As winter in Australia winds up and the temperature starts to increase, so do invitations to weddings! Wedding season is one of our favourite times of the year. There is just something so special, warm and fuzzy about celebrating the love of someone who means a lot to you with all the important people in their lives. It’s the one occasion where it is completely acceptable (and encouraged!) to dress up, cry happy tears, eat, drink and dance until the wee hours of the morning! What’s not to love about weddings really?! Oh wait, one thing. Deciding what to wear.
Wedding dress codes can be stressful. You don’t want to offend anyone with what you’re wearing, you want to be dressed appropriately for the occasion and of course, you want to look and feel good because there will be so many pictures taken!
So, to help make the process a little less stressful, we’ve written a guide below that will help you pick something suitable for whatever wedding you’ll be attending this spring and summer!
Formal
Formal weddings are typically held at hotels or large function centers like a state library or museum. If your wedding invitation dress code says formal, you want to avoid mini lengths and opt for a long dress, or at the very least, a midi length.
We’ve chosen the Arissa dress for a formal wedding because it’s an understated and elegant design that will never go out of style. The asymmetrical neckline adds a twist to an otherwise modest design and the gathering around the waist is extremely flattering.
At a formal wedding, pair your dress with heels, not flats, and an evening bag/clutch. Definitely leave the tote bags at home for a formal wedding!
Cocktail
Cocktail wedding receptions are becoming more common as it’s a more casual option to a sit down dinner. You can move around the room with more freedom so you’ll have the opportunity to see and speak to more people through the night. No awkward crouching by someone’s chair to have a chat here!
Cocktail dress codes tend to be semi-formal. They’re more casual than formal weddings, but still a classy affair, so we’ve chosen a midi dress, the Reneylla. Although cocktail receptions are more casual, we do still recommend pairing your dress with heels and an evening bag/clutch.
While mini dresses aren’t frowned upon at an event that calls for cocktail attire, we always like to err on the side of caution and opt for a midi or knee length style.
Beach
We don’t think we’re being biased when we say that Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so it’s no surprise that beach weddings are a common choice for many couples.
For a beach wedding, think fancy resort wear like flowy dresses and linen pieces. Sandals, flats or bare feet while you’re in the sand are the footwear of choice here, so leave the heels at home! Don’t be afraid to accessorise your outfit with a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes!
We’ve chosen the Amira dress for a beach wedding because it ticks all the boxes above and is a style that you can easily wear again for another occasion!
Garden/winery
We’ve seen an increase in winery weddings over the last few years and it’s not hard to see why! A winery is such a beautiful backdrop to get married in, particularly in the spring when everything is green and in full bloom.
Winery wedding dress codes tend to fall somewhere in between semi-formal and smart casual. Many winery weddings also tend to be held outdoors (especially for the ceremony), so this is an important consideration when choosing an outfit.
We’ve chose the Riviera dress because it’s easy to move around in which is perfect for if there are lawn games or picnic rugs set out. The long sleeves are light enough to wear on a warm day, but keep some of the chill out if the temperate drops once the sun sets. The style can also be paired with low heels (wear a heel that’s a little chunkier so you don’t sink into the grass) or a pretty pair of sandals.
Backyard
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a backyard wedding, that must mean you’re an intimate member of the couple’s social circle. Backyard weddings tend to be pretty small and casual in attire, so wear something that you’re comfortable in, but leave the denim and trackies at home, because it’s still a special occasion that warrants a little dressing up!
We’ve chosen the Petra dress because it’s an easy to wear, comfortable style that can be paired with flats or sandals. Bonus points for this being a dress that you can easily reach for in your wardrobe for brunch with your friends or date night with your partner.
Church
If the ceremony is taking place in a church, be respectful of the venue and consider a more modest dress choice. Think longer sleeves, covered chest & backs and longer hem lines.
We’ve chosen the Piper dress for the long sleeves and the high neck, but this style also transitions easily to fit with most reception dress codes, (aside from a formal wedding) if you aren’t planning on getting changed after the ceremony.
If you have any specific questions about what to wear to a wedding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by emailing [email protected] and we’d be happy to provide help and advice!