Wedding invitations often leave guests with questions about attire. What does "garden party attire" really mean? Can you wear a bright colour? How formal is formal? This guide addresses these concerns specifically for Australian weddings, helping you navigate dress codes with confidence.
Blue is a particularly excellent choice for wedding guests. It's celebratory without being attention-seeking, photographs beautifully, and works across virtually all wedding styles and settings.
The Golden Rules of Wedding Guest Dressing
Before diving into specific scenarios, these universal guidelines apply to almost every wedding:
Never Wear White or Ivory
This is the most important rule. White and ivory are reserved for the bride. Even cream, champagne, or very pale pink can photograph as white and should be avoided unless the couple has specifically indicated it's acceptable.
Avoid Outshining the Bridal Party
You want to look wonderful, but this isn't the occasion to make a statement that competes with the bride or bridesmaids. Save extremely dramatic looks for other events.
Respect the Dress Code
If the invitation specifies a dress code, honour it. The couple has chosen it deliberately, often to match their venue or vision. Ignoring it is disrespectful and may make you feel awkward on the day.
Consider the Setting
A beach wedding requires different footwear than a cathedral ceremony. Think practically about what you'll be standing on, walking through, and sitting in.
What to Avoid
Beyond white, also avoid black for daytime weddings (can seem funereal), anything too revealing for the setting, and very casual items like denim or trainers unless specifically indicated.
Beach Weddings
Australia's beautiful coastline makes beach weddings popular. These casual-elegant affairs require practical yet pretty choices.
What to Wear
- Silhouette: Flowing maxi dresses, midi lengths, or tea-length styles that move with the breeze
- Fabric: Light, breathable materials like chiffon, cotton, or linen
- Shade: Light blues, turquoise, and sky blue complement coastal settings beautifully
- Footwear: Wedges, espadrilles, or elegant flat sandals (heels sink in sand)
Practical Considerations
- Bring a light wrap for wind or air-conditioned reception venues
- Secure hair to manage sea breezes
- Consider whether you'll need to remove shoes for sand ceremonies
- Test how your dress moves in wind before the day
Pro Tip
For beach weddings, choose dresses with some weight in the hem to prevent constant billowing. Chiffon with a lining or jersey materials behave better in wind than light, unlined fabrics.
Garden Party Weddings
Garden and outdoor weddings call for pretty, romantic styles that suit the natural setting while being practical for potentially uneven ground.
What to Wear
- Silhouette: A-line, fit-and-flare, or flowing midi styles
- Fabric: Floral prints, feminine details, and soft colours suit garden settings
- Shade: Powder blue, periwinkle, and soft teal complement greenery beautifully
- Footwear: Block heels or wedges prevent sinking into grass; consider bringing flats for later
Weather Considerations
Outdoor weddings are weather-dependent. Bring a wrap or jacket for temperature changes, and consider whether your dress will be comfortable in heat. A backup plan (like fold-up flats in your bag) is always wise.
Formal Evening Weddings
Black tie and formal evening weddings call for elegant, sophisticated attire. This is your chance to wear something truly special.
What to Wear
- Silhouette: Floor-length gowns or elegant cocktail dresses
- Fabric: Luxe materials like silk, satin, velvet, or quality crepe
- Shade: Deep navy, sapphire, or cobalt create stunning impact for evening
- Details: Subtle embellishments, elegant draping, or beautiful simplicity
Formal Attire Checklist
- Dress is appropriate length and coverage for the venue
- Accessories are elegant and refined
- Comfortable evening heels you can dance in
- Small clutch for essentials
Key Takeaway
For black tie weddings, err on the side of more formal. A floor-length navy gown is always appropriate and makes you feel special without any risk of being underdressed.
Semi-Formal and Cocktail Weddings
This middle-ground dress code is common for Australian weddings. It offers flexibility while still calling for dressed-up attire.
What to Wear
- Silhouette: Midi dresses, tea-length styles, or sophisticated knee-length options
- Fabric: Quality materials that look intentionally dressy
- Shade: Royal blue, teal, or any vibrant blue works beautifully
- Style: Polished but not as dramatic as full evening wear
Daytime Weddings
Morning or afternoon ceremonies typically call for lighter, less formal styling than evening events.
What to Wear
- Silhouette: Wrap dresses, A-lines, or elegant shirt dresses
- Fabric: Lighter materials appropriate for daytime
- Shade: Light and mid-tone blues work beautifully for daytime
- Accessories: Less formal than evening; sundress-appropriate jewellery
Destination and Themed Weddings
Australian couples increasingly host destination weddings or themed celebrations. These require specific consideration.
Destination Weddings
Consider packing practicalities alongside style. Choose a dress that travels well (doesn't wrinkle excessively) and suits the destination's climate and setting. Research the location to understand appropriate attire.
Themed Weddings
If a couple requests specific colours, eras, or themes, make an effort to participate. Blue dresses can work with many themes. A 1920s wedding might call for a dropped-waist blue sequined dress; a rustic theme suits a simple, flowing blue maxi.
What About Wearing Blue When Bridesmaids Are in Blue?
A common concern! Generally, it's absolutely fine to wear blue when bridesmaids are also wearing blue. Here's how to navigate it:
- Choose a different shade: If bridesmaids are in navy, wear powder blue or vice versa
- Vary the silhouette: A different style ensures you don't look like part of the bridal party
- Ask if unsure: When in doubt, reach out to the couple or wedding party
A Note on Photographs
Consider how your dress will photograph. Solid colours generally photograph better than small, busy prints. Avoid anything so bright or attention-grabbing that it pulls focus in formal wedding photos.
Accessorising for Weddings
The right accessories complete your wedding guest look:
- Jewellery: Elegant but not overwhelming; consider the formality level
- Bag: Small clutch or elegant handbag that holds essentials
- Shoes: Comfortable enough for ceremony, reception, and dancing
- Wrap: Almost always useful for air conditioning or outdoor temperature changes
- Hat/Fascinator: Common for daytime formal weddings but not required unless specified
Final Checklist Before the Day
- Dress is clean, pressed, and fits well
- Accessories are coordinated and ready
- Shoes are comfortable and broken in
- You've considered weather and venue practicalities
- You feel confident and excited to celebrate
Wedding guest dressing should be joyful, not stressful. A beautiful blue dress that suits the setting and makes you feel wonderful is always appropriate. Focus on celebrating the couple's special day, and your confidence will shine through whatever you wear.