Bridal dresses: How to style me elegantly?

Last weekend I went to a lovely wedding on the beach (above is a photograph of me and my besties; I’m wearing a dress by Hoss Intropia). It was a beautiful ceremony and all of the guests in attendance looked just a nice. In light of “wedding season” (and the all too familiar mystery of “What do I wear to ____?”), I thought I’d put together a post on wedding attire.

While it’s exciting to be invited to a wedding, decoding the difference between “formal,” “semi-formal,” “cocktail,” and “casual” attire as requested by the invitation can leave you wanting to reply, “I don’t.” You may be wondering, “What does ‘casual’ mean anyway? Surely flip-flops and frocks cannot be appropriate…” (And you would be right!) Well ladies, wonder no more… Below, I’ve decoded the puzzling meanings of wedding dress codes.

If the invitation says…

strapless wedding dresses

                                                         

Black Tie. Black tie (or “formal” attire) is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Most often, black tie weddings are in the evenings so turn up the glamour and bring on the beads and sequins! I suggest wearing an evening gown or an elegant cocktail dress. Dramatic jewelry is welcome and coiffed hair is a must.

Semi-Formal. This is the toughest code to crack since it can mean a variety of things based on the time and location of the wedding. When “semi-formal” dress is requested, err on the side of formality and wear a nice cocktail dress or a fabulous blouse and skirt. If the wedding is during the day, opt for lighter colors and fabrics (sorry ladies, it’s the bride’s time to shine so no ivory or white) like the Floral Surplice Dress pictured above. For nighttime, richer, bolder shades work well too–especially when paired with a red lip. The maroon Ruffle Chiffon Dress is a great for an evening wedding.

princess wedding dresses

 Beach Formal. Just because “beach” is included in the name doesn't mean you can show up wearing any old sundress with boogie board in hand… Rather, it’s a courteous venue notice: Heads up everyone, this is going to be a formal wedding on the beach so dress accordingly! For this type of outdoor setting, you must dress to impress while considering the elements (sand, sun, and water). For an easy yet ethereal seaside look, wear  simple (solid or floral print) chiffon wedding dresses  like the Ella Gown by Paper Crown (pictured above). Another option is a prim but delicate sundress. As for shoes, I recommend wearing flat sandals (and no, I don’t mean flip-flops) since sand is a factor. Also, the beach can get windy and cool so make sure you bring along a pashmina or wrap to keep yourself warm.

Casual. Casual usually means anything goes, but in the world of weddings it translates to “business casual.” To achieve the perfect balance of informal chic, wear a sundress or a nice blouse and skirt. The Floral Dress from my LC Lauren Conrad collection for Kohl’s is perfect for a casual daytime wedding, especially when paired with a nice belt. Or, the Floral Ruffle Dress (pictured above) is great too! As for hair and makeup, stick with your natural, everyday look.