The Do’s and Don’ts of What To Wear for an Outdoor Wedding

While summer is coming to a close, there are still plenty of outdoor weddings in the near future, and figuring out what to wear for an outdoor wedding can prove to be a tough task. There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re dealing with mother nature, but if you follow these guidelines, you’ll be set for your next wedding venture!

Do: Ask the bride and groom

When in doubt, ask the bride and groom how formal they’d like guests to look. They will be able to give you a better idea of what others will be wearing and the overall tone of the wedding. It’s their day so make sure you wear clothing in accordance with their wishes. No need to upset anyone on their big day!

Don’t: Come underdressed

If the bride and groom ask men to wear ties, wear a tie. This is not the time to be a rule braker or try to go outside the box. Make sure you’re formal enough to fit in with the vibe of the wedding. Being underdressed will give others the impression that you don’t care, and can often seem offensive.

Do: Check the weather

There’s nothing worse than being too hot or too cold. Check the weather ahead of time so you can plan your outfit, but also make sure that you check the day of and take into account the time of day. If the wedding goes from day to night, you’ll want to make sure you bring a jacket or something to stay warm as the evening goes on.

Don’t: Wear white

This mostly goes for the ladies, but a general rule of thumb is never wear white to a wedding unless you’re the bride or the bride and groom specifically instruct you to do so. Otherwise it’s just plain rude. The bride is the one who should have the spotlight on her, and white is her color!

Do: Be mindful of the terrain

When you’re trying to figure out what to wear for an outdoor wedding, it’s important to be mindful of the venue and the terrain. Ladies, this means that you shouldn’t wear stiletto heels. No one wants to sink into the grass or dirt. Try a block heel or wedge to give you height. The thicker heel will keep you from sinking into the ground, and as an added bonus these shoes are typically more comfortable. Also be aware of the terrain if you’re thinking of wearing a long dress. Long dresses will often get dirty at the bottom when you’re at an outdoor venue, so make sure you’re okay with that.

For both men and women, just remember that you’re outside, and your shoes will likely get some sort of dirt on them. To be extra safe you can always spray your shoes ahead of time with a leather protector so that dirt and grime easily comes off.

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Figuring out what to wear for an outdoor wedding can be stressful, but if you take the weather, the venue, and the couple’s wishes into account, you’ll be fine. Just remember to be comfortable, have fun, and dress to impress! Happy wedding season!