What to Wear to a Formal Winter Wedding
If you read my blog post last month, I talked about how I am trying to be more present in real life. Unfortunately, that means my blog life slipped through the cracks this past month and boy did I miss it. If you’ve been following me for quite some time, you know that I typically put out new blog posts every Tuesday and Thursday. For the entire month of February, I only created one blog post simply because life started to get busy. From weddings to birthdays, February was a big month filled with laughter, smiles, and happy memories.
Speaking of happy memories, let’s get to the good part. On February 22, two of our college friends got married at Russel Sage in Troy, New York. Their ceremony was absolutely stunning with a full chorus, cheerful smiles, and one beautiful wedding dress. Needless to say, I shed many happy tears at the wedding and during the toasts. (No really, I went through two tissues)!
Dress (Sold out in most sizes) | Heels (On sale and highly recommend for all formal events)
Darker Colors are Always a Good Choice
If you’re going to a winter wedding, it makes sense to opt for darker colors. Although the wedding I attended was in February (aka pink season), I opted for a burgundy dress because I thought it was more seasonal appropriate. You definitely don’t need to stick to this color idea but it is a good place to start while looking for dresses.
Colors that are always a good choice for a winter wedding: dark green, burgundy, navy, plum, dark mustard, or black.
Anything Below the Knee for a Formal Wedding
Whenever I need to decipher a wedding dress code I either A. ask the bride or B. look at The Knot Wedding Attire Cheat Sheet. For a formal wedding, they say the man should wear a tuxedo or formal dark suit and tie while the woman should wear either a long evening dress, dressy suit, or formal cocktail-length. Depending on where the wedding is you might want a floor length gown or you could opt for a longer cocktail dress. For a formal wedding, anything below the knee is a good place to start.
Consider the Venue
Since Nick and Danielle’s ceremony was in a church, I wanted to make sure that I kept my shoulders covered during the ceremony. This is definitely not necessary, but something to consider if the lovely couple is getting married in a church. I put on a leather jacket to cover my shoulders and took it off during the reception.
Look at Rental Service First
I really, really wanted this wedding to be the first wedding that I rented from Rent the Runway. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the playing cards. I looked for weeks upon weeks on Rent the Runway and the date just kept creeping itself closer and closer. I eventually panicked and picked this dress from Lulus (not a sustainable store at all). My hope is that I’ll be able to wear this to another winter wedding down the road or even a New Years party. If not, I’ll find a home for it on my good ole’ Poshmark account. But, yeah, consider looking at Rent the Runway. P.S. they have a few Reformation dresses on the site that are sustainable, affordable, and super cute!
Other Posts You May Like:
- What to Wear to a Country Club Wedding
- What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest
- Lake George Getaway + Sagamore Wedding
- What to Wear to a Casual Summer Barn Wedding
Have you been to a winter wedding? What did you end up wearing? Do you have a favorite color to wear to a winter wedding? Let me know in the comments down below.
As always,
14 Comments
Matija
Love your outfit – you look beautiful!
Great tips – I definitely follow the colour scheme you provided for winter weddings.
Interestingly, I was conditioned to not show my shoulders in church from a young age and used to fuss over it, but I’ve found people don’t care for it as much these days! How times are changing (I probably sound older than I am lol).
https://matijascorner.com/
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much! Also, so was I! When I go to church (which tbh is very rare these days), I usually see people in jeans and causal clothes. I think its great that they’re going in general but always found it funny when people dress down for church!
alimackin2013
Yes using a rental service is a great idea for black tie events. I remember I worked with someone who had A LOT of friends from the camp she went to and then there was her husband and his friends she was going to a wedding every month sometimes twice in a month so she always rented as it was often the same people at all the weddings. Funny we do dark colors here but abroad they don’t do as much black as we do in the states.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
PeculiarPorter
Oh my goodness, that is a lot of weddings! My one cousin had to go to 8-10 weddings in one summer (I’m exhausted just thinking about that)! Also, that is so interesting about the colors abroad! I personally love wearing lighter colors for weddings when it isn’t winter!
Naya
What a wonderful wedding! Congratulations to newlyweds! You guys look so good, I really like all of the floral details on your dress. These tips will sure be helpful to so many people reading this xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much, Naya! I’m dying to wear this dress again – it was so much fun to dance in!
jenniferpickering22gmailcom
Your dress is so pretty!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I hope all is well with you!
Kate
Gorgeous! Love that dress on you! I always wear a sleeveless dress even to winter weddings, because once the dance floor heats up I know I’ll wish I was wearing something that’ll keep me cool. You can always throw on a jacket or wrap <3
Stella
Such a cool look Logan! I love your dress and how you styled it with a leather jacket, perfect balance 🙂
You look stunning by the way!
xo
Stella
http://www.stellaasteria.com
stylefrontier
totally love these style tips
you look gorgeous
Hope you stay healthy and safe
xoxo
style frontier
Meraki
Nice post look beautiful
Layla Rosita
Wow your dress is stunning and you look so beautiful! I love the deep dark red and lace!
Xx, Layla Rosita | http://www.laylarosita.com
districtofchic1
Oh I miss dressing up for events so much! This look is perfect for a cold weather wedding!
District of Chic