Weddings can be difficult to dress for; the last thing you want to do is offend the newlyweds with your attire, so it’s important to find the perfect outfit. There are several different types of weddings, from white tie to beach casual, but the one that is one of the toughest to decode is a semi-formal wedding. What does semi-formal mean? There’s a lot of room for interpretation, and unless you are close to the bride or groom, you probably don’t want to harass them with detailed questions about what to wear. Consider this your cheat sheet for the perfect wedding guest ensemble.
What is a semi-formal wedding?
All weddings are considered semi-formal unless the couple says otherwise – meaning that you don’t want to show up in a ball gown or tuxedo, but you shouldn’t attend in shorts and thong sandals. You should never wear denim, tennis shoes, or revealing clothing.
Appropriate Dress
For the ladies, hemlines should never be shorter than just above the knee. This makes chic cocktail dresses and skirts a popular choice. You can still wear floor-length dresses, but they shouldn’t be as formal as an evening gown. You should avoid wearing clothing that’s too revealing, so save the bandage dress for the nightclub.
When in doubt, pick one feature you love and show it off. If you love your arms, try a sleeveless dress with a longer hemline. If you love your back, choose a backless dress that has coverage in the front. You might already know that you can’t wear white to a wedding, but that doesn’t mean your outfit can’t stand out. Try on bold colors and patterns to find an outfit you love.
Accessories
Accessories make the outfit, and what you choose should depend on the clothes you’re wearing. Your accessories should enhance your outfit, not distract from it, so choose wisely. If you wear your hair up, consider statement earrings that provide a little extra sparkle. If your dress has bare shoulders or a deep V, try a delicate necklace. Now is the time to wear your heirloom jewelry, so dig into your jewelry box and flash your grandmother’s old gemstone ring.
Don’t forget the shades. It’s still important to blend fashion and function. Whether the wedding is in the blistering summer sun or on a snowy Christmas day, sunglasses help protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s likely you’ll be standing out in the sun while the happy couple takes their wedding photos, so shield your eyes with glasses while you’re sipping your champagne. Browse sunglasses for men and women at MVMT for a pair that combines fashion and functionality.
Shoes
You can go with high heels, cute strappy sandals, or a pair of dressy flats, but keep comfort in mind. If you don’t mind dancing barefoot at the end of the night, then a pair of stilettos may be perfect for you, but if you want to last all night without risking a broken ankle and sore feet, you should consider your options.
If you have a pair of heels you want to wear, make sure you break them in first. Walk around the house in them or wear them out once to make sure you can handle wearing them at the big event.
Spray Tan
You have the right to embrace the skin you’re in, but there’s nothing wrong with a little tan. If you want a tan, a spray tan is the safest option that will keep you from damaging your skin in the sun. It’s also an easy way to get an even skin tone. You should visit a salon about a week before the wedding to get the perfect spray tan. This allows the tan to seep into the skin and slough off any extra cells before the big day.
Dressing for a wedding should be fun. Follow these tips and you’ll be dressed appropriately for the happy couple’s big day.