Wedding Trend: Dress Codes
There was a time when it was only the most extravagant of celebrity weddings had a specified color palette for their guests. You’d see photos in magazines with a sea of guests in all white or black. But like all things, the very best trends trickle down for us ‘mortals’ to enjoy, and as of now, a wedding dress code is definitely trending!
While we love this trend, there are definitely pros and cons to requesting your guests dress in a specific color. Today we’re going to chat through those options, and give you some suggestions for executing this concept to perfection!
The pros:
The number one benefit to asking your guests to dress in a certain color palette is by far THE PHOTOS. Whether photos from your day are of the tiniest of details or pulled-back shots of the entire crowd, they will be recognizable as your wedding day. They’ll be high-impact and will signify your specific wedding brand.
Another pro: it’s fun! Like any costume party or theme party, having specific parameters for attire require a little bit of effort from the guests, thus getting everyone in ‘party mode’. Now they’re not just a guest at a wedding; they’re part of a fun club for one night.
But again…the photos.
The cons:
Honestly, the only con we can really think of is of course the possible negative feedback from guests. The majority of guests are going to love this idea, and will be happy to play along. But in any crowd there are always the Negative Nancys who will balk at the notion of being told what to wear. Our two cents? You know yourself, and how you handle pushback, so if it’ something that would affect your state of mind, then perhaps this trend isn’t for you. But if you’re willing to power through a few naysayers, than be confident in your decision and go for it! We also have a few tips to help you execute this concept while still keeping your sanity.
our tips:
One great way to get the word out about your requested color palette, is via an insert in your invitations. Along with hotel info and registry details, it’s a natural spot for getting your guests’ eyes on the information. This also gives them plenty of time to choose their ensemble.
We particularly love this one from this Etsy seller, which brings us to our next suggestion: make a Pinterest board with inspiration! Gather a handful of inspiration photos, both with suggested attire, as well as general ‘vibe pics’ to help convey the mood of the day. You can include a QR code in your insert so they can access it with ease.
Another tip for getting the word out about your color palette? Recruit a hype squad. This can be your wedding party, close friends, or key family members. Think of them as your official PR team for getting the message out, and supporting your vision. You can arm them with talking points, mood boards, and FAQ’s so that they can help any errant guests stay on track, and deflect any naysayers or added stress.
And final tip: don’t stress when you see guests who didn’t play along :) People may skip the dress code for any multitude of reasons: lost luggage, tight budget, or general Debbie Downer-dom. And that’s ok! It won’t effect the grand scheme of your day.
suggested color palettes
Black - by far the easiest to execute
White - such a luxe look and gorgeous in the summertime
Beachy neutrals - makes for a gorgeous backdrop for destination brides
Barbie Pink - If this is your vibe, embrace it. And if you’re a true Barbie girl, none of your guests will be surprised by this request
Pastels - a broad dress code that will look cohesive and stunning in the spring
House of White is an intimate bridal experience in the heart of Historic Newburgh, Indiana, just outside Evansville. For ten years House of White has been a designer bridal shopping destination for brides from Indianapolis, Bloomington, Louisville, Bowling Green, Owensboro, St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, and everywhere in between :)