For what to wear to a rehearsal dinner, dress one notch below the wedding itself. If no dress code is listed, default to semi-formal or cocktail attire, then let the venue guide you: dressier for a rooftop restaurant, relaxed for a backyard. A cocktail dress, a tailored jumpsuit, or chinos with a button-down all work. Avoid white, and never outshine the couple.
The rehearsal dinner sits in an awkward middle: dressier than a normal dinner out, but not as formal as the wedding. Most invitations do not spell out a dress code, which is exactly why guests stress about it. The good news is there is a simple rule that handles almost every case.
If you are the one hosting and planning the evening, our rehearsal dinner planner helps you set the tone, including the dress code to put on the invite.
The one rule: a notch below the wedding
Whatever the wedding's dress code is, the rehearsal dinner is typically one step down. If the wedding is black-tie, guests wear cocktail attire to the rehearsal. If the wedding is cocktail, the rehearsal leans semi-formal or smart casual. This single rule answers most outfit questions before you even open your closet.
What to wear by dress code
If a dress code is listed, follow it. If not, use the venue to place yourself on this scale and dress accordingly.
| Dress code | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | Floral sundress, midi slip dress, soft jumpsuit | Chinos or dark jeans with a button-down or polo |
| Semi-formal / cocktail | Cocktail dress, satin midi, tailored jumpsuit | Dress trousers with a button-down, blazer optional |
| Dressy / formal | Elevated cocktail dress or dressy separates | Suit, tie optional depending on venue |
When in doubt, semi-formal is the safest default for a rehearsal dinner of any venue type.
Let the venue decide for you
When no dress code is listed, the location does the talking. The more formal the setting, the dressier you go.
- Upscale restaurant or rooftop: cocktail attire. A polished dress or a suit fits right in.
- Casual restaurant or brewery: semi-formal or smart casual. A nice dress or trousers and a button-down.
- Backyard or beach: relaxed and breathable, but still put-together. Mind the terrain: stilettos sink in grass and sand, so choose a block heel, wedge or dressy flat.
What to avoid
- White, ivory or cream. The no-white rule extends to the whole wedding weekend, not just the ceremony. Leave those to the couple.
- Anything more formal than the wedding. A guest in a gown at a casual rehearsal reads as overdressed and can pull focus.
- Outshining the couple. This is still their event. Save the show-stopping look for your own occasions.
- Wildly underdressing. Jeans with a t-shirt is too casual unless the couple explicitly says so.
Hosting the weekend? See who traditionally handles it in our guide on who pays for the rehearsal dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How formal is a rehearsal dinner?
Usually one notch less formal than the wedding itself. If no dress code is listed, semi-formal or cocktail attire is the safe default, adjusted up or down based on the venue. A rooftop restaurant calls for dressier looks than a backyard barbecue.
Can you wear jeans to a rehearsal dinner?
Only at a genuinely casual one, and even then choose dark, well-fitting jeans paired with a dressier top or button-down. For most rehearsal dinners, trousers, a skirt or a dress is the safer call.
Can a guest wear black to a rehearsal dinner?
Yes. Black is perfectly appropriate for a rehearsal dinner and reads as polished and easy. The color to avoid is white or anything close to it, since that is reserved for the couple all weekend.
What should I wear if no dress code is listed?
Default to semi-formal or cocktail attire, then let the venue fine-tune it. Dress up for an upscale restaurant and keep it relaxed but put-together for a backyard or beach, where you should also skip thin heels.