Written by intern Hannah Lyons

I hope everyone is having a good week. I’m so excited to be back. In the midst of some hectic happenings, I am finally catching a short but much needed break. I’ve been super eager to write about this concept. Hopefully you’ll relish it and learn something new! Enjoy~

Wedding Season

Between the months of April and September, a certain celebration takes over the season: weddings! Oh weddings – how I adore them! I’m at that age where my friends are starting to get married. Let’s face it – forever single (holla!) or not – the heart skips a beat when that pretty invitation makes it to your mailbox. The gorgeous venues, delicious food, vibrant music, and of course the celebrated love never fail to make so happy. It also may be that weddings give me the excuse to invest in a new dress or two…or three…

If you’re like me, you wait until the last minute to decide on an outfit. You have your date, you bought the gift, you reserved the hotel – but you haven’t managed to figure out an outfit.

Don’t fret. To save you from stress, I’m sharing my 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Dressing for a Summer Wedding. They’ll make outfit planning quick and painless for you!

10 Tips for Dressing for a Summer Wedding

1. Don’t wear white
   • This should go without saying, but please oh please stay away from white. Yes, this includes ivory and cream. You don’t want to be the one matching the bride. Talk about awkward…
2. Don’t clash with the bridesmaids
   • If you have any connections to the bride – it doesn’t hurt to ask what the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses are. My advice: stay away from deep blues, neutrals, and pastels (especially mint green and blush). These tend to be the top color choices for bridesmaids dresses.
3. Don’t be over prepared
   • At the weddings I’ve attended, I’ve seen far too many women use their day-to-day totes for their purse of choice. I understand the diaper bag, but for those who don’t have children consider shifting to a clutch minaudiere, or cross body. If you ask me, you just need the essentials: lipstick, mints, and some money.
4. Don’t be casual
   • It’s far better to be overdressed than under. Stay clear from denim and flip-flops. Love is being celebrated. I’s time to dress your best!
5. Do stay informed
   • Always read the entire invitation. It will usually address the dress code. If you’re unsure, refer to #4. Also consider the location. If it’s an outdoor venue, check the weather. You may need to bring an umbrella or some sunnies!
6. Do wear comfortable shoes
   • You should always consider the comfort of your shoes. I know you’re dying to wear those brand new stilettos; however, the wedding may not be the right time. There is a lot of moving at weddings – from ceremony to reception, dancing, taking photos, etc. Wear heels that you’ve already broken in, or sport some cute flats.
7. Do dress cool
   • Unfortunately, summertime means hot weather. If you’re from Texas, then you know the upcoming month is a killer. Dress cool and dress simple. With this heat, layering isn’t needed – unless the ceremony is indoors, in which case you can take a simple wrap or scarf.
8. Do match with him
   • If you do have a date and especially if he’s your boyfriend, fiancé, or husband – do try to match. I’m not encouraging you to pull a Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, but do attempt to coordinate. Make sure your outfits fit the same formality.
9. Do wear light makeup
   • Referring to #7. Summer heat is no joke. Wearing heavy makeup isn’tideal for summer weddings. Consider wearing a BB crème, a lip tint, and minimal eye makeup.
10. Do accessorize smart
    • Like I said earlier, you move a lot at weddings. You’re also hugging lots of people and quite possibly showing off your old college dance moves. My advice – keep jewelry to a minimum. You definitely don’t need to hook an earring or your favorite statement necklace to someone’s dress! Instead sport some studs and a dainty necklace.

My Go-To Wedding Guest Outfit

For this shoot, I wanted to show you exactly what I wear to weddings. I obviously change up dresses, but I usually stay consistent with my accessories.

My go-to summer wedding outfit staples:

• Solid color dress
• Platform heels
• Diamond Studs
• Gold Necklace
• Clutch or Crossbody
• Ray-Ban Aviators

Everything I wore for this shoot, I am crazy obsessed with. I thought I would share a bit more about a few of the items.

The shoes are extremely comfortable and the thick heel makes them super easy to walk in. I wear them to almost every formal event in the summer, thus my choice for weddings. Unfortunately these were from last season and are no longer for sale. Not to worry – I provided similar pairs!

My necklace is vintage and was given to me by my aunt. I wear it every single day. The bracelet was a borrowed treasure from Carrie that I decided to steal that day!

And last but not least – THE PURSE. The beloved Straw Lemon Eva bag from Draper James. You have probably seen it featured in a few of our recent posts. We just can’t get enough of it. Did I also mention that it’s on sale for less than $100?

I absolutely adore this Camilyn Beth dress. The halter neck is flattering and I really enjoy the exposed back. The material is thick, but not enough to make you hot. It appears brighter in person than depicted on their site, but nevertheless I definitely encourage purchasing this for a closet staple. I can’t recommend it enough. Plus, use code “wearwherewell10” for a 10% discount at checkout!

I hope you all learned something new. Do you have any other Do’s and Don’ts for wedding outfits? Make sure to comment below. I love reading all of your opinions!

Also… tomorrow is Friday! Come back tomorrow for another Friday Favorite Finds over the Nordstrom sale. Carrie shared her favorites last Friday, and I can’t help but share with you what I’m loving from the sale!

Finish the week off strong! Make sure to check back tomorrow…

Photos by Maritere Rice