What to wear to a wedding: dress codes, colors and shoes
What to wear to a wedding: how to read the dress code, colors to skip, outfits by season and venue, shoes and layers, plus the mistakes to avoid.
The short answer
Read the dress code, the time of day, the venue and the season, then pick a dress to match. Skip white, ivory and cream, plus any color the couple asks guests to avoid.
- Choose shoes you can dance in and bring a wrap for the ceremony.
What to wear to a wedding comes down to four things: the dress code on the invitation, the time of day, the venue and the season. Read those four and you can dress correctly for almost any wedding, without wearing white, ivory or anything that competes with the couple.
Step 1: read the dress code
If the invitation names a dress code, that decides how formal to go. If it does not, use the venue and the time as a guide: an evening wedding in a ballroom or a hotel is usually more formal than a daytime garden wedding.
| Dress code | What it usually means | A safe choice |
|---|---|---|
| White tie | The most formal, rare | A floor-length ball gown |
| Black tie | Formal evening | A floor-length gown |
| Black tie optional | Formal, with some flexibility | A floor-length dress or a dressy midi in satin or crepe |
| Formal or cocktail | Dressy, usually evening | A midi or knee-length dress in a rich fabric |
| Semi-formal | Polished, not full evening wear | A dress or a dressy jumpsuit |
| Casual or daytime | Relaxed but not beachwear | A sundress, a skirt and top or a midi |
Dress codes are conventions, not rules, and they shift by region and culture. If you are unsure, ask the couple or someone in the wedding party.
Step 2: colors to wear and to skip
- Skip: white, ivory, cream and very pale champagne, because they can look like a bridal color. Check any color the couple has asked guests to avoid, and be careful with all-black at a daytime or very bright wedding.
- Wear: jewel tones, deep greens and blues, dusty tones, soft pastels and florals. Our guide to what colors look good on you helps you pick a shade that flatters.
Step 3: choose by season and venue
- Summer: light fabrics, breathable and sun-friendly. See summer wedding guest dresses.
- Fall: richer colors, long sleeves or a wrap. See fall wedding guest dresses.
- Beach: flowy fabric and flat or block-heel shoes. See beach wedding guest dresses.
- Church or temple: consider covering shoulders for the ceremony, and bring a wrap you can take off for the party.
- Winter: velvet, crepe or heavier satin, with a coat for outdoor moments.
Step 4: shoes, bag and layers
- Shoes you can dance in. Grass, sand and cobblestones swallow stiletto heels, so choose a block heel, a wedge or a dressy flat.
- A small bag that holds your phone, lipstick and a spare card.
- A wrap, shawl or jacket for church, air-conditioning and cooler evenings.
Common mistakes
- Wearing white, ivory or a dress that looks bridal
- Going far more or less formal than the invitation
- Choosing shoes you cannot stand in for six hours
- Choosing a dress with a plunging neckline or a very short hem for a religious ceremony
- Skipping a layer and getting cold at the ceremony
More help
For specific dress ideas by dress code, see wedding guest dresses, and for cocktail dress codes see what to wear for cocktail attire. If you want the full decoder, sixteen outfit formulas and a planner for the whole weekend, that is what The Wedding Guest Edit is for.
Read next: Black Tie Optional Dress Code for Women · Semi-Formal Dress Code for Women: What to Wear
Questions people ask about this
What should a woman wear to a wedding?
A dress or dressy jumpsuit that matches the dress code, the time of day and the venue, in any color except white, ivory or cream. Add shoes you can stand and dance in and a wrap for the ceremony.
What colors should you not wear to a wedding?
White, ivory, cream and very pale champagne, which can look like bridal colors, and any color the couple has asked guests to avoid. Be careful with all-black at daytime weddings.
Can I wear black to a wedding?
Yes in most places, especially for evening weddings, though some couples ask for color and some cultures treat black as mourning. Add color or jewelry to keep it festive, and check the invitation.
What do I wear if the invitation does not say a dress code?
Use the time and the venue: evening and ballroom or hotel usually means cocktail or formal, daytime in a garden or barn usually means semi-formal or sundress. Ask the couple if you are unsure.
