This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
With all of the attention on your wedding gown (and rightfully so), you might have forgotten to find an outfit for the night before. Don’t panic–we’ve got some tips to help you figure out what to wear to the rehearsal dinner.
1. Choose your location first. Some rehearsal dinners are held in fancy restaurants, while other couples decide to go more low-key with a backyard barbeque or bonfire on the beach. So before you start shopping for an outfit, decide on the location and the overall vibe that you want the event to have. A more formal dinner calls for cocktail attire (think a LBD or wrap dress), while a casual outing can be anything from a pretty sundress, capri pants or even a cute romper.
2. Don’t feel the need to wear white. Trust us, everyone already knows that you’re the bride, so you shouldn’t feel the need to wear white to the rehearsal. In fact, this is a great time to play with color, such as choosing something that shows off your wedding color palette.
3. Steer clear of your gown style. If you’re wearing a strapless gown to the wedding, then choose a different neckline for the rehearsal. You want that moment you walk down the aisle to be wow your groom and guests; you don’t want them thinking, “I feel like I’ve seen this look on her before.”
4. Invest in quality. If you’re going for a dress, choose something you really love and can wear in the future. After all, you’re likely not going to wear your wedding gown again after the big day. And every time you put on your rehearsal dinner dress, you’ll be reminded of all of the wonderful memories from that special weekend.
5. Step out of your comfort zone. The rehearsal dinner is a great time to step away from your “usual” look and make yourself stand out. So if you often wear a simple black dress, pick a vibrant color or print that you would normally never wear. Or if you’re always in dresses, opt for a sexy pantsuit or jumpsuit.
6. But make it comfortable. You’ll be mixing and mingling with an array of guests at the rehearsal, so make sure the outfit is something you can move around in easily. And while it’s okay to wear something a little sexy, you don’t want to be too revealing–after all, your in-laws will be there!
7. Don’t get too trendy. We have all had those “what was I thinking?!” moments when it comes to fashion trends. But you don’t want to have one of those moments on a weekend where your every move will be photographed. While it’s okay to pick something small to make your look current (think your earrings, purse, even shoes), you don’t want to go overboard. And when in doubt, you can’t go wrong sticking with the classics.
8. Consult with your groom. You’ll want to be on the same page with your groom when it comes to attire. While you don’t need to color coordinate, you do want your styles to sync up (so he’s not showing up in khakis and a polo shirt, while you’re in a formal dress).
For more wedding tips, check out mistakes couples make when planning a religious wedding and 28 songs that will get guests dancing.
