What Not To Wear To A Wedding

Chances are if you decided to open dear old Google and ask for outfit ideas for weddings you”l be overwhelmed with choices.

But what shouldn’t you wear to a wedding?

1. Do not stray from the dress code however tempted you may be
If the couple has specified a specific dress code, you definitely want to support their request and stick to it.

For instance, if the invitation says black tie, protocol calls for men to wear tuxedos and women to opt for gowns. A cocktail dress code typically means dark suits for men and pretty dresses, which can be cocktail or knee-length, for women.

2. Whatever you do, don’t wear white
This one might seem like an obvious one, but unless you are specifically told to wear white or ivory, don’t do it. White and ivory are reserved for the bride and this goes for men and women.

You can, however, wear black. For many men, a black suit is a wedding staple. And for women, so long as a black outfit doesn’t look like a bad choice.

3. Don’t carry your phone around like an accessory
Unplugged weddings are quite popular these days, with many couples asking their guests to keep phones tucked away during their nuptials. But regardless of whether you were asked to cease phone use or not, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid snapping photos or texting, especially during the ceremony. Cell phones have ruined so many wedding photos!

Also make sure your phone is on silent. The last thing you want is your phone ringing during the I dos.

4. Don’t try to steal the spotlight
If for example a couple wants to stick to a rainbow theme, and requests their guests come dressed wearing bold colors, you should wear bold colors. If they request their guests stick to a black-and-white palette, don’t wear a bright yellow dress.

The golden rule is that you want to keep the attention on the wedding couple. You don’t want to distract from that, but you also want to look nice.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance
Some couples will include a dress code specification on their invitations or websites, but others might not. In that case, you may need to do a little detective work to find out what’s appropriate. One way to help you determine just how fancy a wedding might be is to look up the venue for an indication of how formal you should dress. An outdoor garden party typically won’t be as fancy as a wedding in a five-star hotel ballroom, for example.

But if you’re really not sure what to wear, you can always ask for a little clarification.