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How do I Dress for a Semi-formal Reception?

Feb 23, 2011 / By Tom Ryan

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A sensible cocktail dress is just right for a semi-formal reception.

Photo: Maria Taglienti-Molinari/Pixland/Getty Images

If there's one thing a bride loves, it's getting her way on her wedding day. So be sure you follow her rules, especially when it comes to how you dress. Everyone knows that only one woman at the wedding gets to wear white, but that isn't the only rule of dressing appropriately. The dress code, which is usually on the invitation, tells you what type of clothing to wear --- be it black tie, white tie, casual, festive or semi-formal. While semi-formal may sound confusing, it gives you a few simple options for what to wear and makes it easy to find something flattering.

Double-check the invitation. If it says "semi-formal", you're in good shape. If it doesn't indicate the dress code, look at the time of the event. Traditionally, if the wedding is held in the evening, you need to dress semi-formal or formal. If the wedding is held earlier in the day, you have more wiggle room. While this is a good guideline, ask a bridesmaid to be sure of what is expected of you.

Wear a colored cocktail dress or your old friend --- the little black dress. Dress it up just enough by wearing a pair of heels. For colored cocktail dresses, silver and jewels are a safe bet. If you're going with the LBD, jazz it up with pearls. While wearing a dress like this is appropriate, be wary not to pick something too short. The only garter anyone should see at the reception is the bride's.

If comfort is a priority or you just don't want to show up the bride with your best cocktail dress, a simple, dressy skirt and top are perfectly acceptable. A dressy skirt is a longer skirt, so no mini skirts at the bouquet toss, please. The dressy skirt does, however, give you the freedom to wear flats instead of balancing on heels all night. For a fall or winter wedding, add a wrap or a cardigan to keep warm.

1.Cocktail dress

3.Jewelry

5.Dressy top

7.Heels

2.Little black dress

4.Long skirt

6.Cardigan or winter wrap

8.Flats