Spring/Summer Wedding Guest (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear to a spring summer wedding? ›

Floral lace and dreamy chiffon fabrics are perfect for a springtime wedding. Experiment with bright, fresh colors, or soft, dusty pastels to complete your spring wedding outfit! Add matching accessories and you'll be beaming with pride—and with style.

RSVP on Time

Few guest rules are set-in-stone as this one: You must RSVP—even if you can't attend—and you must do it by the deadline (or preferably earlier). “Being a gracious guest starts before the wedding with a quick response to the invitation,” says Christin Gomes, co-founder of Common Courtesy.

If your invitation did not include a plus-one, under no circ*mstances should you arrive at a wedding with an uninvited guest. If the person who was originally going to attend with you is not coming, ask the couple if you can bring someone else instead.

Though it's technically OK to wear black at any time of the day, Aleece says it's better suited for late afternoon and evening weddings in the fall and winter, along with formal and black tie weddings in the early spring.

When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding guest outfit, the time of year can have a big impact on what color you wear. In addition to following the dress code, consider the season when picking out your wedding guest look. For spring weddings, opt for light colors like pastels, whites, or light blues.

The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

The rule of thumb is that 10 to 20% of guests invited will not attend, Rhee says . That number varies depending on factors including the season, the location of the wedding and how far out you're getting information to your guests, Rhee explains. Hill confirms that about 80 to 85% of invitees will attend.

How many guests are typically invited to each size wedding? These numbers may vary a little depending on who you're speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.

As a rule of thumb, Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette says spouses, fiancés, and live-in partners of each guest should receive an invitation. “Even if you've never met or they are not your favorite people, your guest is part of a package deal,” authors Anne and Lizzie Post explain.

How do I tell guests no plus one? ›

You can simply say that you have opted for an adults-only wedding, or if you're inviting select children, you can simply say that children are by express invitation only. The easiest way to do this is to address the invitation to the adults of the family only, which implies that children are not invited.

Just say “no.” There are many ways to say “no” without using the word “no.” “I'm really sorry, I don't like having people I don't know in my house.” “I'm so sorry, but I have just enough food/beds/room for you plus my family.” “That sounds nice, but I really would like to just spend time with you.”

Who traditionally pays for the wedding dress? One of the most closely stuck-to traditions is that the bride's family will pay for the wedding dress. This also includes any accessories the bride may wear, such as a veil, a bag and shoes. For modern weddings, the bride may want to pay for her own dress.

Don't go *too* casual.

Even if the wedding has a more low-key dress code, I promise you: It is not that casual. Meaning no sweats, shorts, jeans, T-shirts—you get my point. "If you have to choose between being underdressed or overdressed, it's always better to be overdressed," Swann explains.

Black Tie or Formal Summer Wedding Attire

While you can wear a black dress to a summer wedding, consider a pale blue gown as an alternative. Black tie requires men to wear tuxedos, while black tie optional or formal means tuxedos aren't necessary (but are highly recommended).

When it comes to comfort on a hot summer day (especially if the celebration is outside), a casual dress code is ideal. But don't forget this is an important event. Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea. Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women.

"Think romantic pinks and reds. Light blue is another beautiful color to incorporate into your dress this season. Pastels will always be a great choice for any spring wedding." Thomas also recommends that men consider light blue suits, instead of the standard black getup, depending on the exact dress code.

If the dress code is a bit more casual, you might opt for a mini dress—especially if you'll be outdoors in a warm weather destination. Even in a shorter party dress, you'll look elegant and wedding appropriate in any of these styles. A mini dress is easy to pack and even easier to rewear than longer, more formal gowns.

Totally fine! Just make sure they're dressy enough for the nuptials. Start with tailored trousers and a polished blouse, or make things easy for yourself by grabbing a matching blazer. Pant suits are a great way to go, or you can coordinate the color of your pants with your top and have a monochrome moment.