4 things not to wear as a wedding guest

There is something to be said about wedding etiquette – the do’s and dont’s are not always clear. And one of the most of the important topics? What to wear to the wedding or more importantly, what not to wear.

When you’re not a bridesmaid, figuring out what to wear to a wedding can be a struggle and a half: you don’t want to overdo it and outshine the bride, but you also don’t want to be too casual and show up in beat-up sandals.

A happy medium is ideal, but we know it’s easier said than done. If you’re looking for answers, you’re in the right place: here are the worst faux pas you want to avoid, and the best tips on how to avoid them.

White, cream, ivory, silver  and any other kindred hues are reserved for the bride and the bride only. You might also want to consider staying away from very light yellow or purple as it can often photograph as white! It might not be a big deal to some unconventional brides, but wearing white as a wedding guest is still very much a big no-no. 

But as a wedding guest, can you wear a dress that has white in it? If your dress has a pattern and has white in it – that’s totally fine! Just be cautious about the ratio of white to the other colors in the dress. Stay away from dresses that are primarily white, but have touches of color or white dresses that have light patterns or flowers.

Weddings are important events even to those participating as guests, so the temptation to show up and show out is strong.

To avoid red carpet syndrome, pay close attention to the theme of the wedding and the venue: that should give you an idea of the general vibe of the wedding, and how you can match it.

Avoid wearing a dress with lots of rhinestones, crystals, feathers, or anything that is over-the-top with glitter or shimmery fabric. A wedding is a great opportunity to be glamorous and get dressed up – but the last thing you want to do is outshine the bride. 

Is it okay to show cleavage at a wedding? And how much cleavage is too much? These are burning questions, especially for the big-chested girls out there, who are told to “cover up” no matter what.

As a general rule of thumb, a couple inches of “natural” cleavage or a little bit of push-up won’t hurt anyone.

As for length and sheerness, keep in mind that the ceremony might be held in a place of worship, where you might be asked to adhere to certain rules. So, bring a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders if need be.

Can you wear a mini dress to a wedding? It depends on the requested dress code from the bridal pair. If it’s casual, yes, however if it’s cocktail, better play it safe and wear a midi or a knee-length dress.

Unless you’re a guest at a royal wedding, there’s no need for you to be wearing an oversized hat or fascinator. If you’d like to still incorporate a headpiece into your wedding guest outfit, opt for something more understated. You’ll be super classy regardless!

Original text: Zeinab Saidoun

Updated text and content: Emma Trimboli