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
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.
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 ‘Benoit’ style is cut from lightweight ramie, decorated with a romantic ’30s French block print, and has a floaty A-line skirt. Wear yours with Amanu’s flat ‘The Nairobi’ sandals to avoid any sinking-in-the-sand situations, then finish the look with Hunting Season’s elevated canvas clutch and Barton Perreira’s D-frame ‘Cecil’ sunglasses, which will add an instant touch of retro glamour.
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.
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.
Alfresco venues
When it comes to celebrating love, joyful colors are always fitting. This season, slip into Bernadette’s gathered yellow and white striped maxi dress, which is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and ideal for garden or beach settings. Sky-blue accessories will complement the sunshine shade perfectly, making Bottega Veneta’s timeless ‘Lauren 1980’ clutch (another NET-A-PORTER exclusive) the ideal investment, along with Manolo Blahnik’s ‘Chaos’ sandals – the chic pairing will take you effortlessly from formal ceremonies to dancing beneath the stars.
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.
Extending the life of wedding-guest outfits
NET-A-PORTER offers a luxury repairs-and-alterations service, powered by The Seam, which includes mending pulls and snags, dyeing satin shoes, restoring intricate beading and embellishments, fit alterations and strap adjustment.
1. Care for delicate materials. Occasionwear is often crafted in delicate fabrics that are prone to snagging, such as silk, satin and sheer chiffon. The Seam’s Makers offer invisible repairs for snags, pulls and rips on delicate materials and eveningwear fabrics.
2. Dye satin footwear. Satin shoes are a statement piece for formal events, but they are prone to permanent marks and stains, especially styles in lighter colors. These pieces can be cleaned to some extent, but when signs of wear aren’t removable, The Seam offers dyeing solutions to transform well-worn satin heels into a pair that looks brand new.
3. Restore beading and embellishments. Beaded handbags and embellished dresses are a hallmark of wedding-guest dressing, but it’s important to fix damage quickly to avoid the beading becoming entirely unraveled.
4. Tailor for the perfect fit. There’s nothing worse than putting a sharp heel through the hem of an evening gown (a common repair at The Seam), which is why it’s sensible to get the length of your dress tailored before the event.