I Do! I Do!

June weddings seem to be popping up all over the summer calendar and while you are spared the agony of having to wear your best friend’s bridesmaid costume, you do want to attend friends’ weddings in appropriate summer style.  And perhaps, you’re the “plus one” and you want to look your best to impress your boyfriend’s family and friends.

What to wear at weddings is really not all that hard.  Here are a few tips:

A formal wedding (take a look at the invitation – is it very formal looking?  What is the venue?  An elegant hotel or country club?)  calls for guests to dress it up a bit.  If the invitation clearly states “black tie,” or something similar, follow the host’s request.

Evening formal weddings (“Black Tie Optional”) call for cocktail gowns, long or short.  Men should be wearing tuxedos or dark suits, so dress accordingly.  “Black Tie” affairs require a formal gown—usually floor-length.  Have fun with beautiful sparkling jewelry and a replica clutch bag and shimmery stunning wrap.

More casual evening weddings are a great place for a short cocktail dress, nicely tailored suit or elegant silk trousers and jacket set.  Deep turquoise, rich lime greens, vibrant apricots are excellent choices.

Daytime weddings generally call a fun floral dress, a light-colored suit, or skirt and sweater set.  Hats are always great and cute sandals round out your ensemble.  If your wedding is outdoors, stay away from dark colors, especially if the wedding is outside or you will find yourself melting away.  Also avoid spiky shoes that make sink in the sand or grass.  Remember that you want to be comfortable as well as look great.

While many old-fashioned fashion rules have been removed, there are still a few don’t for wedding attire:

• Don’t wear all white. White backgrounds or floral dress are still ok, but opt instead of white for a creamy skirt, a latte-colored blouse or eggshell trousers.  The goal here is not to upstage the bride.  It’s her day, be gracious and save your whites for another time.
• Don’t wear black to a daytime wedding.  It is simply too dark for summer looks.
• No jeans!  No matter what.  There are lots of other choices, so leave your Levi’s home.
• While weddings are a great place to meet cute guys, don’t dress overly sexy.  This isn’t the place to show all your cleavage or slit your skirt to the nether regions.  A little class, please.

If the wedding is in a church or temple, be prepared to cover bare shoulders with a wrap or jacket.