What to Wear as a Wedding Guest? Style Guide for the Big Day

When you’re invited to a wedding, the first thought that comes to mind is, “What should I wear as a wedding guest?” When choosing an outfit for a wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding style, etiquette, and dress codes.

But don't worry—with our style guide for wedding guests, choosing the right outfit is actually a lot of fun! And unlike the bride and groom, picking out your wedding outfit is pretty much the only decision you need to make. Okay, there's also the wedding gift, but that's a whole other topic…

Dress Code Based on the Wedding Theme

As soon as you hold the invitation cards in your hands, you can already guess—or even read in black and white—whether the wedding follows a specific theme. If that’s the case and the wedding has a theme like “Black & White Wedding,” “Pastel Party,” “Rock ’n’ Roll,” or “Traditional Mountain Wedding,” the dress code is surely not far off.

What might initially set your mind spinning (“Do I have anything in my closet that fits the bill?” or “Where can I get a suitable dirndl?”) actually makes things a lot easier upon closer inspection, because a dress code takes many decisions off your hands.

So before your mind starts racing again, let’s get one thing straight: Whether you’re totally excited about the dress code and wedding theme or caught off guard by it, courtesy and your friendly relationship with the bride and groom require that you honor their request and go along with the dress code. You can always just subtly nod to the wedding theme or dress code and otherwise dress however you feel comfortable.

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Wedding Dress Code Options
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• Color-Coordinated Dress Code: A specific color (often pastel shades, or black or white) should be incorporated into your wedding outfit.

• A dress code that pays homage to a specific era: Whether the bride and groom want to bring 1920s New York back to life or are inspired by the rock ’n’ roll era, drawing on the fashion styles of years gone by can be a lot of fun at a wedding!
• Wedding Outfits with Accessories: Some couples specify that guests should wear headwear to the wedding. They usually leave it open as to what kind of headwear is appropriate. This can lead to some funny surprises (top hats, fascinators, baseball caps, and the like). Less common these days is the dress code requiring men to wear a tie or bow tie.

• Come as you are: Of course, there’s often no dress code at all. A nice way to let guests know this right from the wedding invitation is to write: “Come as you are!” That way, everyone knows that as a guest, they can feel free to come dressed however they feel most comfortable. And that might even mean jeans and a T-shirt …

What to Wear as a Wedding Guest: Color and Style

Time and again, you hear about different assumptions and rules regarding wedding guests' attire. Many wedding-related forums are also all too happy to jump on these alleged fashion faux pas.

But basically, as women attending a wedding, you just need to keep the following in mind: Avoid white, cream, champagne, and perhaps beige as well. On the other hand, you can definitely go for floral patterns, natural colors, or even some bolder colors.
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Speaking of bold: Is it okay to wear red to a wedding?

The color red symbolizes self-confidence, power, and strength. It is the color of love and passion. However, red can also have an alarming effect and is sure to draw attention. For this reason, red is only suitable for a wedding dress in certain shades and tones. After all, your dress should never distract from the bride. An elegant, wine-red summer dress or a rust-red cocktail dress are certainly options, but it shouldn’t be too flashy. If you want to play it safe, opt for pastel colors instead of shades of red.

Okay, now that choosing colors for your outfit should be a little easier, let's focus on the style of your outfit as a wedding guest—here's a lovely selection of dresses and fashionable outfits that will never let you down as a female wedding guest:
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  Cocktail Dress A classic knee-length cocktail dress is a great choice—as long as it’s not beige or white. Cocktail dresses look especially beautiful in pastel colors such as blush, rosé, light blue, soft yellow, or even a subtle gray.
• ‍Sheath dress
  A great wedding outfit and a true all-rounder. You can wear a sheath dress often even after the wedding: Whether you’re heading to a bar or to the office with a blazer—a sheath dress always works!
• ‍Maxi and Midi Dresses
  Maxi and midi dresses are a popular choice for wedding guests, especially at casual or boho weddings, as well as at summer garden weddings. Just be careful with the pattern—make sure it isn’t too flashy. This isn’t a problem at all—until it’s time for the group photo and you’re the only one standing out with your garish neon-purple print. So: Maxi and midi dresses are always welcome, but it’s better to choose ones with a subtle pattern.
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  pantsuit Of course, it’s not just men who can wear suits. As a woman, you can also dress very stylishly for a wedding in a pantsuit. And no, it doesn’t have to be a classic pantsuit in gray or black—these days, there are some really nice pantsuits in pastel colors or, for example, in a cool “peach.”
• ‍Jumpsuits/Overalls
  Totally on trend: jumpsuits as a wedding outfit! Super stylish, especially with high heels or casual white sneakers. With this wedding outfit, though, the accessories absolutely have to be just right; otherwise, a jumpsuit can quickly look too casual for a wedding. And: We’d really only recommend it if you have a well-trained bladder.
• ‍Accessories
  The same rule applies to accessories: Don’t be too flashy. Skip the hat that looks like it belongs in a Raffaello ad. Instead, coordinate your necklaces and earrings with your purse and shoes. As a wedding guest, less is sometimes more.
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Wedding Guest: Outfits for Men

Male wedding guests have fewer options here, simply because there are fewer outfit choices available to them. What always works for a man at a wedding: dress pants, a shirt, a blazer, and dress shoes. But a casual look works just as well: dark slacks, a white shirt, a leather or bomber jacket, and sneakers.

Seasonal Wedding Outfits for Guests

Spring, summer, fall, or winter. Every season is a wedding season in its own right—and each has its own charm. For you as wedding guests, however, a winter wedding means something completely different in terms of your outfit than a spring wedding. That much is clear, but what does choosing an outfit actually look like? Here are our wedding outfit tips for the season:

Outfit for a Spring Wedding

For a spring wedding, longer skirts paired with a blazer or a cool leather jacket are a great choice for guests. Similarly, in the spring, when the first rays of sunshine are already warming the air, you can also opt for a light, airy dress with tights.

Outfit for a Summer Wedding

In the summer—obviously—summer dresses paired with sandals are the perfect choice. If you prefer something a little more practical, opt for linen pants and a chic top as your outfit for a summer wedding. Linen pants are also perfectly acceptable for male guests; just pair them with casual loafers and a simple summer shirt—and you’re all set!  

Outfit for a Fall Wedding

Fall can be a bit tricky because you never really know how cold or warm it’s actually going to be. The solution: the layered look! A dress, tights, then a blazer or cardigan over that, a light coat, an even lighter scarf—and you’re all set! This way, you can gradually shed your layers without freezing at the reception outside the civil registry office; and thanks to all the removable layers, you won’t break a sweat on the dance floor that evening either.

What to Wear as a Guest at a Winter Wedding

And then there are winter weddings! What should you wear as a wedding guest? Your outfit should keep you warm, so a long coat or a quilted jacket is a must. Petite women are best off choosing a frock coat or an empire coat, while taller women look especially good in princess coats and reefer coats. Not sure which coat is right for you? A trench coat (worn over a warm sweater or vest) is always a safe bet! Men also like to wear a coat over their suit or chosen wedding outfit: A wool coat in gray or black, with a straight cut and a notched collar, is always a good choice. Another stylish option for both men and women: thin, high-quality leather gloves—an investment that’s worth it not just for that one winter wedding, but that will serve you well winter after winter.

Uncertainty: What to Wear as a Wedding Guest?

Were we able to alleviate 90 percent of your uncertainty about your wedding outfit as a guest? Perfect. You can make up for the remaining 10 percent in two different ways. Number one: Rely on your self-confidence and your personal taste—and tune out what others might think of your outfit. Whether it’s completely extravagant or very simple, you need to feel comfortable in your clothes, and that’s really all that matters.

The second way to feel more confident about your wedding outfit as a guest is to turn to the bride and groom or the couple’s best man and maid of honor. As good friends, they’ll give you honest feedback and helpful tips.