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There is a lot of advice out there about how to dress for a black tie evening wedding, but far less about formal daytime events. An afternoon wedding can be extremely elegant, and it has a dress code all its own. Learn what to wear to a formal afternoon wedding.
If you are the bride, formal daytime attire is not too different than for a black tie wedding. You can wear a bridal gown with a long train in a luxurious fabric, such as silk satin or taffeta. Look for a wedding dress with very special details to elevate its formality. It could be anything from a simple silk mikado bateau neckline gown with a regal sparkly embellishment at the neckline (Amsale does a stunning gown like this) to a silk organza gown accented with luxurious French lace. Sparkle on a wedding gown is absolutely appropriate for a formal daytime wedding, so do not feel that you have to hold back. If you are going to wear pearl jewelry for the bride instead of crystal jewelry, you might prefer to choose a wedding gown that is more lacy than sparkly.
The bride at a formal afternoon wedding can increase the level of elegance with her accessories. A dainty little tiara or a jeweled comb tucked into an updo is lovely for a formal wedding. Hair worn down tends to come across as a bit more casual than an updo. A very long veil is another way to dress up a daytime wedding gown, especially if it is trimmed in an exquisite lace or delicately beaded with twinkling crystals. Winter brides can indulge in a swanky white fur stole or capelet for an ultra luxe detail. As the bride, you can certainly get away with wearing dramatic bridal jewelry, but you might wish to keep the style a touch lighter than you would for a wedding ceremony in the evening.
Perhaps the biggest controversy about what to wear for a formal afternoon wedding centers around the groom. Most Americans think of tuxedos when they picture men’s formalwear. Yet, technically, black tie attire should not be worn before 6pm. Couples who are having a late afternoon wedding, say around 4pm, often go ahead and choose tuxedos since their reception will be starting close to 6 anyway. Although I am usually a stickler for etiquette, I personally feel like that is fine. For a formal wedding in the early afternoon, the appropriate attire for men is a gray cutaway stroller with a four-in-hand tie. Some men find that ensemble to be too archaic, in which case they could opt for a very nice dark suit with a straight tie. Above all, it is important that the bride and groom match in their level of formality.
If you are a guest invited to a formal afternoon wedding, the appropriate attire for ladies is a formal dress that is not to the floor. A cocktail dress could be a good choice, as long as it is not too revealing or short. Also keep in mind that you shouldn’t be quite as glitzy in the daytime, so choose a dress with simple beading rather than one encrusted in paillettes. An elegant silk dress is another excellent option for a formal daytime wedding. Choose one that is knee length or tea length with a special detail, such as embroidery or a beautifully woven fabric. Black is rather grim for a daytime celebration, so do try to find a dress in a pretty color. Add a fabulous pair of silk shoes and a little clutch to complete your perfect formal daytime wedding outfit.
Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about wedding attire, wedding etiquette, and wedding planning. Find the perfect jewelry for a bride at Silverland Jewelry.
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