What To Wear To A Formal Wedding This Season

While there's no denying that weddings can be stressful for the newlywed couple at the center of the celebrations, attending a wedding with a vague dress code as a guest can be equally as nerve-wracking—after all, who wants to ruin someone else's big day with the wrong dress or pair of heels? With dress codes ranging from black tie to formal to cocktail attire, navigating your wardrobe when it comes to formal weddings can be tricky, but really, the solution is there in the details of the invitation, with the dress code there to give additional context. 

Night or evening weddings tend to skew more formal, while daytime weddings are typically reserved for more casual settings, so pay close attention to the time on your invitation to provide extra clues when it comes to what to wear to a wedding. Knowing the venue of a wedding will also serve to your advantage, as church or temple weddings are often quite formal, while your typical backyard or garden wedding will most certainly lean more relaxed. 

Whether you're looking to confirm your previous suspicions about the expected attire for each type of formal-adjacent wedding or are feeling completely clueless, we've got you covered. Join L'OFFICIEL as we break down what each type of formal dress code really means and delineate what to wear to a wedding this summer. 

Out of all of the common wedding dress codes, black tie is among the most strict. While the happy couple likely won't mind if you deviate slightly from the guidelines, it is best practice to go as formal as possible. Deciding what to wear to a wedding can be tricky, especially for those not used to dressing to the nines on formal occasions, but a general rule of thumb to follow is that dresses should be below the knee at the very least, but preferably to the floor. 

For black tie wedding guest dresses, steer clear of more casual-leaning fabrics like cotton, jersey, chambray, and linen in favor of silk, satin, chiffon, and other similar materials. 

An evening gown is your best option if choosing what to wear to a wedding has overtaken your mind, but two-piece suits and jumpsuits—provided they're appropriate in terms of material and color—can also be viable options if dresses aren't quite your speed. 

As the name suggests, black tie optional skews just slightly more casual than full-on black tie. An evening gown remains the most popular option—and the safest bet—for black tie optional, but if you're having trouble deciding what to wear to a wedding that falls in between two distinct dress codes, rest assured knowing that your trusty knee-length cocktail dress or favorite semi-formal gown will do just fine. 

When deciding what to wear to a wedding with a black tie optional, be sure to pay close attention to the time of day that the ceremony is set for. In the case of an evening wedding, opt towards more formal attire, more in line with a clear-cut black tie dress code. 

Formal weddings typically go hand-in-hand with cocktail attire, meaning there's plenty of opportunity to embrace different styles, whether that means incorporating vintage-inspired looks or this season's latest trends. Because formal weddings can be interpreted differently based on the venue, time of day, and overall theme, it's never a bad idea to err on the side of overly formal, just like with cocktail attire. For women deciding what to wear to a wedding, a longer gown is typically the most popular length, but unlike black-tie attire, feel free to incorporate fun, fresh dresses with subtle prints like floral or delicate details like lace or brocade.  

Given the higher proportion of beach weddings that take place during the summer, keeping a beach formal look in your wardrobe is never a bad idea. While beach formal may be among the trickiest dress codes in terms of deciding what to wear to a wedding, rest assured in knowing that the occasion typically warrants a longer dress—due to breezy beach weather, you'll likely want a dress that falls at the knees or below—but when it comes to the color, material, and print, you have a touch more freedom.

While pastel tones are typically received as less formal, during a beachy summer wedding, feel free to embrace lighter hues in solid tones. Metallics—be wary not to select anything too flashy or sparkly—in muted tones are also generally considered acceptable. Florals, retro-inspired polka dots, and abstract prints are also widely worn, but again, consider the personal tastes of the happy couple before landing on anything too maximalist-leaning.