Casual attire will typically indicate that the wedding is being held outdoors or on the beach, meaning the event will be much more laid-back. With that said, jeans, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops, and sneakers are absolutely not appropriate unless specified by the couple.
It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual.
What dress styles can you wear to a casual wedding? Think midi-length sundresses, breezy maxi dresses, or even high-quality jumpsuits. High/low dresses are also great for a casual wedding if worn with an elevated sandal or a shorter heel.
Steer Clear of Anything Too Casual
Even if a wedding is casual and relaxed, still dress with respect. No flip, flops, shorts, or jeans should be on your list of options to wear. Instead, ladies find a casual dress, and men wear a nice pair of this with a relaxed shirt.
Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, and sneakers should still be off-limits. Men can wear a nice pair of khakis and a collared shirt. Women could opt for a sundress, a nice skirt and blouse combo, or a jumpsuit.
A wedding ceremony is a serious occasion, so you should always dress respectfully: Skip anything that's too casual (no jeans), too bridal (no formal, white gowns), or too short. "I think a micro mini dress is always too short when it comes to a wedding," says Hurwitz.
"When it says casual, men could show up in pants and a blazer with no tie—or maybe not a jacket at all—but just a nice shirt and a pair of slacks. Women can wear a nice sundress or dress, a jumpsuit or a two-piece outfit," says Julie Sabatino, a bridal stylist and founder of The Stylish Bride.
White or Ivory
While it may sound like the number one wedding guest faux pas that everyone should know, some people forget (or, worse, ignore) the rule, so we're here to reiterate that white, or a white dress with patterns, is off-limits.
Yes, it can absolutely be appropriate to wear black to a wedding, and it isn't typically considered disrespectful (although there are exceptions). While black attire was traditionally associated with mourning and funerals, times are changing — and so are fashion rules!
Is it inappropriate to wear a mini dress to a wedding? Definitely not! Mini dresses are appropriate for casual, cocktail, and semi-formal weddings.
What does dressy casual mean? It's a way to describe an overall aesthetic that is basically not-all-the-way-formal-but-please-don't-wear-jean-shorts. Swann explains that dressy casual is typically requested for daytime weddings—and the earlier the event, the less formal the attire.
Don't go too casual with pants.
So you wanna wear pants? Totally fine! Just make sure they're dressy enough for the nuptials. Start with tailored trousers and a polished blouse, or make things easy for yourself by grabbing a matching blazer.
A dressy casual wedding means you have the ability to wear something a bit more laid-back (think lighter colors, casual fabrics and bolder prints). This suit is the perfect combination of all three. The modern plaid print livens up the gray color, while the soft fabric is comfortable enough to sport all night long.
A smart casual dress code is a great way to encourage guests to look polished without having to go all out with formal attire. Smart casual dress is usually best suited to daytime weddings taking place outdoors.
Sneakers, jeans and T-shirts are all acceptable, and even encouraged. Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It's often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren't blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later).
Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you've slept with the groom.” “Old Wives' Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained. However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.
We're seeing the same general amount to give for a wedding gift of cash: anywhere within the $75 to $200 range is the norm. On average, most wedding guests give a gift of around $150 to $160 as a wedding present.
To recap: as long as it's not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, you can wear black to a wedding.
When choosing what to wear to a summer wedding, consider something like a maxi chiffon dress with a mini floral print for a look that's fun and flirty. Or, if you tend to take more risks with your style, keep an eye out for oversized or abstract floral prints to make your outfit stand out in a crowd.
Can I wear a floral pattern to a wedding? “Absolutely! Floral dresses are an excellent choice for a wedding no matter the season or formality,” says Varney. “There are plenty of different styles that can make the perfect fit.”
Navy is a classic neutral that you can rely on for all dress codes and types of wedding attire. This shade pairs particularly well with evening celebrations as well as black tie, formal and semi-formal nuptials.
If you don't like to wear dresses at weddings, and don't want to give them a try, it's okay. Stay true to what makes you feel comfortable, and dazzle everyone with stylish dress alternatives.
Since even casual weddings are usually a nicer occasion, consider wearing earth or neutral colors as the central part of your clothing, accenting your outfit with pops of color. For example, you might want to wear a khaki skirt and an orange top with blue-green jewelry and shoes.
Men can still wear dress pants, or perhaps khakis, with a polo or an untucked button-down shirt. Sweaters or sports jackets can add a nice touch, as well! Women can pick out something both stylish and comfortable, as well!