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What to wear to a wedding comes down to three things: the dress code on the invitation, the venue and the season, and a color that stays clear of white, ivory and cream, which belong to the bride. After that, choose a dress you can stand, sit, eat and dance in for a long day without adjusting it.
A clean silhouette in a deep or muted color works at almost any celebration, from a city hall lunch to a formal evening reception. If you are the one getting married at city hall, read what to wear to a courthouse wedding instead.
The invitation is the first and best clue. If it names a dress code, follow it. If it does not, look at the time, the venue and the wording: an evening reception in a hotel ballroom asks for more than a Saturday lunch in a garden.
| Dress code | Length | What to choose |
| White tie | Floor-length | A full-length gown; long gloves are traditional |
| Black tie | Floor-length | An evening gown; a very elegant cocktail-length dress is sometimes accepted |
| Black tie optional or formal | Floor-length or a refined midi | A long gown is always right; a structured midi also works |
| Cocktail | Knee to mid-calf | A fitted bodice, a strong color or tailored separates |
| Semi-formal | Knee-length or midi | Lighter colors by day, deeper colors in the evening |
| Dressy casual | Knee-length or midi | A polished day dress with a clear waist |
For more on each code, see our guide to evening dress codes explained.
Black tie calls for a floor-length gown. Look for a defined waist, a neckline that stays in place and a skirt that moves when you walk; the Liara Dress in Early Blue is one floor-length option. Black tie optional and formal give a little more room: a polished midi with a clean line is acceptable, though a long dress is never wrong.
A black formal wedding guest dress is a sensible choice when you are unsure of the color story of the day. It reads as respectful, photographs cleanly and suits an evening setting. Black was once avoided at weddings, and in some families and cultures it is still linked with mourning, so if the couple's tradition is unfamiliar to you, choose navy or a deep jewel tone instead.
Cocktail attire sits between daytime and evening. A dress that ends between the knee and mid-calf is right here, in a color or finish with some depth. A fitted bodice and a skirt with some volume look composed from the ceremony to the last dance.
Semi-formal is a step lighter: a knee-length or midi dress, in softer colors for a daytime wedding and deeper ones after dark.
Daytime and dressy casual weddings allow lighter colors, softer shapes and more relaxed lengths. Keep it polished: a midi dress with a clear waist looks more deliberate than anything you would wear to the office.
The venue and the season decide length and coverage: a midi for lawns, a light ankle-length dress for the beach, and sleeves or covered shoulders in cooler months.
A garden party wedding guest dress should cope with lawns, sunshine and an evening that turns cool. A midi length keeps the hem clear of damp grass, and block heels or flats will not sink into it. Lighter colors suit daylight, and a wrap or some coverage at the shoulder helps once the sun goes down.
The best maxi dresses to wear as a wedding guest by the sea are fluid rather than heavy, with a hem that lifts in the breeze and a neckline that suits warm weather, such as a halter or an open shoulder. Choose a length that skims the ankle in flat sandals, so you are not gathering your skirt on the sand.
Cooler months bring deeper colors: burgundy, navy, forest green and black. A wedding guest dress with sleeves, or with a cape that covers the shoulders, saves you from wearing a coat over your outfit in the photographs.
Churches, temples and some family ceremonies expect covered shoulders and a modest neckline. If your dress is strapless or off the shoulder, bring a shawl or a light jacket for the ceremony, then take it off for the reception.
The one rule nearly every wedding shares: do not wear white. That includes ivory, cream, champagne and very pale blush, which can read as white in photographs. A few other courtesies help:
Colors that work almost everywhere: navy, soft and dusty blues, burgundy, deep red for evening, sage, and quiet pastels for daytime.
Each of these is a colored piece suited to a particular kind of wedding.
A wedding is a long day, so fit is worth more than any trend. Sit down in the dress, raise your arms and walk a few steps before the day. The waist should sit at your waist, the neckline should stay where it was cut to sit, and the hem should clear your shoes.
Standard sizes are S, M and L, and many designs also come in XL. A standard size can be adjusted at the bust, waist and hip, or a piece can be made in a custom size from your measurements: here is how to measure yourself for a dress, and our size guide gives every size in inches and centimeters. The model in our photos is 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall and wears a size S.
Every piece is made to order in our Ho Chi Minh City atelier. Order at least six weeks ahead for a standard size and eight weeks for a custom size: making takes about 7 to 10 days (15 to 20 for a custom size), and international delivery usually takes 7 to 20 business days. If you might need to exchange a size, order earlier still.
Orders to the US and Canada may be charged import duties or taxes on delivery, which are not included at checkout; see our shipping policy. We offer exchanges rather than refunds. In Ho Chi Minh City you can book a fitting at our store; please contact us before you visit.
Browse the full edit in our wedding guest dresses collection.
