What To Wear To Your Civil Wedding

What To Wear To Your Civil Wedding

Whether you’re getting married abroad and need to do the official bit in the UK or are opting for something more low key altogether, you’ll still want a killer outfit for a civil ceremony. From jumpsuits to mini dresses, billowing maxis to structured tailoring, here are some easy dos and don'ts, as well as some of our favourites...

Don’t deviate too far from your own style. Fun though it would be to experiment, if you’re not a suit girl, don’t try to be for this important occasion. Stick to what makes you feel most comfortable.

Do look to the high street. From simple slips to white tailoring, you don’t have to allocate huge money to this look – it’s perfectly possible to look good on a budget.

Don’t wait to buy something you love. You can always send it back if it’s not right, but don’t risk it selling out if you think it could work.

Do buy something you’ll wear again. Special though the civil event may be, it’s only one day of your life – whether it’s a jumpsuit or a mini dress, try to invest in something you know you can wear more than once. 

Don’t feel you have to stick to any rules. If you don’t love yourself in white, go for blue – if you want to wear denim shorts and a blazer then do it. It’s your day, your way.

Jumpsuits

A sleek all-in-one can bridge that gap between an androgynous suit and traditional dress – perfect if you’re after something cool but still classic. Our favourites have structural designs – Solace London create particularly striking, won’t-break-the-bank options.

Maxi Dresses

It’s still possible to wear a statement maxi dress for your civil ceremony without encroaching too much on traditional wedding dress territory. If you have another celebration in the pipe line, go for something completely different – be it cut, fit or detailed embellishment – to avoid doubling up on looks.

Slip Dress

A slip dress works for two types of bride: those after something sleek, un-fussy and timeless, and those who love the look but were worried it felt a little too casual for the main event. We love the rock ‘n’ roll feel of a slip – add sunnies and mules for a modern feel.

Midi Dresses

A classic choice, there are endless pretty white midi options to choose from. Just avoid cotton or linen, and opt for more formal or occasion-style fabrics like silk or lace to help you feel event-ready.

Mini Dress

Some of the coolest brides we know have opted for minis for their civil ceremonies. Make like Bettina Looney in vintage Chanel and go for bare legs with long sleeves for a still-modest approach. You’ll find this option works particularly well if you’ve gone super classic for your main wedding dress.

A Suit

An increasingly popular choice for civil ceremonies, androgynous tailoring is another great contrast to the femininity of a wedding dress. A great option if you’ve never considered yourself a conventional bride, we love everything from slinky Asceno styles to Reiss shorts suits.

Something Different

There’s rarely been a better time to play around with your bridal style, so whether it’s a white leather bomber, an embroidered denim jacket or pyjama style suiting, experiment with cool, trend-led pieces. You could even use it as an opportunity to try wackier wedding styles – from tulle to feather-trimming – it’s your chance to try the details you’d be too nervous to go for on your big day.

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