The focus of every wedding is the bride and her outfit. Yet while she plucked out her dream dress months ago, others are scrambling at the minute for suitable attire. What’s the appropriate dress code? Do those shoes abide by the “beachy” theme? And should you commit to suit-wearing in mid-summer?
Behind a perfectly poised bride in the spotlight, wedding guests are also under surveillance. There are huge societal expectations around how attendees should (and shouldn’t) dress. Don’t worry; these wedding outfit ideas cater to every family member.
It might not be your big day. Yet somehow, you’re still scrambling for the perfect wedding guest dress. The first rule for mums is to check the wedding theme; if there isn’t one specified, check directly with the bride.
With these instructions, it’s easier to proceed with a solid brief. Stick to the basics, like avoiding off-whites and white, and choose stylish designs that convey a muted elegance. Think classy and comfortable — especially if you plan to hit the dance floor.
Some possible options are:
Consider colour themes and look for subtle, tasteful accessories. Quick tip: Always see how dresses look with different hairstyles in the changing room (e.g., down versus thrown up in a quick updo).
For dads, choosing a wedding outfit is a little easier. It is simply a question of suit or no suit. Fortunately for the fellas, this conundrum is typically resolved with a quick message to the bride or groom.
With an understanding of the “suit stance,” it is a question of how you’ll put your own stamp on the outfit. Could you incorporate the wedding’s colour theme into your tie choice? Perhaps you could match the tie to your partner’s dress?
Comfortable yet camera-ready is the motto when dressing children for weddings. For younger girls, adhere to the wedding's themed colours and take a modest, cute approach (girls smocked dresses are traditional yet comfortable). For tweens and teens, it’s appropriate to follow the women’s dress code instead — similar outfits to their mothers, but with their own sense of style.
Is your daughter joining the ceremony? Ask the couple if you’re unsure about flower girl or junior bridesmaid outfit requirements.
Sons should be dressed as mini gentlemen. Waistcoats, mini suits, and suspenders are popular outfits. But if parents struggle with persuading younger boys to “play dress up,” there are strategies to help. Matching their clothes with their dads or watching films with suited characters beforehand can provide some motivational novelty. Allowing autonomy in picking clothes also works wonders.
With the right approach, every family member will look their best on the big day. Now you’ve just got to wait to see the bride!