2025 Brides Share Their Thoughts on Wedding Guest Etiquette—Fashion Guidelines to Follow and Ignore

      Brides this year are not just tying the knot—they’re transforming the concept of a trendsetting wedding. I spoke with several women from the fashion industry who are currently in the thick of planning stylish celebrations for 2025. From enchanting venues to precise dress codes, they shared strong views on what guests should and shouldn’t wear—and I was intrigued to learn that they all unanimously agreed on one straightforward point: TL;DR: Don’t be boring.

      Cast aside any worries about wearing black or the outdated anxiety of revealing too much skin. These brides aim to clarify what’s suitable, what’s outdated, and how to present yourself confidently and stylishly. Whether you’re attending a wedding at a palace or in the countryside, their etiquette tips will help you shine—for all the right reasons.

      Morgan Evans, Fashion and Culture Editor

      This bride advocates for… dressing for the venue

      And discourages… confusing dress codes

      “One of my biggest pet peeves at a wedding is when guests underdress for formal or black-tie events. I don’t think one can ever be too overdressed for a wedding. It’s a formal occasion, after all, but I find it frustrating when people arrive in mini or midi dresses that resemble casual cocktail attire. The venue also plays a significant role. For a beachside wedding, ‘casual cocktail’ outfits like easy linen suits and light dresses make more sense. However, as a 2025 bride getting married at an old palace estate, my dress code is black-tie—which means tuxedos and gowns—since I want guests to look and feel as glamorous as the venue. To avoid confusion, I specified that women should wear ‘tea or floor-length’ outfits. I avoided the term ‘maxi dress’ because that can lead to misunderstandings, resulting in attendees showing up in casual jersey or knit maxis. Just because it’s long doesn’t mean it’s formal.”

      “Another wedding dress code I’m not fond of is ‘black tie optional.’ While it’s fine for a more casual wedding, if you’re hosting a formal event and want everyone to look uniform, it’s better to avoid the ‘optional’ label. Otherwise, you end up with men in various suits and tuxedos and women in a mix of short and long cocktail dresses. What results is a lack of cohesion, and it appears that everyone is dressed for different occasions, which isn’t elegant and leaves people uncertain about the actual dress code.” — Evans

      Amah Modek, Founder of Found by The

      This bride advocates for… wearing what feels like you

      And discourages… outfits that reveal too much

      “As a June bride getting married in Spain, I picture Mediterranean summer glamour with guests embodying a sense of effortless elegance. While our wedding is black tie, I don’t want it to feel rigid or overly formal. I’d love to see attire that feels graceful and refined yet comfortable and true to the individual. My inspirations include icons like Bianca Jagger, Marisa Berenson, and Lee Radziwill—polished but free-spirited.”

      “One of my biggest dress code mistakes is wearing white—unless it’s specifically requested—and clothing that is excessively revealing. To quote my incredibly stylish grandmother, ‘Leave something to the imagination.’” — Modek

      Jamie Schneider, Beauty Editor at Who What Wear

      This bride advocates for… “a variety of colors”

      And discourages… excessive minimalism

      “I’m having a November wedding, but I hope my guests won’t confine themselves to a traditional fall color scheme. While I do anticipate lots of navy, brown (ahem, Mocha Mousse), gray, and so on, I want guests to feel free to slightly break the seasonal ‘rules’ regarding dress colors. I want to see a vibrant array of shades! To gently encourage this, I created a ‘Weekend Attire’ mood board linked on my wedding website. Is that a bit much? Perhaps, but I believe it helps to share your vision with guests, even if your dress code isn’t hyper-specific.”

      “Similarly, I don’t agree with the guideline of ‘avoid anything too loud.’ I understand not wanting to overshadow the bride with a wealth of sequins, but personally, I adore a bit of maximalist glamour. (It’s the Taurus in me.) To anyone on my guest list reading this: Bring on the statement pieces!” — Schneider

      Shop the wedding guest attire these stylish brides would endorse:

      Reformation

      Britney Satin Dress

      This story wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Reformation dresses.

      I’ve had my eye on this dress since its release.

      L'AGENCE

      Charmaine U Neck Gown

      This can be worn on numerous occasions.

      Abercrombie

      Strapless Sequin Midi Dress

      Abercrombie

      Julia Strapless Slip Maxi Dress

      I can easily envision Morgan Evans in this at a friend’s wedding.

      Reformation

      Oren Silk Dress