Wedding Dress Codes

The venue often influences the overall vibe, right down to the dresses. For a beach or garden wedding, a flowy floral and wedges make it easy to walk—and dance!—in the natural setting, while a ballroom reception often cues a more formal gown and heels.

You absolutely can wear black to a wedding. An antiquated rule, opinions have shifted over the years and black is now widely considered to be not just perfectly acceptable, but chic, too.

As a general rule, daytime or courthouse weddings tend to be a bit more casual than evening affairs. It’s a great opportunity for women to wear a chic jumpsuit or suit, a sleek midi dress, or a flowy maxi. Men can wear a dress shirt and tie or skip the tie and pair an elegant knit polo with a blazer and trousers.

Even if you are attending a wedding that takes place entirely indoors, you should still aim to dress for the season. Rich fabrics like velvet, brocade, and faux fur are perfect for a fall or winter wedding, while silks, chiffons, lace, and cotton work better in spring and summer.

It depends on how formal the event. A tuxedo or formal black suit should be paired with black dress shoes. If the wedding is more casual, suede loafers or even a pair of sneakers can be worn. If you decide to go with the latter, just make sure they are clean and streamlined—not a chunky athletic style.