What to wear as a wedding guest
What a wedding guest wears depends on the dress code on the invitation, and on the weather. Choose your city or enter the weather, pick the dress code, and we'll suggest an outfit that fits both.
Customs vary — the couple's wishes and the invitation come first.
This is general dress etiquette, not legal advice.
Wedding guest etiquette
In any weather
- Skip
- White, ivory, cream or off-white — traditionally left to the couple, unless they ask for it.
- Anything that would pull attention from the couple.
- Nice to have
- Check the invitation or the couple's wedding page for the dress code and the venue.
- If the invitation doesn't name a dress code, cocktail attire is a safe choice.
If it's cold
- Wear
- A dressy coat, or a warm wrap or shawl, over your outfit.
- Closed-toe shoes.
- Nice to have
- Tights or a warm layer underneath are fine.
If it's cool or mild
- Nice to have
- A wrap, shawl or jacket for the evening, when it cools down.
If it's hot
- Nice to have
- On grass, block heels, wedges or flats beat stilettos.
If it rains
- Nice to have
- A clear or neutral umbrella looks best in photos.
- Leave the umbrella at the door or coat check.
Wedding dress codes
Black tie
- Wear
- A tuxedo, or a dark suit with a bow tie — or a floor-length gown or a very formal cocktail dress.
- Polished dress shoes, heels or dressy flats.
- Skip
- Anything casual: black tie is one of the most formal dress codes.
- Nice to have
- Polished accessories, like cufflinks, a small evening bag or simple fine jewelry.
If it's hot
- Wear
- Breathable fabrics such as lightweight wool, silk or chiffon.
- Nice to have
- In the heat, the jacket can come off outdoors — follow the hosts' lead.
Formal (black tie optional)
- Wear
- A dark suit and tie (a tuxedo is welcome), or a long gown or an elegant cocktail dress.
- Polished dress shoes, heels or dressy flats.
- Skip
- Casual fabrics and short, casual hemlines.
- Nice to have
- Rich, darker colors suit an evening wedding.
If it's hot
- Wear
- Breathable fabrics such as lightweight wool, silk or chiffon.
- Nice to have
- In the heat, the jacket can come off outdoors — follow the hosts' lead.
Cocktail
- Wear
- A suit (lighter colors are fine and a tie is optional), or a knee- to midi-length dress or dressy separates.
- Dress shoes, heels or dressy flats.
- Skip
- Floor-length gowns and tuxedos, which read as more formal than cocktail.
If it's cold
- Nice to have
- A pocket square, a statement accessory or a bit of color.
If it's cool or mild
- Nice to have
- A pocket square, a statement accessory or a bit of color.
If it's hot
- Wear
- Breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton, chiffon or silk.
- Nice to have
- A statement accessory or a bit of color.
- Lighter colors feel cooler in the heat — just not white.
Dressy casual
- Wear
- Dress trousers or chinos with a button-down shirt (a blazer is optional), or a dress or smart separates.
- Loafers, flats or smart shoes.
- Skip
- Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers.
If it's hot
- Wear
- Breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton, chiffon or silk.
- Nice to have
- Lighter colors feel cooler in the heat — just not white.
- A blazer or light cardigan you can take off.
Casual
- Wear
- Chinos or khakis with a polo or button-down shirt, or a summer dress or a skirt and top.
- Clean, neat shoes, like loafers or flats.
- Skip
- Jeans and T-shirts, unless the invitation says they're fine.
- Nice to have
- Casual still means neat: pressed and clean.
If it's hot
- Wear
- Breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton, chiffon or silk.
- Nice to have
- Lighter colors feel cooler in the heat — just not white.
How we worked this out
We start with the same weather outfit as the home page: the National Weather Service forecast for your city, or the weather you enter, adjusted for whether you run cold or warm. On this page we assume you walk part of the day, whatever activity you picked on the home page.
Then the occasion's rules take over: anything too casual for it is swapped for a piece that fits. In cold and cool weather the result is at least as warm as the weather outfit; in the heat, we pick lighter, breathable fabrics where the occasion allows. The checklist and the guide above come from the same rules.