Attending Weddings at Your Best

The wedding is a significant event in a couple's life. As friends, we would love to be there for them as they exchange their vows. However, attending weddings may require a bit more preparation than most people realize. One of the major things to consider is what to wear, and that would depend on how formal the event is. The invitation will tell you the type of attire the couple wants their guests to be in. Often, guests find themselves confused with the different dress codes. Here is a quick guide on what to wear given a specific dress code.

The most formal dress code is the 'White Tie', where guests are requested to be in their best formal suits. Male guests are expected to wear dress coats with white bow ties while female guests are to arrive in ball gowns. This ultra-formal dress code is not too common in weddings, but is often encountered in formal state affairs or royal balls. The white tie has quite a number of restrictions and very specific rules.

In contrast to the very formal white-tie event, we have the dress code 'Casual' where almost anything goes. As long as you do not wear something offensive, you are good to go. To be safe, however, the bride usually specifies 'dressy casual' to mean that shorts, jeans or plain tees are still not acceptable. Even if the couple wants to make their wedding informal, guests must not come with something too casual, like the ones you usually wear when you're out shopping at your local supermarket.

Evening weddings usually call for the dress code referred to as 'Black Tie'. This means that a male guest needs to be in a tuxedo or a dinner jacket while a female guest in a cocktail dress or an evening gown. Creative black tie events give the guests a bit of room for individual style. Accessories can be added to make the overall look more personal and unique.

Accessories that a male guest can use are cufflinks, belts and ties. Belts and ties can also add a special accent to your look. While some formal suits may not go well with a belt or a tie, the cufflinks usually go well with most of them. That is why wedding party cufflinks have been a common favorite in men's accessories. These days, it is not uncommon to see grooms wearing cufflinks with the word 'groom' on them or other members of the entourage wearing cufflinks saying their role in the event, such as 'best man', 'groom's man' or 'father of the bride'. If you are not part of the entourage, you can always wear those that say 'special guest' on them.

Being at your best attire and behavior during a friend's wedding is one of the best gifts that you can give to the couple. After all, this comes only once in a lifetime for most people, and they would want to keep it as memorable as possible. You can help them achieve that by being there in your most dashing way.