YOUR GUIDE TO WEDDING GUEST ATTIRE

We know: deciding what to wear to a wedding can be tough. If you haven’t attended many weddings, decoding the dress code doesn’t come naturally. But if you have been to your fair share of weddings, you definitely don’t want to wear the same thing each time. Here’s your handy guide to wedding guest attire, with a comprehensive breakdown of the difference between white tie and black tie, and what casual attire really means for a wedding. Plus, the perfect guest attire for a beachfront wedding in Destin.

• White Tie – Nothing is as formal as white tie attire. Fortunately, it’s not very common these days. If you are invited to a white tie wedding, keep in mind the dress code is strict! For men, choose a black tailcoat, white vest, a formal white shirt, and white bowtie. Black opera-style shoes are a must. Feeling fancy? Add white gloves. For women, the safest route is a long formal evening gown. Avoid poufy dresses and tall heels, as you’ll need to sit and walk comfortably.
• Black Tie – A little less formal than white tie, black tie is all about the evening wear. Men typically wear tuxedos, a white shirt, bowtie, cummerbund, and suspenders. For the shoe, a simple oxford will do! Women can wear a long gown or a dressy cocktail dress with (comfortable!) heels. “Black Tie (Optional)” is something guests might also see on a wedding invitation, so when in doubt it’s best to stick with black tie. “Optional” gives men the choice of a dark suit and subdued tie over a tuxedo and bowtie. Women can lean towards a cocktail dress or dressy separates.
• Cocktail (Semiformal) – Semiformal falls somewhere in between casual and formal, and it’s important to make sure you find the right balance. Men can wear suits with or without ties, and women can again opt for a cocktail dress or dressy separates.
• Casual – Casual wedding attire can mean a lot of things, but it definitely doesn’t mean jeans! Instead, opt for chinos or khakis with a button-down shirt or sports coat. Women’s attire can again include dressy separates but also opens up the doors to a “less dressy dress” like a sundress. Appropriate footwear includes boat shoes for men and sandals or flats for women.

Need help dressing for that beachfront wedding you’re attending? This is a great opportunity to break out those white pants you’ve been meaning to wear all year! While white is typically frowned upon at weddings, white pants are A-okay in our book! Stick with bright colors and florals – nowadays black is acceptable to wear to a wedding, but we’d steer clear when it comes to a wedding on the beach!