Written by: Terry and Tina, Owners of Wedding Belles

You’ve gotten the invitation for your friends’ wedding, happily you circled the date on your calendar and started shopping for a gift, when all of a sudden it hits you……What am I supposed to wear??? Come visit us at Wedding Belles, our friendly staff will help you pick the perfect dress. We have fabulous cocktail dresses and designer evening gowns. We also have day and evening wear suits. We will also help you find accessories to match.

To give you an idea of what to wear, start off with the Invitation. Is it in flowing engraved black script on a heavy cream paper with formal lan­quage? Odds are the wedding will be similarly formal. Does it ask you to come see them get hitched? Wedding guests should look for a nice casual outfit. And of course, it may tell you directly on the invita­tion – black tie, casual attire, etc.

Think about where the wedding will be --- if it’s out­doors avoid anything that will get caught in the wind --- also, avoid high heeled shoes that will sink in the sand or in the grass. If it’s in a hot location avoid the suit and go for a breezy dress to help you keep cool. Indoors at the country club or fancy restaurant? Make your outfit slightly more tailored and dressy.

What to Wear . . .

Daytime Wedding

Bride’s home, elegant banquet hall or hotel

  • A fun floral dress with strappy sandals and clutch bag 
  • A light colored suit – stay away from black for daytime 
  • A pantsuit or palazzo pants are comfortable as well as stylish. 
  • A pastel tea length dress with flats

Evening Wedding

Tropical resort, big-city ballroom or country club

  • Dress as you would if you were going out to the theater or a formal dinner 
  • A cocktail dress – nothing too sexy but something fun to dance in. Black is fine. 
  • A dressy suit or a cocktail suit

Black-tie optional Wedding

  • A cocktail dress, perhaps to the floor

Black-tie Wedding

  • A formal dress, usually to the floor or a dressy short cocktail dress 
  • Bring out those beaded purses, fancy wraps and formal jewelry

What NOT to Wear . . .

  • White. It competes with the Bride. There are plenty of other colors available. 
  • Don’t wear black or sequins during the daytime. 
  • Jeans