And so wedding season begins...

I love weddings!  Granted, I am engaged and sell bridal gowns for a living.  Regardless, I was so excited to go to my first wedding of the season this past weekend and it was... interesting to see what people wore, to say the least.  For example, one lady wore a tea-length, lemon colored shift.  Another girl wore a halter style, silver and black swirl print, lamé mini-dress.  Yet another guest chose a long black dress with a matching black jacket.  It was a total hodge-podge of fashion!  It really got me thinking about how one goes about choosing what to wear to a wedding.  Different looks aren't necessarily right or wrong, but there are certain guidelines everyone should follow.  Here are ten tips for choosing your wedding wear this year.

1) Don't wear white, a print that's more than 50% white, or any version of white (aka: cream, blush, nude, light grey/silver, ivory, etc.).  This one's a no brainer, but with the nude-colored trend in full force right now, I thought it might be worth mentioning.

2) Avoid wearing black to a daytime wedding.  While your go-to LBD might be easy, a color or print feels much more cheerful and appropriate for a mid-day celebration.

3) Look at photos of the venue online if you're not familiar with the location.  You will have an easier time picking out a great outfit if you can imagine yourself at the party, and visuals really help.

4) If you have any black-tie weddings in your future, consider renting a long gown from Rent The Runway instead of paying for a gown that you'll probably only wear once.  You'll pay a fraction of the price for a designer gown!  I mean, how often do you really get to wear formal gowns?  If your answer is more than twice a year, keep me in mind if you ever need a date. =)

5) If your dress or top doesn't cover your shoulders, plan to bring or wear a coordinating layering piece.  This could be a shawl or a shrug or a bolero or a jacket.  Even if the ceremony isn't at a religious house during the day, you will most certainly want an option for night.  It could be cold or someone could drop  a drink on you - it's always best to be prepared.  (Thanks Grandma for instilling this belief in me.)

6) Some years, you may have half a dozen weddings to go to or more (I can think of at least 10 friends who have gotten engaged in the last 6 months).  If that's the case, invest in nude pumps, a jewel-toned sheath or strapless dress, a metallic clutch, and a neutral topper.  They're classic pieces which can be styled appropriately for many occasions.

7) Weddings are not the time to wear something too over the top or eye-catching.  You never want to get more attention than the bride for what you're wearing.  She'll appreciate it - trust me.

8) Discuss what you're going to wear with your date at least several days in advance.  It's safe to assume you will be photographed together so take whatever steps necessary to ensure you don't clash.  If you're bringing your significant other, more likely than not, they will appreciate you just picking out an outfit and telling them what to wear.

9) Bring a coordinating purse just large enough to carry the essentials: I.D., money, credit card, business cards, tissues, lip gloss, a camera, your car key (if driving), and breath mints.  If you can bear it, leave your phone behind.  Detach from technology and take the opportunity to live and love in the moment.

10) Make sure your shoes are broken in, comfortable, and you can wear them late into the night.  Dr. Scholl's gel inserts for women are a life saver.  If you don't think your feet will make it the whole night, bring a pair of flats to change into.  There's nothing tackier than going shoeless - at any public event.

I hope you find these tips helpful the next time you're planning what to wear to a wedding.  Have fun, look fantastic, and be fabulous! =)