A dress for a wedding guest: etiquette, colours and made-to-order tailoring

Being a wedding guest is an art of its own: you need to look dressed up without drawing attention away from the bride. Here are the rules, and how to have a dress made that will fit you and suit the dress code.

Which colours to avoid

• White and all its shades (ivory, milk, powder, champagne) - off limits: this is the bride's colour.
• Acid brights - they risk shouting over the celebration.

Deep, refined tones never fail: emerald, burgundy, dusty rose, navy, graphite. More on the palette in the article on fabrics and colours.

How to account for the format

• An outdoor ceremony in nature or by the sea - light flowing fabrics, an airy cut.
• A restaurant, an evening dinner - denser fabrics, a floor-length dress or an elegant midi.
• A winter wedding - velvet, sleeves, a closed neckline.

Check the dress code and the colour scheme with the couple - the dress should not argue with the decor.

Length and how much it reveals

The classic for a guest is midi or floor-length. A dress that is too short or too revealing looks out of place at a wedding. Made to order, you set both the length and the depth of the neckline to suit yourself and the occasion. On floor-length silhouettes - a separate article.

Why made to order is easier

A wedding has a date, and the dress has to be ready exactly on time and fit exactly. An off-the-peg dress usually has to be taken in and hemmed. We make it from scratch to your measurements, and the price and the deadline are fixed in the contract. More on how making an evening dress to order works is on the "Evening dress made to order" page.

You can talk the look, the timing and the price through at a consultation at the atelier in St Petersburg.