The Wedding Guest Guide
Written by: Dawn Rajah
Updated: 02/05/2025
There’s nothing like getting that invite to a wedding—whether it’s for friends or family, it’s always a celebration to remember. But the real question is: What do you wear? You know the basics: follow the dress code, dress for the season, and definitely avoid wearing white (that’s the bride’s territory). But what else should you keep in mind when picking your outfit? This guide will walk you through the essential tips—from selecting the right fabrics for the season to adding that extra flair with accessories. Whether you’re attending a casual summer gathering or a black-tie affair, we’ve got all the expert advice you need to ensure you’re dressed to impress.
Womenswear for Wedding Guests
Gone are the days when a dress was the only option for wedding guests. Today, there’s much more freedom to play with your look, from sleek suits to chic jumpsuits—whatever suits your style. But before you settle on your outfit, there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure you’re curating a clean, cohesive look.
Dresses
For traditional white or black-tie weddings, you’ll want to go for an elegant, floor-length wedding guest dress. But if it’s a more formal, yet less strict affair, you can opt for something shorter, like a skater dress or a floral wrap dress to keep it fresh and fun.
For casual weddings, you’ve got the freedom to choose the length. On a hot summer day, go for a colourful midi or mini dress. Or, if you prefer to keep it a little more polished, a plisse maxi dress is a stylish yet breezy choice. For weddings in winter, lean into darker, more formal tones like dark red, navy, or classic black. Long-sleeve dresses in luxurious fabrics such as wool, cashmere, or gabardine will keep you warm while maintaining elegance. If you’re aiming for something extra luxe, suede or velvet will bring a touch of glamour.
In spring and summer, opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, or silk. These seasons tend to lean more casual, so you can get playful with colours—think light blues, mint greens, or soft pastels. A short-sleeve dress or mini shift dress is perfect for staying cool and stylish.
Women's Suits & Jumpsuits
While white and black-tie weddings still call for dresses, many other weddings allow for more fashion freedom. Why not make a statement with a jumpsuit or a tailored suit? Separates are a great option, too, especially if you're a different size on top versus the bottom.
Just be sure your outfit matches the formality of the event, season, and venue. A winter wedding in a formal church? Go for a dark-coloured suit or jumpsuit. A more laid-back beach wedding? Choose a bright outfit with playful patterns or embellishments to match the relaxed vibe.
Hats, Fascinators & Hair Accessories
If you feel like your outfit isn’t complete without a statement hair accessory or hat, you’re definitely not alone. While hats are a wedding staple, the fascinator is also making waves. These headpieces, often adorned with feathers, beads, or flowers, are smaller than traditional hats and are typically attached to a comb, headband, or clip, allowing your hair to still take centre stage. Perfect hairstyles for fascinators include a donut bun, braids, a ponytail, or a half-up, half-down style.
When it comes to wearing hats, it’s mostly about personal preference, but remember—they’re not appropriate for white or black-tie weddings. Hats are typically worn for earlier ceremonies, while fascinators can be worn all day. For a cohesive look, try matching your hat, shoes, and bag in the same colour palette (think coral hat with peach shoes and bag) or go for bold contrast (like mustard yellow and purple). If a hat feels too much, why not try a clip, headband, or jewelled slide instead?
Jewellery
Got an outfit that’s simple and sleek? Jewellery is your chance to shine. If you’re dressing up a minimalist look, go bold with statement earrings, a chunky bracelet, or a dramatic necklace to bring the whole ensemble to life. Prefer a more subtle sparkle? Stick with the classics: delicate stud earrings, a dainty pendant necklace, or a single elegant bracelet. Simplicity never fails, especially when you opt for timeless touches like plain gold, silver, or diamonds.
Let’s not forget about watches—they’re more than just functional. A sleek timepiece adds polish to your look. A traditional black leather strap with a round face is a tried-and-true choice that pairs well with any outfit. Heading to a more relaxed wedding? Try a watch with a metal band in silver, gold, or rose gold for a touch of sophistication without the formality. Just be sure your metals are working in harmony—gold jewellery with a gold watch, for instance, creates a cohesive finish.
Bags
Weddings are all about dancing, socializing, and celebrating, so a clutch with a detachable strap is your best bet for practicality. For formal weddings, choose a small, elegant clutch—bonus points for sparkle! For a more relaxed wedding, like a beach or outdoor event, you can have fun with your bag. A straw-woven clutch is perfect for a beach wedding, while a marble-print envelope clutch adds flair for an outdoor celebration.
For a polished look, make sure your bag and shoes coordinate. A champagne clutch pairs beautifully with a navy dress and champagne shoes. If you’re going for something more laid-back, don’t worry about matching everything—just keep one item simple if the other has a lot of personality. For example, if your bag has a bold print, choose shoes in one of the bag’s background colours to keep the look balanced.
Shoes
Weddings are long events, so comfort is key when it comes to footwear. Before settling on your shoes, take a walk around in them to make sure they’re comfy for all the dancing and mingling. If you’re sticking with heels, opt for block heels or wedges—they’re easier to walk in.
For a formal wedding, choose more elevated styles like closed-toe pumps or ballet flats. If the wedding is casual, like a spring or summer affair, go for something lighter—think espadrille wedges, or flat sandals. For a monochrome look, match your shoes to your outfit, or go bold and pair contrasting colours, like orange shoes with a pink dress. Another fun option? Match your shoes to your bag for a coordinated look—royal blue satin shoes with a dark blue bag, for example.
Menswear for Wedding Guests
You don’t want to outshine the groom—but that doesn’t mean you can’t look sharp. Whether the wedding is a formal black-tie affair or a laid-back beach ceremony, finding the right outfit is all about matching the vibe, the season, and the venue. Here's how to suit up smartly and stylishly.
Suits
A white tie wedding is the most formal you’ll encounter—think tailcoat, crisp white shirt, and all the trimmings. A step down is black tie, which calls for a classic tuxedo and a white dress shirt. For other formal weddings, a well-fitted two or three-piece suit will do the trick. If it’s a more relaxed celebration, you might get away with smart separates like chinos or khakis and a tailored shirt or polo.
Before you commit to a suit, get familiar with different fits:
- Regular for comfort and ease of movement
- Tailored if you want a modern shape that’s not too snug
- Slim for a closer fit to the body
- Skinny for a sleek, ultra-slim silhouette
Dark suits—think black, charcoal, or navy—are ideal for autumn/winter weddings and more formal events. In cooler months, heavier materials like wool, tweed, or velvet add style and warmth. For summer or destination weddings, switch to lighter hues like grey, blue, beige, or brown in breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen or seersucker.
Shirts
You can’t go wrong with a classic white dress shirt—it works across most dress codes. But for a semi-formal or less traditional day, pastel shades like light blue or pink are great paired with navy or tan suits. If you're going for a more relaxed look, you can experiment with subtle patterns or lighter tones like beige or sage green—or even a smart polo shirt in hot weather.
Choose the shirt fit that suits your build and style:
- Regular for extra room
- Tailored for a balanced silhouette
- Slim or skinny for a close, polished finish
Whatever you choose, make sure it tucks neatly into your trousers, isn’t pulling across the chest, and shows just a bit of cuff beyond your jacket.
When it comes to shirt fabrics, cotton is a year-round winner—it works for just about any dress code. For semi-formal weddings, consider an Oxford shirt. Its slightly heavier weave gives it structure, making it a great pick for cooler months. Attending a warm-weather or destination wedding? Go for something more breathable like linen, seersucker, or chambray—these lighter fabrics will keep you cool without sacrificing style.
Ties
White or black tie weddings? A bow tie is a must. For everything else, the tie is your chance to get creative. At traditional events, go for a silk tie in classic colours like navy, burgundy, or silver. Winter weddings are a great excuse to try wool or cashmere ties, while summer calls for linen or cotton in lighter shades like soft blue, grey, or even khaki.
Heading to a more casual wedding? Feel free to skip the tie altogether, or go bold with prints—plaid, polka dots, or florals are all fair game for a beach or countryside celebration.
Accessories
At white or black tie weddings, cufflinks are a must—and they work best with a French cuff shirt, which is designed to show them off. Even at other formal events, cufflinks are a smart way to sharpen your look.
Sunglasses at a summer wedding? Absolutely. Just keep them classic—think teardrop aviators or timeless frames. Avoid mirrored lenses and make sure people can still see your eyes; it’s a celebration, not a poker game.
And don’t forget your wrist. A sleek watch is the ultimate finishing touch. A dress watch with a black leather strap and round face works with just about any suit. Want to relax the look a little? Stick with black leather for navy or grey suits, or try a silver watch with black or blue. If your outfit leans warm—say, emerald green or beige—a gold watch will complement it perfectly.
Shoes
For formal weddings, black Oxfords or patent leather opera pumps are timeless. Dialling it down? Try Derbies, brogues or loafers—smart, stylish, and still polished. Just make sure your shoes are slightly darker than your trousers and your belt matches your shoes (and your jewellery, if you're going that extra mile).
In warm weather or more casual settings, loafers, espadrilles, or even dressy sandals can work. Want to go sockless? No problem—but invisible trainer socks will keep things comfy without spoiling the look.
Shoes and belts should always be on the same team—black leather shoes? Black leather belt. And don’t forget the metal details: match your belt buckle to your jewellery. Silver watch? Stick with a silver buckle and cufflinks for a cohesive look.
At formal weddings, sock etiquette is real—they should be dark, plain, and long enough to stay hidden when you're sitting down. Crew socks are a safe bet. For casual or summer weddings, loafers or slip-ons are a popular choice—and yes, you can go sockless. If you want comfort and to protect your shoes, opt for no-show or trainer socks instead.
