How to Dress for a Civil Wedding? 👰

Are you planning your civil wedding soon and wondering what outfit to wear? How is it different from what you'd wear to a religious wedding? Or perhaps you're invited to this kind of event and looking for style inspirations for your outfit on the day?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I'm particularly interested in wedding trends, as these often involve stunning outfits that stand out from everyday wear and help create unforgettable memories for those who wear them.

Today, I’d like to share with you a selection of outfits, along with some tips, specially chosen for attending a secular ceremony, whether you're the star of the day or a guest.

For a civil wedding, you can opt for a more relaxed outfit that strays a bit from the traditional heavy wedding dresses and classic suits. For women, consider a solid-colour jumpsuit, a short dress, or even a bohemian-style dress. For men, a light-coloured suit paired with unique accessories (like suspenders, a bow tie, etc.) and trendy shoes would be just right. And if you're attending as a guest, feel free to wear an outfit that reflects your personal style and makes you feel good!

Want to find out more? Keep reading to discover:

• Reasons why it's important to plan a special outfit for your civil wedding
• Ideas for women’s outfits that are different from a traditional wedding dress,
• Suggestions for grooms as well,
• Plus tips and tricks for guests…
• … and loads of stylish outfit examples for this type of event!

Why Wear Different Outfits for Your Religious and Civil Weddings?

Although they serve the same purpose, a civil marriage and its religious counterpart take place in different contexts. A civil union is generally less formal and solemn. On average, there are fewer guests at the registry office than at the church, and the two ceremonies do not necessarily occur on the same day or at nearby locations.

Therefore, it's quite reasonable to consider having two different outfits—one for the church and one for the registry office. The latter usually allows for a more relaxed and less traditional dress code. This is the perfect opportunity to choose a wedding dress or suit that truly reflects your personal style!

👉 Of course, if you've decided to have only a civil marriage or a PACS, the fashion tips I'm sharing in this article are for you too!

What to wear to your own civil wedding if you are the lucky one? 👰

Are you getting married at the registry and looking for the perfect outfit to shine on this special day? I've picked out a few ideas for you, in line with the wedding trends of recent years! Check them out in the following sections. 😉

Switch Up the Classic Dress with a Short Dress!

In popular imagination, a wedding dress is often seen as a long white gown, sometimes with a dramatic flair. For a civil wedding, you can give it a modern twist by opting for a shorter dress!

Choosing a midi white dress with a lovely backless design and some elegant lace details is a sure way to accentuate your silhouette, especially your legs and the upper part of your back, as well as your hairstyle.

The short dress is suitable for many body types, but it particularly flatters medium to petite women, as well as curvy women or those with defined shapes.

For this trend, I recommend keeping it simple by wearing classic pumps and avoiding overly flashy accessories.

👉 Looking to explore white dress styles for your wedding ceremony? Join me on our bohemian fashion website by clicking on the banner below!

white dress for civil wedding

Show off your personality with a dress or suit!

Do you want your outfit to showcase your vibrant personality while remaining elegant and sophisticated? A women's suit or a jumpsuit are great options to consider!

➡️ The difference between these two outfits is straightforward:

• The suit consists of two pieces, comprising a pair of trousers and a jacket,
• The jumpsuit is a fashionable one-piece outfit.

No matter what you choose, these clothes have the advantage of slimming and elongating your figure. They are particularly suitable for women of medium to tall height, with a rather elongated physique.

To maintain the sophisticated look of this outfit, I recommend keeping it simple with solid-coloured heels and subtle accessories.

Embrace the Boho Chic Style

Not feeling like wearing a white dress for your outdoor ceremony? In that case, you might consider a long, flowing bohemian-style dress, which is quite fashionable right now. Whether it's a solid colour or has a simple and understated print (which I recommend), the bohemian dress is the perfect match for most body types. I suggest picking one that complements your hair and eye colour, and to enhance it even more, wear simple and discreet accessories.

🌺 You could consider adding a lovely flower crown to frame your face. It’s a simple accessory to wear that will give you a very feminine look. Interested in this option? Check out our collection of bohemian flower crowns!

👉 Looking for a bohemian outfit for your wedding? Check out a selection of perfect dresses for the occasion, or browse our entire collection using the banner below:

bohemian dress for civil wedding

What to Wear for Your Civil Wedding if You're the Groom? 🤵

While choosing the wedding dress takes up a lot of attention during wedding preparations, the groom's suit is also an essential detail of your ceremony. That’s why I’ve decided to share some outfit ideas that are great for men in this article.

A bright and colourful outfit to celebrate your joy

A wedding is a joyful day! To showcase your happiness, there’s nothing like wearing bright colours that make you look radiant and cheerful. You might want to opt for a linen suit, which is light yet well-tailored.

👔 A less formal option, a civil ceremony gives you the chance to either ditch the tie altogether or wear a stylish and unique one. Pick the option that suits you best!

A suit with a vest, stylish and classy

Thinking of dressing smartly for the occasion? The trending vests and suits will give you a sophisticated look and a polished appearance. Popularised by Netflix series like Peaky Blinders, these classic outfits have made a comeback in recent years and are absolutely suitable for a civil wedding! Plus, they work well in any season.

Be Bold with Unique Accessories!

Don’t want your wedding to be too formal? A civil ceremony is a great chance to showcase your personality with accessories like:

• braces,
• a bow tie,
• shirts with coloured buttons,
• an unique jacket,
• a shirt with a print,
• a hat…

👉 To avoid overdoing it, make sure to choose no more than two accessories from this list and that they match each other. 😉

Stylish Casual Shoes

Continuing with the accessories, there’s also a wider selection of shoes for a civil wedding. You don’t have to stick to classic low leather shoes; on this occasion, you can opt for something a bit more casual.

However, I recommend choosing shoes that match your style: for example, a pair of white sneakers (make sure they’re clean, not a single stain!) will go very well with a plain suit, while cowboy boots will pair nicely with a denim jacket.

What to Wear to a Civil Wedding if You're Invited?

A friend, colleague, or family member has invited you to the registry office to celebrate their wedding, and you're wondering what to wear for the occasion? In this final section, I'll share some outfit ideas for the whole family, which will be perfect for a non-religious ceremony.

What should you know about fashion before attending a civil wedding?

Before you pick your outfit, here are a few tips that might help you:

• If you're attending a wedding as a couple, it might be nice to coordinate your outfits, especially in terms of styles and colours. It will look great in the photos!
• Don’t forget to ask the couple if there’s a theme for their wedding: this can help you find a suitable outfit!
• Check out the venue for the celebrations: some civil ceremonies might take place on beaches, for example. It’s best to choose your clothing accordingly if that’s the case.
• Lastly, make sure to have an outfit that's appropriate for the weather during the season of the ceremony, to avoid any unpleasant surprises!

What should a man wear?

For the gentlemen, a slightly formal outfit would be just right. You don’t have to wear a full suit and tie, but I recommend a well-fitted light-coloured trouser, paired with matching shoes and a shirt, along with a blazer.

👔 When it comes to accessories, you can rely on the tips provided in the previous section dedicated to the groom.

What outfit should a woman wear?

For this occasion, you have the freedom to choose an outfit that flatters your figure and highlights your features. If you prefer, you can opt to focus on a single colour, by selecting a solid dress or even a jumpsuit. This will bring an elegant touch to your outfit while keeping it simple.

In any case, I suggest that you avoid wearing more than two different colours!

👝 When it comes to accessories, you can opt for some subtle jewellery (to highlight your lovely hairdo), along with a clutch that’s both stylish and practical for keeping your smartphone and a few small items organised.

What Clothes to Prepare for Your Kids?

For the kids, I recommend picking an outfit that is both stylish and simple, using no more than two colours as well. Keep in mind that there’s a good chance they’ll spend the day playing and having fun: if the outfit you picked isn’t quite suitable, be sure to bring a change of clothes for them to put on when the time comes.

This article is coming to an end, and I hope it has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration for the upcoming civil wedding! Looking to explore more articles related to fashion? Check out our blog! 😉