Today’s post kicks off a two week series where I’ll be breaking down wedding dress codes for guests. Wedding season is definitely starting to pick up and lots of invites are making their way to your mailbox. These invites almost always include a short one line dress code statement. Which often times causes more confusion then clarification. Am I right? Black Tie, Formal, Cocktail Formal, Cocktail, Casual, etc… Figuring out what exactly to wear now just became a lot more difficult. BUT lucky for you, I’ve partnered with David’s Bridal to break down these wedding dress codes and provide you with some options for each one. David’s Bridal is a great resource for wedding guest dresses that fall under each dress code. As they offer an assortment of dresses include cocktail & party styles plus long & formalwear.

photos by back seat photography | location: the ballantyne hotel

Today we’re starting on the more casual end. Talking about the Casual and Cocktail dress codes. These are typically the two you will experience most often. Which is great because they’re also the two easiest to dress for! As there are many traditions when it comes to a wedding, there is no doubt that everyone will have their own traditional outfits to make this special occasion. For example, when it comes to Indian weddings, the bride and groom will have cultural outfits that they will wear. If you are not too sure with what I am talking about, by checking out something like the sherwani collection by Sonas Couture, you’ll soon become a little more familiar with this tradition. Even the guest may be asked to wear traditional outfits too. The outfits are amazing from what I’ve seen. Every wedding will be different. Some love to have a range of mirrors to create the feeling of a big space. A friend did this by taking advantage of Mirror rentals to get the look she wanted. I’m almost 100% certain you have at least one dress in your closet that would work for both of these dress codes. Although who doesn’t love an excuse to shop for a new dress! My friend told me she recently went to a wedding in the UK and she loved it. The venue was great and the bride and groom hired a wedding photographer Devon to take some beautiful pictures of everyone.

So let’s dive in with the Casual Wedding guest attire first.

c/o dress | shoes | sunglasses | earrings | cuff | scarf

{anyone know what movie we grabbed inspiration from for this photo? comment below if you have a guess}

Casual: What this typically indicates is that the wedding will likely be held outdoors {either the actual ceremony and/or the reception}. This means the event will be a lot laid-back, especially with the attire for guests. A spring or summer sundress would be appropriate. Think floral patterns, lighter hues, and feminine details. Simple heels or wedges would work for footwear. Be sure to pay attention as to whether the event is held on a beach or in a field, you may have to opt for flat footwear if that is the case. A metallic sandal would be a great option for that.

Key Trends for Casual Weddings: Illusion cutouts, two piece ensembles, and floral prints.

My pick for a casual wedding was this fun and flirty little number by Cheers Cynthia Rowley. Everything about this dress is fun! The freesia blossoms, pink hue, scoop neck, and the fit & flare silhouette. A patterned dress of this nature is perfect for a casual wedding. You can easily wear it with heels as I did here or pair it with your favorite go to wedges. Tell me this dress doesn’t make you want to twirl around the dance floor?

For accessories I kept everything very simple. Again, it’s a casual event so you don’t need to go all out. I’d recommend choosing one accessory to really have fun with and keeping everything else as simple as possible. For me, it was statement earrings.

This dress is available in sizes 2-14 and is exclusively available at select David’s Bridal stores and online here. I would recommend checking out the full Cheers Cynthia Rowley line. Every single dress or two piece ensemble is beyond adorable!

Next up is Cocktail Wedding guest attire.

c/o dress | scarf | handbag | cuff | bangles | shoes

Cocktail: May also be called Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual. The time of the event this can change what you should wear. If it’s an afternoon or early evening event, feel free to reach for light colors and fabrics. If the event is later in the evening, wear darker colors and more muted patterns. Think navy, black, gray, brown, or wine hues. This type of event calls for a cocktail length dress. Shop David’s Bridal cocktail dresses here.

Key Trends for Cocktail Weddings: Lace, higher necklines, and shoulder emphasis {cold shoulder and off the shoulder}.

Without a doubt, for an evening cocktail wedding, I’ll be choosing navy. I love the classic hue. Something about navy instantly gives you a more polished look while still making a statement. This dress has so many fun details, there was no way I could pass it up. Between the crisscross detail at the waist, the textured petal detail, and the neckline, I was hooked! I love that this dress is classic but still allows you to have fun! When choosing a dress for a cocktail wedding, you want to go simple in pattern {nothing loud or too bright} but this subtle pattern all in the same hue is perfect!

Have a little fun with your accessories here. Go with a statement clutch and earrings. A cocktail wedding is a step up from a casual wedding. Therefore go a little snazzy with your accessories. Don’t be afraid to allow them to make the statement for your look.

This dress is available in sizes 2-14 and is exclusively available at select David’s Bridal stores and online here. The dress is also currently on sale, making it under $100.

Stay tuned for next Thursday when I’ll dive into formal and black tie wedding dress codes.

Thank you to David’s Bridal for sponsoring this post! All views and opinions are of course my own.