Can You Wear A Maxi Dress To A Wedding?

One of the most exciting things about being a wedding guest, aside from actually watching two of your favorite people getting married, is deciding what to wear. There are not many chances to get dolled up, so we all tend to make the most of it when a wedding rolls around. However, there are some things you should not wear, and it can get a little confusing when it comes to deciding what appropriate wedding attire is. Maxi dresses fall into such a category. 

So, can you wear a maxi dress to a wedding? You can wear a maxi dress to a wedding. In fact, a maxi dress can be an ideal option for a wedding guest. Just ensure you opt for a classic style in gentle pastel colors. You will want to refrain from cut out styles, low-cuts, sheers, animal prints, or the most important one of all – an all-white dress.

As you can see, it’s not as simple as just a yes and no.

There are certainly some things you need to be careful of, and even avoid, when it comes to a maxi dress outfit. 

But fear not. 

If you are worried about what you can and cannot wear to a wedding, this article is going to break down all the maxi dress etiquette you need to know and even some dress code tips for good measure.

Should You Wear A Maxi Dress To A Wedding?

Maxi dresses are the perfect wedding attire of choice for a guest. Not only are there a million and one styles to choose from, but they can easily fit most wedding themes, dress codes, and even the season.

Most weddings nowadays will have some sort of dress code. 

Often this will be included on your invitation, but if it isn’t, you can always contact the bride and groom to double-check if they have one.

Once you know this, the world of maxi dresses is your oyster. 

However, if you do decide to go for a maxi dress, remember to avoid upstaging the bride with loud prints, overly revealing designs, or the wedding guest faux pas of turning up in a white maxi dress. 

Styles Of Maxi Dresses You May Be Able To Wear To A Wedding

If you are looking for the perfect maxi dress for an upcoming wedding, but you’re not sure which styles are appropriate, here are some style ideas to inspire your search.

Florals

You can never go wrong with a stunning floral maxi dress for a wedding. They are fun and feminine but still let the bride have her moment.

If you love bold colors, florals may be your best friend when it comes to injecting a little bit of your personality into your outfit choice without clashing with the wedding colors and theme. 

Classic And Simple

If in doubt, always go for a classic cut and an all-over-block color.

Whether it’s a black tie dress code or a complete free for all, classic and simple can never do you wrong.

This is your best option if you’re unsure what to choose, don’t have much idea of the dress code, and are maybe a little nervous about wearing the wrong thing.

Pastels

Many brides choose pastel colors for their bridesmaids, so double-check this first before you go out and buy the duck egg blue dress of your dreams.

If a pastel maxi dress doesn’t compromise the bridesmaids’ style, then this can be a stunning choice for any guest.

Just avoid any pastels that can be closely likened to a white or off-white wedding dress.

High Neck And Sleeves

Now, I’m not saying you need to adopt an Amish-type modesty to attend a wedding, but a little modest class never hurts.

Also, if the wedding is happening during the cooler months, you may end up being incredibly thankful for a warming high neck and protective sleeves.

Nobody wants to spend a wedding with blue lips and chattering teeth. 

Styles Of Maxi Dresses To Avoid Wearing To A Wedding

So, I’ve covered some great maxi dress styles you should consider as your wedding guest attire, but how about some of the styles you will definitely want to avoid? 

Cut Out Styles

As much as I love a daring dress, a wedding is not the place to take this fashionable risk.

Avoid any maxi dresses that have explicit cut outs that end up revealing more skin than they cover.

One reason, you don’t want to be the victim of a fashion malfunction and be one of the only memories everyone has of the bride and groom’s big day.

Two, weddings are a day where all the focus should be on the couple, and a pretty risky dress could shift that focus onto you.

Low Cut

Much like cut out styles, low-cut maxi dresses are also a bit of a no-no.

Avoid your girls making a great escape on the dance floor by bringing your neckline up just a couple of inches.

Save the low neckline for the club and stick with a little bit more of a reserved style for the couple’s big day.

Sheer

Are you noticing a running theme here?

Well, sheer fabrics are to be avoided as well.

I know, they’re all in fashion, and I’m not going to lie; I think many of these sheer styles are absolutely stunning, but they’re just not suitable for a wedding.

You don’t want to have poor old Grandma choking on her cake as she gets a good view of your lacy underwear as you pass her table. 

Animal Print

If you’re a big lover of animal print, you may have to bite your tongue with this one. Animal print just isn’t wedding attire friendly.

It can be seen as tasteless, tacky, and even gaudy.

You’ll stand out for all the wrong reasons if you opt for an eye-watering zebra print number.

Other Dress Code Tips

Choosing the perfect maxi dress, or any kind of wedding attire, as a wedding guest can feel a little tricky.

There are so many do’s and don’ts, and you don’t want to get caught wearing a massive faux pas.

So, here are some more dress code tips to help you along the way.

Check The Wedding Attire Guidelines First

Always check whether the bride and groom have any wedding attire guidelines.

They may want a formal dress code adhered to, a black tie theme, or even an actual costume theme.

Regardless of what you had in mind if your desired outfit doesn’t fit the guidelines, you risk upsetting quite a few people and also sticking out like a sore thumb.

Consider Colours And Prints

The color theme and bridesmaid’s colors will be a massive help when deciding what colors to avoid if you can find this out.

You don’t want to look like you are a part of the bridal party; this will just make things very awkward.

You’ll also want to avoid clashing colors and bold prints that end up looking tacky and cheap – animal prints, I’m looking at you.

Avoid Overly Revealing Clothes

Save the revealing outfits for the beach and the club. A wedding is no place to get your tata’s out and show off your abs.

Even if a more modest outfit just doesn’t feel like you, remember, this day is about the couple and giving them a day worth remembering.

Sometimes we just have to take it on the chin and do what’s best for them.

Denim Or Jeans Are Out

If any of your chosen outfits contain denim or you’re thinking of wearing a pair of Levis, you’re already walking down the wrong clothing path.

Weddings are slightly more formal affairs in most cases unless the couple has explicitly asked for your to don your best pair of workman’s jeans. 

Don’t Over Stage The Bride Or Groom

I mean, this kind of goes without saying, right? Keep away from anything long, white, and fancy unless you want to be the subject of many an ireful look from the bride and her bridal party.

This also goes for men.

Avoid a black tie suit unless this is the theme, and try not to end up wearing a matching suit.

You can always have a quick word with the groom or his best man to at least find out what color suits you need to stick on your avoid list.

Remember Comfort

Weddings are full-day affairs, and the last thing you want is to have half-broken feet and the inability to breathe before the cake is even cut because you chose fashion over comfort.

Make sure you have comfortable shoes with a mid-size heel at the most, and make sure it’s on the chunkier size to keep your feet supported all day long.

Ensure that any dress you choose is comfortable even when you are sitting down and also that there’s room for a slice of cake or two.

Maxi Dresses: The Potentially Perfect Wedding Guest Attire

Well, if you were worried about wearing a maxi dress to your next wedding, I hope you know by now that you could have picked the best option.

Maxi dresses can be dressed up and down, plus you’ll likely be able to get more than one wear out of a maxi dress, so you’ll be getting the most out of that one dress.

As long as you avoid some of the obvious no no’s, such as animal print and overly revealing cut-out styles, you’ll look stunning in your maxi dress and also won’t raise any questionable eyebrows at the wedding of the year.