Can I wear white to a wedding?

At most Western weddings, no. White, ivory and cream are for the bride, unless the invite says something else. A print with a white background is usually fine. Other cultures have other rules, so ask the couple or the family.

Can I wear black to a wedding?

At most Western evening weddings, yes. Black is normal for formal events. In some cultures black is for mourning, so ask if you are not sure.

What should I wear if the invite has no dress code?

Look at the time and the place. For a daytime or outdoor wedding, wear a light suit or a colorful dress. For an evening wedding in a hotel or hall, wear a dark suit and tie or a longer, more formal dress.

Is it okay to wear something I have worn before?

Yes. Change the shoes, the jewelry or the jacket and it looks like a new outfit. Nobody is counting.

What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest: A Simple Guide

Start with the invite

Dress code	What to wear
White tie	The most formal. A tailcoat and white bow tie, or a full-length gown. Very rare.
Black tie	A tuxedo with a black bow tie, or a floor-length dress.
Formal or black tie optional	A dark suit and tie is fine. Or a long dress, or a dressy knee-length one.
Cocktail	A suit. Or a knee-length dress or a dressy jumpsuit.
Semi-formal or dressy casual	A suit, or a blazer with pants. Or a dress you would wear to a nice restaurant.
Casual, beach or garden	Light fabrics and light colors. A sundress or a shirt with no tie. Still smarter than your daily clothes.

Is the invite not clear? Check the couple's wedding website. Or just ask the couple or a close friend of theirs.

Then think about the place and the weather

Grass or sand. Wear thick heels, wedges or flat shoes. Thin heels sink into the ground.
A church, temple or mosque. Many ask you to cover your shoulders and knees. Some ask you to cover your head. Bring a shawl or jacket.
Outdoors in summer. Wear linen, cotton or light wool. A light-colored suit is right for daytime.
Winter. Your coat is part of your outfit. You will be in photos wearing it.
A long day. If the wedding starts at two and the dancing ends at midnight, wear shoes you can stand in for ten hours.

What not to wear

White, ivory or cream, at most Western weddings.
The same color as the bridesmaids or groomsmen, if you know it.
Jeans, sneakers and gym clothes, unless the invite says they are fine.
An outfit you have to keep fixing. You will sit, stand, eat and dance.

Rules change a lot between cultures and religions. A color that is fine at one wedding can be wrong at another. If you do not know the tradition, ask someone close to the family. Our guide to wedding guest outfits in India is one example.

Wear what you already own

Before you buy anything, look in your wardrobe. Most people own one outfit that is good enough for a wedding. They forget it because they think of it as work clothes.

Take out every dressy item you own.
Find the one that fits you best. Good fit matters more than being new.
Change the small things: shoes, a belt, jewelry, a wrap or a pocket square.
If something is missing, it is usually shoes or a jacket. It is rarely the main item.

This is easier when you can see all your clothes at once. A digital closet shows every dressy item you own on one screen.

Ukti is our app. In Ukti you can pick "wedding and party" as the occasion. It builds three outfits from your own clothes and shows you a picture of you wearing the one you pick. So you can check the outfit before the day.