Newly engaged? Congratulations! The wedding-related events are only just beginning–and may even start soon after you’ve said ‘yes!’ No matter how or where you’re celebrating your new bride-to-be status, you’ve got to figure out what to wear–and I’ve got ideas for engagement party outfits worthy of the star of the show, whatever type of engagement party you plan.
If the pressure of having all eyes on you feels a tad intimidating, that’s OK (and totally normal), but there’s no need to stress. Instead, enjoy this moment and the outpouring of love–and take this opportunity to show off your own unique bridal style. When it comes to the rules of what to wear to an engagement party, well, there are no rules!
That’s right, you don’t have to wear white! Now, lots of brides-to-be do enjoy a white dress at their engagement party. At your engagement party, your friends and family will gather to congratulate you and celebrate your upcoming wedding, and this is your first chance to start experimenting with your bridal style. Whether you wear lots of white in your daily life or are new to wearing white dresses, take this opportunity to don a gorgeous bridal outfit and enjoy having all eyes on you! But if you aren’t ready to wear white yet, or would prefer to show off your colorful style, that works too!
There’s no limit for today’s brides, and no dress code–unless you’re having your engagement party at a venue that requires one. The type of engagement party you’re having should be your real style guide. As one Reddit user put it, a bride can wear “whatever she wants. It depends on her personal style, favorite colors, and formality of the event just like any other outfit. Some brides wear jeans and t-shirts to their engagement parties, and some wear ballgowns. Both options and everything in between are all equally fine.”
Easy Engagement Party Outfit Ideas
No matter what type of party you’re having, these chic white outfits will help you stand out in true bridal style! White is always an acceptable color for any of your engagement events, so long as you are the bride! However, you probably don’t want to wear a floor-length white gown with a train to your engagement party, simply because people may assume it’s The Dress–or even a surprise wedding! Any of these classic pieces can stand by themselves as the star of your outfit, or you can dress them up with dainty or statement jewelry and shoes.
The Formal Dinner
The fanciest parties require the fanciest outfits. While you probably won’t be wearing black tie (unless it’s a really fancy restaurant), upscale cocktail attire and longer hemlines aren’t out of place here. If you’re not sure about what to wear, your best bet is to check out the venue’s social media and see what other brides and diners wear.
The Cocktail Hour
A cocktail party is a sophisticated event that calls for sleek, sophisticated outfits! A mini-to-midi-length cocktail dress or jumpsuit in an elevated fabric is the perfect solution, since these dresses are so stylish on their own and look right at home at any venue–even if the venue is your house.
The Backyard BBQ
Sometimes the most casual parties are the most fun! At a laid-back, casual get-together, you can wear whatever you want, so long as you feel cute and comfortable. For a daytime party, a cute party dress is absolutely perfect, while you might want something longer–or even a dressy top and nice jeans—for an evening event. Not for formality’s sake, but because it can get chilly at night and you might want your legs covered if you’re outside!
Be sure to let your guests know what level of formality you expect, though. If you say “casual,” then they’re likely to show up in dresses. If you want jeans, say so on the invites. Trust us, they’ll thank you for the clarification! And a word to the wise: If you’re serving heavily-sauced barbecue at your party, be careful if you do wear white–and stick a stain removal pen in your purse just in case of a saucy spill!.
The Garden Party
For a fancier outdoor party, consider a dress with floral motifs. Whether you go full-on colorful, pick pastels, or opt for a monochrome dress, an outdoor party is always a great option for florals. Romantic details like bows and bustier bodices add to the dreamy vibe of an elegant garden party.
The Rooftop Bar
A rooftop bar engagement party is an evening under twinkling lights, sharing drinks and small bites with friends above the hustle and bustle of the city below. For this type of party, a chic mini or midi dress or a sleek romper is a perfect outfit. Depending on the bar’s vibe, you might feel comfortable wearing some of your favorite statement jewelry or a dress with lots of glam embellishments–think sequins, metallic accents, and 3D details!
The Waterfront Gathering
Whether you’re having a beach blanket bonfire, a dinner cruise, or a lively gathering at your hometown’s river walk, water always makes a lovely backdrop for an engagement party. However, when you’re on the water, you’re often subject to cooler breezes than you might expect, so having an outer layer on hand is always a good idea. Marine-inspired blues are great colors to work into a waterside engagement party outfit, as are stripes, beachy knits, sailor collars, and other coastal motifs.
The Laid-Back Brunch
If you’re having your engagement party at a more casual location, match the vibe in a cute-yet-comfy outfit. A white outfit will make it more obvious what you’re celebrating, of course, and if you’re having an engagement brunch, the dress code can be nicely relaxed. Generally speaking, the earlier an event is in the day, the less formal the dress code should be. For brunch, a smart casual dress code might be ideal, where attire is neat and polished, but not overly formal.
The Country Club Celebration
Depending on where you are, a country club’s dress code may range from fairly formal to cute and casual. If you’re having a small, intimate engagement party at a country club, you can’t go wrong with a chic, minimalist outfit! Whether you go with a little white dress or something longer with playful polka dots, the key to this look is simplicity. Styling these sleek dresses is easy; they need very little to feel like a complete look. Metallic shoes add a pop of glam that won’t overwhelm your outfit or make it feel busy, and a beaded, embellished clutch is the perfect way to add just a little texture for interest.
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This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated with new content.
