It’s time for your lucky brides-to-be to be inspired by the prettiest wedding dresses of the year! Couples are demonstrating that there are no longer rules. We’ve seen more mini weddings, backyard soirees, and elopements than ever before, and our collective notion of what a wedding dress “should be” has vanished. We’ll be honest with you: we adore it!!
Even the most modern brides and grooms are frequently seen in classic costumes similar to those worn by their forefathers and mothers years ago. That’s because many couples are driven not only by fashion when selecting wedding attire, but also by convention and a sense of propriety appropriate for the occasion. If you’re unsure what to wear to your wedding and want to stick to tradition, follow these etiquette guidelines.
Before we get started, there are a few things you should know. First and foremost, what you wear will be determined by the date of your event. A daytime wedding (which is often less formal) takes place before 6 p.m., whereas an evening wedding (which is typically more traditional) takes place after 6 p.m. or starts a little earlier and lasts well into the night. Second, the style of your wedding will determine your dress code.
An evening event in a huge ballroom with a seated multi-course dinner and an orchestra, for example, necessitates equally magnificent attire: full dress or white tie for the groom; silk or satin gown with a voluminous skirt and lengthy veil for the bride. A nice suit for him and a white sundress for her would be wonderful for an afternoon wedding outdoors with pots of wildflowers, food hot off the grill, and a lively bluegrass band. There are numerous variations in between.
Formal Wedding Attire for Brides
Most wedding gowns are considered formal, but ballgowns combined with cathedral-length veils are considered the most opulent. Fabrics such as silk, satin, tulle, and lace are all suitable choices. In most cases, the contrast between day and evening dress is slight and subjective: Jeweled accents, for example, are traditionally associated with the nighttime, although a sprinkle of sparkle may suffice during the day. Strapless necklines are usually reserved for evening gatherings rather than daytime ones.
Formal Wedding Attire for Grooms
The white tie was formerly the sole correct choice for a formal evening wedding; this stylish outfit, which features a black tailcoat and pants worn with a white shirt, waistcoat, and bow tie, is still absolutely stunning. Gentlemen then adopted a more informal option: the tuxedo, which consists of a black dinner jacket, black pants, a bow tie, and a white shirt. The tuxedo, commonly known as “black tie,” is the proper choice for formal evening weddings. It is technically referred to as semiformal. For a summer wedding or in a hot area, a white dinner jacket can be substituted for a black one.
Semiformal Wedding Attire for Brides
Other designs, including the A-line, empire, and sheath, are also ideal for a less formal event, as are ball gowns with a chapel or sweep train and matching veil. Detailed embellishments like beadwork or embroidery, on the other hand, can make any gown more (or less) formal.
Simply fashioned dresses in traditional silhouettes worn with short veils or none at all are suited for semiformal to informal gatherings. Modern styles like halter and slip dresses, as well as dresses in colors other than white, usually fall into the same category (though they can be more formal on occasion). Depending on the style, you can even get away with a shorter dress throughout the day.
