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Photo Credit: Aurora De Luca

Though we are lucky enough to see hundreds of happy couples wed each year, we know not everyone has this chance. So when you get a wedding invitation in the mail, it’s possible your first thought after “Aw! How cute!” is “What the heck am I supposed to wear?” There’s always room to put your own unique spin on an outfit, but here are some basic guidelines to steer you in the appropriate attire direction.

The most important step in choosing an outfit is determining what kind of wedding you will be attending. You should be able to determine this from your invitation. Weddings have become more unique than ever, but for simplicity’s sake, we will outline proper attire for six different wedding types.

WHITE TIE:
Men
Black tailcoat
Black evening trousers
White formal dress shirt
White bow tie
Women
Long evening gown
Ball gown
Wrap/Shawl

BLACK TIE:
Men
Black tuxedo
Evening jacket and matching trousers
Black tie
Black vest or cummerbund

Women
Formal floor length gown
Short, dressy cocktail dress

BLACK TIE OPTIONAL:
Men
Black tuxedo
Dark suit w/ white shirt and tie

Women
Formal floor length gown
Short, dressy cocktail dress
Dressy evening separates

BLACK TIE CREATIVE:
Men
Black tuxedo
Colorful tie, cummerbund, or shirt (if wanted)

Women
Formal floor length gown
Short, dressy cocktail dress
Dressy evening separates
Unique accessories to add a little splash of fun

SEMI-FORMAL:
Men
Dark suit
White shirt
Conservative tie

Women
Cocktail dress
Long dressy skirt w/ top

CASUAL:
Men
Button-down shirt
Sport jacket
Khaki pants
Conservative tie

Women
Short dress

Sundress

PS- Always remember to dress appropriately for the time of day and season. A light yellow flutter sleeve dress is all wrong for a nighttime fall wedding, but just right for an afternoon spring wedding.

By: Kelly Hamilton

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