Dresses You Can Wear to a Wedding (as a Guest)

Dresses You Can Wear to a Wedding (as a Guest)


Summer dresses that work for a wedding

The first official day of summer is finally upon us, which means that your weekends are all booked up with road trips, backyard BBQ's and weddings (weddings, weddings). So when the inevitable humidity of a Saturday in July calls for you to attend a wedding, how can you make sure you're ceremony-appropriate without suffering heat stroke? Picking out the perfect dress for the wedding shouldn't turn you into bridezilla (especially when you're not the bride). We've got the guide that will save you the sweat of deciding what to wear to Summer "I do's".

First and foremost, in any season you've got to make sure you consider the bride. Summer makes it more tough when hemlines are shorter, and colours get bolder. Certainly avoid white, and keep the amount of skin you're going to show tasteful. Bandage dresses and micro-minis fall into under the "don't do this" heading. Be particularly sensitive if you're attending a religious ceremony. Don't be afraid to get in touch with the bride to ask about the dress code if you're really unclear.

Daytime weddings:

Light and casual fabrics are acceptable for day weddings, so say yes to lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton. Vibrant colours, and bright florals are great for daytime.


Daytime weddings:

Light and casual fabrics are acceptable for day weddings, so say yes to lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton. Vibrant colours, and bright florals are great for daytime.

Where to find them:

Day dresses (clockwise from top left): tribal print dress $45 by Volcom, lace chiffon dress $58 by American Apparel, rust chiffon one-shoulder dress $90 at Topshop, dot printed dress $74 by Calvin Klein, climbing floral dress $64 at Warehouse UK, chevron striped dress $68 at modcloth.com, henley woven floral dress $25 at Aeropostale, floral jersey tank dress $15 at Old Navy.

Evening Weddings

Night dresses (clockwise from top left): orange one-shoulder dress $69 at Macy's, layered-tank dress $69 at Urban Outfitters, Pink dress $80 at modcloth.com, floral one-shoulder dress $95 at ASOS, yellow satin ruched dress $154 by Elizabeth and James, black and white striped dress $50 at onestopplus.com, one shoulder chiffon dress $39 at delias, backless black dress $550 by Opening Ceremony

Although black was once a no-no for weddings, we all know that a little black dress suits any occasion. It's best advised to keep your black dress for an evening wedding. Evening weddings (anything after 6 P.M) can also be assumed to be a little more formal, so keep that in mind when choosing the fabrication of your dress. Leave the cotton-paisley sundress in your closet. And how short is too short?
Knee length is a good guideline, and younger women can go a couple of inches above the knee with their hemlines.

How to Choose a Bridesmaid Dress

How to Choose a Bridesmaid Dress


How to Choose a Bridesmaid Dress
Find a style your bridal party can actually wear again

Brides always want to be the centre of attention on their big day. Sometimes that can come at the cost of their bridesmaids. Bridesmaids are your friends and their dresses should compliment the theme of your wedding and your dress. They should NOT look so bad you look great in comparison.

Finding a style that will work with all your bridesmaids’ body types can be a challenge, but by following these trends you should be able to please your bridal party and yourself.

Colours

Think carefully about the colour choice of your dresses. Is it so bright and loud it will detract from the ceremony? Will it go with the rest of your decor? Will it look good with the skin tones of all of your bridesmaids? Your safest bet is to pick a colour in a subdued jewel tone since almost everyone looks good in those colours! It doesn't have to (and probably shouldn’t) match your decor exactly, but it should compliment the overall look and feel of the wedding. If it's a formal event stick with darker, traditional colours. If it's a simple, more casual wedding go with light colours that won't wash out paler bridesmaids.

Avoid black, since it’s not a funeral and many of your guests will probably be wearing it anyways (unless you have really fashionable guests). Avoid all shiny, satin-like fabrics (so last decade) and stick to more natural, classy materials.

Check out J.Crew's Silk Chiffon Arabelle Dress, available in a wide variety of beautiful shades, $225. Available at J.Crew or jcrew.com.

Cuts

There are several styles of dress that will work for everyone. A-line cuts at the knee are universally flattering. Unless everyone in your party has a small bust and Madonna arms try to avoid strapless gowns, which will case unnecessary tugging through the ceremony and reception. No wardrobe malfunctions please!

If you actually want to give your bridesmaid's a dress they can wear again don't get anything too ornate and poofy. Long dresses give a formal look to your wedding but probably can't be worn again by your bridesmaids and may look overwhelming on shorter girls. If all else fails you could always select a fabric and allow your bridesmaid's to choose their own style, so long as they are relatively similar in design and length.

You can look at current dress trends to see what’s but classic, simple shapes are definitely making a comeback.

Try BHLDN's Beribboned Dress for a figure-flattering look for all, $200. Available at bhldn.com.

Accessories

If you're going with a simple dress design consider using bolder jewellery to make your bridesmaids look modern. Buying jewellery can make a nice present for the bridal party and won't leave you worrying about what your bridesmaid’s will show up in. Take a look at current jewelry trends, but remember that the pictures are forever. Going with something classic will always look timeless and last your bridesmaids a long time.

Can you really go wrong with Tiffany's? Accessorize with their Sterling Silver Bow Pendant, $150. Available at Tiffany & Co.

Shoes

Shoes can generally be the choice of your bridesmaid’s so try to pick a colour or style everyone has. If that doesn't work out, consider a neutral pair of kitten heals your bridesmaid's can wear again (and will be okay to dance the night away in). Keep it closed toed for a formal affair or open toed or sandal-like if it's more casual.

Top off your ensemble with Aldo's Abadi Peep-Toe Pumps in Bone, $80. Available at Aldo Shoes