Dressing Up for Wedding Season

Wedding season is in full swing! From now till the month of October many couples will be saying “i do” and if you’re lucky, or unlucky in some cases, you’ll be there to witness their special day and have an excuse to party! Weddings are also a time where guests come dressed to impress. For one, it’s a celebration and there will be lots and lots of photos! So it makes sense that you’d want your outfit to be on point and stand out in the sea of wedding guests.

So in the search for the perfect wedding guest attire, where do you start? Some couples include a dress code in their invite but dress codes can be hard to decipher or too general. For me, I look at the venue first. Where the wedding is taking place can give you an idea of what you want your outfit to look like. For example, what you wear to an outdoor wedding on the beach would be different than what you would wear in a 5-star hotel ballroom. Plus, it is extremely difficult to walk in high heels in sand, or in grass for that matter!

I’ve been to a lot of weddings in my lifetime and I always enjoy finding that perfect outfit to wow in. It’s kind of like finding your wedding dress but in a much less dramatic way. I always say that when your outfit is on point then you’ll feel amazing and when you feel amazing you’ll be a much happier guest and that’s all the happy couple wants to see on their wedding day! So I have compiled a couple of dresses for your inspiration based on common wedding locations. Now all you have to do is pull up your wedding invite and look where the festivities will take place!

Beach

Sun, sand, and Mai Tais! Feeling the ocean breeze and sea salt in your hair brings out your inner bohemian. The beach setting may be a little more casual but you can still look dressed up. I love to mimic that relaxed tropical vacation vibe. Think of bare shoulders and floral print, tropical flowers for an added bonus. I am feeling all the beach vibes in the Flynn Sky Bardot Maxi. This dress comes in many prints but I like the midnight flora because it reminds me of an aloha shirt, a popular Hawaii staple. The bardot neckline is very flattering and cute with the buttons. This dress is also versatile because you can choose to wear the straps off-the-shoulder for a sexy look or on for a playful look. The front slit ads a little drama to the dress, or lots of drama depending on the wind factor that day! Add a shell necklace to complete the beach vibe.

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Botanical Garden/Lavender Farm

Flowers in full bloom are such a pretty sight to see. The bright colors and interesting shapes of the blooms make for such a romantic setting. In terms of styling, when I think of romance I picture light, delicate material with some layer of textures. The outdoor setting and warm sun is perfect for going sleeveless. Get ready to show off those arms you’ve been working hard all winter for! This For Love & Lemons Agnes One Shoulder Dress is all of that. I love the pretty pink color and the intricate flower detailing. This dress has layers of ruffles on the neckline and skirt in addition to bows on the shoulder and waist. While not entirely sleeveless, bearing one shoulder still allows you to show off those arms while playing up the romance.

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Ballroom

Ballrooms are grand with their tall ceilings and chandeliers. It’s so luxurious you can’t help but want to show up looking elegant af. When going for elegance I like a dress that is form-fitting with some type of drama. This Topshop Long Lace Sleeve Maxi is elegant with a touch of glam. It has a plunging neckline as well as a cutout back for drama, plus a front slit. The lace sleeves and matching cutouts at the waist add to the drama as well. But the black color and the long sleeves are what make this dress so luxurious. It’s so gorgeous! Add some bling to up the glam and a strappy heel.

Barn house

Not far from the city you’ll find a little bit of countryside. Barns have their rustic charm that you can’t help but swoon over. Don’t worry, you can leave your cowboy boots at home. Rustic is simple, not trendy or over the top. The vibe is playful and sweet. This Anthropologie Sherbert Lace Midi dress is the ultimate charmer! The lavender gives you a pretty dose of color. Something about this color just warms my heart. I love the all over lace throughout the dress. These details are simple but so pretty! Another detail to note is this dress has pockets! That’s one detail everybody seems to gush over, myself included. The A-line skirt is also very cute and more modest but you got the sleeveless, fitted bodice that balances that out. Here’s a similar style since this one is almost sold out!

Industrial Event Space

With it’s brick interior or metal beams, an event space like this can look a little upscale hipster. It’s a sort of modern take on the rustic look. The vibe is more hip and sexy than romantic and pretty. Which is why I drift towards cocktail attire in these settings. I love cocktail attire because it gets me in the party mood! It’s a chance to let loose and be a little more daring when it comes to dressing while staying classy. Go for something from-fitting with a unique neckline or a hemline above the knees (gasp!). I am gushing over this Eliza J Ruched One-Shoulder Dress. This dress is fitted but the all over ruching is flattering in all the right places. There’s a hint of shine in the material and the hem hits right above the knee, just short enough to stay classy! Just add some drop earrings and you’re ready to party!

The Best Dressed Wedding Guest

Wedding season always gets me excited! One, I get to celebrate the love of people who are near and dear to me. Second, as I previously mentioned, it’s an event that you’re expected to dress up so have fun with it! Hope the above gives you a lot of inspiration and you show up to your next wedding looking fly. Happy Wedding Season!

xo, Jenn