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02-06-2025

How to dress for a wedding: the ultimate guide to avoid ending up in a shameful story

6 min read

Got a wedding invitation? Congratulations, you'll be able to cry over vows of eternal love, eat foie gras at 4 p.m., and dance to "Les démons de minuit" without shame. But before you think about the buffet... you'll have to dress. And not just any old way. Not as if you were going grocery shopping, nor as if you were taking your baccalaureate. You have to find the happy medium. Good taste. Elegance. And avoid upstaging the bride and groom (or worse: getting noticed for the wrong reasons).

Whether you're a man, a woman, non-binary, a cousin of the groom, or just a +1, here's the complete, detailed , and caring guide to how to dress for a wedding . We promise you concrete, practical advice and 0% fashion jargon.

1. Understand the dress code (and why you REALLY need to respect it)

how-to-dress-for-a-wedding-the-ultimate-guide-to-not-end-up-on-a-shameful-story

Yes, it's possible! Just as you can change your wedding dress for a new ceremony, you can also change your marital regime after two years of marriage (or even before in some cases). You simply need to go through the notary, and sometimes obtain the judge's approval if you have minor children.

And when there is one, we don't joke about it.

A beach wedding? Avoid 12-inch heels and three-piece tuxedos, thank you. A country wedding? Ultra-strict suits and ties aren't the style. A black-tie ceremony? Then again, we're bringing out outfits worthy of a César ceremony.

Respecting the dress code means avoiding:

  • To look disguised

  • To attract embarrassed glances

  • To annoy the bride (and you never want to annoy a bride)

And if there's no dress code listed, don't panic. Follow our tips to find the perfect outfit, whatever the circumstances.

2. For women: elegant without stealing the show

how-to-dress-for-a-wedding-the-ultimate-guide-to-not-end-up-on-a-shameful-story

Dressing for a wedding as a woman is like playing Tetris: it has to be a balance of elegance, comfort, weather, personal style, and sometimes even a bohemian wedding dress . And above all, there are pitfalls to avoid...

The dress: your best ally

The dress remains a safe bet , whether it's short, midi or long. But be careful, not just any dress.

  • We avoid white : reserved for the bride, period.

  • Black? Yes, but only if the dress is festive. Don't look like you're going to a funeral, please.

  • Pastel, bright, or floral colors? All great options.

  • Too sexy? We're keeping a little mystery, even if it's tempting to break out the full-back dress.

What if we don't want a dress?

No obligation. Palazzo pants , a nice suit , a flowing jumpsuit are just as chic and often more comfortable. The trick is to focus on flattering cuts and breathable materials.

Shoes: beautiful AND wearable

10 cm heels are impressive... until the first sprain on the gravel of the town hall. Opt for shoes that you have already tried , and ideally with a small stable heel or wedges . And if you are team sneakers, why not at the end of the evening, but we start the day at least a little dressed up.

Accessories: the icing on the cake

A pretty bag , some sparkly earrings , a colorful clutch , or even an elegant hat if it's a rustic ceremony... have fun! But don't go overboard. Too much is too much.

3. For men: the art of the well-balanced costume

how-to-dress-for-a-wedding-the-ultimate-guide-to-not-end-up-on-a-shameful-story

Men have fewer choices, yes, but no fewer responsibilities. A wedding is not the time to bring out your old high school suit, any more than it is the opportunity for her to give up her princess wedding dress .

The costume: the basis

The suit is almost essential , except for ultra-casual dress codes. But:

  • We choose it well cut , not too wide, not too tight

  • Classic colors like navy blue, light gray, beige are safe bets

  • No full black (except black tie evenings), you are not a server

What if you're feeling hot? A linen jacket or light-colored suit is perfect for a summer wedding.

The shirt: basic but not boring

White, sky blue, or even a discreet print: no need to go overboard, but avoid wrinkled office shirts or garish holiday-shirt-style patterns.

Tie or bow tie: it's up to you

Not mandatory, unless the dress code requires it. A bow tie gives a more original look, while a tie remains more classic. But never a skinny black tie in a banker's hurry style , unless you want to be mistaken for the DJ.

Shoes: clean, classy, polished

Derby shoes, Oxfords , or brogues are perfect. And please: no sneakers with a suit, and no loafers without socks unless you're in Italy.

4. For children: cute, not disguised

how-to-dress-for-a-wedding-the-ultimate-guide-to-not-end-up-on-a-shameful-story

Kids at a wedding are adorable. But only if they're comfortable in their clothes. There's no point in forcing them into a mini-prince outfit, an overly elaborate mermaid wedding dress , or a mini-model if they're only going to end up in shorts and a T-shirt after an hour.

  • Little girls: flowing dresses, pretty sandals, floral headbands

  • Little boys: smart Bermuda shorts, light shirt, clean sneakers

The goal? For them to be able to run, dance, and jump without knocking over the buffet.

5. Adapt your outfit according to the season

Is your wedding taking place in winter, midsummer, or spring? There's no need to suffer (or shiver) to look chic. Here's how to adapt your look.

Summer wedding: let's breathe

  • Choose light materials : linen, cotton, muslin

  • Dare to use light colors , it's good for the eyes and body temperature.

  • Stylish sun protection : stylish sunglasses, lightweight hat

Winter wedding: we cover up in style

  • Layer up! Dress + tights + chic coat = winning combo

  • Gentlemen: waistcoat under the suit, long coat, thin scarf

  • Be careful with snow boots , even if they are tempting. We maintain a stylish look.

Mid-season wedding: the hassle of temperatures

Choose clothes that are easy to remove or add: a small jacket , shawl , light blazer , etc. We anticipate weather variations without ruining our outfit.

6. What to absolutely avoid (otherwise, watch out for the Instagram story)

We've given you a lot of advice, but here's the blacklist of mistakes to avoid . Because yes, there are pitfalls.

The white

It's been said before, but we'll say it again: white is sacred, especially when it comes to a short wedding dress . It's the bride's exclusive domain. Unless otherwise stated, no touching.

Clothes that are too sexy

You can be seductive without showing it all. There's a lot of room between a sheer minidress and a satin crop top.

The “club night” look

If your outfit screams "I'm going to an after-party," it's a no-go. Weddings are about parties, not Ibiza 2009.

The flip-flops/shorts combo

Unless the wedding is with your feet in the sand , it's a no. Even if you have really nice calves.

7. How to stay chic until the end of the night

Impeccable attire at 3 p.m. is good. Still decent attire at 2 a.m. is better.

Plan for emergency clothing (optional but smart)

A spare top , a pair of flat shoes for dancing, a jacket for the way home ... it can save your evening.

Have a fashion survival kit

Small, discreet kit with: safety pins, wipes, deodorant, lint roller, blister plasters... You'll thank us later.

8. Mistakes we see again (and again)

There are mistakes in taste, and there are mistakes in reading the context. Here's a little reminder for the more forgetful.

Wanting to steal the spotlight from the bride and groom

This is n't your day , even if you lost 6 kg before summer or bought the dress of your dreams. Save it for another occasion if it's too flashy.

Do not test your outfit beforehand

There's nothing worse than realizing on the big day that your pants are tight at the waist or your dress is riding up as soon as you walk. Test it at home.

Forget the weather

Yes, your outfit is stunning… but if it's raining and you're wearing open leather sandals, it's going to quickly become less glamorous (here are some helpful tips on that here ).

9. What if I am a witness, bridesmaid or best man?

There, you have a special mission. And sometimes, additional requirements. It's common for the bride and groom to impose a color, theme, or style.

  • Play the game: it’s a sign of trust!

  • Try to coordinate with other witnesses: for photos, it's better

  • And above all, be comfortable: you will be moving, helping, wearing rings, dancing...

Conclusion: Be yourself, better dressed

Ultimately, dressing for a wedding is a fine balance between respecting codes and self-expression . You don't need to look like a celebrity on a red carpet. You just need to be elegant , appropriate , and comfortable .

And above all, remember: the most important thing is not that everyone says “wow” when they see you arrive, it’s that you can enjoy yourself, dance, laugh, without pulling on your dress or adjusting your bow tie every ten minutes.

So, breathe in, breathe out, open your closet (or your shopping app), and find THE outfit. You'll look perfect. I promise.



JOIN THE MY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING FAMILY