Art of Style

What To Wear To A Wedding

Wedding season is here and there has never been a better time to embrace the joy of dressing up. Featuring expert advice from our editors, our guide will help you find the perfect look for every style of ceremony – from sleek city soirées to romantic outdoor vows and glamorous coastal celebrations

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Connie Daw
Fashion

The ceremony-to-dance-floor dress

Wearing white to a wedding may be a no-go, but you could nod to the bride’s ‘something blue’ in Emilia Wickstead’s elegant ‘Keeley Mudu’ dress. Exclusive to NET-A-PORTER, it’s impeccably cut from duchesse-satin in a sleek column shape that echoes mid-century silhouettes worn by Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Complement the pastel shade with chocolate-brown accessories – such as Khaite’s leather ‘Loulou’ sandals and Toteme’s ‘T-Lock’ clutch – for a look that’s understated yet sure to turn heads.

  • EMILIA WICKSTEAD
    Keeley Mudu strapless duchesse-satin midi dress
    €925.00
    Select a Size
    4 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock
    18
  • TOTEME
    T-Lock textured-leather clutch
    €890.00
  • SUZANNE KALAN
    18-karat gold diamond hoop earrings
    €6,540.00
  • KHAITE
    Loulou leather sandals
    €546.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    36.5
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock

Destination weddings

A wedding by the sea encourages guests to reach for lighter pieces – think dresses in cool fabrics and summery prints. From the high-summer ’25 collection, Dôen’s ‘Ischia’ style is cut from lightweight cotton-voile, decorated with romantic anemone blooms, and has a signature smocked bodice. Wear yours with Saint Laurent’s flat ‘Cassandra’ sandals to avoid any sinking-in-the-sand situations, then finish the look with Hunting Season’s elevated canvas clutch and Barton Perreira’s aviator-style ‘Armstrong’ sunglasses, which will add an instant touch of retro glamour.

  • DÔEN
    Ischia shirred floral-print cotton-voile midi dress
    €442.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
    xx large - out of stock
  • HUNTING SEASON
    Canvas and leather clutch
    €312.00
  • BARTON PERREIRA
    Armstrong aviator-style gold-tone titanium sunglasses
    €440.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Cassandra logo-embellished leather slingback sandals
    €845.00
    Select a Size
    EU 36
    EU 36.5
    EU 37
    EU 37.5
    EU 38
    EU 38.5
    EU 39 - low stock
    EU 39.5 - out of stock
    EU 40

Cocktail receptions

You really can’t go wrong with an LBD for a formal event – especially when it comes to a city wedding. Nili Lotan’s halterneck version is both elegant and bold – it has an alluring open back and is made from smooth ribbed-knit that hugs your figure. Pair it with Savette’s timeless ‘Florence’ clutch from our NET SUSTAIN edit, plus a berry-stained lip to match Neous’ glossy red ‘Arneb’ slingbacks. Finally, pop in YSSO’s knotted gold-plated earrings – from the brand’s collaboration with model Danielle Copperman – to complete a sophisticated evening ensemble.

  • NILI LOTAN
    Gertrude ribbed-knit halterneck maxi dress
    €364.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • YSSO
    + Danielle Copperman Bal gold-plated earrings
    €370.00
  • SAVETTE
    Florence embellished leather shoulder bag
    €1,790.00
  • NEOUS
    Arneb leather slingback sandals
    €250.00
    Select a Size
    35 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - low stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
Oversized tailoring is sophisticated yet relaxed – and undeniably cool

Oversized tailoring

Oversized tailoring delivers easy sophistication with a touch of non-traditional irreverence that makes it undeniably cool. To avoid anything that looks too corporate, seek out slouchier shapes and contemporary details – Burberry’s asymmetric wool blazer and pants may appear to be all business, but not when styled with a lace camisole underneath and heels. Finish with Alaïa’s burgundy suede ‘Le Teckel’ clutch and a diamond-encrusted ring by Nikos Koulis – the sculptural shape is the perfect complement to a suit.

  • BURBERRY
    Wool blazer
    €740.00
    Select a Size
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14
    16 - out of stock
  • NIKOS KOULIS
    18-karat gold diamond ring
    €19,850.00
    Select a Size
    7
  • BURBERRY
    Pleated wool tapered pants
    €445.00
    Select a Size
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock
  • ALAÏA
    Le Teckel leather-trimmed suede clutch
    €1,850.00
City weddings often allow for a more laid-back, edgier approach

City-hall venues

City-hall ceremonies are an opportunity to embrace sleek separates such as Galvan’s satin two-piece – the slinky ‘Ischia’ camisole and gathered ‘De Lovie’ skirt are super-flattering, not to mention timeless. Complement the shimmering bronze shade with Bottega Veneta’s burgundy intrecciato-leather ‘Concert Pouch’ (another NET SUSTAIN highlight) and finish with sculptural gold earrings. Since the reception and after-party will likely be held elsewhere, a shoe comfortable enough to walk in from one venue to the next is a must, making Aeyde’s kitten-heeled ‘Liz’ pumps a worthy investment.

  • GALVAN
    Ischia satin camisole
    €175.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Concert Pouch intrecciato leather shoulder bag
    €2,760.00
  • GALVAN
    De Lovie asymmetric satin maxi skirt
    €356.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - low stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
  • AEYDE
    Liz patent-leather pumps
    €198.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41
    41.5 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock

Wedding-ready rentals

A diary full of weddings can often make us feel as though we need a different outfit for each event. That’s why there is no better reason to start using NET-A-PORTER’s rental offering, which gives you the chance to rent runway pieces and items from your favorite brands. Powered by rental platform Hurr, NET-A-PORTER’s hand-picked rental edits feature everything from floral-print midi dresses to designer It-bags.

EXPLORE MORE DRESSES

16 items

  • ERDEM
    Strapless embellished crinkled-satin midi dress
    €1,278.00
    Select a Size
    4
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10
    12
  • GIVENCHY
    Satin-crepe halterneck gown
    €1,950.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
  • CLIO PEPPIATT
    Ariel strapless scalloped embellished satin gown
    €5,170.00
    Select a Size
    XS
    S - out of stock
    M - out of stock
    L
  • ÉTERNE
    Mila silk-blend satin maxi dress
    €716.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small
    medium - low stock
    large - low stock

DISCOVER MORE

The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown