Let’s face it – for attendees of any level of prior experience, it can be a stressful process to decide what to wear to a friend or loved one’s wedding. If you’ve been in that position as an invited guest in the past, you might have been unsure whether to lean more towards your own personal style, or instead adhere more closely to whatever dress code the invite sets out.
And of course, these dilemmas are no different when it comes to weddings in Gibraltar. That’s all the more reason to try to make things easier for your own invitees – after all, unless you tell them, they won’t automatically know what would constitute acceptable attire at your wedding.
One obvious thing about dressing appropriately for weddings in Gibraltar and other Mediterranean destination nuptials, is that it will almost certainly be hot on the day. So, you’ll naturally want your guests to feel comfortable amid what are likely to be scorching temperatures.
Beyond that, the rules of what guests should and shouldn’t wear to a wedding are broadly similar across most places in Western countries. So, let’s look at the broad state of play when it comes to wedding guest attire.
What dress code do you want to set out as a couple?
There are as many approaches to wedding dress code, of course, as there are weddings themselves. Nonetheless, the below are the classic dress codes that you can generally expect to be picking from when setting out the sartorial approach you expect from your attendees:
- White tie – This is the most formal dress code. Men usually wear a single-breasted black tailcoat with a white waistcoat and bow tie. Women are typically required to wear a full-length dress.
- Black tie – Men might wear a dark or black dinner jacket, shirt, and bow tie. For women, a maxi dress might be most appropriate.
- Suit and tie – For men, this dress code is just what it says on the tin, a suit and tie. Women should aim for smart dress, potentially choosing a formal dress, trouser suit, or jumpsuit.
- Smart casual – This means something different to everyone, so it’s important to be clear about what you mean by this one when communicating to your invitees. You won’t want your guests to dress too formally for the anticipated ‘vibe’, simply because they were afraid of offending you if they turned up in something more laidback.
- Relaxed – Think stylish, but a bit more casual. Although this is not a traditional dress code, it is becoming increasingly popular, especially for weddings in Gibraltar.
Perhaps you should allow your wedding venue to be a guide?
If you don’t state a dress code at all on your wedding invites, your would-be guests are likely to look for clues as to your expectations elsewhere. They might look up the wedding venue, for instance, and consider what style of dress would best fit in such a location.
So, why not take cues from the wedding venue yourselves, as a couple? For a botanical garden ceremony, for example, a floaty floor length gown might be perfect for your typical female guest, while a sleek cocktail dress or satin midi might be a great choice for a high-class lounge.
On the other hand, if the ceremony takes place in a church or registry office, your guests may consider more traditionally formal modes of dress.
Again, it’s all about communication. Outline to your guests what you expect from them in a way that doesn’t leave them misinterpreting the desired all-round aesthetic of your nuptials.
Both aesthetic and practical considerations will be important
There are some things, naturally, that your attendees should probably know about how to dress for a wedding, without you needing to tell them. Do they really need to be told, for instance, that they shouldn’t wear something too ‘razzle dazzle’ that may come across as trying to upstage the two of you, who will – after all – be the rightful stars of the show?
So, your prospective guests should certainly know the worth of taking a subtle and understated approach with their attire on your big day. They should also already appreciate the importance of ensuring all-day-long comfort in such a hot location as Gibraltar. Still, you might want to give them a subtle reminder of that, such as on any wedding website the two of you set up.
Would you like to discuss your plans with our own capable and experienced wedding planners, so that we can help ensure every aspect of your special day goes just right? If so, don’t wait any longer to get in touch directly with our experts in all things weddings in Gibraltar today.
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