8 Australian creatives show us their go-to wedding outfits

“The main point should be to look for something that you can wear more than once.”

I love a good wedding. There’s nothing better than attending a massive party where you’re catching up with friends you may not have seen for months (or years!) in a beautiful location. The only downside to this extravagant event? Choosing an outfit.

Deciding what to wear to a wedding is an extremely delicate process. Deciding what to wear on a daily basis is hard enough (especially if you love a full lewk like I do), but add in a dress code, a possible outdoor ceremony, and a night full of dancing and inevitable spillages, and the pressure to find the right outfit can be intense.  

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Should you wear a gown, or is a mini dress okay? Is this the time to pull out your opulent heels, or should you opt for a more sensible shoe? Can you wear black, or should you go for a bold print? Will a spaghetti strap work, or will you freeze during the early evening ceremony? 

Even though wedding invitations are usually sent out months in advance, it still doesn’t stop the questions from flooding your brain every time you see the saved date in your calendar. So to make things easier for us all, I’ve reached out to eight Australian fashion creatives to see what they’d wear to a wedding.

Katharina Mildren, founder and designer at Katharinalou

When investing in my next outfit to attend a wedding, what’s important to me is finding something that I’ll look and feel fab in for the event, but [that I’ll] also get to mismatch and re-wear more casually after. This is why I think a matching set is the perfect answer. I’m wearing the Fruit Loop set from my label Katharina Lou. I’ve seen so many people attending weddings in this so I’m dying for my turn!

@katharinalouu

Sean Galway, model and content creator

There aren’t enough chances in life that we get to go full glam, like floor-length evening gown glam. I wore this dress to a gala, and I think it deserves another full glam moment. So, if any of my friends could get married that would be great…

@seangalway

Meg Wilcher, founder and designer at Apres Studio

I got asked to be a bridesmaid recently for a non-traditional bride. But not just for anybody, my gorgeous friend who is an insanely clever swimmer and resort designer. Naturally, she sifted through the internet for tonal gems that suited each of the bridesmaids’ bodies and colouring. I got to wear what I’d wear as a guest too – a gorgeous, vintage gem of a gown found on The Real Real.

[It’s] made from earth tone paisley velvet and [has] hand beaded crystal appliqué all over. It was strapless with an enormous amount of boning in the bodice and just enough length for a small train. I always try to minimise my footprint going to events like this, particularly when you feel like you’ll only wear the items once or twice, so buying a preloved vintage dress hits different.

@megwilcher 

Kesha Butterly, designer and owner of Love-Connection 

My most recent wedding was standing next to my best friend, Natalie Coaunis. I designed the dress alongside Natalie Rolt and it’s called the Kesha Dress. I would wear the Kesha dress to any wedding in the blue or black colour that it’s available to be made in. Another two favourites of mine for future weddings are from Dion Lee and Alexander Wang.

@lovec0nnection

Harriet Sutherland, buyer at Carmague 

I recently attended a winter wedding in Byron Bay and wore a dress by one of my favourite designers Esse Studios, and paired it with some beaded Simone Rocha earrings, both of which we carry at Camargue, where I work as a buyer. What was so amazing about this dress, is that the fabric is a beautiful viscose knit that’s form-fitting, but you feel supported, confident and comfortable. Once those boxes are ticked, you can relax and simply enjoy the day.

@hrrtsthrlnd

Cat Forsyth, stylist, designer and writer

My go-to wedding guest look would have to be my favourite dress I own. I found this slinky green satin dress in a vintage shop a few years ago and grab it out every now and then for a nice occasion. I attended a wedding a few months ago and wore this dress. I felt confident and beautiful – I’d also just dyed my hair red which incidentally went perfectly with the dress! 

When it comes to wedding guest outfits, I’d suggest looking at secondhand clothes rather than buying something new and expensive (which is often too specific to re-wear). The main point should be to look for something that you can wear more than once. I would get thrifty and find a cool gem like this dress, which although I don’t wear a lot, I can always rely on to feel beautiful and appropriately dressed!

@catforsythh

Ruby Staley, writer, stylist and model 

Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to wear this stunning set to a wedding (tiniest violin), these pieces would be the strongest sartorial contenders to wear if I’m ever invited to one. Both matching pieces are from Melbourne-based luxury sleepwear brand Sleeping with Jacques and are crafted from a soft, plush velvet that’s sleek in shine and coloured black as night. 

The combo of the Bianca Skirt and Brontë Midi Top makes me feel like a far cooler version of myself, making it a perfect ‘fit to lure in a love of my own. Not only is this set comfy enough to wear throughout the ceremony and reception, but it’s also stark black meaning there’s no chance of clashing with the bridal party (unless they’re going for the unconventional route). If not a wedding, I’m sure you’ll be seeing me wearing this set and styling both of the separates very soon.

@rubystaley_

Ashiya Omundsen, designer and founder of Par Moi

I think most of my friends aren’t the big wedding types so the weddings I get the pleasure of attending are normally pretty spaced out. The next one I have in the calendar isn’t until mid-next year, but in true me fashion I’ve already thought about my outfit. 

For re-wear reasons, I lean toward two-piece looks over dresses. For this one, I’m thinking of making this look in a custom fabric. The wedding will be in the UK in summertime, so I’ll be able to wear the pieces separately as part of other looks on the trip, which is so much better than lugging a wedding-only look across the globe.

@par___moi

For suggestions on how to make your wedding outfit more sustainable and ethical, head here.