Spring/summer 2024 is just around the corner. Do you know what that means? The wedding season begins!
For a woman, choosing the right dress for a wedding can often be exhausting. So many designs, so many colors and so few ideas represent a classic situation, the kind that makes you hate the bride and groom-to-be even if the one getting married is your sister to the nicest person in the world.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone: we’ve all been there. That’s why we at Fratinardi decided to write this article. After reading it, we promise that not only will you have a clearer idea, but you will be the most beautiful guest at the whole wedding!
First of all!
The first key step is to figure out where the reception will take place, when it will take place, and if there is a dress-code!
Consider the location. If the bride and groom will be celebrating at a magnificent sea-view hotel-restaurant with eighteen Michelin stars, you won’t wear the same outfit if the reception were at the restaurant “Aunt Peppina’s House,” to wit. Being “over-dressed” at a wedding is just as wrong as showing up in an acetate suit, so be careful.
When will it take place? Consider not only the time but also the season. An early spring wedding, for example, will require some extra attention to outerwear. A simple stole will not be enough to shield you from the evening chill, which can instead be a great option for the cool summer weather, the kind that is also pleasant after all.
Is there a dress-code? You’ll read about it in the participation. Black or white tie, red evening fair weather hopefully, Alice in Wonderland–the theme is written there. If you need some clarification, you ask the bride (or her mother, usually it is the mothers who really organize the wedding).
With these details clarified, let’s move on.
Morning wedding
How do you dress for a morning wedding? Ideally, wear a colorful dress that reflects the season. A spring wedding goes well with pastel colors, while for a summer one even brighter colors are suitable.
Black is not recommended (how many times have we been told that?), if you really like it, opt for a dark blue. It must be said, eh, that then there are brides who instead like it, maybe even write it on the participation… To be on the safe side, it’s better to ask the protagonist of the ceremony if you will be able to wear it, who will be able to give you all the dress-code indications in case they are not expressly written.
But if you want to play it safe, you will need to aim for an outfit that will not attract any kind of negative judgment from bon ton experts (or at least, we hope). The ideal is a dress with a short length, cocktail style, or midi (but beware of important calves and low center of gravity, it’s a length that doesn’t suit everyone) and away with bright or pastel colors!
Pair with pumps and clutches or small hand bags to be chic and delicate and stand out even more!
But in case you don’t want to or can’t wear high shoes, then you can opt for a medium heel (5 to 7 cm) or low heel (5 cm and below). The best shoes in this case? Block-heeled strappy sandals or chanels, which have always been synonymous with elegance.
And if heels are just out of the question, then flat jeweled sandals or ballet shoes are definitely a viable option! If you are invited to a beach wedding, then this is the best choice, so you avoid sinking. The same applies if the wedding will take place on a lawn.
If, on the other hand, you are a suit-and-pants kind of gal, don’t be afraid to wear a pantsuit-there is nothing more elegant. Choose high-waisted, figure-skimming pants with a shirt or top, perhaps in satin or silk. Then the jacket, a must if the ceremony will be in church and a lifesaver in case it gets cold in the evening!
Here with shoes you can (almost) indulge, the tips are the same as for the dress, but with an extra treat: you can safely wear loafers, which under a suit never look bad, even better if with a clamp. The choice is yours!
Evening wedding
Evening weddings definitely allow for more range, opting for both short cocktail dresses and very, very long gowns. Of course, watch the train: a minimum is allowed but it should never exceed that of the bride. How do you know if it is longer than the bride’s? Ask if you are on a tight schedule, otherwise give up and opt for a floor-length gown.
The colors become more intense and become cooler: blue, burgundy, emerald green, fuchsia… These are colors that will make you shine under the hall lights. Of course, without taking the focus away from the bride. Having cleared black after 4 p.m., feel free to wear it. At the same time, however, if you feel you are a “light colors” type, go ahead and wear them as long as they do not tend toward white.
Green light also to suits especially in satin, again dark colors are preferred, with palazzo pants that slender the figure.
Shoes also become more important, great choice pumps and jewel sandals maybe in laminated leather, which gives a really, really chic metallic effect! Again, if you do not want to or cannot wear heels, it is up to you.
As for handbag, however, do not be afraid to be daring. The important thing is to remember that in the evening the bag gets small: clutches and pouches are preferred and to avoid hand bags and shoulder bags even if they are small.
Small bonus tip
If the wedding is in the summer, avoid lace if it is in contact with the skin. In hot weather you will sweat and risk itching.
Conclusion
While the rules used to be markedly stricter regarding weddings, there is now a great deal of freedom that allows you to range between endless colors and patterns of dresses and shoes. For example, open shoes are considered inelegant by bon ton, but no one will object to you wearing sandals; the bride herself (probably) will choose a jeweled sandal for her summer wedding. Purple and red were also considered taboo colors, now fully accepted. The rules have changed and will change again.
Most importantly, common sense will be what will actually guide you in your choice of dress.
If you need more ideas and advice, visit us in store, we are in Battipaglia (SA) or you can find us online at Fratinardi.it!
Do not hesitate to contact us!