Wedding Guest Style Tips

There it is; the beautifully decorated invitation for the wedding of the year, a reason for family celebration but with a slight “Oh gosh what will I wear?” thought in the back of your head. Although the current pandemic has put a pause on the busy summer event - it is always best to be prepared for the changed wedding date that will be coming up in the next few months.

Before we get into the tips, why not check out our current giveaway, which is going to provide one lucky lady with a full wedding guest (or any special occasion!) outfit. Included in the giveaway are a few must have pieces - A £150 voucher for Forever Unique, a pair of Calla Shoes, a Sarah Haran handbag, a £130 gift voucher for Claudia Bradby and a 1-hour online personal styling session with stylist Alice Marsh. Head to our Facebook or Instagram to enter now! Giveaway closes on the 12th August 2020.

Now, onto our must-know tips on how to be a stylish wedding guest.

1. Location, Theme and Season

Although weddings are popular in the warmer months of May- September; a lot of couples opt for a colder season wedding to be apart of the big festivities. It is important to realise the season when picking your outfit - changing your fabric from linen to velvet, your colours from lighter to darker and possibly a fur shawl over a light cardigan for the change to a colder season. The celebrations have evolved from a local church ceremony to an escape to the countryside or a beach front wedding. This gives you the opportunity to dress up; a fabulous excuse to dress up and buy that expensive new necklace you have been eyeing up!

A lot of people find pressure to find the ‘perfect’ outfit for the day - Calla’s top advice is to follow theme. Black tie weddings include a longer dress from midi-maxi and follow dark colours; a day wedding allows a shift dress, with a pattern or bright colours. Tailor-suits are a high trend and they give that element of sophistication, choose a coloured suit for an extra feminine touch. A cream coloured for a countryside celebration or a navy blue for a black tie theme in the city.

This pearl tailor suit by Phase Eight would make a simple yet sophisticated and elegant wedding guest outfit. Shop now.

2. The Colour Scheme

Although weddings are modernised; the tradition of the colour white is always put aside for the bride. Avoid being the gossip of the wedding by going for any colours similar; off white - a cream almost too light, to ensure the spotlight stays on the wedding party.

Great colours for weddings include; pastel and print for warmer seasons and red/metallic/black for the colder seasons.

‘Brings out a natural glow no matter your skin tone’

 Marcia (@marciagabrieluk), looking fabulous in this turquoise dress and her Calla Suki heels

If you would like to experiment with colours - try turquoise. A recent article by RSVP Live suggests that the colour ‘brings out a natural glow no matter your skin tone’. It is a vibrant colour that is flattering on anyone. Although people view black as controversial for a wedding; it is seen as a classic look for a wedding in recent years. Opt for a black jumpsuit for a black-tie wedding with a lot of accessories and you will definitely be receiving a compliment for your elegant style.

3. Be Unique 

‘Use this celebration to look your best for them life long photographs filled with happy memories.’

A time to experiment your style further. If your wardrobe is full of colourful patterns in your day wear - do not opt for a one colour shift dress to be ‘safe’. Be unique! Use this celebration to look your best for them life long photographs filled with happy memories. If you look great, you will feel great.

It can be overwhelming dress shopping; what style, colour, length or sleeve are you looking for? Try a few different styles to see what best suits your shape. Wrap dresses or belt detail dresses are perfect for a cinched waist look and will give you a flattering shape. Midi pleated dresses also give a great texture to a dress if you aren’t looking for a pattern.

Not a dress person? Try a jumpsuit or a skirt/top combination. Avoid low cut style and opt for an off-the-shoulder dress which is more elegant for a wedding. Any clothing item you would consider wearing to a casual dinner date - avoid! It is a time to be dressed up; it is always best to be overdressed than underdressed.

You can never go wrong with a longer sleeve - a style which is repeatedly used in Victoria Beckham’s wedding guest style. As a high end designer and a regular royal wedding attendee; she is an ultimate wedding guest style icon.

4. Shoes set the tone for the rest of the outfit

One item you can always guarantee to be supported by Calla…Shoes!  If being bold with your outfits isn’t something you are comfortable with; letting your shoes do the talking is another great option. Calla has many different styles perfect to liven up an outfit; adding a colour such as the Selena in ‘Pink Shine’ leather will create a statement of its own.

Always remember where these shoes will be stepping; a high heel for a beach wedding? Try a heeled sandal or a wedge instead. It will fit with the location and will not be a struggle when walking to your seat. A closed-toe heel will serve you better in keeping your toes warm in the colder weather. You will be able to dance the night away in either style with Calla’s comfortable style; the additional width and volume and will not pinch your feet - leaving you comfortable for a long day of celebrations.

 From back to front: Sadie - Champagne Leather, Suki - Black Suede, Karen - Pink Suede, and Orchis - Cream Leather

The Emily II or Suki are a great shoe for those not use to a heel as it has a strap to hold your ankle in place. A versatile shoe investment that can be used for further family events or any special occasions. Coming in black; white and nude they can be styled with many different colourful outfits. For those who aren’t as comfortable with a high heel, we also have some great kitten heels which look just as fabulous - but a few inches closer to earth.  Ava and Orchis are a stylish kitten heel for those of you who are more confident in a lower heel - but still want to look as elegant.

5. Accessorise, Accessorise, Accessorise

A secret weapon to every outfit is accessories! Completely transforming a look from subtle to glamorous with a few added extras. Jewellery is a great place to start; layered thin necklaces are a great way to create a statement. At Calla - we feel a watch is a great piece to style up an outfit; an added bonus that you can put away your phone as you can keep up with the time on your wrist for the wonderful celebrations. 

A Claudia Bradby pearl necklace with matching pearl drop earrings

A beautiful silver necklace with a fine cultured pearl and matching earrings can be found with our friends at Claudia Bradby. Calla are currently working with the ‘Pearl Power’ to give our consumers 15% off until the end of October 2020 using the code CBCALLA15.

In honour of the royals, add a wrap/hat for the classic British wedding guest look. Duchess of Cambridge has a perfect wedding guest style with a lovely headpiece. When do we have an event that requires a fascinator? It provides an excellent way to style your hair if you’re thinking of having a hairstyle that requires the hair pushed back out of your face. You will no doubt be a best-dressed guest with this accessory - following the fabulous royal style.

Shawl/Wrap’s are always a fabulous added texture to an outfit, not only do they add warmth but bring that glamorous touch. A satin wrap is perfect for the celebrations as they come in a range of colours which fit into different themes - a great addition to your wardrobe also for your next holiday getaway! For colder seasons you may want to add a faux fur to fit into the theme of winter - a great item to also wear to any glamorous Christmas parties you may have throughout the winter season.

Gemma of Youtube channel 'What to wear- Fashion over 40' wearing our Sophia- Nude Pink heels along with a gorgeous wrap that adds an added texture to the outfit. Visit her YouTube now for lots of fabulous outfit inspiration.

Don’t worry we didn’t forget the key accessory - a bag! It can sometimes be a nightmare to coordinate your bag and shoes; our best advice is to use one colour palette for your outfit and let your shoes stand out. If your bag matches your dress perfectly - use a shoe colour a little different in order to let them stand out. Clutch bags are always a good option for a wedding in order to be able to fit all your ‘just incase’ items!

6. Make up

An important tip is - don’t overdo it. Prioritise the eyes for most of the makeup; add a little shimmer to your eye in order to let them shine in pictures and to make your eye colour pop. Trica Cusden, founder of the mature make-up brand, Look Fabulous Forever, understands the importance of eye makeup and suggests that eye make up provide a beautiful definition to the eyes.

The Occasion Collection, by Look Fabulous Forever

A lovely pink blush and a great lipstick brighten up your face in order to give a youthful and happy look. If you aren’t used to a high amount of foundation; highlighter or eyeliner - attending a wedding is not the place to experiment. You want to make your eyes pop and add a glow to your skin for a picture-perfect face.

 Look Fabulous Forever are kindly offering Calla customers the chance to win their entire 'The Occasion Collection', worth £240. Head to our competition page now to enter!

7. Our Inspiration

As you may have guessed our best-dressed wedding guests are the; Duchess of Cambridge, Amal Clooney and Victoria Beckham. Elegant style whilst looking very glamorous. Attending many high profile celebrations; they are definitely at the top of our lists for inspiration.

Stunning Amal Clooney and husband George attending a royal celebration. Mrs Clooney being an ultimate wedding guest style icon.

Camera ready Lorraine looks fabulous in a polka dot wrap dress that definitely follows the Calla wedding guest style!

Duchess of Cambridge and sister Pippa attending a friend's wedding - making pattern and fascinators an elegant wedding guest style.

Our last wedding guest tip is CONFIDENCE; you are attending a celebration of love and need a very positive mindset. You will be looking your best and having a fabulous day out. With Calla’s tips you will definitely be a stylish wedding guest to have!