One of the perils of wedding season is deciding what to wear to various types of ceremonies and celebrations held in places which may or may not have a dress code, or invitations that suggest you dress “festively” or in “summertime pastels.”
And of course, there are all the cultural and social rules – don’t wear white, don’t wear anything too flashy or sexy, and you may want to cover your shoulders in a church or avoid thin high heels for an outdoor or beach ceremony. However, sometimes limitations lead to fabulous ensembles, so here are some options for different kinds of weddings.
Beach: In addition to the shoe restrictions mentioned above (we don’t want your fabulous stilettos to sink into the sand, of course!), typically seaside ceremonies are the casual sort. Maxidresses and embellished flat sandals or wedges are the perfect option, like this deep coral print dress from Tory Burch.
Backyard BBQ: Like beach weddings, these tend to be fairly casual, so a sweet sundress like this bright red ruffled racer-back frock by LC for Kohls topped off with a bright clutch would fit the bill.
Cathedral: A big church wedding usually doesn’t call for hats (unless you’re British aristocracy), but you’ll want to wear something appropriate for the occasion. Strapless or otherwise bare dresses can be paired with an embellished cardigan, or find something with sleeves that’s still sleek and sexy, like this navy number by Badgley Mischka.
Quirky: We all have those wild friends who plan weddings that are far from traditional – the bride wears purple, the cake is vegan and Elvis might even be involved. In this case, feel free to go for broke with statement jewelry, feathers or even fringe, like this swingy little black dress from Aidan Mattox.
Black Tie: There’s nothing as fabulous as getting all dressed up for a black tie event – except when you have nothing to wear! A simple column gown like this floor-length gray silk chiffon dress from J.Crew is a life-saver at times like these, if you invest in that’s black or a flattering jewel tone you can change it up with jewelry and accessories, making it ideal for many seasons and occasions.
1. Tory Burch Coral Dress, $428
2. LC Lauren Conrad Ruffle Racerback Dress, now $45
3. Badgley Mischka Slit-Shoulder Cocktail Dress, $450
4. Aidan Mattox Fringed Cocktail Dress, $330
5. J.Crew Arabelle Long Dress in Silk Chiffon, $350
—Jacqueline Zenn
Image Layout: Jillian Jaslowski
