Wedding Dress Codes Explained (With Pictures)

Lucky you! You were invited to a white-tie wedding! A white-tie wedding might be the most formal event you attend, so be sure to dress the part. It’s expected that everyone wears a fancy, floor-length gown and embraces an overarching element of elegance. Accessories like pearl necklaces, diamond earrings, and elbow length gloves will help you achieve a white-tie look!

What do I wear to a white-tie wedding?

White-tie weddings are the most formal you can attend! A white-tie dress code means wearing a glamorous floor-length dress or elegant evening gown. Think red carpet inspired!

50% off

18

Size 10

Straight Gown

$false$false

#military

#blue

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie wedding guest

#size 10

#straight

#custom

#size m

#black tie

#50 off

#grey

#floor length

3

Size 14

Jovani, Straight Gown

$false

#jovani

#blue

#sleeves

#size l

#jovani

#semi formal wedding guest

#plus size

#black tie wedding guest

#size 14

#straight

#plunge

#black tie

#floor length

14

Size 4

Atheleclass, Mermaid Dress

$false$false

#atheleclass

#semi formal wedding guest

#size s

#purple

#atheleclass

#black tie wedding guest

#custom

#mermaid

#black tie

#size 4

#floor length

46% off

33

Size 10

Jovani, Mermaid Dress

$false$false

#jovani

#military

#blue

#sleeves

#sheer

#jovani

#long sleeve

#size 10

#boat neck

#mermaid

#pageant

#winter formal

#size m

#royal blue

#train

#pageant appearance

#floor length

#prom

Partner

2

Size 8

Johnathan Kayne, Mermaid Dress

$false

Brand new

#johnathan kayne

#size 8

#johnathan kayne

#mermaid

#tall height

#black tie wedding guest

#floor length

#size m

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie

Black-tie weddings are a bit less formal than white-tie celebrations, but they’re still very fancy! You’ll still need to wear a floor-length gown, but it doesn’t have to be quite as glamorous as a white-tie gown. You won’t need to wear as many elegant accessories with a black-tie look, but it’s still important to look your best!

What do I wear to a black-tie wedding?

Black-tie weddings are very formal events, so you should dress the part! Floor-length gowns are always required and some of the most popular black-tie styles include mermaid dresses, a-line dresses, and gowns with side slits.

43

Size 4

Straight Gown

$false

#military

#semi formal wedding guest

#size s

#sweetheart

#black tie wedding guest

#sorority formal

#wedding guest

#straight

#strapless

#pageant

#black tie

#$300

#size 4

#floor length

#prom

Partner

5

Size 16

Morrell Maxie, Mermaid Dress

$false

Brand new

#black tie wedding guest

#blue

#black tie

#plus size

#tall height

#morrell maxie

#mermaid

#navy

#semi formal wedding guest

#embroidery

#size xl

#floor length

#navy blue

#size 16

Partner

49

Size 16

Amelia Couture, Straight Gown

$false$false

Brand new

#amelia couture

#emerald

#$200

#military

#$300

#amelia couture

#sweetheart

#size xl

#pageant

#prom

#strapless

#green

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 16

#straight

#cape

#tall height

#black tie wedding guest

#one shoulder

#plus size

#floor length

#black tie

4

Size 14

Cinderella Divine, Side Slit Formal Dress

$false

#cinderella divine

#off the shoulder

#red

#side slit

#plus size

#velvet

#sweetheart

#size 14

#jersey

#train

#black tie wedding guest

#semi formal wedding guest

#size l

#floor length

#sleeves

#cinderella divine

#fitted

#black tie

Black-tie optional weddings are exactly that! If you happen to have an evening gown or other floor-length dress in your closet, then you can stop your search there. If super formal dresses aren’t your style, then you can wear an elegant tea-length dress with some eye-catching accessories that will elevate your overall look.

What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

Black-tie optional wedding dress codes give you a bit more range in what you can wear. You can wear a floor-length dress, formal jumpsuit, or evening gown to a black-tie optional wedding.

1

Size 0

ON HOLD, Cocktail Dress

$false$false

Free Shipping

#on hold

#midi

#cocktail

#black tie

#blue

#free shipping

#$200

#$100

#size xs

#black tie wedding guest

#gianni bini

#floor length

#size 0

#wedding guest

#semi formal wedding guest

#pageant

#on hold

8

Size 4

Side Slit Formal Dress

$false

#free shipping

#semi formal wedding guest

#size s

#olive

#green

#black tie wedding guest

#side slit

#black tie

#size 4

#floor length

66

Size 4

Midi dress, Cocktail Dress

$false

#midi dress

#midi

#cocktail

#graduation

#$200

#fitted

#midi dress

#$300

#interview

#size 4

#size s

#sweetheart

1

Size 10

Amelia Couture , Side Slit Formal Dress

$false

#corset

#jersey

#black tie wedding guest

#polyester

#black tie

#size m

#$200

#orange

#amelia couture

#size 10

#semi formal wedding guest

#lace

#side slit

#floor length

Cocktail attire is one of the most popular dress codes requested at any party. Cocktail style dresses are the perfect balance between effortlessly elegant and casually cute. These fun, flirty, short dresses are perfect for dancing the night away and being comfortable all night long. With so many cute cocktail styles to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect wedding guest dress!

What do I wear to a cocktail wedding?

Cocktail attire is one of the most common wedding dress codes. Formal short dresses (also known as cocktail dresses) are the perfect option for a wedding that requests cocktail attire. These dresses should hit above the knee or higher.

37

Size 4

Mac Duggal, Cocktail Dress

$false

#mac duggal

#blue

#euphoria

#corset

#cocktail

#mini

#backless

#mac duggal

#$300

#interview

#size 4

#size s

58

Size 2

Color navy blue, Cocktail Dress

$false

#color navy blue

#party

#blue

#size s

#euphoria

#nightclub

#size 8

#size 2

#cocktail

#mini

#size xs

#$200

#color navy blue

#size m

#$300

#pattern

#size 4

#sweetheart

#bodycon

Partner

6

Size 2

Mac Duggal, Cocktail Dress

$false

Brand new

#mac duggal

#semi formal wedding guest

#light green

#euphoria

#tall height

#midi

#one shoulder

#green

#cocktail

#size xs

#black tie wedding guest

#size 2

#jewelled

#mac duggal

#sequin

#black tie

#$200

#floor length

91% off

8

Size 4

Lavish Alice, Cocktail Dress

$false$false

#lavish alice

#semi formal wedding guest

#size s

#$100

#euphoria

#nightclub

#midi

#lavish alice

#50 off

#cocktail

#black tie wedding guest

#velvet

#black tie

#70 off

#$200

#size 4

#floor length

Partner

3

Size 6

Amelia Couture, Cocktail Dress

$false

Brand new

#amelia couture

#homecoming

#emerald

#size s

#$200

#size 6

#amelia couture

#sweetheart

#green

#spaghetti strap

#semi formal wedding guest

#pockets

#tall height

#black tie wedding guest

#pattern

#euphoria

#midi

#mini

#cocktail

#floor length

#size m

#black tie

It’s time to bring out your Sunday best! Once you get to Sunday best dress codes, things start getting a bit more casual. Instead of wearing a dress with rhinestones or sparkles, you should go for a more casual style.

What do I wear to a Sunday Best wedding?

Sunday best wedding attire means that you should dress your best but still keep it somewhat casual. Think of an outfit you would wear to church or a fancy family brunch.

Partner

2

Size 8

MoriLee, Cocktail Dress

$false

Brand new

#morilee

#midi

#size 8

#cocktail

#blue

#$200

#tall height

#morilee

#black tie wedding guest

#floor length

#size m

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie

89% off

25

Size 18

Straight Gown

$false$false

#military

#blue

#semi formal wedding guest

#$100

#50 off

#plus size

#black tie wedding guest

#straight

#$300

#size xl

#black tie

#70 off

#$200

#floor length

#size 18

16

Size 24

Vintage, Side Slit Formal Dress

$false$false

#vintage

#size 24

#vintage

#floral

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 3xl

#summer

#floor length

#black tie

#print

#$200

#$100

#side slit

#plus size

#$300

#black tie wedding guest

79% off

15

Size 16

Straight Gown

$false$false

#semi formal wedding guest

#50 off

#plus size

#black tie wedding guest

#straight

#multicolor

#size xl

#size 16

#black tie

#70 off

#$200

#floor length

#$300

Partner

Size 4

Just Me, Cocktail Dress

$false

#orange

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie wedding guest

#midi

#cocktail

#size 4

#just me

#floor length

#$100

#party

#tall height

#$200

#size s

#high neck

#black tie

Dressy casual might seem like an oxymoron, but it’s a real wedding dress code! Dressy casual, also referred to as smart casual, is a laid-back style that combines looking cute with feeling comfortable. While you still want to dress up, keep in mind that there’s an emphasis on the word “casual.”

What do I wear to a dressy casual wedding?

Dressy casual (also known as smart casual) weddings mean dressing up while still being “dressed down.” Think of dresses you’ve worn to upscale restaurants or fancy brunches.

Partner

Size 10

Be.You.Tiful, Cocktail Dress

$false

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie wedding guest

#blue

#size 10

#off the shoulder

#be.you.tiful

#midi

#cocktail

#floor length

#$200

#$100

#tall height

#size m

#tulle

#long sleeve

#black tie

Partner

1

Size 2

Le Lis, Cocktail Dress

$false$false

Brand new

#le lis

#$100

#euphoria

#tall height

#size 2

#cocktail

#mini

#long sleeve

#size xs

#le lis

#$300

#$200

Partner

2

Size 4

Soieblu, Cocktail Dress

$false

#sweetheart

#soieblu

#semi formal wedding guest

#black tie wedding guest

#blue

#off the shoulder

#midi

#cocktail

#size 4

#floor length

#$200

#$100

#tall height

#jersey

#size s

#black tie

Who doesn’t love a destination wedding?! Combining a celebration full of love with a beautiful beach is the perfect way to have a memorable, special day. Even though you’re going to the beach, you won’t be wearing a bikini! It’s still important to dress as if you’re attending a wedding, but make sure you still bring the beachy vibes. A floral sundress or boho-chic gown would be perfect options for a beach formal wedding!

What do I wear to a beach formal wedding?

You should wear a dress or jumpsuit that brings beachy vibes! Beach formal weddings are still formal events, but you should be sure to dress for the location.

2

Size 24

Shein, Side Slit Formal Dress

$false

#black tie wedding guest

#blue

#prom

#black tie

#plus size

#$200

#sorority formal

#ball

#$100

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 24

#side slit

#size 3xl

#floor length

#shein

86% off

32

Size 18

Straight Gown

$false$false

#military

#blue

#semi formal wedding guest

#50 off

#plus size

#black tie wedding guest

#straight

#$300

#size xl

#black tie

#70 off

#$200

#floor length

#size 18

3

Size 2

Mermaid Dress

$false

#black tie wedding guest

#floral wedding guest

#size xs

#black tie

#wedding guest

#floral

#$200

#mermaid

#military

#orange

#$100

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 2

#floor length

Size 24

A-line Gown

$false

#multicolor

#black tie wedding guest

#a-line

#black tie

#plus size

#mini

#print

#$200

#size 24

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 3xl

#floor length

Size 24

Kleinfeld, A-line Gown

$false

#multicolor

#black tie wedding guest

#a-line

#kleinfeld

#black tie

#plus size

#$200

#size 24

#semi formal wedding guest

#size 3xl

#floor length

Daytime weddings are usually small, sweet ceremonies that are meant to celebrate love in a more intimate way. These ceremonies are more casual than most, which is why day time wedding dress codes are also known as casual wedding dress codes! A casual dress or jumpsuit would be perfect options for a laid-back wedding like this.

What do I wear to a daytime wedding?

Daytime (also known as casual) weddings are more lowkey events. You should consider wearing a casual dress or jumpsuit to your next daytime weddings.

3

Size 00

ON HOLD, Cocktail Dress

$false$false

#on hold

#homecoming

#summer

#midi

#size 00

#cocktail

#black tie

#$200

#sunday

#pink

#corset

#$100

#designer

#size xs

#house of cb

#black tie wedding guest

#floor length

#semi formal wedding guest

#on hold

Partner

Size 10

Blue Blush, Cocktail Dress

$false$false

Brand new

#blue blush

#semi formal wedding guest

#$100

#euphoria

#tall height

#cocktail

#mini

#black tie wedding guest

#size 10

#strapless

#size m

#blue blush

#black tie

#$200

#floor length

#red