It’s the night before the wedding and all of the bride & groom’s closest family and friends are invited for the rehearsal dinner, but what do you wear? If you’re feeling stumped about what to wear to one of the many wedding events, you’re not alone! Follow these tips to decide what to wear to a rehearsal dinner as a guest.

How to Decide What to Wear to a Rehearsal Dinner

First thing’s first, read the invitation and any additional information you have on the rehearsal dinner. This will give you an idea of what to expect. Is it a day time event or a casual barbecue? You can definitely get away with a sundress.

Is it a night time event or at a fancy restaurant? Then you’ll want to opt for cocktail attire like a nice dress or jumpsuit. In most rehearsal dinner situations, cocktail attire will be the most common if it’s not a day time event, or a theme specified on the invitation.

Another great tip is to remember that the rehearsal dinner will never be more fancy or upscale than the wedding, so knowing that the wedding itself is a more casual affair or cocktail-attire will help tremendously in determining what’s best to wear for a rehearsal dinner.

Rehearsal Dinner Attire for Women

Knowing the venue and time of the event is the first clue in how you should be dressing for a rehearsal dinner as a guest. If it’s a formal location, you’ll want to wear a cocktail dress, nice jumpsuit or that little black dress you’ve been holding on to for a special occasion.

You may also want to consider the season the rehearsal dinner is being held in. In spring and summer months, you can opt for flowy fabrics and brighter colors. For winter and fall season events, it’s best to go with darker colors and heavier fabric options. Just don’t wear white, that’s reserved for the bride!

Spring & Summer Attire

Fall & Winter Attire

Rehearsal Dinner Attire for Men

Similarly to rehearsal dinner attire for women, the time of day and location is going to be very indicative of what you should be wearing. If it’s a daytime soiree or a more casual event, a nice pair of jeans and collared shirt would be a great option.

For night time events or a more upscale location, button-down and chinos or a suit is the winning choice for men.

Etiquette Rules

Remember that the rehearsal dinner will have a similar vibe to the wedding itself. In addition to venue and time of day, these are the largest determining factors in what to wear to a rehearsal dinner as a guest. Keep in line with the formality of the main event and don’t wear white or something too over-the-top to upstage the bride.

If you have any doubts about what to wear or what the dress code is, ask someone from the wedding party. It’s better to be safe than sorry!