What Kind of Dress to Wear on a Church Wedding
Meeting with a good friend last week, we got to talking about what to wear to a church wedding ceremony. She had invited me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding and had failed to communicate what I was supposed to wear, which left me nervous and unsure of her expectations. During our discussion I realized that, despite my extensive experience planning weddings and attending them, even I did not know the "proper" attire for going to a church wedding, so I figured it must be confusing for everyone else too.
Dressing for a church wedding ceremony is something people want to do nicely without being too formal or flashy. I believe that you can get a clean, neat and tidy look for church wedding with the proper planning. Some of the important things to remember when choosing what to wear are the time of the ceremony and dress code. Dress code is largely determined by time of wedding ceremony start, location of the church and formality of the church.
A church wedding ceremony can be one of the most meaningful moments in a couple's life — but what to wear hints at its importance. There are many ways to get married: an intimate civil service, a grand reception at a hotel, beach wedding or vow renewal with family at home, but no matter whether your shunning tradition or embracing it there are steps that must be taken leading up to the ceremony and on the day itself.
Some people may say this is the best event of your life and you should wear a tuxedo. Other's may say that wearing anything but white is considered inappropriate. There are a lot of things to think about before deciding what to wear. This article serves as a guide to church wedding attire so you can be prepared for any situation that arises.
The standard for what to wear to a church wedding ceremony is generally pretty relaxed. You can wear anything from a casual dress to a more formal outfit, depending on your own personal style and comfort level. Most people will be wearing something comfortable, but if you're going for something more dressed up, it's perfectly fine to do so.
When you're attending a wedding ceremony at a church, the most important thing to remember is that it's a formal occasion. That means that you should wear your best clothes and make sure they're clean.
If you are invited to attend the wedding as a guest, you don't have to bring a gift—but if you do want to bring one, stick with something small like flowers or a bottle of wine.
You'll also want to arrive early so that there's plenty of time for everyone to find their seats before the ceremony starts.
Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on casual church wedding attire, what to wear to a wedding reception female, simple church wedding dress, and so much more. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics.
What to wear to a church wedding ceremony
Introduction
It can be difficult to know what is appropriate to wear to a wedding ceremony based in a church. Rules of etiquette vary widely depending on the type of religious celebration and the denomination. For example, some denominations require conservative dress for worship, while others allow more flexibility. If you are unfamiliar with the rules for a particular church, it is best to ask your host or inquire at the church office ahead of time so that you will be prepared. The following general guide will give you an idea of what to wear or not wear when attending a Christian wedding ceremony in a church setting:
Women
- Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse.
- Women should wear a hat.
- Women should wear shoes with a heel.
Men
Men
The best kind of suit to wear to a church wedding ceremony is a dark suit. The shirt should be white or light colored, and the tie should be darker than the shirt and not black. Even though black shoes are standard at formal events, you may want to go for something more interesting if you're wearing a more casual outfit like jeans and a blazer.
Children (boys and girls)
The groom and groomsmen should wear dark suits and ties. The bride and bridesmaids should wear dresses, either long or short, with white shoes. Girls should have their hair up in an updo (or braided), while boys can wear it down. It's a good idea to have children carry flowers if they're old enough to do so safely; at the very least, they can hold them in their hands as they walk down the aisle.*
Also remember that all guests attending the ceremony must be dressed appropriately for church—no shorts or revealing tank tops!
simple church wedding dress
It is important to dress appropriately for a church wedding ceremony.
It is important to dress appropriately for a church wedding ceremony.
Dress for the season. For example, if it's too hot or cold outside, consider wearing something light and airy that doesn't hinder you from moving around easily (e.g., long sleeves). If it's raining, wear shoes that can get wet without ruining your outfit (#saltandvinegar).
Dress for the venue. Some venues have restrictions on what you're allowed to wear inside their church; make sure you check with them before heading out the door so there are no surprises at the door!
Dress for the weather conditions outside – rain can be dangerous if not prepared with proper footwear (see above), while snow can cause damage if not dressed properly because water gets trapped under clothes due to body heat which then freezes when exposed again after leaving an indoor environment (this happened once when I was trying out some new winter gear).
Dress according to occasion type: Is this going to be more formal or casual? Do they allow tuxedos? What kind?
casual church wedding attire
It is often the case that when we are invited to a wedding, one of the first things to consider is what you will wear to celebrate the occasion. Particularly when no dress code is given, it is important to ensure that you are wearing an outfit that reflects the formality of the occasion, and often there are particular things that both male and female guests will need to consider, particularly if the wedding in question will be held in a church.
So, what do you wear to a church wedding? Church weddings require guests to be respectful of religious connotations along with any requests of the bride and groom. So, it is usually advised that guests wear 'Sunday best' to a church wedding. For men, this might mean a suit with appropriate footwear and for women an outfit with a modest hem and neckline and covered shoulders.
Typically, the dress code for any wedding is indicated by the formality of the invitation and depends on the time of day, location, and preferences of the happy couple.
How Should I Dress For A Church Wedding?
You should dress formally yet elegantly for a church wedding. It is also generally advised to wear a shawl or coverup over the shoulders.
It is always better to 'over-dress' than to take a more casual approach at a wedding (unless specifically advised by the bride and groom).
Weddings are usually quite formal celebrations in that there are many traditional elements that couples often choose to uphold.
Traditionally, wedding attire is relatively formal, hence our advice as to what to wear to a church wedding.
If you are unsure of the formality of the wedding celebration you are attending, I would always advise speaking to the happy couple to ask for their opinion.
It is quite common for guests of a church wedding to dress however they wish, but to bring with them a jacket, scarf, or shawl to the church ceremony.
Covering up a slightly more revealing outfit is seen as a sign of respect in the church.
The term Sunday best originates from the nineteenth century, where people's best clothing was typically reserved for special occasions and attending church.
Nowadays, the phrase refers to formal clothing.
Attending any wedding, I thoroughly enjoy looking at what others are wearing.
This weekend we attended the wedding of our friends – held in a church.
Most of the men in attendance were wearing formal suits with ties and smart dress shoes.
As it happened, the majority of the men wore blue suits but any color – black, grey, brown – would be acceptable for a church wedding.
The women wore a variety of different outfit styles.
Some wore smart skirts, blouses, and jackets, others were in formal dresses and a few of the female guests wore pantsuits.
I was surprised to see that a few of the guests wore halter-neck dresses or dresses with very narrow straps.
This got me thinking about whether or not shoulders need to be covered in a church.
So, I did some research. Read on to discover what I found.
Do Shoulders Need To be Covered In Church?
When attending a wedding mass in a church, it is advised, (but not enforced) that women should cover their shoulders. This is a long-standing tradition of modesty during church services and does differ depending on the church. For example, during a Catholic wedding mass, it is more likely that women would be expected to cover their shoulders.
That being said, it does not mean that you cannot wear an off-the-shoulder or strapless dress to a church wedding.
Quite the opposite, in fact, it may just take some forethought and a root around in your closet or trip to the store to ensure that you have a jacket, shawl, or simple throw to cover your shoulders during the church ceremony part of the wedding day.
Some churches do have a slightly more modern view on appropriate attire and so sleeveless dresses or shirts are absolutely fine to wear.
Often, churches will have a website where this sort of information can be found so guest can plan their outfit accordingly.
And, again, if there is any uncertainty in your mind about whether or not to cover your shoulders at a church wedding, we would highly recommend seeking the guidance of the wedding couple beforehand.
What Not To Wear To A Church Wedding
As with any formal event or occasion, there are certain things to avoid wearing to a church wedding. These include trainers, sportswear, highly revealing outfits, swimwear, the color white (unless explicitly stated), denim, clothing that is ripped or has holes in, sweats, and t-shirts.
It goes without saying that it should only be the bride – or brides – in white on their wedding day.
So perhaps steer clear of that white dress in your closet. Even if it is white with patterns or print on, I would recommend avoiding so as not to cause any upset.
Men, in particular, should avoid wearing trainers with their suits.
Not only does it look bad, but trainers are considered informal attire by most establishments – including some bars, nightclubs, restaurants and you guessed it- churches.
A dress shoe in either black or brown often works well.
Sweats and sportswear are also not appropriate in that they are just a bit too casual for an occasion such as a wedding.
If you are wanting to be comfortable at the wedding, instead opt for a floaty dress or loose-fitting shirt.
On their wedding day, the bride and groom (or any other combination of those roles!) understandably should be the star of the show, so guests should try to avoid wearing a highly revealing outfit to the wedding.
Not only does this detract attention away from the happy couple, but it may be viewed as disrespectful in a setting such as a church.
Denim is also a no-no for wedding attire, being more of an everyday look, guests are encouraged to make an effort with their appearance and so avoiding a casual denim look is encouraged.
Finally
Weddings are momentous occasions in peoples' lives.
The formality of the happy couples' nuptials will often be dictated by the formality of the invitation.
Either way, making an effort with your outfit as a wedding guest for a church wedding is the best way to go.
And if you are looking for inspiration or a particular outfit, head over to Church Dress Collection on The Dress Outlet.
Trust me, you'll find something there.
And while they meet the criteria, if you don't shop there and decide to do so elsewhere, have in mind the phrase Sunday Best when selecting your outfit for a church wedding. This way you won't go wrong!
Conclusion
We hope that these guidelines can help you be properly dressed for any church wedding ceremony, regardless of the season or location. We want to emphasize that what matters most is that you show up appropriately attired and ready to celebrate with the couple. We hope this information helps make your shopping experience a little less stressful and more enjoyable!
Source: https://churchgists.com/what-to-wear-to-a-church-wedding-ceremony/
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