Dresses to wear for an evening wedding, our advice on how to look just right

Wedding style guide: what evening dress to wear and which accessories to match for a late afternoon wedding

There's a dress code for every occasion, also for weddings. Take note of our advice to find out which evening dress to choose (and which accessories to match) for a wedding celebrated in the late afternoon or early evening.

When you receive the wedding invitations, after peeking at the date on the calendar (will it be on a Saturday?) immediately you ask yourself the classic question: 'what do I wear?'. There is a wedding look suited to every occasion, for this reason it is very important to keep in mind whether the ceremony, religious or civil, will be celebrated in the morning or afternoon/evening. This little detail determines the dress code and subsequent style choices. Read on for our tips on how to get the perfect look, whether you're a relative or a friend of the bride and groom. Below you can find all the answers to how to dress for an evening wedding.

Evening dress colors

An afternoon wedding allows guests to be a bit more daring with tones, even intense and bright ones! However, neon or fluorescent colors are not recommended, as they are not suited to wedding circumstances. Better to opt for warm and lively shades, like orange or coral and rich colors, such as navy blue and petrol green. Silver and gold can work, but only in small quantities, while red and purple should be avoided as tradition dictates.

Evening dress. Long or short?

Not too long and not too short. Minimum length is to the knee and maximum length should never be longer than that of the bride's dress. For this reason, our advice is to choose a midi or ankle length evening dress. The dress code determines that guests should be wearing a cocktail or long dress after 6pm.

Lace dresses

Always an optimum choice. In this case we advise a knee-length or midi dress, to avoid a look that appears too imposing and polished. Remember: the belle of the ball is the bride, not the guests. The choice of lace is important, it should be refined and elegant, suitable for the occasion. If you're not a lover of the total lace look, choose one detail only; a skirt, top or bolero.

Evening bags

It is very important to choose the right size. For evening weddings, we don't advise on tote bags and shoppers, or even shoulder bags. A fabric pouch bag or an embellished metallic clutch would be much better.

Evening shoes

Compared to daytime shoes, shoes for the evening are richer in details: exotic leathers, metallic inserts or glitter. A high heel would be welcome, to streamline the figure, while a platform wouldn't be suitable. Wedges can work for a beach wedding, or on a green lawn. When in doubt, better to go for a pair of nude shoes: they suit any occasion.