Attire For an Afternoon Wedding
What to wear to an afternoon wedding depends on more than simply the time of day. A major factor is the location. The season of the year and the day's weather forecast also impact your choice of attire, particularly for an outdoor event. Even the time of afternoon--early vs. late--makes a difference. Finally, the style of the wedding--formal or casual--provides a critical clue on what to wear. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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A beach wedding requires less formal attire. If the wedding is at a beach, opt for more casual attire than you would for a formal church wedding. Casual options for women include colorful or floral dresses or skirts with a blouse or sweater set, while formal venues demand dresses or suits in the same color palette (with or without a matching hat). Men can choose between slacks with a dress shirt and jacket (tie optional) for the casual event or a light, neutral-colored suit or slacks, dress shirt, jacket and tie for the formal venue.
Season
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A light-colored suit is appropriate in both warm-weather and cold-weather weddings. While cold-weather weddings require heavier fabrics than warm, maintain the same overall feel for an afternoon wedding--lighter hues--no matter the season. Dark colors and anything in navy blue or black generally should be saved for an evening event. For men, winter weddings offer for a few more options, such as dress pants and a blazer with a coordinating sweater and tie or a jacket with a matching turtleneck.
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Forecast
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Sunglasses may be a necessity for outdoor weddings in sunny climates. For outdoor weddings in windy locales, women should avoid garments with billowy skirts that could blow up in a sudden gust. Especially during rainy seasons, leave the high heels at home if you will be walking on sand or grass. Bring an umbrella if rain is predicted, but do not forget your shades if sunshine is in the forecast.
Early vs. Late Afternoon
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Brighten up a black dress with a colorful scarf or pin to add a festive air. As noted, most etiquette experts advise female guests to choose clothing in lighter colors for afternoon wedding attire. One rule always emphasized: Never wear black. But today, views on this decree have changed, and black is considered acceptable for late afternoon weddings. If you choose this option, be sure to select outfits that are not so conservative that they give off a funereal vibe. Add a colorful scarf, shawl or pin to provide a festive air.
Formality
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If you are unsure of the formality of the occasion, refer to the wedding invitation itself. Is it printed on heavy, posh paper with fancy calligraphy? Or does it have a creative font, a whimsical graphic and a light-hearted tone? Does the invitation state whether the reception will be in the church basement or a sit-down meal? Use these clues to determine whether the event will be formal or casual. Although most people associate formal weddings with evening, planning formal ceremonies for afternoons is not unheard of. If your invitation indicates the wedding will be formal, women should choose a suit or cocktail dress that is tasteful and not revealing. The appropriate outfit for men is a suit and tie, unless more formal attire is indicated.
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References
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- Photo Credit wedding chairs image by Kimberly Reinick from Fotolia.com beach wedding image by chinatiger from Fotolia.com shirt, tie, suit, blue, green, tan image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com pretty woman in sunglasses image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com 4 foulards-2 image by Georges Lievre from Fotolia.com
