What To Wear To Every Wedding Event

Now’s the time to celebrate! If you’re the one who planned the proposal and nervously popped the question, congrats, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Get your dancing shoes on to celebrate with your combined mates. A tiny practice for the wedding. 

Dress code: Celebration. Save the white dresses for your hens and wedding day, tonight’s the night to go all out with sequins, feathers and party shoes. 

All bets are off - this is the time to be over the top. A good bridal party will ask your group to wear one colour so that you stand out in white as the bride-to-be. Mothers of the bride and groom, be sure to check in with her friends on the theme and wear something in a matching colour palette to the group. 

Dress code: Centre of attention. More is more. Get yourself a white party dress, some swimmers and novelty accessories adorned with ‘wifey’. Friends, check in with her best friend for the dress code. 

Novelty onesie? Head-to-toe costume? Let’s face it, the choice isn’t really yours to make is it. 

Dress code: Wear new socks and jocks for maximum dignity when you change into that turkey costume. 

You’re there to stand by your friend on a day she won’t forget. Have conversations with the bride and other bridesmaids at the time of dress shopping to ensure your dress is comfortable and then show up and wear it. That’s it.

Dress code: Matchy matchy (and the colour of the moment is sage green). You’re wearing a dress partially chosen for you - for a personal touch, see if the bride is happy for you to have fun with your accessories and add your own flair. 

Depending on where you’ve chosen to say ‘I do’, you’ll certainly want tailored pants and a shirt, if not a full suit. If it’s an outdoor beachy, barn or bowlo vibe, relaxed linen separates might strike the right tone. 

Dress code: Check in with your partner to gauge their level of dressiness - you want to be on the same page so that you look united and photos don’t come back looking like you attended two separate events. 

The MoG outfit can be a tricky one. You want to be aptly formal and not overshadow the mother of the bride. Here it’s safest to veer away from the colour chosen for the bridal party, but within a similar theme. If they’re wearing rust slip dresses, you won’t want to wear a chilli-red number.

Dress code: Polished, unfussy, slightly *less* than the MoB. Shoes you can walk, stand, mingle and dance in. 

Consider the venue and time of day. Think fun and formal enough to respect the occasion. A block colour ticks both those boxes and can look great in photos. Steer well clear of anything cream (yes, even with a print on top) and if you’re close enough to the bridal party suss out their colour scheme to pick something in the opposite direction. Nobody wants to accidentally turn up in the bridesmaids’ dress. 

Dress code: Wedding guests, think colour and comfort. Nothing too tight so that you can’t eat, drink and dance. Shoes you’ve worn-in beforehand and a small bag that fits your card, lipstick and phone. For men, think tailored menswear – a suit may not be essential if the wedding is relaxed or outdoors. 

And breathe! Leave your friends and rellos hassling the dj and slip off to your hotel, ready for a sunny escape. What better excuse for some new swimwear, a hat and sunglasses to hide all the partying.