Wedding Attire: All You Need to Know About it

Nothing makes a person want to look their best quite like attending a wedding. Everyone knows there is a lot that goes into choosing the right wedding dress, but there is pressure for the guests as well.

You’ll be seen by just about everyone you know, particularly if you’re close with the couple. As well, you’ll probably be in more than a few photos. The outfit you choose will be remembered for the rest of their lives, and possibly even featured in pictures and canvases on their wall. Clearly, knowing what to wear to a wedding is a very big deal.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Formal Attire Dress Codes
  • White-Tie
  • Black-Tie
• Formal Attire or Black-Tie Optional
  • Cocktail
  • Semi-Formal
• What to Consider When Choosing Your Outfit

Understanding Formal Attire Dress Codes

Industry insiders tell us that the most common wedding dress code is formal attire. What does that actually mean, though? And how is formal attire different from black-tie? If you’re confused about style, this handy guide will help. Here are the most common wedding guest dress codes explained:

White-Tie

This is the most formal wedding attire possible. Women should wear a formal floor-length evening gown. Men will wear a tuxedo with tails. This will be a classy and romantic event.

Black-Tie

This usually means the wedding is an evening event. Women should wear either a formal floor-length gown or a sophisticated cocktail dress. Men must wear a tuxedo. “If the dress code is black-tie, then there is only one correct outfit: a black tuxedo,” says Brian Sacawa, style expert and author of The Groom Guide.

Formal Attire or Black-Tie Optional

This is the most common type of wedding attire and is slightly less formal than black-tie. A tuxedo isn’t required, so men can wear a formal dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie. The choices for women are the same as with black-tie.

Cocktail

Cocktail attire is another popular dress code choice. It’s typically more formal than a day wedding but more casual than a black-tie night celebration. Women can opt for a long, tea-length, knee-length, or short dress. Men must wear a suit and tie. The goal here is to look classy and polished, without wearing something so fancy that you take away attention from the newlyweds.

Semi-Formal

It may be helpful to think of these clothes as your “Sunday finest.” Men should wear a dress shirt and slacks. Women have many choices in attire here, even dressy pants.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Outfit

Deciding what to wear to a wedding isn’t an easy task. You want to arrive appropriately and stylishly dressed for the celebration. One of the best ways to decide what formal attire to wear is to do some research on the Reno wedding venue. 

Think of the wedding location as the background that sets the tone for the event. Your outfit for an outdoor wedding at a barn will be different from what you wear for an evening celebration at an upscale country club. If you’re outside, like on a golf course, women will want to wear a chunky heel for walking purposes.

As well, think about the time of day. Even at the exact same venue, a wedding held on a Friday night and a Sunday morning are going to have a very different vibe. You wouldn’t normally wear an evening gown or tuxedo to a daytime wedding no matter where it is held.

Particularly if the wedding is being held outdoors, you want to consider the season and the weather. Reno can get quite chilly in the winter, especially at night. An outdoor evening wedding probably isn’t the time to wear a strappy dress unless you have an appropriate cover up for when the temperature dips. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a formal suit jacket can get a man pretty hot if he’s outside for a summer wedding.

Remember, when in doubt – ask the bride and groom! They’ll be more than happy to tell you what formal attire they’re envisioning for their big day.