Some of my most popular Instagram posts over the past few months have been my outfits from the summer weddings we’ve attended. When it comes to knowing what to wear, your first indication is what it says on the invitation and/or wedding website. But, dress codes can be a little confusing (and subjective), so here are the things I think about before I decide what to wear:
- Where is the wedding? This means locale and location. If it’s at a park in California, you’re probably safe in a nice sundress. But, a hotel in New York calls for something more like a little black dress.
- What time of day is the wedding? Daytime weddings tend to be more casual, while evenings have a fancier vibe.
- What is the bridal party wearing? If you can find out what the bridesmaids and/or groomsmen are wearing, that’s often a good barometer of how formal the event will be and can solve the long dress vs. short dress and tie or no tie debates.
- When all else fails, it’s totally okay to ask the couple. You obviously know them well enough to be invited to their wedding, so there’s nothing wrong with double checking to make sure you’ll be dressed appropriately.
A few more pro tips: make sure you try your shoes on before the big day and bring flats if you’re not sure you’ll last the whole night. Also, it never hurts to bring a cardigan or wrap in case temperatures drop or the AC is on full blast. This should go without saying, but don’t wear white (or anything close). It’s the bride’s day to shine!
For reference, the photos above are from: Garden wedding in Florida, Event space in Denver, Park in California, Wedding venue in Massachusetts, and you can shop similar options for all of those dresses below.
Dresses under $100:
