How To Dress For Your Loved One’s Wedding Dress Code

Have you finally received a long-awaited wedding invitation from a friend or family member? As important as finding the perfect wedding gift or making travel preparations are, figuring out what to wear can be a major challenge – especially if you’re not sure if you’ll be able to adhere to the dress code.

Do you know the difference between formal and semi-formal? How about the finer points of a black-tie dress code? Before you head out and buy a new wedding ensemble, we here at Nanina’s in the Park want to help you pick the perfect attire so you’re not feeling over- or underdressed on the big day. Here are the most common wedding dress codes and how to pull them off.

1. Casual

For the truly laid-back couple, casual attire gives guests the freedom to wear whatever they’d like, but this doesn’t mean that you should show up in shorts and flip-flops. Colorful sundresses for ladies and polo shirts/button-downs and pants for men are the perfect comfy chic look for a casual wedding setting.

2. Cocktail Attire/Semi-Formal

This is a step up from casual attire and is designed to allow guests to feel breezy and comfortable, while still showcasing their own unique sense of style. This dress code is ideal for ladies who love to wear cocktail and tea-length dresses, while men can easily get away with a shirt/tie with a blazer or sport coat combination.

3. Formal/Black Tie Optional

This dress code is one step below an official Black Tie setup, as it means that while the wedding party will be dressed in formal attire, it is optional for all guests attending. A good way to start putting together an outfit for the occasion is to focus on a dark suit or a tuxedo for menswear, while ladies can comfortably dress for this occasion in a formal gown or an evening pant suit.

4. White Tie

This is the most formal of all the wedding dress codes and you should expect your attire to be similar to the wedding party. Think something along the lines of attending a White House state dinner or another type of elegant affair! Men are expected to be decked out in their best tuxedos, while full-length gowns are par for the course for the ladies.

5. Themed Attire

Last but not least, a couple may throw a curveball at you with a themed dress code, such as Beach Casual, Festive Attire or Texas Formal. These can vary greatly based on how casual or formal the couple would like the event to be, but if this happens, a good way to get started is to plan your outfit around a specific piece or accessory. For instance, if it’s a beach formal wedding, pick one piece of casual wear (sandals, linen shirts, flats) and then appoint the rest of the outfit with more formal pieces that adhere to traditional wedding fashion. Experiment to find the right combination that works for you!

4 Ways To Make Doughnuts The Star Of Your Wedding

We here at Nanina’s in the Park always love to shine the spotlight on great wedding trends as they emerge, especially when it comes to the many food choices that couples’ have to celebrate their nuptials. It seems that doughnuts are having their wedding moment, as they have been spotted at weddings all over the U.S. as a welcome alternative to the traditional wedding cake or even the cupcake trend that has popped up in recent years.

But how do you make doughnuts the star of your wedding reception? If you’re looking for some creative inspiration, try a few of these great ideas for your wedding day.

1. Doughnut Pops

We’ve all seen cake pops before, but doughnut pops are a new spin on this extremely popular food trend. While traditionally-sized doughnuts may be a bit too large for skewers, smaller donuts that are either dusted in sugar or in colorful frosting will be a welcome reception snack for you and your guests. With a nearly unlimited amount of frosting and sprinkle options, you can design doughnut pops in a color scheme that matches your wedding theme perfectly.

2. Doughnut Wall

This is by far one of the most popular new wedding trends, which consists of arranging donuts on a wall with hooks, either on a cork or wooden board set against a wall. Not only is this a perfect backdrop to play around with color and other creative designs, it’s the perfect place for guests to come by and grab a snack during the evening, as well as being a wonderful spot to take photos. If you’re working with a tight budget, this is one of the easiest and least expensive DIY projects you can take on for your special day, and there’s a good chance that your guests will have never seen anything like it before!

 3.Doughnut Cake

No one says that you need a traditional wedding cake on your special day, so if your dream dessert is a heavenly stack of donuts, you can make it a reality! Doughnut cakes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and while you can make one yourself, bakeries have begun making specialized doughnut arrangements for weddings. Who doesn’t want to cut into a slice of stacked donuts after a night of dinner and dancing?

4. Doughnut Favors

Last but not least, if you’d like a delectable way to send off your guests as your wedding day comes to a close, doughnut favors make for a perfect snack for the ride home. Make an effort to support a local bakery to give your guests a taste of a local specialty, and try to pick a doughnut that reflects your chosen theme or the season in which the wedding is held.