When you’re invited to a wedding, you want to make a good impression on the bride, groom and their families. You also want to feel comfortable in your outfit and not feel like you’re overdressed or underdressed.
Here are some tips for choosing what to wear to an October wedding as a guest:
A wedding is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and it’s important to look your best when you’re celebrating with the bride and groom. But what does that mean? What’s appropriate?
We know you want to look great, so we’ve put together some tips on what to wear for an October wedding as a guest.
What to wear to an october wedding as a guest
October weddings are a beautiful thing. The crisp, cool air and changing leaves are the perfect backdrop for a celebration that feels like an ode to autumn. But what should you wear?
The first thing to consider when deciding what to wear is the time of day and location of your wedding. If it’s an evening affair, you might want to go with a more formal look. If you’re getting married in a park or on a beach, something more casual will probably work best.
Once you’ve established those basics, start thinking about other details that might influence your outfit. Are there going to be any outdoor activities before or after the ceremony? If so, it might be worth bringing along something extra warm if it looks like it might dip into freezing temperatures by late afternoon or evening!
If you’re worried about being overdressed or underdressed for whatever season it is where you live (and especially if there’s snow!), consider talking with the bride and groom about their vision for how guests should dress—they may have some specific ideas about how they’d like everyone dressed up!
October is a month of change, as the leaves turn and we prepare for the winter. It’s also a month of weddings, when friends and family get together to celebrate love and life.
Whether you’re going to a wedding in October or just want to look great for your own special occasion, this article will help you find the perfect outfit for the occasion!
Finally, you should expect that there will likely be some sort of reception after the ceremony itself, so make sure your outfit is appropriate for whatever social situation may arise at the end of the day!
As you get ready to go to your friend’s afternoon wedding, you’re probably wondering what to wear. You don’t want to be underdressed, but you also don’t want to be overdressed. The good news is, it’s really easy—all you need is a little knowledge and some basic tips.
So let’s get started!
Women can forgo tights or floor-length skirts and dresses, as well as long sleeves and heavy sweaters. Dresses that fall slightly below or at the knee are ideal for a church wedding, as are dressy skirt and blouse combinations. Modest high-heeled shoes or flats are also appropriate.
Emphasize how much you care about the newlyweds’ future by putting a great deal of thought into the outfit you wear to the wedding. A church wedding is usually more formal than outdoor weddings or ceremonies that take place in courthouses. Early afternoon attire differs from evening attire, providing many additional options for men, women and children.
Women
An early afternoon wedding held in a church permits women to dress up without worrying about cool temperatures. Women can forgo tights or floor-length skirts and dresses, as well as long sleeves and heavy sweaters. Dresses that fall slightly below or at the knee are ideal for a church wedding, as are dressy skirt and blouse combinations. Modest high-heeled shoes or flats are also appropriate. Women can wear heels without worrying about sinking into grass or soft turf, as they may at an outdoor wedding. Out of respect for the church, dresses and blouses should be modest and should not display cleavage. Sleeves can be long or short, but on sleeveless blouses and dresses, straps should be at least two inches wide.
Men
Formal attire that appears festive rather than businesslike is ideal for men attending an early afternoon church wedding. Crisply ironed slacks paired with a dress shirt and tie are appropriate. Wear colors that mirror the season; for example, if you are attending a summer wedding, wear khaki or gray pants with a pastel or bright-colored shirt and contrasting tie. A daytime wedding allows men to forgo the dark colors commonly donned for formal occasions in the evening or at night. Because a church venue enhances formality, men who wish to wear a full suit will not appear overdressed. Temperature is not an issue during a daytime indoor event, making a coat optional.
Girls
Girls’ attire at a wedding should mirror the season and aesthetic of the ceremony. For example, if the wedding takes place in the spring, present your daughter in a dressy outfit in a spring hue, such as light purple, pink or blue. Pants, skirts and dresses are appropriate for girls as long as all components of the outfit are relatively formal. For example, if a child does not wish to wear a dress, avoid jeans and T-shirts and instead opt for clean white three-quarter-length pants and a frilly blouse. Comfortable shoes that look nice but are still practical, such as white sneakers or Mary Janes, are ideal. Bring sweaters for children even during an indoor daytime wedding in case they get their shirts dirty before the event ends.
Boys
Boys’ attire at an afternoon church wedding should mirror men’s. Try pressed slacks with a clean collared shirt in a color that complements the shade of the pants. Boys can wear loafers or clean, dark-colored tennis shoes. Ties are unnecessary; you can add formality to your son’s appearance merely by parting and combing his hair and buttoning his shirt all the way to the neck. Help your son to feel excited to dress up for the wedding by allowing him to choose his dress shirt. Even if a shirt is printed with dragons or has bright colors, it’s appropriate for a child to wear to a wedding as long as it has a formal cut and collar.
The invitation to an evening wedding should give you the best clue about what to wear. If the invitation isn’t clear, though, you can take cues from the time of the wedding and the location to figure out if you’ll need a tuxedo or a formal gown. As a general rule of thumb, weddings in the evening tend to be more formal, so even if the invitation says “casual attire,” you still need to dress up a little bit.
For a Formal Evening
Women should wear a long evening gown in a darker, more formal color palette. Colors to consider are black, emerald, purple, ruby, brown and navy. Avoid backless dresses and plunging necklines — the focus should be on the bride, not your dress. Style the gown with heels and match your clutch to the color of your shoes. Makeup and hair can include classic red lips and a sleek ponytail. Men should wear a tuxedo, or a dark colored suit, with a black bow tie, cummerbund and black cap-toe oxfords.
For a Cocktail Soiree
For a semiformal nighttime wedding, women can wear their favorite little black dress or a knee-length cocktail dress in jewel tones. If you wear a sleeveless dress, bring a shawl. Another outfit option is a dressy pantsuit. Accessorize with a silk clutch, heels and a statement necklace or cocktail ring. Men can wear a dark suit with a tie and brogues.
For a Beach Wedding
If the wedding takes place at the beach, the weather is probably quite warm, so dress accordingly. Men can wear a linen shirt without a tie, khakis cuffed at the ankle and slip-ons. Another ensemble for this evening fete is a summer suit with a linen shirt, printed bow tie and boat shoes. Women can sport a chiffon gown in a floral print paired with embellished sandals. Wear a pashmina shawl with your dress to keep warm. Hair and makeup should be as a natural as possible. You can also choose a delicate knee-length sundress with flat sandals and a printed clutch for an evening wedding at the beach.
For a Casual Celebration
Casual dress differs for day and evening. Because the casual wedding is in the evening, you still need to dress up a bit. Unless the invitation says “Jeans and shorts are welcome,” wearing them to an evening wedding is frowned upon. To be on the safe side, dress in business casual attire. Women can wear a wrap dress with pumps. If dresses are not your thing, style a pencil skirt or tailored pants with a nice blouse. Men should wear dress pants with a button-down shirt — tie optional — and a sport coat.
Death is never a welcome visitor, but there inevitably comes a time when you must say a final farewell to someone you care about. While tradition holds that you should dress up and wear black to a funeral, it can be trickier deciding what to don for the funeral home wake. But with some planning and understanding of the occasion, you can show up to pay your respects looking tasteful and appropriate.
Suits
Although a jacket is not required for visitation, it certainly is not over-dressing. A skirt suit or pant suit for women and a suit, sport coat or blazer for men are appropriate options. Jeans can be a close call. If you wear them, choose a dark style with minimal, if any, ornamentation. Pair them with a dress shirt or blouse and a jacket, or a sweater and necktie, for a polished look. Dressier footwear is preferable to casual and athletic shoes; closed-toe pumps for women are a discreet choice.
All Black
It’s too soon to look so morose. The bereaved are trying to stay somewhat upbeat as they greet seemingly countless well-wishers. Save monochromatic black for the funeral. However, don’t go to the other extreme and overdose on bright colors, loud prints and metallic glimmer. They don’t suggest sorrow or mourning, and you’re not attending a concert or garden party. You’re best off tastefully de-emphasizing your appearance by sticking to traditional styles in non-aggressive neutral hues, such as shades of gray, brown, blue, black and white.
Too Casual
Some looks are too casual for such a serious and somber occasion. You don’t want to come across as if you don’t care about the deceased or the bereaved, or don’t have enough respect to dress with more decorum. If you can wear it to the beach — shorts, casual tank tops, flip-flops — don’t wear it to a funeral home visitation. Work uniforms are inappropriate, as well, and should not be worn unless they are clean and it was impossible for you to change clothes. For women, even if the weather is hot and your option is a dress, make sure your shoulders are covered, the neckline is modest and the hemline is longer than mini-length.
Children
It matters what kids wear. This is a time to teach them appropriate attire, not allow them to wear whatever they please because of their youth. For girls, a dress — or skirt with a blouse or sweater — are appropriate looks. For boys, a necktie with dress pants, if not a jacket, are in order. Like adults, neutral colors are best. Choose dressier shoes for children rather than sneakers.
What to wear to an afternoon engagement party
When you’re invited to an afternoon engagement party, there’s a lot to consider. Is it a formal event? A casual one? Will there be people you know, or should you expect to meet new people? After all, when you’re invited to something like this, it’s often because the couple wants to celebrate—and introduce their friends and family to you.
When it comes down to it, what you wear is up to you! But here are some tips for making sure that whatever outfit you choose fits with the tone of the event and makes sense for the time of day.
When you’re planning your outfit for an afternoon engagement party, you want to make sure that you’re dressed to impress. After all, this is an important event for your friend and her fiancé—and it’s also one of the first parties after their engagement!
You’ve got your go-to cocktail party dress hanging in the closet, but do you know what else to wear? Maybe a pair of jeans and a nice shirt? Or perhaps something more casual like a sweater and denim skirt?
Your engagement party is probably going to be the most fun you’ve had all year. It’s a chance to celebrate with family and friends in a relaxed setting, and you can let your hair down.
So what should you wear?
The best thing to do is keep it simple. If it’s an afternoon event, don’t wear anything too formal or fancy; think more afternoon tea than black-tie gala. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard—you want to look like you’re having fun!
If it’s an evening event, go for something that will make you feel confident and beautiful. You don’t need to break out the cocktail dress if that doesn’t feel right to you, but maybe put on a nice pair of jeans and a cute top instead of sweats and a tank top? Who knows what kind of weather we’ll have in October?
It’s time to celebrate the union of two people in love!
Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy, or want to make a statement with your outfit, we’ve got you covered.
To play it safe and keep good engagement party etiquette, do not wear white. Otherwise, simply dress for the season, weather, and formality of the venue. If dresses aren’t your cup of tea, you can opt for jeans or dress pants and a nice blouse, rompers, jumpsuits, and other casual but nice options.
If you’re new to the wedding circuit, you may have a lot of questions about etiquette when it comes to gifts, dress codes, and more. When you receive an invitation to a friend’s engagement celebration, your first question might be “what do I wear to this event?”
What to wear to an engagement party depends on a variety of factors, including the venue where the party is held, the formality of the event, and more. We’ll walk you through the basics of dress code etiquette for engagement parties.
What Exactly Happens at an Engagement Party?
backyard engagement party
Engagement parties come packed with an array of events. While some lean towards the traditional cocktail parties, others can include a formal dinner, backyard barbecues, or afternoon drinks. One thing is common to all of engagement parties though; sheer fun!
Typically, engagement parties are not lavish affairs. The newly engaged couple generally invites family and close friends to celebrate their recent engagement. Sometimes, the celebration is already planned by the groom so that it takes place directly after he pops the question.
Expect drinks, snacks, and excited conversation about the happy couple at an engagement party. There may be engagement themed games or activities, depending on the location and overall feel of the party. Otherwise, plan to mingle with guests and congratulate your friends on their engagement!
Engagement Party Dress Codes
engagement gift
Before you attend the engagement party, be sure to ask if there is a particular dress code. Plan what you’ll wear to an engagement party beforehand to avoid any faux pas.
In most cases, this information is usually provided in the invitation. However, if it is not available, feel free to ask your host; you do not want to show up looking completely out of place.
Dress codes come in handy in deciphering what outfit works best, while giving you a rough idea of what others will be wearing. Additionally, failing to honor the given dress code can be viewed as an act of disrespect to the host, so be sure to gather all the necessary information regarding this beforehand.
Most engagement parties are casual, requiring you to dress like you are attending a cocktail party. However, depending on the particular details of the party, you can either dress up or dress down.
Engagement Party Location
engagement party
In addition to the dress code, the engagement party location can also help you in your choice of outfit. The event’s site should also be provided in the invitation. However, if it not, be sure to confirm from your host.
The rule of thumb here is that if the event is outdoors, you should go casual. While the weather is an additional factor to consider, be sure to strike a balance. Be ready for anything. You could carry a light jacket or shawl just in case the weather decides to misbehave.
For an indoor party, be sure to either dress up or down depending on the specific venue. If you are at someone’s house, let your outfit be relaxed, but well thought out. Come in your best weekend-style kind of outfit to blend in. If the venue is more formal, be sure to rock a more polished look.
You should also consider the time of day of the engagement party. A daytime party calls for a sundress, while a night time party might call for a cocktail dress. Make sure you account for the time of day when choosing your outfit.
Outfit Ideas for the Bride and Groom
engagement party outfits
If the engagement party happens to be for you, it can be harder to choose the best outfit. However, it can still be at your advantage. You will most likely be the one planning the theme, the attire, and even the venue!
Here, you can be the pacemaker, setting the pace so others can follow. While everyone expects for your outfit to stand out from the crowd’s, the trick is to be comfortable; do not overthink anything. Choose an outfit that best reflects your personality, and don’t forget to show off your new engagement ring!
It does not matter if you choose the conventional white or add in a little bit of color. Be you. After all, it is your engagement party!
The groom can follow his bride in terms of a color scheme; while you don’t have to match, your outfits should complement one another so that you don’t clash in pictures. Follow the same rules that you would for engagement photo outfits to look your best.
Depending on the location and formality of the engagement party, the groom-to-be can wear either nice pants or shorts and a button down shirt. It’s your party, so you can choose how casually or formally you want to dress, and guests can follow your lead.
Outfit Ideas for Guests
As a guest to the engagement party, you definitely want to look your best! While you are saving the best for the actual wedding day, be sure that your wedding engagement outfit is still on point. The best thing to do is pick an outfit that is part polish, part party.
Be creative when choosing an outfit, but don’t stress too much about what to wear. Black can be a perfect and elegant choice for an evening engagement party, especially if you accessorize it with gold.
The rule of thumb here is to have fun with your choice of outfit; it is an engagement party, not a business conference! If you feel like bringing in some energy into your outfit, try bold colors, prints or even playful accessories. However, remember to stick to the given dress code.
In the case where there is no stipulated dress code, be sure to try out the following outfit ideas.
Engagement Party Outfit Ideas for Women
engagement party
Cocktail attire .- and engagement party attire – should not be too stressful. For women, opt for a nice dress. If you’ll be outside on a warm day, a sundress should suffice. If the engagement party is at night or at a more formal venue, wear a nicer evening dress that would fit at a cocktail hour.
The bride often wears white to her engagement party, so we recommend avoiding this color. It’s not a faux pas to wear white to an engagement party like it is at a wedding, but the bride may want to stand out in her bridal white. To play it safe and keep good engagement party etiquette, do not wear white.
Otherwise, simply dress for the season, weather, and formality of the venue. If dresses aren’t your cup of tea, you can opt for jeans or dress pants and a nice blouse, rompers, jumpsuits, and other casual but nice options.
Engagement Party Outfit Ideas for Men
Men should also use context clues like location, venue, and season to help choose their outfits for an engagement party. Dress up, but not too much.
If the engagement party is a backyard barbecue, shorts or pants and a polo or short sleeve button down should work well. For an indoor, nighttime event, wear pants (khakis, chinos, or dress pants work) and a button down. If the event is more formal, add a sport coat. In winter, a sweater and nice pants works fine as well.
Final Thoughts
An engagement party is an exciting celebration of love, and it’s the first party to kick off the nuptials of your close relatives or friends. Don’t stress too much about what to wear – you can always ask the host or other friends who were invited for tips.
