Spring is one of the most popular times to get married. If you’re going to attend a spring wedding in 2023, you may wonder what to wear.
With the unpredictable weather and the temperatures starting to warm up, it can be tricky to know what to wear to a spring wedding.
To help you decide, we have put together an ultimate guide to what to wear to a spring wedding. We will cover everything from wedding dress codes to choosing the best colors and accessories according to wedding locations.
By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to look your best at that special event.
Table of Contents
How Fancy Will Be The Wedding?
Most wedding invitations will specify the level of formality or attire, including cocktail, semi-formal, formal, or casual, as well as if it is required to wear a black or white tie. According to the level of formality, here are some suggestions on what to wear at a wedding as a guest.
- Formal Attire (Black Tie & White Tie)
Usually, when you think of formal attire, you think of a black tie. Though it doesn’t have to be a full ballgown, this typically calls for a formal gown.
The best option is to wear a full-length dress that covers the legs; you should concentrate on choosing attire made of upscale fabrics and in solid colors. It should be subtle, stylish, and functional if you wear a print.
Feel free to wear bright colors or add some sparkle. Formal dresses are improved with heels and minimal jewelry. As the focus should remain on the bride and husband, stay away from overly bold, ballgown-like, or dramatic cut-outs.
Even more formal than black tie, white tie events are the most traditional. Consider attending a royal gala or the opera’s opening night.
Even though this is a less popular wedding outfit these days, you might still see it if the wedding is in a luxury location like a museum, opera house, or ballroom or if there will be notable people in attendance.
A fancy evening gown, tasteful jewelry, long white gloves, and fur coats are appropriate for a white tie. Although this can seem out of date, it can make for some of the most stunning weddings you’ll ever experience.
- Cocktail Attire
The majority of wedding invitations you’ll receive will be considered semi-formal. Even though this dress code is less formal than a black tie, an exquisite skirt or informal dress is still required.
Cocktail attire is trendy for short and midi dresses. Your outfit’s style, patterns, shapes, and colors may vary depending on the location and time of day. Pick chiffon, linen, or organza for your summer cocktail outfit. Most daytime celebrations call for floral or pastel midi dresses, but a fitted jumpsuit is a terrific choice if you want to break the norm a little.
- Informal Attire
You can choose how to dress based on the venue if the wedding invitation specifies informal or casual clothes. However, if you hear this directly from the spouse, this does not imply wearing pants or sweats.
As an alternative, consider wearing a sundress or a lovely top with tailored pants and a skirt as business casual attire. You’ll probably find casual wear for daytime receptions or informal locations, but an increasingly common trend for wedding attire is an elevated-casual style.
How Will The Day Of The Wedding Appear?
- Add Layers According To The Weather
The weather is another essential factor to take into account. Spring weddings typically occur on hot, muggy days (depending on the location of the wedding). But spring can also be a little erratic, and you might have a severe thunderstorm or one of those late-winter colds.
Now you’re wondering what to wear to a spring wedding when it’s cold outside.
So, before the wedding, check the weather to ensure you have dressed appropriately and have the right shoes. It never costs anything to pack an extra layer in case you are cold, such as a lightweight jacket, adorable cardigan, or shoulder wrap.
In addition, choose wedges that won’t sink into the ground on cloudy or rainy days.
- Day & Timing
Keep in mind the wedding’s time of day as well. Although the invitation specifies semi-formal or casual, a late afternoon or evening wedding is likely to be more formal. Make your outfit more dramatic by wearing darker hues, bold patterns, or embellishments.
In a morning or mid-day wedding, light colors, delicate designs, and shorter gowns and skirts may be suitable since the atmosphere will likely be a bit less formal.
Location Of The Wedding
As a guest at a spring wedding, the venue plays a crucial role in determining the level of formality and the style of attire. For instance, ballrooms are generally more casual than beaches or vineyards.
To help you look for dresses or other costumes that would exquisitely complement the setting, we’ve listed some of our favorite wedding guest outfit ideas for spring 2023 below.
- Museum & Library
Our favorite settings are restaurants, museums, libraries, and downtown neighborhoods. The great thing about these places is that your attire can be creative and innovative to fit the distinctive ambiance.
A semi-formal wedding site is popular, but the couple may prefer a more formal or informal setting.
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions for these various environments:
The addition of color or a striking design to your attire for a wedding at an art gallery. This is the time to be stylish and inventive, especially if the married couple also tends to be more imaginative or bold.
Try several patterns and looks to see which ones best suit your personality and the intended aesthetic of the occasion.
A museum wedding might call for fewer vivid patterns and more stunning silhouettes. If you enjoy breaking the mold, a fitted jumpsuit made of premium fabric gives the beauty of a dress with the ease and comfort of pants.
Add heels and a classy bag to dress it up. Re-wear this attire with flat shoes and a tote bag for happy hour after the wedding.
- Palace & Ballroom
Bring your full-length dresses for a formal wedding at a ballroom, castle, or other luxury location. It would be so much fun to go all out for this occasion. Focus on the following when choosing attire for spring wedding guests:
Elegant, flowing textiles: Avoid wearing warm or heavy textiles when going to a winter wedding. Choose opulent fabrics that flow with motion instead, such as chiffon, organza, georgette, or crepe.
Choose a stunning silk or satin gown if you like a more organic, eco-friendly fabric that is also classically exquisite.
Vibrant and saturated: For evening weddings, you can get away with wearing darker hues, but don’t hesitate to try on dresses in pastels or brighter shades to symbolize springtime.
Special embellishments: If you choose, you may add bling to your dress in a few flirty ruffles, eye-catching lace, or a thin layer of sparkles. Don’t go crazy; the focus should be on the engaged pair.
Beautiful silhouettes: Find the waist, skirt, collar, and sleeve lengths that best match your style and body shape. The many stunning gowns available will undoubtedly make you feel lovely.
The subdued design of this yellow dress adds texture without being overpowering. She makes it more casual with a wicker handbag, but you could easily make it more formal with a glittering clutch.
This dress has a vivid springtime sense because of the pink hue and length while still feeling professional and sophisticated thanks to the fabric and backless design. This evening gown also displays versatility despite its unflattering waistline.
- Backyard
One of my favorite springtime wedding locations is a garden. Florals are always a good choice for an outdoor spring wedding. The right floral pattern may remain timeless despite spring 2023’s focus on fresh blooms.
Look for a floral pattern that fits your sense of fashion. Consider choosing a feminine, flouncy style if you adore ruffles!
Try embroidered florals on a solid hue if you’re looking for something classier and more sophisticated.
The ideal maxi flower dress may be both casual and elegant for a professional look, making it suitable for outdoor weddings.
- Beach & Other Destinations
Beach or destination weddings are typically classified as semi-formal or casual. Light hues, airy vibes, and flowy skirts are all you need. You should choose a long maxi dress to prevent your skirt from flapping in the wind.
A mermaid silhouette is also ideal for an oceanfront setting. With these guest gowns, you can expose more skin but remember your SPF. For a destination or ocean wedding, vibrant blues complement the sky and sea. Blue also seems to reflect the waves and keep them flowing.
Using a fun color scheme or an ombre effect is also possible. Wearing bright, light colors is ideal at the beach!
What Accessories Are Suitable?
Take the time to carefully evaluate your accessories because they can drastically change your clothing from casual to dressy. The following suggestions are broad guidelines for choosing wedding guest accessories, not inflexible rules.
- Put on shoes that go with your purse. It’s the simplest way to dress with style and purpose.
- Handbags with clutch are typically more dressy. Avoid carrying oversized baggage because it will only impede your movement. A crossbody or long-shoulder purse would work just as well for semi-formal or casual occasions.
- Formal hats like veil or pin hats can be a delightful accent for garden or country club weddings.
- For formal occasions, put on stilettos or high flats. Heels, wedges, or fancy flats are also typically required for semi-formal occasions. Sandals can be used for informal outdoor gatherings or seaside weddings. Avoid wearing flip-flops at all costs.
- Jewelry can be a focal point on more formal occasions or a minimalist addition. Let your outfit take precedence over your jewelry when attending semi-formal events. However, wear more striking jewelry if your dress is simpler.
What Dress Makes You Happy?
Finding the ideal spring wedding guest dress may be challenging with the abundance of available alternatives. Therefore, give up looking for the “ideal” dress. Search for outfits that make you joyful instead! Your confidence will be evident if you feel great while wearing a dress.
You will be able to wear an outfit repeatedly and turn it into a wardrobe essential by choosing a dress that fits your unique style rather than something popular.
The only drawback to purchasing a wedding guest dress is that it collects dust in your wardrobe after one use.
However, if you buy a dress that you adore, that complements your figure and sense of style, and that is timeless enough to be worn year after year, that dress can become a high-quality investment that you will cherish and wear for many years.
So, choose the garment that appeals to you and rock it, whether it’s a maxi or midi dress, a wrap dress, a floral or printed dress, or even a jumpsuit or matching set!
Wrapping Up!
Spring weddings are an excellent opportunity to show your style. With so many options available, it can take time to decide what to wear. This guide provided great suggestions for what to wear to a spring wedding. Whether you choose to go with a traditional look or something more unique, be sure to share your thoughts with us.
