wedding guest dress
Oh, my darlings, you know I always say that every moment is a chance to shine and feel flawless, confident, and utterly unstoppable! But when the invitation for the wedding of the year lands on your doorstep – especially when it's for dear, dear friends tying the knot – even I get those pre-wedding guest jitters! What on earth do I wear?!
Long gone are the days where you could simply waltz in wearing something straight off the peg from the high street. Nowadays, what you choose to wear as a guest is super important, and honestly, it's been causing me a touch of distress! My mind has been spinning like a perfectly blended foundation, trying to find that ultimate, dazzling look!
After pouring through countless websites and diving deep into the fashion archives, I've had a glorious epiphany, darling! And it is with this revelation that I've decided: when it comes to wedding guest attire, nothing is truly right or wrong, so anything goes... with a few magical caveats, of course!
The Old Rules (and My Little Confessions, Darling!)
The ancient scrolls of wedding etiquette famously declare: no black or white! And darlings, you simply must follow these. White is absolutely reserved for the bride – even if you know she's going for off-white, this is not your place to compete with her radiant glow. It's an unspoken rule, though, in my research, I've read quite a few horrifying stories of mothers of the bride or groom turning up in white! Oh, the drama!
And black? Well, my darlings, this was a revelation for me! Black is a definite no-no – which I honestly didn't know! I confess, I have worn black to many, many weddings – oops! Apparently, black is traditionally reserved for funerals or evening-only guests. Who knew?!
Then we glide into the danger zone of pastel & muted colours. These, my loves, are often reserved for bridesmaids and the mother of the bride. The softer look has to be avoided, as you certainly don't want to look like you're trying to be part of the bridal party. Which brings me to patterns and florals – also tricky! Too floral, and you risk looking like the bouquet – not floral enough can look dated. And let's face it, who wants to look back on their wedding pictures and see out-of-date prints on their guests, simply ruining the wedding album?! I suppose it depends a lot on the environment and time of year too, darling.
My Own Wedding Journeys: A Tapestry of Style!
My own mother, bless her stylish heart, got married in a beautiful white two-piece suit – a chic peplum jacket and a sleek pencil skirt. I always admired the photo that hung above our sofa of mum and dad in the wedding car; mum even had a little hat with a net partial veil – even though it was the early '90s, it was very '80s chic! Then there was my own wedding, which took place in Paphos, in an orangery, under a big gazebo, overlooking the beach. It was all white linen for the men and a princess white dress for me, of course! Our guests chose to wear brights and florals, and the whole day was a dazzling ball of sunshine!
And when we look at location, my darlings, it truly dictates the glamour! I have attended weddings in stately homes (where I wore a delicate Lilac cocktail dress), under grand gazebos (for which I chose a chic black Breakfast at Tiffany's style ensemble – before I knew about the black rule, obviously!), and even in a cave (where I sported a black and gold boho dress – told you I didn't know about the black rule!).
The Invisible Foundation: Undergarments & Boldness!
I think it's also absolutely crucial to remember the right undergarments, darling! If you choose to wear shapewear, please, please don't do what I once did and buy a size too small, then double up! It was a mad idea, and I had to discreetly remove a pair and abandon them in the ladies' room, desperately hoping no one knew they were mine! Oh, the horror!
Another golden tip is avoiding anything too bold. Sequins, yes, but subtle sparkle, darling. Colour, yes, but tasteful hues. Drawing attention to yourself as a guest is a definite no-no; the focus should always, always be on the bride, not what you chose to sport. I once went to an English wedding where a Christian guest wore a sari, and another wore an Abba-style headdress. It was all just a little too much, darling.
My Dazzling Conclusion: Two Looks, One Flawless Goal!
So, what conclusion have I drawn from this glorious sartorial quest?
I've decided on muted metallics and, yes, my darlings, two outfits! One for the day, and one for the night. I think it's for the best, even if my bank balance gives a little sigh of disagreement! Both are Jenny Packham dresses, which is my all-time favourite designer, as you know. Oh, and the most important part: I've got the thumbs up from the bride too, so seal of approval done!
Now, go forth, my beauties, and find your own perfect wedding guest magic!