Many brides have chosen Carla Zampatti wedding dresses to help celebrate their special day, as the silhouettes are eternally elegant and are crafted in-tune with the female body. As weddings these days do not have strict rules on attire as they once may have, more freedom with your style can be explored when selecting a wedding party dress. Carla’s passion for design has resonated with many Australian and international brides who want to feel empowered on their wedding days. 

As the bride, it is important to notify your guests of any intended dress code that you would like them to follow for your wedding day and engagement party. This will help your guests plan their wedding party outfits in advance and prevent any unintended deviations from your vision. 

You don’t have to stop at just a Carla Zampatti wedding dress, you can also shop luxury bridesmaid dresses too! The range of sizes from size 4 to 16 will enable your bridesmaids to feel glamorous in their wedding party outfit from the ceremony to the reception. 

Dress Codes Decoded

Casual – casual wedding party dresses are the most laid-back option; a day dress or smart jeans can be worn with low heels or flats.

Cocktail/Semi-Formal/Dressy Casual – a mix between casual and formal, you can opt for a tailored cocktail dress with heels but focus on what you would wear for a dressy lunch instead of a formal dinner. 

Beach Formal – patterns and floaty georgette are perfect for a wedding at a beach location. Pair with strappy sandals and a woven clutch. 

Formal – aim for a look that you would wear to an upmarket restaurant dinner and don’t be afraid to add a little sparkle. Choose between midi length or floor length depending on the location and time of day.

Black Tie – as men are required to wear tuxedos, a formal gown of any length is the best go-to for a Black-Tie wedding. 

White Tie – the most formal of all wedding dress codes, women are required to wear a floor length gown or ball gown and men are required to wear long-tail tuxedos. 

Wedding Guest Dresses 

Choosing what to wear as a wedding guest does not have to be stressful, but instead should be fun and carefree. From engagement party attire to wedding party outfits, the Carla Zampatti wedding collection includes a wide array of options to help celebrate the special day. 

Engagement Party Do’s and Don’ts

An occasion that often is overlooked is the engagement party, and shopping for engagement party attire can often be last minute. Engagement party outfits should generally be attuned to the location of the party, and considerations such as whether it is indoor or outdoor should not be overlooked. For a more casual at-home engagement party, a midi dress in a relaxed fit is an elegant and timeless option, and can be paired with block heels or slides. An engagement dinner calls for a dressier option, and a cocktail dress with embellishments or gold thread is a beautiful option. Shop dresses here. 

The mother of the bride/groom will also want to wear something special to start the celebrations at the engagement party. The mother of the bride/groom edit can be shopped here. 

It is important to also take note of any instructions on the invite – such as whether you are requested to wear a specific colour. One faux pax for engagement party dressing is to avoid white. It is most likely that the bride will wear white at both her engagement party and wedding so its best to avoid this colour. Something else to consider is making sure not to over-dress – it is the bride's time to shine, and arriving in a show-stopping gown should be saved for a black-tie invite or unless specified to formal. 

The overarching consensus for engagement party dressing is to follow invitation instructions, and ask the bride or groom for clarification if you are unsure of the event’s formality – but make sure you ask ahead of time and not on the day!

Jumpsuits

Dresses for weddings are the obvious go to’s, however, jumpsuits are often an elegant and refined alternative to wear at a wedding or engagement party. Carla Zampatti is often known for expert tailoring and suiting, and the jumpsuit collection is no exception. Designer jumpsuits for weddings have become popular as they are a one-and-done outfit – especially throughout the cooler months when you may want an added layer of warmth on your legs, while still remaining chic. 

Many Carla Zampatti Jumpsuits are designed to reach the floor and cover your shoes, so it is at the wearer's discretion to opt for sky-high heels or a more comfortable lower heel as the shoe will be hidden. Accessorise with an embellished clutch and a statement hair-do. 

Consider the Season 

Your hunt for wedding party dresses should consider the climate and the temperature of the wedding date. Australian weddings can vastly vary depending on the location and time of year – a wedding in Cairns will mostly be warm and sunny compared to a wedding in Tasmania that may require sleeves regardless of the month. 

Spring/Summer – cocktail dresses in light pastels or bright pops of colour are classic options for a warm season wedding. You can dress up your look with accessories such as a hat or belt. Best colours to wear: light blue, pink, yellow & neutrals.

Autumn/Winter – experiment with texture such as velvet or sequin embellishment as you can opt for heavier materials in darker hues. Accessorise with a closed toe shoe and layer with a jacket or cover-up to stay warm. Best colours to wear: navy, burgundy, dark florals, champagne. 

FAQ

What dresses do you wear to a wedding?

A wide array of dresses can be worn to weddings – wedding party outfits can include pant-suits, jumpsuits, mini-dresses, midi-dresses, and floor-length gowns; it just depends on the location and time of year of the event. One of the best tips for wedding dress attire is to pick a silhouette that is figure flattering for your particular body shape. As weddings are immortalised in photographs, it is important to choose something that is attuned to your body and will transcend time – best opt for dresses that aren’t too focused on fast-fashion and trends. 

What should a female guest wear to a wedding? 

There are less and less rules for dressing for a wedding, you can opt for wedding party dresses or designer jumpsuits or pant suits. You just have to make sure that your outfit adheres to the dress code (if provided) and that it makes you feel confident and beautiful.

What to wear to a wedding in winter/summer?

Your wedding party outfit will change depending on the season and the location of the wedding. An event in a tropical destination will call for beach appropriate attire throughout the year, but in a more varied climate, a summer dress will be needed in warmer months and long sleeves in the cooler season. In winter, velvet and sequins are a timeless and appropriate option. Carla Zampatti offers signature sequin designs and figure skimming velvet to mark the special occasion. For summer weddings, opt for lightweight and airy georgette or breathable linen and cotton dresses. You can find more relaxed options in the leisure collection. 

What colours are you not supposed to wear to a wedding?

One of the only rules that cannot be ignored when choosing an engagement party outfit or wedding party outfit is to avoid white. This is unless the bride specifically requests to wear white to one of the celebrations – but white should be avoided to let the bride shine in her wedding gown. Instead, opt for neutral hues and save the white for your own wedding dress or another occasion!

Another popular query is whether it is appropriate to wear black to a wedding. The traditional answer is no; black should be reserved for times of mourning instead of celebration. However, this mindset has eased over the years and now black is an acceptable and chic option to choose as a wedding party dress. Many brides have also chosen black as bridal party outfits to contrast against the white wedding dress. The eveningwear collection features formal dresses in signature black crepe and georgette that are elegant and timeless options. 

Can I wear black to a wedding?

Unlike white, black is not a complete taboo, just analyse the setting of the wedding and the particular couple – are they traditional and would prefer bright and happy colour, or are they more laid back and wouldn’t mind if black was worn? Unsure? Play it safe, and go for dark navy if you still want to wear a darker hue.