How to Dress for a Wedding Reception

Knowing how to dress for a wedding reception is important. If you dress too fancy or not fancy enough, you'll stand out like a sore thumb. That's not the kind you want to leave a lasting impression on your fellow guests or the happy couple. Unless you are a bride, to pay to learn how to dress for a wedding reception before you attend one.

Note the invitation. If it indicates something like formal wear or black tie, then you know that you need to dress to the nine for this event. This means a tuxedo or suit and tie for men and full length dresses or ball gowns for women.

Take your cue from the place of reception. If the reception will be outside, you usually can get away with more casual clothes than if the reception will be in a formal ballroom.

Refrain from walking too relaxed, except at the invitation of the special request of jeans and t-shirts. Do you still attend the wedding, after all. Even more relaxed outdoor places require degrees of modesty. Business casual clothes, like khakis and polo shirts, is about relaxing when you have to go.

Avoid colors that are too hard and patterns that are too wild. One of these things will make you stand out in a bad way.

Keep weather in mind. You have to choose clothes appropriate to the season to be as comfortable as possible. Be sure also to check the weather reports wedding day, so you'll know if you have to wear a coat or carry an umbrella.

Find out what other guests will be wearing. If you can match your style of dress with others who will attend the reception, you will rarely wrong.

Ask for what you need bridal wear. This method is fool proof. It should also be used as a last resort, unless you are very close to one member of the happy couple. However, if the invitation does not give instructions and other guests are not talking to you, then this is your best option.