How to Pick A Stunning Wedding Guest Dress? (Understanding Cultural Differences) 

If you are like me, then you probably have a couple of wedding invites marked in your calendar this season. I follow a couple of steps to pick a stunning wedding dress for myself that suits my taste and style.  Some things should be taken into consideration when choosing the best dress for you, like setting, season, and weather, dress code, and diverse cultural traditions.  

How to Pick Stunning Wedding Guest Dresses? 

When picking wedding guest dresses, you should take into consideration the setting, season, weather, dress code, and diverse cultural traditions.  

The most common Western dress codes are black tie, cocktail, and casual. On another note,  other cultures have a wide range of codes that are extremely far from the basics and are influenced by a lot of elements like the region and religion.  

• Dress Code

A dress code is basically a set of rules to tell you what to wear and what not to wear. There are several codes for a wedding, like: 

• White Tie (Most Formal Attire) 

When we think of White tie, it means elegant, regal, not flashy at all.  

White tie attire is worn in the most formal evening events, similar to royal ceremonies, formal galas, balls, and state dinners.

For men, it typically means: A black tailcoat, black high-waisted formal trousers, a Stiff white wing-collar shirt, a white waistcoat, and traditional accessories. 

For Women: A full-length evening gown is a must, a fitted bodice with a flowing skirt, and the dress can have a train or a structured skirt. Usually, the dress would be made of silk, satin, tulle, velvet, or chiffon. Additionally, for a hairstyle, they should do an updo or half-up style, and the makeup should be very soft and elegant. 

 

(Past USA president Obama wearing White tie dress code during his visit to the late Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace)

• Black Tie

A Black Tie dress code would be a formal evening dress code. It’s the standard for elegant, traditional events after 6 p.m. For men: a traditional black tuxedo and midnight blue can work as well, a white dress shirt, black bow tie, simple cufflinks and studs, patent leather shoes.

 

While for women: A floor-length gown, although nowadays you can wear a midi or ankle-length cocktail dress, fitted, sleek, or flowing, made with silk, satin, crepe, velvet, chiffon, lace, or sequined fabrics. The hairstyle should be an Updo, a sleek ponytail, or soft curls. 

• Cocktail (Semi-Formal)

Cocktail attire could be considered semi-formal; for men, it looks like a dark suit, a crisp shirt, and a blazer with dress trousers, with leather shoes, and you can add a tie for men.

 

 While for women, knee-length or midi dresses could be fitted or structured, some styles are sheath, wrap dresses, fit-and-flare, or A-line dresses. The fabrics that are used in making this design vary from silk, satin, chiffon, crepe, velvet, lace, brocade, to taffeta.

• Casual Wedding

If you received this on a wedding invitation, don’t wear casual clothing like ripped jeans or sneakers or a graphic tee to the wedding, more like dressy casual. For men: Chinos or dress trousers with a buttoned shirt; you can add a blazer for a more refined look. If the wedding is a daytime or a summer wedding, you can wear a polo instead of a shirt. 

For women, a comfortable yet sophisticated dress or a jumpsuit, or even pair an elevated top with a satin skirt, or dressy trousers. 

• Season and Weather

Now each of these codes has a different look depending on the season, so you need to take into consideration what it is going to be like during the wedding and pay attention to the weather of the wedding venue, especially if it’s a destination wedding. The wedding could be in a tropical or colder destination, so you need to double-check this detail before picking your guests’ outfits.  

• Setting 

In most cases, the wedding invitation would include the dress code, but in case it was left to you, then you can easily get clues from the place of the wedding. 

• Traditional Indoor Wedding 

 

An indoor wedding venue could be a church or mosque wedding, a ballroom or a hotel wedding, and most of these events, if the venue is not over the top or glamorous, it would be a black tie or formal dress code, but if the venue is extravagant, then the dress code can be white tie. Some would go for a modest cocktail attire for the Church or Mosque weddings. 

• Garden Wedding

A Garden wedding would usually be more relaxed than an indoor wedding with a cocktail dress code. It can also be dressy casual in case the venue was suitable for that, but I would go for a nice cocktail dress. 

• Beach Wedding

This one has become very popular lately, with people even dressing in casual linen outfits and sandals, but the best dress code would be smart casual or dressy casual, leaning toward the casual side. To stay safe, I always go for comfortable yet put-together. 

• Rustic Wedding

A rustic wedding can also be a vineyard, a barn, or a farm wedding. It can be either a cocktail dres code or a dresy casual dres code, depending on the specifications of the venue. 

• A Courthouse Wedding

A courthouse wedding is not as common as an invitation; it is more of an intimate wedding for very close people to the couple. It is mostly dressy casual; in some cases, it is a cocktail dress code.  

• Bohemian Wedding

A boho wedding would usually have a very carefree and creative vibe to it. It would still be formal but with a twist. For women, it would be unstructured and flowing dresses, while for men, unstructured or relaxed-fit suits in linen with loafers. 

• Diverse Cultural Traditions

If you were invited to a culturally specific wedding, then ignore the above; these are the common Western dress codes. Additionally, your dress code would be very different, especially if the couple is expecting you to match their cultural aesthetics. 

• Arab Gulf Area Wedding Guest Attire, Like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the U.A.E

For Women: Abaya (long black cloak) over elegant attire, Hijab (head scarf), and shayla (scarf). The design of the outfit depends on the specific country or region because each place has particular details. However, most women in these places dress modestly in accordance with their culture.

You can dress more comfortably or even in revealing clothes in case the wedding venue follows a gender separation rule, which is a common thing in Gulf weddings, as the bride and groom will celebrate in separate rooms, with all the females in one, while the males celebrate in another. Most guests would wear their favorite outfits under an elegant abaya and then sit comfortably once they are in their separate spaces. 

 

This has been popularized out of respect for muslim traditions, as women are obliged to wear modest clothes when they are outside their homes in mixed spaces, and so this was a way for women to enjoy the celebration in a more carefree manner.


For Men: Mainly, a thobe (long robe) and ghutra (headscarf). However, the design of the outfit might differ depending on the specific country/region. 

• Egyptian Wedding Guest Attire

It depends on the area; a lot of weddings now in Egypt would follow Western dress codes, and some would be in the traditional clothing of the region.  

 

For Women: There is the Isis cape, which is a modern outtake of pharaonic Egyptian attire, and also the Egyptian Kaftan, as well as both known styles for a traditional twist. 

For Men: Mainly dark suits, but some would wear a Jilbab or Jalabya (a long traditional robe), Bisht (a long robe that is worn like a jacket above the Jilbab or Jalabya). There are unique traits to each of these outfits, depending on the region. Egyptians are known for their chaotic wedding energy, so don’t feel overwhelmed if everyone is dancing all night or if they do a sparing show using sticks which is called Taḥteeb, cause it is traditional in some areas.
(Two People enjoying Tahteeb)

• Tunisian, Moroccan, and Algerian Wedding Guest Attire

There are different details to each of these cultures, but they enjoy very similar attire. 

For men: There is the Jebba that traditional male garment is a full-length, sleeved gown. It is made from silk, wool, or fine cotton, with the barnous, which is a hooded cape above the traditional attire.

 

For Women: They can wear a Kaftan and a Barnous, which is a hooded cape worn over the Kaftan or Tackchita.
 

• India, Pakistani, Nepali, and Bengali Wedding Attire

This area has a plethora of cultural attire, but the common mainstream attire is used by most of them. However, according to the region, there are numerous culture-specific outfits, and depending on their religion and sect as well. 

For Men, there is the Sherwani, which is a long, coat-like garment, a Nehru jacket(a hip-length tailored coat with a standing collar), a Jodhpuri Suit(a two-piece ensemble, a knee-length jacket with a high, stiff Nehru collar and a double-breasted front and fitted trousers), or a Dhoti Kurta(Dhoti is trousers that are fitted around the legs to give a loose, baggy effect also known as Aladdin Pants or Balloon Pants with a long shirt that has two slits on the sides called a Kutra).

For Women: They can wear a Sari (long draped fabric over a blouse and petticoat), Lehnga(Skirt, Blouse and Scarf) or a Salwar kameez (tunic, trousers, scarf).

• Sri Lankan Wedding Guest Attire 

Men can wear a sarong, which is a wrap-around cloth worn as a lower garment, often paired with a shirt. 

The groom might be wearing a Nilame costume, which is customary for Kandy weddings. It is a four-part outfit including a distinctive hat.

(A Nilame Kit) 

 

Women wear an Osariya, which is a pleated saree, a jacket, and ornate jewelry. The Sri Lankan Saree is actually very different from the Indian, Pakistani, or Bengali one. It has very unique puffed sleeves and a frill around the waist. White & offwhite, and cream colors are customary for the bride, so you can pick another colorful Osariya. However, avoid a black Osariya because it is considered unlucky in Sinhalese culture. 

• Chinese Wedding Guest  Attire

The Chinese people have a very unique culture, and according to the region, they would have different wedding attire and customs. The ones mentioned here are the mainstream ones.
For women, they usually dress in a qipao or a cheongsam.

For men, usually wear a Changshan.

 

On the other hand, the bride and groom would wear a more extravagant look. The bride can wear a qun gua, which is a two-piece ensemble, a cheongsam, which is A fitted, high-collared dress, or a Hanfu, flowing robes with wide sleeves, a cross-collar, and a sash instead of buttons.

 

While the groom would be wearing a Qun Gua, A black or dark robe with a red brocade overcoat with a mandarin collar, or a Hanfu, which is a black, dark blue, or red, often with a round-collared robe and headpiece.

• Korean Wedding Guest  Attire

Korean people would usually wear very elegant and simple, modest clothes to a wedding. A Hanbok would usually be reserved for the close family members and traditionally worn by the couple. 

As a guest, you can wear simple and elegant cocktail dresses and suits. 

• Japanese Wedding Guest Attire 

If you are attending a Japanese wedding, then you should know that there are unique customs that are specific to the marital status of women. If a guest is married, she would wear a tomesode(black kimono with subtle family crests and elegant lower-hem designs), while unmarried women wear a furisode (colorful kimono with long sleeves, symbolizing youth)

For men, they would wear a traditional montsuki, haori, and hakama (formal black kimono).

However, the bride can dress in either a Shiromuku, a pure white kimono, Iro-uchikake, a colored wedding over-kimono, or Hikifurisode trailing sleeve kimono, depending on their region and background.  

Additionally, Japanese men can dress in a Montsuk, a  Haori, and a Hakama.

• Thai Wedding Guest Attire

Although now people would wear western-style clothes to a Thai wedding but some would love to wear Thai traditional attire to the wedding. 

Brides have many wedding dress styles in Thai culture, like Chakkri, Made of silk with gold or silver threads, often featuring a folded shoulder cloth (sabai) draped across the chest, Boromphiman, which is A formal, long-sleeved gown, buttoned down the front, and often embroidered with gold or pearls, Siwalai, a combination of Boromphiman’s long-sleeved top and Chakkri’s shawl, or a dusit, a modernized, sleeveless or short-sleeved version of Chakkri.  

The bride would pick the color of the dress depending on the day, as each day has a significant color according to their belief.

The groom would wear Suea Phraratchathan, which is a Thai ceremonial shirt.

For guests, a woman can wear a Chakkraphat,  Ruean Ton, or Thai-style dress. 

A man can wear a traditional Thai suit. 

• Indonesian / Malaysian Wedding Guest Attire

Although Indonesian and Malaysian cultures are different, and like all cultures, include numerous varieties according to the different areas/regions but the guest attire is somewhat similar.
Women wear Baju Kurung or Kebaya. 

While men would wear a Baju Melayu with a songkok.

• Filipino Wedding Attire 

Filipino Weddings have a very unique blend between the Filipino culture and the Spanish colonial effect on them that can be seen in their clothes.. For Filipino weddings, women can wear Filipiniana-inspired dresses with terno sleeves. 

Men would usually wear a Barong Tagalog with black or dark trousers.

• West African Wedding Guest Attire (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Etc.) 

When we talk about West Africa, we need to take into consideration that their culture and attire would be different because of their tribe, religion, and heritage. 

 

They have an amazing culture that symbolizes family union, where guests in a West African wedding would dress in Asoebi, which is Yoruba for family clothes; each family group wears matching prints or colors. Women would wear a gele and men would wear a fila or cap. They have many styles from long gowns, peplum tops, agbada, kaftans, to fitted dresses.

• East African Wedding Guest Attire (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania)

Just like West Africa, East African attire would differ because of different tribes, religions, and heritages. For guests, there are a lot of similar clothing that can be worn across cultures.  

For women, they can wear Kitenge or Kanga dresses.

 

For men, they can wear Kitenge shirts or Kanzu. 

Conclusion 

While there are many more cultures to explore, the ones already mentioned can be your guide or inspiration for your next wedding. Whether you are attending a western-style wedding or a culturally inclusive one, you will be able to pick a stunning wedding guest dress to enjoy the wedding.