I absolutely love weddings! It doesn’t matter the time of year or the venue, weddings are one of the special occasions I look forward to each season. They can be a little tricky, especially these days. Wedding dress codes continually change, and it can be challenging to find the perfect dress, especially when our personal style conflicts with the theme of the wedding or the season–like a beach themed wedding in the middle of the winter for example. Brides today are a creative bunch, and of course we want to share in the fun, so I’ve put together some of my favorite cocktail dresses for weddings this year. In this post, we are going to focus on cocktail dresses, so by nature, they will be a bit more formal and are intended for a more formal wedding. I have created posts showing more informal dresses and there are a few links below if you have been invited to a less formal affair.
The first consideration starts with the invitation. Wedding invites today usually provide a glimpse of what to expect. Brides today usually send an invitation that directs guests on line–most brides today register with a website that lets them share details on the wedding and wedding activities as well as a registry. They are a great one stop to get most of the information you will need to receive details on the venue, time of day, the bride’s vision and theme for her special day and send a gift! It’s very convenient and will help you choose the perfect cocktail dress for the event. This assumes that a cocktail dress is the right choice–informal weddings, a beach wedding for example, may not call for cocktail attire. It may call for a more casual dress or outfit. For the purposes of this post, we are assuming a slightly more formal wedding–one in which a cocktail dress is the best choice.
Are You A Mother of the Bride or Groom? Check out this post for the perfect MOB/MOG dresses.
If you are wondering about wedding guest etiquette, check out this post.
If you have been invited to a more casual wedding, check out this post
I want to talk a little about these three dresses. I chose them because they are so figure flattering. If there is a concern about arms, a lovely jacket will be a perfect addition.
The LBD
The little black dress is always an option, especially when you have found the perfect fit for your body type. A good black dress can be worn for most occasions, but I’d like to encourage you to get a little more creative–especially if you are going to a spring or summer wedding. Spring weddings often call for floral prints and bright colors, and are great for an outdoor wedding or an early afternoon wedding. Summer weddings may call for less formal dresses, including a short cocktail dress. I’d save my black dress for evening events, especially for a fall or winter wedding.
The White Tie or Black Tie Wedding
First, let’s discuss the differences between a white tie and black tie event. The main difference between a black tie and a white tie wedding lies in the level of formality and the attire expected of guests. Here’s a breakdown: A Black Tie Wedding is a formal event, typically held in the evening. For men, this means wearing a tuxedo, and for women this means a formal evening gown or cocktail dress. We are looking for elegant sophistication. A white tie event is the epitome of formal events, men wear a black tail coat, matching trousers with a satin stripe on the sides, a white wing-collared shirt, a white bow tie, waistcoat, black patent leather shoes, and accessories such as cufflinks and studs. Women wear floor-length evening gowns with gloves and jewels. Clearly, for these events formal gowns or an elegant cocktail dress is required.
Spring Weddings
Spring weddings often have a garden party theme, perhaps being held in a romantic vineyard in the late afternoon. I’d start by looking at flowing maxi dresses, or perhaps a midi length floral dress which is perfect for warm weather.
Summer Weddings
Here we may have a beach destination wedding, or an elevated BBQ or picnic. Look for floral cocktail dresses. Bold prints are a popular choice for summer events.
Fall Weddings
As we head into fall, cocktail wedding attire starts to move into the jewel tones. The days become shorter, evenings become cooler and we start looking for classic silhouettes as well as long sleeves and possibly even a high neck. Midi dresses and maxi dresses are a good idea for fall wedding guests.
Winter Weddings
It may be cliche, but this is when I’d reach for a black cocktail dress of high-quality fabric, or double down on jewel tones. Winter brides tend to favor evening weddings and a classic cocktail dress is perfect. Most more formal winter weddings are held in doors, (at least one’s you’d wear a cocktail dress to) so look for feminine silhouettes with a modern twist.
Wedding Outfit Accessories
I hope this gives you some inspiration for upcoming weddings and that the dress you choose will make you feel like a million–and also that you will be able to wear it to other events for years to come.
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