Between “black-tie optional,” “beach formal,” and “garden party chic,” wedding dress codes can feel like a foreign language. One you’re expected to master by the time the big day arrives. The good news: Once you understand the overarching categories and what’s expected for each, decoding a dress directive becomes a lot less stressful and more fun, with plenty of wedding guest options for every type of nuptial affair.

Think of the dress requirements as a roadmap for the party to come: how formal the event will be, what kind of setting you’ll be in, and how dressed up the hosts hope the celebration will feel. “Dress codes allow the couple to curate a visual story for their day. When everyone is in the same aesthetic, the whole event looks intentional and elevated,” says Corinne Pierre

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