Deciphering  the dress code

Even if you’re not the bride, dressing for a wedding is a tricky affair. You want to look fabulous and effortlessly glamourous without heading into OTT territory (upstaging the bride = over the top). If you’re lucky enough not to be in the entourage (pity those poor girls forced to wear matching dresses often in the most unforgiving fabric), then you’ve already  one-upped those chicks in the style department.

As soon as  you’ve received the invite (or e-vite if the affianced couple is going for a green wedding), make sure you get the dress code right. If it says formal, ask the wedding planner if that means black-tie/long gowns or “anything goes” formal. In Manila, formal can mean anything between prom-themed and smart casual. Get clued in as to what kind of semi-formal, cocktail or smart casual attire they’re referring to.

A good hint could be the location. A beach setting calls for floor-sweeping jersey confections, strapless floral knee-length frocks or anything that isn’t too heavy or ornate. Imagine battling the sand, surf and sea breeze in a sequin-laden number. People might mistake you for a Miss Universe contestant. Joey Mead and Faith Amigo wore light, brightly-colored frocks at Amanda Griffin’s Bali wedding — the dresses were easy to maneuver around in, and once the music started up, people shook their booties on the dance floor sans shoes.

Baguio or mountain region locales serve as a venue for dressier affairs. This is the time to whip out your fur stoles (faux only, please) and bejeweled accessories. Preview’s Agoo Bengzon suited up in a teal mid-calf Rajo Laurel dress with Firma jewelry and a Celestina clutch for her sister Rina’s Baguio wedding. To cover up, she finished her ensemble with a fur-trimmed pashmina wrap.

If the wedding is going to be held in a hotel ballroom or something equally grand, opt for something subtle and classic. Happy David’s solution to dressing for a wedding is touching on chinoiserie, opting for a Ronaldo Arnaldo floor-length dress with a Mandarin collar. The bright print was a relief against all the subdued monochromatically-attired ladies in attendance. Philippine Tatler’s Maureen Disini unearthed a 10-year-old Rhett Eala dress from her closet when she recently attended a friend’s wedding in Batanes. The aqua frock stood out among the sea of brown and black dresses.

If you’re wondering if you need a designer label to make an impressive entrance, there’s no need to worry. Lots of local designers have RTW at affordable prices at places like The Ramp at Crossings, Markati Palazzo at Podium and Archeology at Power Plant Mall. SM Department Store’s ladies boutique carries a lot of inexpensive cocktail dresses that can easily transition from wedding guest attire to party frock.

The most important thing to remember is not to sweat the small things. After all, it’s not your day. All eyes are bound to be on the bride. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes. It’s not your wedding day, so why should you have to suffer?   —Bea Ledesma