Spring/Summer Wedding Guest (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear to a spring summer wedding? ›

Floral lace and dreamy chiffon fabrics are perfect for a springtime wedding. Experiment with bright, fresh colors, or soft, dusty pastels to complete your spring wedding outfit! Add matching accessories and you'll be beaming with pride—and with style.

RSVP on Time

Few guest rules are set-in-stone as this one: You must RSVP—even if you can't attend—and you must do it by the deadline (or preferably earlier). “Being a gracious guest starts before the wedding with a quick response to the invitation,” says Christin Gomes, co-founder of Common Courtesy.

Can I bring a plus one? Sharing this answer on your wedding website is a great place to make it know in advance whether “plus-ones” are welcome. If they are not, here is a great sample answer from With Joy, “Our wedding is strictly RSVP only. We will only be able to accommodate those listed on your invitation.”

Though it's technically OK to wear black at any time of the day, Aleece says it's better suited for late afternoon and evening weddings in the fall and winter, along with formal and black tie weddings in the early spring.

When it comes to comfort on a hot summer day (especially if the celebration is outside), a casual dress code is ideal. But don't forget this is an important event. Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea. Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women.

The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

The rule of thumb is that 10 to 20% of guests invited will not attend, Rhee says . That number varies depending on factors including the season, the location of the wedding and how far out you're getting information to your guests, Rhee explains. Hill confirms that about 80 to 85% of invitees will attend.

Meier says it is totally your choice whether to attend a wedding, and you don't even have to have a “good” reason. “If you just do not want to go, that's totally up to you,” she adds. But the most important thing is how you express yourself.

You can simply say that you have opted for an adults-only wedding, or if you're inviting select children, you can simply say that children are by express invitation only. The easiest way to do this is to address the invitation to the adults of the family only, which implies that children are not invited.

What are some fun questions to ask your wedding guests? ›

If there is one thing wedding guests know, it's to show up early to a wedding ceremony. If you plan to begin your ceremony at 5 p.m., expect guests to arrive between 4:30 and 4:45—and to head down the aisle no later than 5:15.

'No Ring, No Bring' Meaning

The "no ring, no bring" policy means that a wedding guest can only bring a plus-one to the wedding if their invitee is someone they're engaged or married to, hence the "ring," explains Kevin Dennis, a certified wedding planner and owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services.

To give guests ample time to plan and respond, you'll want to send your invitations out at least eight weeks before your big day. RSVP etiquette dictates that it's ideal for guests to reply at least four weeks before your ceremony, allowing you time to confirm the numbers with your caterer and venue.

As a rule of thumb, Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette says spouses, fiancés, and live-in partners of each guest should receive an invitation. “Even if you've never met or they are not your favorite people, your guest is part of a package deal,” authors Anne and Lizzie Post explain.

When it comes to early afternoon weddings, the best colors to wear are light and spring-like shades. Think soft pastels and airy tones such as blues, pinks and yellows. For a more refined look, try pairing classic navy or grey with a brighter accent color like white, peach or light purple.

"Spring represents joy and love, so it's all about florals and shades of red, pink, blue, purple, and green," says Ranu Coleman, CMO of online bridal retailer Azazie. Of course, if you feel more comfortable in less eye-catching attire, there are other options. Classic pastel colors will always be a springtime staple.

Classic Spring

Using a color palette of pinks, oranges, gold, green creates a romantic and timeless look for years to come. The subtle shade variations with gold accents creates a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for a spring wedding celebration.

Yellow, pink, lilac, and green dresses are all great options to wear as a wedding guest. Dresses with patterns and floral designs also work well for the spring season—just be sure you aren't wearing the same color as the bride's bridal party, and of course, stay away from white!