How to Choose Evening Dresses for a Wedding: A Style Guide
Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to carefully remove an invitation from an envelope that included a sunset ceremony and reception? There’s certainly excitement that comes along with it, although that might be overshadowed by what you have to put on to attend. Wedding guest dresses for evening events do require a bit of thought. You have to look your best, and you have to honor the couple’s guidelines on the dress code. Whether the event is at a beautiful ballroom or a stylish city loft, you’ll celebrate in style and feel confident in your dress. Plus, it’ll be a great prop for photos!
Decoding the Formal Wedding Dress Code
Your dress search for the wedding will be one of the best parts of this experience. The first step is to check out the reception dress code. “Black Tie” means you can take out your best gown. This is because evening dresses for black tie events typically require a long dress made from good quality material. “Black Tie Optional” means you can wear a long gown, but be sure to wear something fancier since it’s an evening event. Remember, a dress that ends above your knees is totally acceptable for daytime events, but for the evening, that’s a big no.
Consider the venue when deciding on your neckline and outline. Ideal for a traditional setup where a church ceremony and hotel reception is involved, high neck halters and modest V-necks complement the style nicely. For more creatively set weddings, like at a modern art gallery, architectural styles are more suited, say a one-shoulder gown. The goal is to achieve a balanced look that is classy and not too distracting. This is where formal wedding guest dresses with an appropriate floor length hemline come into play as they elegantly cover the etiquette requirement and create a stunning endless line that photographs well on the dance floor.
Selecting a Silhouette for Style and Comfort
Evening dresses for weddings are all about walking the fine line between high-fashion drama and practicality. For those who wish to make a bold and brave statement, mermaid silhouettes are ideal. However, remember that they are restrictive around the knees. If you want to be the first one on the dance floor and the last to leave, an A-line or Empire waist dress will be your best friend. These styles offer you the whole dance floor, and the entire waist down provides a lovely flow and an elegant evening look.
Looking for a stylish and sleek option? Choose a sheath dress! The Azazie collection features dresses in sizes 0 through 30 because every customer deserves their ideal fit. Don’t stress about the details for your dress after indulging in a three-course meal. Stretch features, along with wrap designs, provide flexibility enabling your dress to stay accommodating and comfortable for you to adjust all night long — from the first toast to the last song.
Playing with Color and Fabric Textures
Evening dresses for weddings change with the season and the palette of the wedding. For fall wedding guest dresses, rich and muted colors like Cabernet and Emerald are a great choice. The Dusty Rose and muted green colors are also nice combinations. If the couple has shared visuals with a color palette, be sure to pick a color that doesn’t coincide with the colors of the bridesmaid dresses. For venues that are vineyards or have earthy backdrops, chestnut and natural tones are nice options to blend well with nature.
Choosing a suitable fabric can really make a difference for your event experience. For example, Satin is a very nice fabric, However, after a long car ride, Satin can show a lot of wrinkles. For chiffon, summer evenings can become cooler; it is a very lightweight and breathable fabric. However, if you want to do winter wedding guest dresses, Velvet is warm and feels great. It also looks amazing under the chandeliers of a ballroom. Velvet, is the best fabric choice, as you can dress for the right occasion, as well as remain comfortable.
Stylist Tip
If you can’t decide between two colors, order fabric swatches first. Materials can look different in person versus how a screen shows it.
Finishing Touches: Accessories and Layers
Jewelry is a great way to individualize your look. If your dress has a detailed neckline and heavy beading, keep it simple with your jewelry and just do classic studs with a light bracelet. You can do more for your jewelry with a simple sheath or A-line gown. A statement necklace or shimmery drop earrings will look great. Don’t forget to bring a clutch with your essentials, like your phone and lipstick, and maybe a few tissues for the vows, but it shouldn’t be too big to carry easily.
Wedding attendees experience difficulty with shoes. While stilettos are fashionable, block heels can be more practical for navigating outdoors and standing for long periods. If the ceremony is outside, a light pashmina or shawl can be useful for covering up when it gets cold. Instead of looking for a matching jacket from a stranger, a layer that coordinates with the outfit is a better option.
Ensuring the Perfect Fit Before the Big Day
When purchasing your evening dress, having a good set of measurements is critical. Do not guess or assume your dress size because of other clothes you own. Measure your bust, waist, and hips to get the correct size. With a customizable ordering system, your dress will be tailored to your specifications, eliminating the need for multiple expensive adjustments. Your personalized order will ensure that your dress is the right length.
The Home Try-On program is a game changer for people who need to feel the fabric and see how it drapes in person. You can choose six sample dresses to be sent to you for a one week trial. You’ll be able to try them on with YOUR SHOES, see how you like the movement in your own mirror, and even get a second opinion from your friends. It takes out the guessing and helps you commit to a style, knowing how it will look on the day of the event.
Are you ready to discover your perfect style? Check out our beautiful collection of wedding guest evening dresses and start your Home Try-On now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Black-Tie and Formal dress codes?
Black-Tie is the more strict of the two, and typically requires a long gown and use of more expensive fabrics. Formal dress codes gives more freedom, and can even be more dressed up with a midi length, or an elegant jumpsuit, though a long evening dress is still the most acceptable choice for most attendees.
What fabric is best for a summer evening wedding?
For Summer evening weddings, Chiffon and Mesh are wonderful options for being lightweight, and are more breathable. For a more structured look, Stretched Crepe gives a more clean look without the added weight of velvet, or any multiple layers of tulle. This keeps you comfortable through the ceremony and reception.
What is the Azazie Home Try-On program like for guests?
Select up to six sample dresses from our collection and have them shipped to you. You’ll have an entire week to try them on and to send them back. This allows you to choose your favorite styles before submitting your final made-to-order dress request.