Here’s What You Should Wear to a Spring Wedding, Based on the Dress Code - E! Online (2024)

Here’s What You Should Wear to a Spring Wedding, Based on the Dress Code - E! Online (1)Courtesy of Reformation

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It's officially the first day of Spring! And apart from incredible weather and tons of cute picnics at the park with friends, you can also expect plenty of invites to weddings during this long-awaited season. So, that officially means it's time to say goodbye to all your long-sleeved silhouettes and fluffy coats, and welcome with open arms all your gorgeous light and flowy dresses. Yes, we're talking cute mini co*cktail dresses that show off plenty of leg, or elegant floral dresses ready to be worn and strolled along a glorious field of flowers.

First things first, it's time to figure out the dress code for the upcoming weddings you'll soon be attending. While formal wear is most likely your go-to when it comes to choosing wedding guest dresses, wedding invitations often feature a variety of dress codes beyond the traditional. Semi-formal and casual attire options have recently been gaining popularity, though they can be more open to interpretation than black-tie affairs, leaving guests (like us) uncertain about the appropriate level of formality. Luckily for you, we did the research and created a guide that explains all the style formalities ofdress codes for weddings so you can finally stop stressing.

Since it is Spring, you're obviously going to prioritize garments crafted from lightweight, breathable fabrics, and explore diverse color palettes and patterns to embrace the vibrant essence of the season. But apart from that, it's also the ideal opportunity to experiment with unconventional designs and hues, allowing you to step beyond your usual style boundaries. So, if you're ready to find out more about different dress codes and what you should wear, keep scrolling for our handy guide to shopping for spring wedding guest dresses.

Black-Tie

A Black-Tie affair is a formal event where guests are expected to wear upscale attire. For women attending a wedding with a Black-Tie dress code, it's customary to choose elegant evening gowns or sophisticated co*cktail dresses. These dresses should be made from luxurious fabrics and can feature subtle embellishments or accessories for added glamour. Accessorizing with fine jewelry and styling hair elegantly completes the polished look.

Reformation Anaiis Silk Dress

Made from 100% lightweight silk charmeuse fabric, this Anaiis dress from Reformation will immediately turn heads at any Black-Tie wedding. It's sexy, chic, and falls elegantly on the floor while showing off your back with its diamond-shaped opening.

V. Chapman Veronica Corset Ruffle Side-Slit Dress

Step into spring elegance with the V. Chapman Veronica corset ruffle side-slit dress, a stunning statement piece designed to captivate. From its chic bustier bodice to the graceful ruffle accents, thislight bluemaxi ensures you'll be the epitome of style at any formal occasion.

Formal

If you've received an invitation with 'black-tie optional' or 'formal' on it, don't stress! It's still a fancy affair, but gentlemen, you can skip the tux and opt for a dark suit (though a tuxedo is still a nice touch!). Girlies, you're welcome to wear a floor-length gown or a chic knee-length co*cktail dress-just keep it elegant and modest.

Reformation Veria Silk Dress

How gorgeous is this silk gown from Reformation? Featuring a halter neckline that'll help you stay cool as you burn up the dancefloor, and a long flowy skirt that'll twirl as you strut,it's the epitome of effortless glamour for any special occasion.

Reformation Rosalynn Dress

This luxe Rosalynn dressmade fromlightweight georgette fabric features an asymmetrical neckline and a long scarf-like drape around the neck. Pair it with your favorite heels and accessories to complete this ethereal look.

co*cktail

co*cktail attire is highly favored for weddings, striking a balance between elegance and comfort, and sophistication with a touch of simplicity. Women should consider tea-length, knee-length, or midi dresses instead of floor-length gowns. While tuxedos are no longer obligatory, men should still opt for a suit and tie.

BHLDN Lucy Stretch Satin One-Shoulder Mini Dress

Crafted from luxurious stretch polyester satin, this sleek co*cktail dress is destined to make a statement. The striking one-shoulder design paired with sophisticated long sleeves and sculptural ruched detailing at the hip ensures a perfect balance of elegance and allure, making it an ideal choice for any co*cktail affair

Lulus So Stunning Coral Pink Floral Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Turn heads in the Lulus So Stunning coral pink floral mini dress! With its mesmerizing medium-weight jacquard fabric featuring a vibrant floral design and metallic lurex threading, this glam dress boasts a square neckline and playful puffy short sleeves, making it the ultimate statement piece for any special occasion.

Semi-Formal/Dressy Casual

Semi-formal or dressy casual attire falls somewhere in between formal and casual styles, offering flexibility for different events. For men, think a smart shirt paired with dress pants or chinos, maybe even skipping the tie. Women can go for a chic dress, stylish separates, or a trendy jumpsuit. The idea is to look sharp and polished while keeping it relaxed and comfortable.

Lulus Alluring Presence Golden Yellow Ruffled Tiered Mini Dress

Crafted from lightweight woven chiffon, this elegant ruffled dress features adjustable spaghetti straps and an asymmetrical ruffled detail cascading across the cowl neckline and fitted bodice, while the figure-skimming slip silhouette flows into a tiered, ruffled hem adorned with a charming ruffled sash detail, ensuring you exude style wherever you go.

By Anthropologie The Tommie Cap-Sleeve Smocked Front-Zip Shirt Dress

This beautiful yellow front-zip dress may seem a bit casual at first, but can be instantly transformed when paired with the perfect spring/summer raffia accessories.

Casual

Casual attire for a wedding suggests a relaxed and informal dress code, often suitable for outdoor or daytime celebrations. For men, this might entail wearing slacks or chinos paired with a button-down shirt or a polo shirt, perhaps complemented with a blazer or sweater. Women could opt for a sundress, a skirt with a blouse, or even dressy separates. The aim is to look neat and presentable while maintaining comfort, with footwear choices ranging from sandals to casual flats or loafers.

Reformation Nadira Dress

Crafted from lightweight georgette fabric, the Reformation Nadira dress blends comfort with undeniable charm. Perfect for a casual spring wedding, simply style it with block heel sandals and a trendy shoulder bag, and enjoy its versatility for every occasion throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Abercrombie & Fitch Organza Tiered Strapless Mini Dress

Elevate your spring wedding attire with this flattering strapless mini dress in luxurious organza fabric, boasting a chic straight neckline and a playful tiered ruffle skirt. Perfect for a casual dress code, this dress exudes effortless elegance, ensuring you look and feel your best while celebrating.

Beach/Destination

For a beach or destination wedding, the dress code leans towards casual and comfortable attire suitable for the scenic surroundings. Men can opt for lightweight linen pants paired with a short-sleeved button-down shirt or a casual polo, while women may choose flowy sundresses or maxi dresses in breathable fabrics. Footwear like sandals or wedges complements the relaxed atmosphere.

Abercrombie & Fitch Asymmetrical One-Shoulder Ruffle Set

Get ready to stun at your next beach or destination wedding in Abercrombie's slim-fitting one-shoulder top, crafted from breathable cotton fabric with chic ruffle detailing and an all-over smocked bodice. Paired effortlessly with the matching mini skirt, this ensemble offers both style and comfort, making it the ideal choice for dancing the night away by the ocean breeze.

Abercrombie & Fitch Ruffle Strap High-Low Maxi Dress

Dress to impress in this stunning maxi floral dress, tailored from luxurious chiffon fabric, featuring a chic v-neckline, trendy ruffle straps, and a thigh-high slit detail with a high-low hem. With flattering ruched waist details, this dress is perfect for staying cool and comfy at any beach/destination wedding you attend.

Still can't decide on what to wear? Check out the10 best places to buy spring wedding guest dresses.

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Here’s What You Should Wear to a Spring Wedding, Based on the Dress Code - E! Online (2024)

FAQs

Here’s What You Should Wear to a Spring Wedding, Based on the Dress Code - E! Online? ›

co*cktail attire is highly favored for weddings, striking a balance between elegance and comfort, and sophistication with a touch of simplicity. Women should consider tea-length, knee-length, or midi dresses instead of floor-length gowns. While tuxedos are no longer obligatory, men should still opt for a suit and tie.

How do you explain dress code on a wedding website? ›

Answer this question by stating your dress code in a direct sentence ("The dress code for our wedding is…"). Following that, you can include a brief explanation with attire suggestions and specifics—for example, that your venue requires a jacket and tie or if the ceremony will take place on the beach.

What is spring formal dress code wedding? ›

Unless the wedding specifies black-tie attire (in which case you should opt for black or a similar dark shade) feel free to experiment with bright, springtime colors like pink, yellow or green for your next formal spring wedding.

What color should I wear to a spring wedding? ›

For spring weddings, opt for light colors like pastels, whites, or light blues. This will help capture the feeling of the season and will keep you cool in warmer temperatures. For summer weddings, go bold with bright colors, like greens, oranges, and pinks.

How do you word dress code for a wedding? ›

Traditional wedding attire wording:
  1. Black tie (tuxedos and formal gowns)
  2. Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses)
  3. Semi-formal (suit and tie and co*cktail dresses)
  4. co*cktail attire (suits and party dresses)
  5. Beach or garden party attire (summer suits and summer dresses)
Jul 18, 2023

How do you mention a dress code on an invitation? ›

Include brief, straightforward phrasing like “black tie event” or “semi-formal” for your guests. Your guests can then research those terms for specifications if they're not familiar with different dress codes, or you can include brief details next to the dress code.

Is it OK to wear black to a spring wedding? ›

As long as the event calls for a particular level of formality and you won't upstage the couple or the wedding party, it's safe to wear black to the wedding.

Is it inappropriate to wear black to a spring wedding? ›

Can you wear a black dress or ensemble to a wedding? In short, yes, but the key is in the styling. You want to avoid looking like you dressed for a funeral, and your outfit should feel like it was chosen with a special occasion in mind!

Can you wear a short dress to a spring wedding? ›

If the dress code is a bit more casual, you might opt for a mini dress—especially if you'll be outdoors in a warm weather destination. Even in a shorter party dress, you'll look elegant and wedding appropriate in any of these styles. A mini dress is easy to pack and even easier to rewear than longer, more formal gowns.

Can I wear navy to a spring wedding? ›

Navy blue is perfect for all year round! Dress of the addressed attire. If you're not sure how dressy or casual a wedding is going to be, always look at the invitation to see if the bride stated her preference.

Can you do dark colors for a spring wedding? ›

Don't limit “best wedding colors for spring” to pastels. They're pretty, but they're by no means your only option. May wedding colors can be all about moody blues and dark black hues, for example.

Is gold a spring wedding color? ›

Key Takeaways: Green, Blue, and Gold are perfect for a springtime wedding. You can use these colors in endless ways throughout your wedding day. Green, Blue, and Green also go great with any event style you might have in mind.

What is the most popular wedding dress code? ›

Semi-Formal or co*cktail

This attire is one of the most popular dress codes, and for a good reason. It fits in with almost any wedding venue and is relatively easy for guests to follow. A semi-formal dress code calls for suits for men and co*cktail dresses for ladies.

What is a standard wedding dress code? ›

Traditionally women are expected to wear a floor length evening dress to a formal wedding. Often a sophisticated and dressy co*cktail dress is also appropriate, however if the bride is traditional we recommend a floor length dress. A full length dress means that the ankle is not visible.

What's smart casual dress code? ›

Smart casual is an approach to dressing professionally that mixes trendier pieces in with classic staples. The goal is an appearance that's clean and professional but doesn't look too formal. You want to look pulled together but a bit interesting and approachable.

What is an example of a dress code announcement? ›

Please remember to dress in a manner that is respectful and appropriate for the office.” “Let's make sure our outfits are professional and don't contain any offensive language or imagery.” “It's important that everyone follows the dress code policy so that we can maintain a professional workplace.”

How do you describe a casual wedding dress code? ›

Casual. While casual dress code weddings allow you to wear a more relaxed outfit, remember that this is still a celebration, so shorts and flip-flops aren't advisable. Sundresses paired with sandals are the perfect attire for women who want to feel dressed up but still comfortable.

How do you describe formal attire? ›

Black tie refers to a very specific type of dress, with tuxedos and bow ties for men and floor-length gowns for women. The term “formal attire” is more general, relating to smart suits, shirts, dresses, blouses, and other items. Somewhat paradoxically, general formal attire is less formal than black tie.

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