When you receive a wedding invitation, the first question that often comes to mind is: “What should I wear?”
Regardless of the ceremony’s level of formality or style, there are a few etiquette rules every guest should know and respect.
Dear guest, keep these golden rules in mind:
Never wear all white: that’s the bride’s color—hers alone.
Avoid all black unless the dress code specifically allows it.
Don’t wear evening gowns to a morning wedding—or vice versa.
Absolutely no jeans (even designer ones), sneakers, or flip-flops.
Skip leather, studs, ultra-short skirts, or overly sheer dresses—opt for understated elegance instead.
Choose small bags or clutches; avoid flashy jewelry.
Don’t wear fully open or overly casual shoes.
Makeup and hairstyle? Yes—but tasteful: no eccentric looks.
For female guests, soft pastels, floral prints, and light tones are always appropriate. For evening weddings, a knee-length or full-length dress is ideal, depending on the formality of the event.
For men:
Avoid mismatched suits.
No black or overly bright colors.
Stick with a white shirt and a solid-color tie.
Always wear socks with your shoes—seriously.
Tuxedos are not considered formalwear for weddings in Italy, so best skip them.
Morning coats (tight) are appropriate only if the groom wears one and the ceremony is before 4 p.m.
In short: never upstage the couple—especially the bride—and always respect the occasion and those who invited you. Elegance lies not in showing off, but in making tasteful, thoughtful choices.