What To Wear To A Cocktail Wedding: Your Dress Code Guide

Photo by Ivy Road Photography via Britt & Pickle’s Romantic & Modern Mount Warning Wedding

A cocktail wedding dress code is one of the most popular options for weddings these days. It allows guests to dress up to join the celebration, but also gives them a little freedom without the rules of black tie. Today, in celebration of The Cocktail issue, we’re decoding the cocktail wedding dress code to make dressing for your favourite person’s wedding an utter breeze.

Dresses

Want to frock up? Cocktail is one of the easiest dress codes for dress lovers. For cocktail wedding attire, think dresses that are shortened – from just above the knee to midi length. Just keep it elegant!

Cocktail can differ though, so want to consider the setting and timing of the wedding. Sparkles and more formal accessories will suit a city restaurant wedding after dark for example, whereas a cocktail wedding in a garden might call for a cocktail dress with a lighter, brighter pattern and slightly more casual and fun accessories.

Full-length dresses can work too- but to keep them from crossing into black tie territory, keep the fabric casual (a beautiful linen maxi with gold heels and oversize hold earrings for a beach wedding for example).

Shoes wise, opt for dressier options, especially if the fabric of your frock is more casual. Strappy heels, sparkling jewelled flats, finish your look with beautiful jewellery and a stunning clutch (keep oversize bags at home for this dress code). The key with cocktail gowns and how formal, or informal they look, is of course with the accessories!

1. Little Party Dress Lydia Green Dress 2. Zimmerman The Lovestruck Flounce Midi 3. Hear Us Roar, Kara Sapphire Dress 4. Seed Cracked Metallic Dress

Jumpsuits & Pants

If dresses aren’t your thing, wearing a jumpsuit or pants is totally an option for you and today, come in so many options. Pick a beautifully tailored suit or a jumpsuit that you can add a little style to with your shoes and accessories.

Again, like a dress, you’ll need to consider the time and setting of a location. A black tuxedo-style ensemble will be just right for an evening celebration that’s likely to be a little glam, while a pastel or coloured suit or jumpsuit will work for daytime, beach or garden wedding.

1. Institchu The Travers Black Tuxedo Jacket & Pants 2. Forever New Agath Wrap Jumpsuit 3. Zara basic blazer & cropped trousers 4. Gorman Growers Pantsuit

Suits

For the gentlemen, cocktail attire is always a smart, well-tailored suit and a tie. Remember, this is the dress code that sits between casual and black-tie formal, so you’ll need to still look dressed up, but not overdone.

Again, like other attire, you’ll want to pay attention to the setting and time of the wedding. A light coloured suit is appropriate during the day (and you can even add your personal touch with a fun tie and pocket handkerchief). At night, or for more formal settings, you’ll want to opt for a dark coloured suit.

You’ll want to pair your look with a classic white shirt (blue can look a little “office” unless you’re pairing it with the right accessories) and a dark or patterned tie. Shoes should be black or dark brown in a classic dress shoe style. And don’t forget the finishing touch of a coordinating pocket-handkerchief.