"What's the right attire for a wedding I've been invited to?" "What's the difference between formal and semi-formal attire?" "I heard that the clothing varies depending on the scene..." Many people have these concerns. The most important aspect of choosing wedding attire is mastering the appropriate dress code for 4 different scenes based on time of day and venue atmosphere. In this article, I'll introduce the basics of wedding formal wear and styling tips for 4 different wedding scenarios - daytime and evening, casual and formal.
What is Wedding Formal Attire? Understanding the 4 Basic Scenes
Choosing wedding attire greatly depends on the time indicated in the invitation and the formality of the ceremony. The right outfit shows respect for the newlyweds while making you look appropriate as a guest. Understanding the basics of these 4 scenes will give you confidence to attend any wedding.
"A conversation with a customer who visited our store yesterday"
Customer: "I have a friend's wedding next month and I'm worried about what to wear. The invitation says 'Please come in casual dress'..."
Staff: "That indicates semi-formal attire. Is the ceremony at a hotel or a restaurant?"
Customer: "It's a party-style event at a restaurant."
Staff: "I see. For a wedding at a restaurant, a suit or dress that isn't too casual would be appropriate. Our store carries many dresses that have received great feedback for weddings, parties, and concerts. If you tell us your size, we can offer semi-custom or fully custom-made options."
Wedding attire is broadly divided into two types: formal and semi-formal. Formal wear is the most elegant attire, such as morning coats for daytime and tuxedos for evening events. Semi-formal attire, on the other hand, is slightly more casual, typically dark suits or black suits.
When checking your invitation, you'll often find instructions like "Please come in casual dress" or "Semi-formal attire requested." It's necessary not to overlook these specifications. If there are no instructions, judge based on the time and the formality of the venue.
How to Choose and Style Suits for Different Scenes
For weddings, it's necessary to select attire that not only follows the dress code but also matches the time and atmosphere of the venue. Choose an appropriate suit and coordinate it well to maintain your dignity as a guest while looking stylish.
Customer: "What's the difference between daytime and evening weddings?"
Staff: "The material and color selection changes depending on the time. For daytime, gray or navy suits with matte materials are preferred, while for evening events, black suits or materials with some shine are favored. For women, daytime calls for afternoon dresses or one-piece dresses, while evening events call for cocktail dresses or evening gowns."
For weddings at hotels or high-formality ceremonies, more traditional attire is required. Men should basically wear three-piece suits, white shirts, and ties in subdued colors. Women should choose longer dresses or designs that cover the shoulders.
Conversely, weddings at restaurants allow for more flexible attire. Men can wear setup suits, and it's possible to add some personality with colored shirts or designed ties. Women can choose shorter dresses or outfits with brighter colors.
Customer: "Is denim OK for a wedding at a restaurant?"
Staff: "No, denim, T-shirts, and sneakers are no-gos for weddings. Even in a casual atmosphere, don't forget to maintain elegance. Our store's dresses are perfect for restaurant weddings - not too casual and not too formal, with ideal designs."
Three Steps to Master Semi-Formal Wedding Attire
Recently, weddings with a more casual atmosphere have increased, creating more opportunities to attend in semi-formal attire. Master the basics of semi-formal wear to ensure appropriate attire for any scene.
Staff: "The basics of semi-formal attire can be mastered in three steps. First, the combination of jacket and pants, next, choosing the color of your shirt and tie, and finally, using accessories and small items effectively."
Customer: "Is semi-formal the same as smart casual?"
Staff: "They're similar, but semi-formal for weddings places more emphasis on formality. It's better to choose materials and designs with more luxury than business suits. Our store offers dresses made from luxury materials for weddings and parties. If you tell us your size, semi-custom or fully custom-made options are available."
The basics of semi-formal attire is clothing that's more casual than formal but still has a proper feel. Not only setups with the same color and material, but also styles that combine different colors and materials for tops and bottoms are recognized as semi-formal. However, avoid anything that gives too casual an impression.
Your choice of shirt and tie can significantly change your style's impression. White is the basic for shirts, but pale colors can also be chosen according to the TPO. Select your tie according to the ceremony's atmosphere, but it's safe to avoid overly flashy patterns or primary colors.
Scene-Specific Manners and Important Points to Note
A wedding is a celebration for the bride and groom. When participating as a guest, appropriate attire and behavior are required. Master the manners and points to note for each scene to be a positive contributor to the wedding.
Customer: "Since it's my friend's wedding, I don't want to be too formal..."
Staff: "Even for a friend's wedding, it's necessary to choose attire that matches the venue and time. Designs with too much skin exposure, white dresses, or all-black attire are no-gos. Our store offers various designs to help you find a favorite piece that suits the TPO of the wedding. We also have popular silhouettes that can be worn for concerts or parties."
Wedding dress codes are often specified on the invitation, but if not, check with the host or judge based on the venue and time. For daytime weddings, semi-formal or afternoon dresses are appropriate, while evening events call for cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
For dinner-style weddings at restaurants, attire that's neither too casual nor too formal – so-called smart casual – is preferred. For men, the basics are a jacket, shirt, and leather shoes. For women, we recommend a one-piece dress or a combination of skirt and blouse, paired with pumps and elegant accessories.
At ARUKA DRESS, we've received great feedback for our dresses used at weddings, parties, and concerts. If you tell us your size, we can offer semi-custom or fully custom-made options. We'll help you dress for special occasions with high-quality lace, embroidery, and beautiful line dresses. Please find your favorite piece at our store.
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