Women can go for a sundress or something flowy with proper shoes to handle the venue.
As always, if you have doubts about what to wear, make sure to check the wedding website, or contact the wedding planner for clarification. Going to a wedding is always fun, so remember to not take the fun out of deciding what to wear. Embrace your style, but always keep in mind the dress code and location before the wedding day comes.
