There are so many options for buying a dress to wear to a wedding because there are so many different types of weddings. You’ve got casual weddings, cocktail/semi-formal, black-tie weddings and white-tie weddings. If you’re unsure of what to wear and the invitation doesn’t indicate the dress desired, look up the wedding time or ask the bride or groom to make sure you are in line with what they would like guests to wear. Wedding time is the traditional way of determining the dress code.
For White-tie, Black-tie or black tie optional weddings, I typically rent a dress from Rent the Runway. I’ve had the best experiences with RTR and I can get a gorgeous dress that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford for an event. I will occasionally rent a dress for a semi-formal wedding if I want something different, but I typically try to have two dresses that I can wear for these types of weddings in my closet that are classic and I can wear multiple times.
My three rules to follow when it comes to dressing for a wedding are very simple.
- Never wear white. This includes shades of white like cream, ivory, pearl, etc.
- It’s better to be over-dressed than under-dressed – however I don’t mean wear a formal gown to a 3 PM wedding.
- NEVER, I repeat NEVER, wear a romper to a wedding, no matter how casual it is. Rompers are typically short, and you don’t want your booty hanging out at someone else’s wedding. TO clarify, jumpsuits can be okay for casual and a dressier one can be good for cocktail.
Casual Weddings
Casual weddings are typically anytime before 5 PM, unless otherwise stated.
Cocktail / Semi-Formal Weddings
As I mentioned before if you can find a couple of cocktail dresses that you can wear to weddings and other events, I think it’s worth that investment. For anything more formal than casual weddings, I think you should steer away from the cheap materials because these events are nicer occasions and call for your attire to match that. I’ve linked some cocktail dresses that I think are gorgeous to purchase and also to rent from Rent the Runway for a more affordable option.
Formal & Black-Tie Weddings
For formal or black-tie weddings, floor length gowns are generally the way to go. There are some more detailed and ornate dresses that are not floor length that can be acceptable, but when you have the chance to wear a long gown, I think it’s fun to wear the long gown! Here are some options and inspiration for buying and renting.
Shoes
Jewelry
Accessories
A nice clutch or small bag is necessary for a wedding. My other absolute necessity is a shawl. I love my gold one like this one (under $40) that I use for literally every wedding I attend. You never know if it will be cool inside or if there will be a chill in the night air.
xoxo,
Cortney