How to Dress for a Formal Wedding: Style Tips and Outfit Inspiration

Jun 17, 2024

Prom Dresses Long Slit Lace Formal Prom Dress Sage

Have you been invited to a wedding with an invitation card that spells out formal wedding attire as the dress code? Well, sometimes the invitation letter might mention a black-tie optional, but that’s the same thing as formal attire.

You’re probably wracking your head trying to find out what qualifies as formal wedding attire. Unlike Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses which are probably easier to identify, you need to find out what counts and what doesn’t count as formal wedding guest dresses.

Not to worry, first, we will help you understand what formal attire for a wedding is, how to choose formal attire, mistakes to avoid, as well as how to accessorize this attire perfectly.

Prom Dresses Long Fitted Floral Ruffles Formal Dress Red

What Is a Formal Wedding Attire?

On the scale of wedding attires, you find formal wedding attires below black-tie attire and before cocktail, meaning it is a bit more serious than cocktail dresses, but a bit less dressy compared to black-tie attire.

Confused? Perhaps some practical examples can help. When dealing with formal wedding attires, you can afford to wear gowns that are above the ankle. You can also tilt towards fitted dresses that flatter your figure, with slits being acceptable as well.

When shopping for formal wedding attire, you can explore a wide range of colors, prints, lengths, and embellishments. You will look just perfect in a maxi dress, midi dress, or even a knee-length dress because all length options are welcome in a formal wedding. If you want to step outside dresses, you can even go in a jumpsuit, provided it doesn’t look too casual.

Feel free to also play with your accessories. You can get a colorful piece, a statement piece, or something fun. If you’re attending an outdoor wedding, you can throw in some sunglasses, whether dark or bright colors, provided they match the entire ensemble.

With this guide, bear in mind that before you hit the shopping mall to get the wedding dress you have in mind, you also need to consider the wedding season, as well as the venue, because some dresses might seem like the perfect fit in one venue but look absolutely out of place in a different venue. Similarly, if you put on a very light wedding dress in the middle of winter, you must be prepared to suffer cold and discomfort throughout the wedding or have no option but to cover your beautiful dress with a jacket.

So, if it is a winter wedding, you should lean towards dresses made with thicker fabrics, long hems and sleeves, as well as darker colors and shades of dresses. In summer, light fabrics, bright colors, and shorter gowns will be perfect for your wedding.

Always inquire about the venue so that you can also consider other possible factors, such as temperature, distance, sand, as is the case with beaches, etc.

In the end, you will find a long list of Wedding Guest Dresses that will fit this category perfectly so that you can look absolutely stunning while respecting the wishes of your host.

More from Dresses

formal dress

The Ultimate Formal Dress Shopping & Buying Guide: 2026 Edition

Online vs. In-Store Feature Online (e.g., The Dress Outlet) In-Store Boutique Selection Thousands of styles/colors. Limited to what's on the rack. Pricing Often much low...