Style tips: Dress for wedding success

Last week's royal wedding fever set fashionista's tongues wagging at home in New Zealand and around the globe. Here at Simply You, all the wedding talk has got us thinking about the etiquette for wedding attire. New Zealand designer Kevin Berkahn suggests when planning your outfit, take your first cue from the wedding invite - the location and day's events will give you a good indication of how you should dress.
Look great outdoors
Tying the knot outdoors? Then you're probably going to be able to get slightly more creative with your outfit than you would if attending a wedding held in a church. The stock standard rules, however, still apply. Never wear anything too revealing (low-cut and body-conscious dresses are out of the picture) and avoid wearing black to daytime weddings. Instead opt for floral prints and pastel hues. If you know you could be exposed to the elements, don't wear anything that may get caught in the wind. The last thing you want to be doing is fighting with your outfit during the ceremony. Think of your footwear in the same manner - heels are a definite no-go for beach weddings and stilettos will only sink into the grass. Accessories will complete your look - keeping in mind that modesty is the key here - and you don't want to upstage the bride's veil if she's wearing one. An interesting hat or fascinator can be the perfect finishing touch.
Formal with flair
A church ceremony followed by a formal reception does call for a slightly stricter dress code. However, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice your own unique sense of style - fashion is, of course, an extension of your personality. If you are attending a church ceremony it's generally wise to either avoid anything sleeveless or strapless all together, or bring an elegant wrap or smart blazer to cover your arms.
Simple yet elegant
A wedding invite that stipulates black tie as the dress code is about as formal as you will get, and ladies you will be expected to wear a full-length gown. Think elegant and contemporary with a twist. Although it is becoming slightly more acceptable to wear white to someone else's wedding (provided the outfit doesn't look remotely bridal), it's a wise colour to avoid if black tie is the dress code - for the aforementioned reason. Being flustered about the appropriateness of the outfit you're wearing isn't a nice feeling on any day, never mind at a wedding, so keep these simple rules in mind and you're sure to have an enjoyable, worry-free day.

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