WHAT TO WEAR TO A WEDDING: Ideas To Share With Your Client

Of course your client (not the bride!) is coming to you asking how to wear her hair and make up to a wedding, but does she ever ask what she should actually WEAR? David's Bridal, the famed bridal store with 300 locations across the United States, realizes that deciphering an invitation can be tough - the "rules" are different for different times of day, as well as different formalities (informal, formal, etc.)

Here David's Bridal offers tips and the do's and don't's of wedding dressing:

Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (business attire OK for morning weddings)

Informal Evening: Cocktail dress (which is any dressier dress -- for example, a little black dress -- that's not full-length.)

Semi-Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit

Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress

Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit.

Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)

Ultra-formal or White Tie: Long gown, extra glitz (Costume Jewelry, faux diamonds, furs, etc.)

 

Dos and Don'ts:

* If you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't. Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event.

* Don't wear white because it competes with the bride, unless you ask her first, as a courtesy. There are plenty of other colors available. This rule may seem outdated, but it's actually just good etiquette to not contend with the bride on her special day.

* Anything too sparkly will make you look overdressed. Don't wear black or sequins during the daytime.

* Don't worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can't possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.

* Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn't belong at a wedding. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.

* Casual can mean a pretty sundress (like for a coastal or beach wedding) but rarely means something as sloppy as jeans or shorts.