Once that wedding invitation arrives in the mail (or nowadays, in your inbox), then the question of “what should I wear?” pops up. My thinking is that if you’ve been curating your closet to have a functional wardrobe, you should already be set with clothing options.
So instead of “what to wear”, I thought I’d discuss what colors to wear at a wedding, and we’re taking our inspiration from 3 different ideas: pastels, neutrals, or bright colors.
Quote of the day: “It’s better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” Jackie Joyner-Kersee
I like to think that we already have plenty of fabulous items in our closet to wear for the upcoming events of this spring and summer.
If you are always trying to buy something new for these occasions, it can be stressful to look for the “right” item and find something that fits well.
Besides, you’ll be spending more money than if you shopped your closet.
At this stage of our lives, we know we will be attending weddings, graduations, parties, and the like. So why not have a couple of options already in mind for these times?
It’s one of the reasons we’ve discussed wardrobe essentials in the past.
So, instead of presenting you with the perfect wedding guest dress to buy, I wanted to explore a range of colors to wear at a wedding.
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1. Lesley–Icy Pastels
I asked ChatGPT what 3 color categories would be ideal. Lesley chose the icy pastel option.
Style tip: Not all pastels have to be warm and girly. ChatGPT suggested icy pastels.
Lesley paired her icy periwinkle-blue dress with a floral wrap/kimono. It is a stellar example of how pastels don’t have to be boring. In fact, pastels are a wonderful color palette for weddings because they give off a light, romantic feel—perfectly in tune with the celebratory mood.
If pastels don’t look good with your complexion, or just don’t feel like “you”, there are ways to make them work. You can add dimension with accessories.
Notice how her wrap had bold floral patterns and a belt to define the waist? That’s a brilliant way to mix the pastel dress with structure and brighter colors.
Details:
-Look twice at how Lesley is wearing the belt. It is under the kimono in the back so that the kimono drapes, and then over the kimono in the front so it’s not overwhelming.
-Another detail about the belt is its color. It’s grey, and even though nothing else is grey in the outfit, it blends fabulously.
-Small purses are ideal for these events, but nowadays, they have to be big enough for our phones, right?
Style tip: Lesley’s belt trick works fabulously when there is a slit in the kimono or topper. If your piece doesn’t have a slit, you might be able to create one. That would be an easy alteration on most fabrics.
2. Rob–Neutrals
This concept of what colors to wear at a wedding applies to men also, since they will be attending the event.
Rob is sporting a cream blazer, black and white patterned shirt, and white jeans—yes, jeans. This is how you do neutrals without looking like you’re blending into the background.
Neutrals are also ideal for transitional weddings—those events that straddle spring and fall or take place in the late afternoon into evening. They let you go elegant without looking too “done up.”
Details:
-I love how Rob pairs ivory and white together. It looks very dapper instead of appearing like he wants to be Mr. Clean.
-He accessorized with a black belt and black pocket square.
Style question:
I grew up with the idea that women should steer clear of wearing white dresses as a wedding guest in order not to compete with the bride.
Is that still the case?
3. Jodie–Bright Colors
Wearing bright colors is easy for me, especially when I found this incredible top at Just Be Youtiful. I also wanted to share the idea that one could wear pants to a wedding…and not have them be black pants.
The idea of wearing pants to a wedding has been broached before. My mom showcased a floral pair of pants recently, and the original crew showed 3 examples with solid pants (none of them black).
I wore these pink pants in the past, and while the photos don’t show it, there is a sheen to them that gives off a fancier vibe than normal pants.
Since the outfit was so bright, I wore metallic Mary Janes (flats, no less) along with gold jewelry.
Style tip: The material of clothing can be more “dressy” or “casual” than the color of it. For this example, I chose a silk top and silk blend pants.
Wearing bright colors is all about confidence—and weddings are joyous events, so why not reflect that energy in your outfit?
Details:
-As a rebel, I carried a large purse instead of a small clutch.
-Did you notice my bendable necklace? Then I attached another chain necklace through it to make it longer, but with 2 different textures.
-My eyeglasses matched perfectly with the look. This brand gives you 35% off your glasses with the code JODIE35, which makes them incredibly budget-oriented.
Style tip: One thought when wearing bright colors is to use neutrals and prints for accessories. I like how a print purse can break up the solid colors.
Combining Colors Creatively: Wraps, Layers & Accessories
Let’s not forget the unsung heroes of any good wedding look—your layers and accessories. The floral kimono was worn over the pastel dress. The patterned shirt peeking from the sports coat. The multicolored handbag adds zest to a solid color ensemble.
These finishing touches are where your creativity shines and your personal style pops. They’re also where you can incorporate more colors without committing to a bold piece.
Layering lets you create a visual story with your outfit—and also keeps you warm if the venue gets chilly!
Style tip: Scarves, statement bags, and bold jewelry are fabulous ways to mix in trendy colors without breaking the bank or going outside your comfort zone.
What Season Is It? Guides for Colors to Wear at a Wedding
While we’re focused on the rainbow of colors to wear at a wedding, remember that the time of year can help steer your palette, too. While colors are really seasonless, there are ones that we tend to wear more at certain times, for example:
- Spring weddings: Think pastels, florals, and soft tones like blush, mint, or sky blue.
- Summer weddings: Bold brights, tropical hues, and fun color-blocked combos are right at home.
- Fall weddings: Rust, mustard, emerald, and burgundy are perfect for the season’s warm vibes.
- Winter weddings: Jewel tones, metallics, navy, or velvet in rich colors like wine or forest green are stunning.
Of course, the wedding setting—garden, beach, church, hotel ballroom—can also influence how dressy or casual your color choice should be.
Color is Ageless—Don’t Let Fashion Rules Hold You Back
If you’ve been told “older women should stick to dark or muted tones,” it’s time to toss that advice out with last year’s uncomfortable heels. The beauty of style in midlife and beyond is that we know who we are—and we can wear all types of colors with joyful confidence.
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At the end of the day, weddings are about love, joy, and connection. Your outfit should reflect those emotions—and nothing does that better than a well-chosen color that makes you feel fabulous.
In reality, our style is a tool to showcase our emotions, and it can even make others feel just as incredible.
Following me on other social sites to gives you totally different outfits and perspectives about life (and it makes my day when you comment). It’s not all the same posts that you see here on the blog. You can find me on these platforms: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
My Goal
Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any kind of budget.
I feel I’m here to help move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy. Not cause us stress because we are worried about what others think.
My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from my crew and me. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.
Most of all, it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun.
Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things.
It’s not just about me on this blog, but also my mother and friends. We get to showcase not only different decades of life but also different body shapes and unique personal styles.
