Across The Country Wedding guest etiquette 101: What to wear for a morning wedding

There is such a variety in weddings today that it is often hard, as a guest, to decide what to wear in order to be both tasteful and appropriate. You don’t want to embarrass yourself or the bride/groom who invited you, but sometimes it is tough to decide what is the most “correct” attire for that person’s special day.

Here are some general tips for what to wear for any wedding occasion. We will start with a morning wedding (not the most common, but they are out there!)

Morning weddings tend to be less formal than an afternoon or evening wedding. The bridesmaids will typically not be in formal wear, and the groomsmen will typically not be in tuxedos. This gives you leeway to wear something more casual and comfortable–however, this does not include jeans and flip-flops (for ladies or gentlemen!)

For ladies…

Do’s:

1. Try a summery sundress or knit dress. Bright prints and colors are perfectly acceptable for a morning wedding (especially during warmer months). If it is spring, then bring a sweater or wrap.

2. Try an a-line or full skirt with a blouse, or a jacket and skirt combo. Again, bright colors or solids would be appropriate, and this will work year-round.

3. If you don’t like wearing skirts or dresses, a suit would be appropriate, though “fancying it up” with a brightly colored top or a fun scarf would be nice.

4. Dress pants with a blouse and/or jacket would be fine as well, if you don’t like the “match-matchy” look of a suit.

Dont’s:

1. No flip-flops. Flat sandals or low heels are appropriate, but be classy!

2. Nothing too short or too tight. You don’t want to distract from the bride.

3. Avoid wearing all black (or all white, for that matter). A black dress is just fine today, but snazz it up with something colorful (it could even be your shoes!)

For gentlemen…

Do’s:

1. Suit up! A sports jacket is always a good idea, though for a morning wedding you can pair it with nice khaki pants.

2. Tuck in your shirt, and wear a button up shirt. A bright and festive color would be appropriate. If it’s hot weather, you could wear a short-sleeved button up shirt and look just fine.

3. You probably want to wear a tie…if you know the groom is not, then you can skip it, but otherwise, err on the side of class and wear one.

4. Consider colors and fabrics. If it is warm weather, a lighter material and color is appropriate and more comfortable!

Don’ts:

1. No flip-flops. Real shoes and socks (no white socks, please) are appreciated!

2. No shorts–even if it’s an outdoor wedding. Trust me, it’s better to let the women show some leg, but not the men!

3. Avoid overdressing. Showing up in a tux at 11:00 in the morning would be a bit of overkill!