Key Takeaways

• Classic Formal Style: Full-length gowns, diamonds, pearls, stilettos, and elegant accessories.
• Chic Style: Combination of traditional and modern looks, summer dresses, cocktail dresses, fitted pants, and blouses.
• Bohemian Chic Style: Lace, tulle, floral crowns, layered jewelry, and unique patterns.
• Cottagecore Style: Natural, floral prints, embroidery, low heels, delicate sandals, and pearls.
• Vintage Style: Deeply colored jewelry, bold makeup, family heirlooms, and classic hairstyles.
• Gothic Style: Black or deep-colored gowns, bold makeup, interesting hairstyles, gloves, and edgy accessories.

Be it a summer or winter wedding, a perfect wedding attire is one thing that you can count on to match not only the theme but also the personal style of the bride. So if you’re getting ready for a close relative or friend’s wedding, or you’re preparing for your own wedding, here’s a simple wedding attire guide that you can use to look gorgeous no matter what the style dictates.

Classic Formal Style

When It’s Your Wedding

If you want to host your wedding in a classic formal venue such as a ballroom in LA or a banquet in Socal, you need to look like the princess of the fairytale that you’re about to create. For a classic formal wedding, go for extravagant but classy looks, such as a ballroom gown. Since formal style weddings are known for their traditional presentation, you must wear a full length bridal gown, preferably with a cathedral train. Accessorize your look with diamonds and pearls, a beautifully crafted veil, and stilettos or pumps of your choice.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

Formal wedding attire might sound too much like a black tie event but it is more flexible than that. While evening gowns are still the top choice, even beautiful midis, jumpsuits, and occasional frocks make their presence known at these events. Based on the season in which the wedding occurs, you can add leather coats, shawls, and gloves to an autumn or winter wedding. 

On the other hand, you can go for sleeveless and backless dresses, and organza gowns for a summer or spring wedding. Remember to accessorize your attire with a matching clutch, pearl or gold earrings, and a simple pendant for a more relaxed formal look.

Chic Style

When It’s Your Wedding

If you want to celebrate your wedding in an elegant but not over the top manner, nothing is better than a chic styled wedding attire. The best part of a chic wedding gown is that it’s a beautiful amalgamation of traditional and modern look. You can play it out in different ways. For instance, you can wear a full length gown with a sweetheart neckline, or a shorter midi with a high neckline. Both of these styles are very different from each other but perfectly chic in their own way. Dress up your ensemble with a matching hair piece, platform heels, matching jewelry and a veil of your choice to add grace to the overall look.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

Whether your personal style is more elegant, or the wedding you’re attending demands a chic style, there are some great ways for you to turn some heads throughout the ceremony.  For a smart chic look, opt for a cute summer dress or a cocktail dress with pumps. However, if you’re going to celebrate a wedding during the cooler seasons in an elegant LA penthouse downtown, you can even go for a fitted pants and blouse set. A classic chunky belt, hoop earrings, and some peep toes will add an air of sophistication to the whole ensemble. You can even add a short blazer to your outfit if you’re celebrating in the open and want to avoid the chills.

Bohemian Chic Style

When It’s Your Wedding

Bohemian chic style has to be the most freeing style of all. Lying on the end of the dresscode spectrum, this style brings you the opportunity to create a unique and artisanal look for yourself as the belle of the ball. Whether you’re celebrating your wedding in a rustic barn or vintage farm, the best way to create an enchanting look is by playing around with fabrics such as lace and tulle. Try backless dresses with half updos, or try a summer beach wave hairstyle with a floral crown. Pick unique patterns and wear layered jewelry such as layered necklaces and bracelets.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

Being a boho chic wedding guest means that you get to experiment with your style more. Whether you want to play along with the denims or wear a flowy dress, the choice is yours. Try pairing up your outfit with hats, large earrings, multiple necklaces and cut out heels or boots for an elevated look. If you’re going all out and the venue is situated in a vineyard or beach, then you can even add tote or sling bags to your ensemble. Pick multicolored dresses, or even pair a nice long skirt with a crop top. 

Cottagecore Style

When It’s Your Wedding

Cottagecore style is soft and natural. The aesthetic is inspired by countryside life and being one with nature. While the aesthetic may play out the best with a countryside or farm venue, you can incorporate elements of nature into your wedding ensemble to match the theme. Whether you want to wear a full length gown or a cute mini dress, focus on the details of your outfit, such as adding floral prints and embroidery to it. Pick natural makeup and soft curly hair to enhance your look. When choosing your footwear go for low or no heels, or delicate sandals. Try incorporating jewelry that gives off the essence of being a part of nature. Usually pearls work beautifully for this understated look and add a layer of gravitas to the bridal ensemble.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

Cottage core style is extremely beautiful and understated at the same time. The natural beauty of the aesthetic is bound to make you fall in love with it. Dress for the occasion as if you’re ready to pick some strawberries from the farm, or are taking a stroll in the park. Short, floral dresses combined with minimal jewelry, kitten heels, and pastel painted nails will bring out the best in you. Keep the makeup as natural as possible, and add a floral hair clip to complete the ensemble. You can even tie a bow in your hair, or try a simple fish braid to add a touch of whimsy.

Vintage Style

When It’s Your Wedding

Vintage wedding aesthetics are all about being classy. Create an aww worthy look by embellishing your full length wedding dress with deeply colored jewelry and accessories. Go for rubies and emeralds for your jewelry choice to show that old money aesthetic and complement it with slink back heels. Enhance the overall look by choosing makeup that’s bold such as a ruby red lip and black eyeliner. Try to incorporate family heirlooms into the look. Slick back buns and high ponytails are some of the most cherished hairstyles for this aesthetic. Try adding full sleeves to the look if you’re celebrating the wedding in an outdoor location such as a vineyard, especially during the sunset.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

As a guest at a vintage aesthetic wedding you must keep in mind that elegance is everything. From the kind of dress you choose to wear to the color of jewelry, your entire outfit can either be a hit or a miss. Based on the weather, feel free to experiment with midi dresses and fitted long dresses. While the makeup can be more dramatic with thick winged eyeliner or even graphic eyeliner, keep your hairstyle more neat with a slicked back style to maintain harmony in the ensemble. Choose vintage jewelry pieces and peep toe platforms to create an aesthetic outfit. 

Gothic Style

When It’s Your Wedding

If you love to dress edgy and bold, and are preparing for a gothic wedding, you must include the essence of the aesthetic in every element of your bridal ensemble. There’s so much to choose from in terms of outfit. You could pick the classic black wedding gown or a Victorian era inspired red gown. The style gives you the opportunity to express yourself through bold makeup choices including but not limited to deep red lips and graphic eyeliners with long false lashes. Try to add gravitas to the look with interesting hairstyle options, gloves, and a pair of pointed toe T strap heels.

When You’re Attending A Wedding

A gothic wedding can be really fun as a guest. You get the opportunity to go all out and wear your most favorite dark outfits. Try deep colored dresses such as shades of red, black, purple, and emerald. You can choose to wear gloves and hats to match the dress, and use corsets to enhance the look. Wear wedges or peep toe mary jane to complete your ensemble and finish it off with matching chokers or other accessories. 

Wrapping It Up

Fashion trends may come and go but your wedding attire should match the style of the wedding, no matter if you’re the bride or a guest. Different styles offer you an opportunity to explore your fashion sense and know what works best for you. Remember to keep the look fun and wear whatever you feel the most comfortable and confident in. So, whether you’re preparing for a bohemian chic wedding or you’re about to be a part of a gorgeous cottagecore wedding, keep your wits about you and follow this guide to look your best and get lots of compliments!