Choosing a dress for a friend's wedding sometimes becomes more exciting than choosing a gift. This is not an ordinary celebration; as a rule, attention is paid to all guests. Moreover, the event remains in memories and photographs for a long time, and a friend simply has to look not just good, but also taking into account certain features, which will be discussed further.
First of all, it should be noted that you absolutely cannot choose white if the bride’s outfit is white. However, the ban applies to any color the bride will wear. Black isn't a good idea either - unless it's a themed celebration where everyone is ordered to wear one, there's no need to oppress others with mourning attire. The third important prohibition is a red dress. Undoubtedly, it looks very impressive, especially when chosen correctly for the figure, but the attention at the wedding should belong to the bride, not the guests. Deep necklines, excessively short lengths, excessively high slits - all this will be inappropriate. You can look beautiful, feminine, elegant without such aggressive details.
Be sure to ask what the bride will be wearing, where exactly the event will be held, and what color scheme the decoration will be in. You will have to rely on these factors when choosing the color of your outfit, which should contrast and not blend into the background. Despite the fact that this is the holiday of the bride, guests do not come in monastic attire.
Generally accepted rules
Traditionally, there are a number of simple, but no less important rules for a wedding:
- The above-mentioned ban on the color of the bride’s dress applies to everyone without exception: girlfriends, relatives, and even men (cases vary);
- For older women, long dresses, aristocratic cut, in noble colors are recommended;
- For young girls, on the contrary, bright and light models are good;
- An evening outfit is ideally either monochromatic or in no more than two colors (you can combine, for example, a dress of the same color and a contrasting jacket); clothes that are too colorful are not suitable for such an event;
- We leave revealing wardrobe items for another occasion, especially if the newlyweds want to get married (for attending church, it is advisable to take a pre-prepared shawl with you);
- When choosing a dress, take into account the time of year, so that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for the sake of the image, a wedding is not for a couple of hours, you can turn the holiday into torture with your own hands;
- If you are not just a guest, but a witness, ideally you should choose a dress together with the bride so that your image is perceived as one.
Today it is not necessary to choose fluffy floor-length dresses; it can be a cocktail dress that reaches the middle of the knees, which looks elegant, not vulgar, and is very comfortable.
Wedding dress for guests - tips for choosing
Every woman dreams of looking beautiful, and even more so at a wedding.
And it doesn’t matter whose wedding it is – hers or a relative’s or friend’s. It is important to have patience and advice in order to make a good choice of outfit and feel comfortable in it and use it later for other events. When going to a wedding ceremony, do not wear off-the-shoulder dresses or skirts that go above the knee. A mandatory accessory at such an event is a scarf or shawl that covers the head and, if necessary, covers the bare shoulders and back.
For the wedding ceremony, the most important thing is to dress modestly, not pretentiously, without a lot of jewelry and aggressive makeup.
Color selection
It is important to choose the right dress for your friend’s wedding in tone, focusing not only on the bride’s outfit and the decoration of the festive interior, but also on your own skin type:
- Fair skin, light eyes and light hair go well with pale red, pink and gray;
- For dark-haired girls with fair skin, blue, cyan, violet, lilac and coral are ideal (red too, but it was mentioned at the beginning of the article - you should refrain);
- Fair-skinned people with warm undertones are well suited for peach, blue, coral, pale yellow, pale pink, beige, and lilac colors;
- For redheads and brown-haired women with dark eyes - shades of red, blue, brown, golden.
Of course, these are color guidelines only, and no one is forcing you to buy a gray dress if you want a green one. It is important that the chosen color suits you, plus you need to take care of the appropriate makeup to create a complete look and highlight all your advantages, diverting attention from flaws.
Rule #9. Follow the wedding theme
A modern wedding event can take place in nature or on the shore of a lake, river or sea, then coming to the ceremony wearing high-heeled shoes and an evening dress will no longer be inappropriate and you need to choose a different look.
If the ceremony takes place in the form of a picnic, then an interesting, playful dress with an a-line skirt, or some kind of bright jumpsuit would be appropriate. If the holiday takes place on the seashore, then an outfit in a nautical style would be appropriate: a vest dress or in blue tones.
Modern newlyweds can organize a creative, informal wedding ceremony. For example, in a retro style, a gangster party, a denim wedding ceremony. It is in this style that you need to choose an outfit.
Cool congratulations on a wedding for a friend
If the newlyweds want to observe all the traditions, then a wedding will be in the plans. The church dictates certain rules, namely, the shoulders must be covered, and the head must be covered with a scarf or scarf.
Taking into account your body type
When thinking about what dress to wear to a friend’s wedding, the style is no less important, but here you will have to completely focus on the characteristics of your figure and height.
| Body type | What to choose |
| Pear shape | Pay attention to models that are close to the body, but widen at the bottom (new bow or empire style). You can afford multi-layered sleeves and unobtrusive decor on the dress. |
| Apple shape | Straight cut and A-line outfits are preferred. Empire style can also be worn. If the festival is in the summer, pay attention to sleeveless styles. |
| Hourglass figure | The ideal figure in terms of choosing outfits - you can afford anything. Fitted dresses, American armholes, and retro style are especially good. Do not forget about the correct selection of complementary accessories; there should not be too many of them, otherwise you will look cheap and vulgar. |
| Inverted triangle shape | Bet on open shoulders and a complex multi-layered skirt. We recommend non-solid clothing, for example, dark top and light bottom. Empire style is also suitable. |
| Rectangular figure | The drapery and sheath style are just right. Tight or baggy clothes look bad on such figures, sharply emphasizing their flaws. |
Selecting accessories to match a friend’s wedding dress is important for every woman. There is no need to sprinkle yourself with rhinestones and put on ten rings and five beads at a time, even if they are all beautiful, expensive and you want to show them off to everyone. You can complement the look with a shawl, a neat hair accessory, and, of course, choose the right shoes.
Popular colors for bridesmaid dresses 2021
The style plays a significant role, but the color of the decoration is also important. When going to a friend’s wedding, it’s worth considering a few points about the color scheme:
- Don't choose a white outfit. You don’t want to get lost in the background of the bride or merge with her into a single whole in the photographs. And if your young wife gets lost in your background, then it will be, at the very least, ugly and the mood will be spoiled for both.
- A black dress is also taboo, it’s a holiday and brighter colors and shades are welcome. If you still decide to wear a black outfit to the wedding, then it must be diluted with bright white inserts or decorated with sparkles. But it’s worth remembering that fabric with shiny decor is not suitable for fat girls; they will look ridiculous in a photo with the wrong lighting.
- Current colors for the 2021 wedding season: coral, mint, lilac, emerald, fuchsia clothes, blue, blue, green. Which color to choose all depends on personal preference and which tone suits your skin best.
- If the wedding will be in a certain color, then it is necessary to select an outfit that is close to the color of the wedding celebration, having previously agreed on this point with the heroes of the occasion.
Purple
The color violet and all its shades are popular because such outfits look sophisticated, elegant and solemn. This tone goes perfectly with bright shades of orange and red, so during the autumn period of a riot of colors, the dress will look amazing. Models of this color made of any fabric, both light, airy, dense or lace, will look elegant.
Turquoise
A wedding in turquoise color is especially relevant in the summer, and since the main shade of the celebration is turquoise, the bridesmaids’ dress should be in the same tone. The decorations can be of different styles, lengths and cuts, but always in the same color scheme. Or you should do the opposite, choose the same models for all your girlfriends, and play a little with shades, for example, by giving preference to outfits that differ in color by one tone.
Orange
For girls who are not afraid to stand out and love bright colors, an orange wedding dress is a great option. The advantage of this dress is the ability to combine it with various bright accessories. Many shades (from the brightest to pastel) will make it possible to choose the one that best suits the skin without creating a yellowish effect on it.
Pink
Pink is considered the favorite color of many girls, because it will help create a romantic, feminine look for the bridesmaids. Dresses of this shade made from light, airy fabrics such as silk, chiffon, viscose look beautiful; satin is less commonly used. Styles and models can be completely different; decorations in the Greek style made of material in soft pink tones look especially elegant.
Yellow
In summer and autumn, the ideal color for bridesmaids to wear for a wedding is yellow. It is preferable to choose pastel shades, but if you want to be noticeable and extravagant, then bright colors are acceptable, but this point should be discussed with the bride and other bridesmaids in advance so as not to look like a black sheep at a party. The style and fabric used can be completely different, the main thing is that the dress fits the girl perfectly.
Red
The bride's snow-white dress will contrast favorably and stand out against the background of the red and scarlet decorations of the bridesmaids. Models of this shade can be completely different - these include short, tight-fitting outfits, floor-length outfits, with a full skirt. Bridesmaids can wear the same clothes or completely different ones, but the color scheme should be consistent as much as possible so that everything looks harmonious.
Features of the style
When deciding what dress to wear to a wedding, pay attention to the smooth, flowing material - it is elegant, looks beautiful, but does not divert the main attention of the guests from the bride to you. Give preference to noble, lightweight fabrics to make your look elegant. Silk, chiffon, satin, taffeta look great in this design.
If you are a witness to a wedding, according to etiquette, your dress should not have sleeves. However, etiquette fades into the background if the style reveals your broad shoulders or unfavorably emphasizes your overly plump arms. However, it’s not so difficult to get out of the situation - a short, stylish jacket.
Transparent inserts are acceptable, but an overly fluffy skirt is not, if the bride also has a fluffy one. Long floor-length dresses look good on tall girls; for those with short stature, it is better to stick to models that reach the middle of the knee. To see this, just look at a few example photos. You can look stylish, first of all, not in the most fashionable and expensive outfit, but in the one that suits you.
Fashionable dresses today are available in every corner of the country and in a large selection, but when dressing yourself, you cannot forget about such a detail as a neckline, if it is implied. Deep or wide is a bad idea for girls with small breasts, almost even is bad for those with a short neck. In the modern world, dressing correctly for every occasion and in everyday life has become a real art.
Can guests wear black to a wedding?
Any representative of the fair sex tries to look perfect at a wedding event.
For those with an ideal figure and tall stature, it will not be difficult to choose a beautiful outfit of any shade. The picture is much different for curvy ladies of short stature.
Dark colors suit them best, especially black. In this outfit, everyone seems slimmer and taller than usual. In this case, the question arises: is it possible to wear black to a wedding?
Don't forget about the little black dress - ideal for all occasions. It can become elegant and solemn if you choose the right accessories and shoes.
Bridal outfits
In 2021, a new trend in the fashion world has become a non-standard shade of wedding dresses. In the new season, fashionistas are not advised to dress up in white outfits.
The traditional shade has been replaced by tones such as soft blue, indigo, red, pearl, golden chocolate, floral, pink, emerald, sea turquoise, mint and black.
You need to choose a wedding dress taking into account your appearance, skin tone, and hair color. Bright and unusual outfits are in fashion. Designers offer the following solutions:
- a combination of several shades of the same color;
- bright contrast of lace and main fabric;
- a combination of a plain dress with bright details of a completely different shade;
- plain dress of non-standard color.
All of the solutions listed above look bold and unusual. Depending on the color of the fabric, the dress looks soft and airy, or bright and bold.
For lovers of conservative views, delicate shades of pale blue, pink, lilac, and milky shades are suitable. A bright red, all-black, or purple dress would be a bold decision.
Photo: black wedding dress
More and more brides are experimenting with the colors of their wedding dress. If in the recent past even guests would not dare to come to a wedding in a black dress, today a black bride’s outfit looks quite appropriate.
Photo: black wedding dress
All-black wedding dresses became popular after Sarah Jessica Parker's bold decision. It was she who was married for the first time in an outfit of such an extravagant color. Fashion designers found her step interesting and promising. Collections of black wedding dresses have been coming out for several years now.
Black and white wedding dresses (photo)
Bright and unusual black and white wedding dresses have become a new word in the fashion world. They are elegant and delicate and look great with a black groom's suit.
Black and white wedding dresses can include just one element of a dark shade. This could be a large bow, a wide belt, small buttons, or an insert in the hem area.
Photo: black and white wedding dress
Long gloves up to the elbow are sometimes made in black. Black lace in the corset area and white fluffy bottom are often combined.
The corset can be made of silk fabric of a rich dark shade, and the skirt can be made of white fabric.
Photo: black and white wedding dress
Also an interesting solution is the full skirt of the outfit, made in the form of large folds inward. In this case, the inside of the folds is decorated with embroidery of floral patterns using black thread.
Such embroidery can also embellish the upper part of the corset. Wedding dresses with a multi-layered skirt are popular. In the two-color version, one layer of such a hem is made of black lace, and the other is made of a white layer.
Those who like to always be the center of attention, dress brightly and challenge an ordinary and dull image can be offered an interesting outfit with a full skirt made of transparent material in black and a corset made of white fabric with embroidery of large flowers in black silk threads.
There are a huge number of interesting and unique models. The main thing is to forget about prejudices and take the risk of wearing a non-standard dress.
As a guest
If the bride's decision to wear black is perceived as a bold act, an interesting step, then the guest's dark outfit may not be accepted by everyone.
First of all, you need to inform the bride and groom about the decision to dress in this shade. They may misunderstand such a step, perceive it as an unkind sign, unwillingness to see them happy.
Especially the bridesmaid and parents of the bride and groom should think about the shade of the dress. However, it is better for them to dress up in bright or pastel clothes. Sometimes the bride herself decides to dress her bridesmaids in black outfits.
Photo: black dress for a guest
This step will be accepted by everyone, since a friendly company of girlfriends will look harmonious, especially if they are combined with bright accessories or shoes in pale, pastel colors.
We consult with the hero of the occasion
If you are marrying a close enough friend, try discussing your outfit with her in advance. Depending on the bride’s mood, you may spend more than one day choosing a dress together, or she will refuse to take part in this event. Today in Russia the tendency to choose identical dresses for bridesmaids is becoming increasingly fashionable. Propose this idea to the hero of the occasion, but if she is the first to suggest a similar option, it is simply uncivil to refuse. Remember, a wedding is a celebration of the newlyweds, and the task of the guests is to please them in everything and fully meet their expectations. You can also make a surprise and agree with other close friends to order identical or similar outfits. Just similar dresses look no less stylish, or another fashion trend is the purchase of outfits that match in style, but are designed in contrasting colors. In any case, the bride herself should like the dress for her friend’s wedding and combine favorably with her own outfit - perhaps this is the main principle of choice.
What to consider when choosing a dress for a wedding
If you are going to a wedding as a guest, then when choosing an outfit, you need to consider the following main points:
- Your age.For a wedding celebration, young girls can wear both long and short models of dresses in light and bright colors. The main thing is that the dress does not look provocative. Pantsuits and dark long dresses in noble shades will look good on older women.
- Format and location of the event . Wedding celebrations can be formal, informal or semi-formal.
