What to Wear to an Afternoon Wedding Reception

By Lesley Bracker , last updated July 21, 2011

When deciding what to wear to an afternoon wedding, keep one rule in mind: no white. As long as you don't wear white, or even cream, you can’t go too wrong. (White is for the bride.)

Pants are not appropriate for a wedding, nor are jeans. Unless the bride is having a western themed wedding, complete with horseback riding, don't consider jeans, and this goes for men, too. A pant suit is appropriate for an afternoon wedding, but it would have to be of the highest quality, even a designer like Prada or Chanel. Pant suits are often too casual or too corporate.

You'll want to wear a dress that is not too formal, not too beachy, and not too revealing. Something that you'll feel comfortable in is ideal, since you'll be in it for many hours, sometimes without sitting for a long stretch of time (cocktail and photograph hour) and you should be dancing in it, too! If it's outdoors, be sensitive to whether or not your dress is transparent. Try to wear something colorful, avoid black. A skirt and blouse is often perfect for an afternoon wedding. Again, nothing too casual.

Be very particular about the shoes you choose. An open-toed sandal might be perfect at the beach, but not always for a church wedding. Don't be too trendy, unless your bride is a real fashionista. A good looking pump is always great with any outfit, and always stylish, as well as being very flattering for your legs. If it's in the garden, be aware that you may sink into the grass if in heels. A platform might be more comfortable in this case.

A great looking scarf or shawl is a perfect accessory for any wedding outfit, especially when keeping the jewelry light. You want to be chic, respectful and look your best.

Resources and References

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