New Year's Eve is one of the most exciting nights of the year. It's a time to celebrate and ring in the new year with friends, family, and loved ones. For some couples, it also serves as the perfect night to tie the knot! A New Year's Eve wedding is a great way to commemorate the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
If you've been invited to a New Year's Eve wedding, you'll want an outfit that's festive, elegant, and comfortable for dancing the night away. As a wedding guest, your attire should complement the formality of the event without upstaging the couple or other members of the bridal party. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect New Year's Eve wedding guest dress.
Factors to Consider
When shopping for New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses, there are several factors you'll want to keep in mind:
Wedding Venue - Consider the location and formality of the wedding venue. A black tie optional affair at a hotel ballroom calls for more formal eveningwear, while a rustic barn venue may be more casual. Know the dress code before selecting an outfit.
Time of Day - New Year's Eve weddings may take place during the daytime or evening. Daytime weddings tend to be more casual, while evening black tie weddings are formal. Dress accordingly.
Weather - Look at the forecast and temperatures to guide your dress selection. Strapless or sleeveless dresses won't work well on cold winter days, while lighter fabrics like chiffon or crepe are ideal for warmer climates.
Color Scheme - Avoid colors and prints that might clash with the wedding colors. Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire and ruby are classic NYE tones. Black is always a chic option.
Personal Style - The most important factor is choosing a style that makes you feel confident and comfortable. The key is finding a balance between style and comfort.
Style Tips and Trends
From glamorous gowns to cocktail dresses here are some style tips and popular trends for New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses:
Long Evening Gowns - Formal floor-length evening gowns in luxurious fabrics like satin, silk, or chiffon are elegant options. Try a halter, one-shoulder, or off-the-shoulder style. Deep necklines and high slits can add drama.
Cocktail Dresses - Knee-length cocktail dresses are more versatile for moving between the ceremony and reception. A-line silhouettes, wrap dresses, or lace styles pair well with dressy heels or boots.
Jumpsuits - For a modern look, consider a formal jumpsuit. A silk jumpsuit with wide-leg pants has a glamorous, retro vibe. Add a fur stole and heels for a luxe statement.
Metallic Details - Metallic fabrics and embellishments in gold, silver, or champagne hues scream New Year's Eve glam. Try a metallic lace dress or gown with Art Deco-inspired beading.
Velvet - Velvet is having a major fashion moment. Rich emerald, sapphire, or burgundy velvet dresses have vintage appeal, perfect for a retro-glam NYE look.
Fur and Feathers - Stay warm while amping up the drama with faux fur or feather wraps, coats, shawls, and stoles over your gown or cocktail dress.
Sparkle and Sequins - Add pops of festive sparkle with sequin accents, beaded gowns, or a jewel-encrusted belt. Just take care not to outshine the bride!
Whatever style you choose, look for rich fabrics like satin and silks, eye-catching details, and cuts that accentuate your best assets. With the right accessories like dazzling jewelry, killer heels, and a glamorous updo, you're sure to look like a million bucks ringing in the New Year!
Specific Dress Ideas
Here are a few ideas for stunning New Years Eve wedding guest dresses:
Long-Sleeve Sequin Cocktail Dress - Try a long sleeve mini dress with allover sequins or beading. The sparkle is perfect for NYE, while the long sleeves keep you warm. Add metallic heels.
Velvet Wrap Dress - A wrap style velvet dress in a rich jewel tone is universally flattering. Make it more formal with an updo and evening clutch.
Emerald Green Satin Gown - Stand out in a satin column gown in rich emerald green. Simple and sophisticated, accessorize with diamond earrings and a fur stole.
Lace Cocktail Dress - For vintage appeal, opt for a black lace dress with 3/4 sleeves. Add a pearl necklace and red lipstick for timeless glam.
Gold Sequin Jumpsuit - A sequin gold jumpsuit makes a major style statement. Ground it with black pumps and loose waves.
One-Shoulder Chiffon Gown - A one-shoulder chiffon gown in royal blue or burgundy has an elegant goddess vibe. Finish with a sparkly hairpin.
Faux Fur Coat - Top any cocktail dress with a glam faux fur coat, ideal for cold weather. White fox fur is classy and elegant.
The options are endless - the key is finding a style that is formal, festive, and suits your individual taste. With the perfect New Years Eve wedding guest dress, you'll be ready to dance, mingle and countdown to midnight in style!
5 Tips for Accessorizing Your Look
The right accessories can elevate your New Years Eve wedding guest outfit from basic to beautiful. Here are 5 tips:
Glitzy Jewelry - On NYE, feel free to go bold with statement earrings, a tennis bracelet, or a sparkling cocktail ring. Rhinestones, crystals and diamonds are perfect for the occasion.
Metallic Shoes - Gold, silver or champagne heels instantly dress up your look. Try ankle strap sandals, classic pumps, or metallic booties.
Velvet Footwear - Along with velvet dresses, rich velvet shoes in jewel tones like deep purple or emerald green are on trend.
Sparkling Hairpiece - For an elegant updo, accent with a rhinestone hair clip or jeweled comb. It will catch the light on the dance floor.
Festive Clutch - A beaded evening bag, metallic minaudière, or glittery acrylic clutch adds a celebratory touch.
Effortlessly pull together a glamorous New Years Eve wedding guest outfit by layering on the sparkle with eye-catching jewelry, shoes, and accessories.
5 FAQs
What colors are best for a New Year's Eve wedding guest dress?
Classic black is always appropriate. Jewel tones like royal blue, emerald, ruby and gold are also great festive choices. Metallic shoes, bags and jewelry complement these rich tones.
What shoe styles work best?
For formal NYE weddings, an evening pump, strappy heel, or stiletto complements most gowns. Add some sparkle with metallic, beaded or jewel-encrusted shoes. For a warmer climate, try an embellished sandal.
How formal should the dress be?
This depends on the formality of the wedding. Black tie optional calls for an evening gown, while cocktail attire may be a shorter dress. When in doubt, err on the formal side with fabrics like satin or silks.
Should guests avoid wearing white?
It's best to avoid solid white, cream or ivory dresses, which is reserved for the bride. However, metallic champagne, gold and silver dresses are beautiful options perfect for a New Year's Eve wedding.
What outerwear is ideal?
For colder climates, bring a dress coat like a faux fur stole, cape or wrap. For warmer weather, a beaded bolero, lace jacket or pashmina adds elegance. Prep for the weather to stay comfortable.
NYE weddings are glamorous, festive affairs. With a little planning, you're sure to find the perfect dress to shine at a New Year's Eve wedding!
Conclusion
New Year's Eve weddings are wonderfully romantic and exciting celebrations to attend. As a wedding guest, you can really shine in a beautiful, ornate dress tailored to the event's elegant black-tie optional setting. From sleek satin column gowns to heavily sequined mini dresses, New Years Eve wedding guest dresses allow you to pull out all the stops with glamorous details and luxurious fabrics.
Just be sure to consider factors like the theme, dress code, and season when selecting an appropriate outfit. Whether you choose a richly colored velvet dress, metallic jumpsuit, or fur stole-accented lace cocktail dress, amp up the glamour with sparkling jewelry and heels. With some advance planning and a little holiday spirit, you'll look and feel fabulous ringing in the New Year alongside the newlyweds.
