Planning your outfit for that upcoming wedding? You’ve got so many choices to choose from, and if a dress is at the top of that list, you might have thought about a lace dress? But, can you actually wear a lace dress to a wedding?

The answer? Yes, you can wear a lace dress to a wedding. In-fact, it’s probably more common for wedding guests to wear it than you think. But, there is a little more to it than that – you don’t want to overshadow the bride afterall.

With that said, it’s important to take note of a few considerations to ensure you wear your lace dress in a way that’s appropriate for the wedding.

5 Tips For Wearing A Lace Dress To A Wedding

So, while you can wear a lace dress to a wedding, these are our top 5 tips to making sure you do so correctly and appropriately. 

Be Aware of the Bridal Palette

With lace, a material often associated with bridal wear, exercising discretion in your choice of colour is probably the most important thing to keep in mind. As expected, you should avoid shades of white, cream, and champagne, as they should remain exclusive for the bridal palette. 

Instead, opt for darker tones, such as navy, black, or burgundy, unless you’ve specifically been made aware that the bride will be going against tradition and opting for one of these colours.

Alternatively, liven up your look with vibrant hues like cobalt blue or emerald green. Your dress, while exquisite, should never distract from the bride.

Choose the Right Type of Lace

Lace comes in a broad range of styles, cuts and patterns. To name just some, you’ve got the intricate floral pattern dresses made of Chantilly lace to the bolder designs of Guipure. We’d generally recommend sticking to an elegant and minimal pattern that’s not too loud or eye-catching. 

Balance Elegance with Comfort

While lace dresses are undoubtedly stylish, you do want to be making sure that comfort is a priority, especially if you’ll be hitting the dance floor later in the night. If your dress is too constrictive or the lace material is causing discomfort, it doesn’t do much to help you enjoy the wedding.

We recommend going with a dress that has a softer lace or satin underlay, and also consider the length and cut of the dress as well. A fit-and-flare silhouette, for instance, is a great way to add a bit of glam without compromising too much on comfort.

Pair with Subtle Accessories

Lace already carries a certain visual weight, so there’s really no need to overdo it with accessories. Besides, going too loud on the accessory front, in combination with a lace dress, leads to the possibility of taking the spotlight away from the bride.

Instead, complement your dress with understated pieces. A pair of pearl earrings, a delicate pendant necklace, or a minimal sleek clutch are great options that look beautiful, without being too much.

Consider the Weather & Location

And lastly, it’s important to also consider the time of year and location when selecting a lace dress for a wedding. Heavier laces like Venise are perfect for cooler seasons to help provide a touch of warmth as well as style. For warmer weather and summer wedding, lighter laces such as eyelet lace will work to keep you cool whilst still offering a distinctive touch of refinement. 

Conclusion

So hopefully this answers your question and shows that a lace dress can actually be worn to weddings as a guest. With the right touch 
Just remember to be mindful of the bridal palette and avoid white, select the right type of lace, balance elegance with comfort, accessorise subtly, and also consider the weather and location.

Following these tips will allow you to rock that lace dress and stand out for the right reasons, without taking any spotlight from the bride.